Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/222

212 has made us free. On my return, I shall communicate to you the result of our meeting." Upon the close of the same month of September, he thus writes: "Well, I have been to Oxford, and the assembly convened there was truly primitive. We deliberated, first, on a ; secondly, on the propriety of being united in our common defence; thirdly, upon the utility of an annual meeting of representatives from the different societies; and fourthly, upon keeping up a constant correspondence by letter. Each of these particulars are to be laid before the societies, represented by their delegates on this occasion, and, if approved, their approbation to be announced by circular letters, to the several societies. Mr. Winchester delivered a most excellent sermon; his subject was, "but though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." By the desire of Mr. Winchester, I closed the subject."

Thus was a convention formed, and, we may add, organized, by the Father of Universalism in this country. But, alas! in no long time, a root of bitterness sprang up, which destroyed his pleasure in the association. Yet, in the last stage of his pilgrimage, he frequently regretted, that his attendance upon this convention had not been more uniform; as he might possibly, by his years and his experience, have met and obviated the difficulties which distressed him. Mr. Winchester, searching the bible for arguments to confute Mr. Murray, became himself a Universalist, but he was a Universalist of the Charles Chauncy (1705–1787) school. He was a man of pure morals, and an ardent lover of the Redeemer.

At this period, in addition to the houses erected in Gloucester, and in Portsmouth, a convenient place for public worship was procured by the Universalists in the city of Philadelphia; and, in the city of New-York, a church had been purchased, which they forbore to open, until it could be dedicated by the peace-speaking voice of the Promulgator. In the course of the autumn, or winter of 1785, the Bostonians purchased a meeting-house in Bennet-street. This house they enlarged and beautified; here Mr. Murray was occasionally their officiating minister. And in the metropolis of Pennsylvania, New-York, and Massachusetts, he was earnestly solicited to take up his residence.

Previous to the decision obtained by the Gloucesterians, a prosecution was commenced against their Preacher, for performing the marriage ceremony. Persuaded that he was commissioned by his God to preach the gospel, and knowing that he was ordained by the people to whom he administered, he believed himself authorized to receive the