In 1785 the first real organization of churches tinder the name Universalist was ef fected in the town of Oxford, Mass. In 1790 a more extended gathering of Universalists met in Philadelphia. At this meeting were representatives from churches in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. This convention adopted articles of faith and a form of church government. The articles were five in number and related (1) to the Holy Scrip tures, (2) to the Supreme Being, (3) to the Mediatorship of Christ, (4) to the work of the Holy Ghost, (5) to the necessity of good works. In 1803 there was held in Winchester, N. H., a convention of Universalists which produced a confession of faith that was made, later on, the basis of fellowship and faith in the Uni versalist denomination. This profession of faith, like the others which had preceded it, was not adopted as an obligatory statement of faith, but only as the common ground on which those gathered could unite for the organization of a convention. The articles then adopted are as follows: "Article 1. We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain a revelation of the character of God, and of the duty. interest and final destination of mankind.
Article 2. We believe that there is one God, whose nature is Love, revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by one Holy Spirit of Grace, who will finally restore the whole family of man kind to holiness and happiness.
Article 3. We believe that holiness and true happinsm are inseparably connected, and that believers ought to lat careful to maintain order and practise good works, for these things are good and profitable unto MM." A prominent figure at this Winchester con vention was the Rev. Hosea Ballou, already referred to, who was then 32 years of age. He advocated a doctrine of Universalismuite J different in many 'points from that of John Murray. His fundamental doctrine was the universal fatherhood and infinite love of God and he argued that the death of Christ came as the effect of this eternal principle. Also he argued that sin is a voluntary transgression of the law and not an inherited condition, that the human will is free and yet that ultimately man will conform to the will of God; that the death of Christ was not to pay a debt to God, but to draw men away from sin; that Christ was example and inspiration to lead men to the perfect life; that man would suffer reasonable punishment for violation of all law, but in the end would work in harmony with God. This doctrine of Hosea Ballou has sometimes been called the doctrine of salvation by character. From the appearance of Hosea Ballou a large number of Universalists turned away from John Murray toward Mr. Ballou. It was at this time also that there arose a group who called themselves Restorationists. Their particular
view was that through the sacrifice of Jesus all men would be restored to a state of original innocence. Others said man would receive all punishment in this life, but the larger number affirmed that man would enter the next life with the character he had on leaving this and that the cleansing and purifying process would continue there as here, until man would con form to the laws of God and that no punish ment would be everlasting.
In 1870 the centennial of Universalism was observed by a great gathering in Gloucester, Mass. This brought together noted Universal ists from all over the country; among the lead ers were Dr. T. J. Sawyer, Dr. A. A. Miner, Dr. E. H. Chapin, Dr. R. H. Ryder, Dr. I. M. At wood, Dr. S. H. McCollester, Dr. E. C. Sweet zer, Horace Greeley, Dr. J. S. Cantwell, Dr. C. H. Leonard, Dr. John S. Lee, Pres. E. H. Capen, Dr. A. Gunnison, Dr. Henry Blanchard, Dr. J. C. Adams.
In preparation for the celebration the Mur ray Centenary Fund of $100,000 was raised and a permanent organization of the Univer salist General Convention was effected. In fact, the unified work of the Universalist Church really dates from this time and has tended steadily toward a more co-operative system of operation. In the first years follow ing 1870, the general secretary, Dr. G. L. Demarest, was the chief executive officer of the body. There were chosen 11 men from different sections of the denomination for a board of trustees and through committees from this board the work of the Church was car ried on. There were committees on foreign missions, on education, on increase of the min istry and on finance. But as the churches mul tiplied and the work became more vaned. other officers were added, a special departure being the addition of a general superintendent of churches, which has finally resulted in a system of State superintendents. At this meet ing in 1870 the Winchester Profession of Faith was adopted as the basis of fellowship and all who entered the ministry were required to subscribe to this statement. Almost immedi ately, however, discussions arose and decided objections grew up to certain phrases and words. This controversy continued, often resulting in much hostile debate, until 1899, when there was substituted for the original creed what was known,as a statement of the principles of faith, as follows: "I. The acceptance of the essential principles of the Uni versalist Faith. to wit: (I) The Universal Fatherhood of God; (2) The Spiritual Authority and leadership of His Son, Jesus Christ; (3) The trustworthiness of the Bible as con taining a revelation from God; (4) The certainty of just retri bution for sin; (5) The final harmony of all souls with God.