Free Religious Association
Free Religious Association [1]
"the name of an association established in Boston, tnited States, in May 1867. The Constitution adopted at the first meeting declared the objects of the association to be to promote the interests of pure religion, to encourage the scientific study of theology, and to increase fellowship in the spirit; and to this end all persons interested in these objects are cordially invited to its membership. Each member of the association is left individually responsible for his own opinions alone, and affects in no degree his relations to other associations. Any person desiring to cooperate with the association will be considered a member, with full right to speak in its meetings, but is required to contribute a small annual fee as a preliminary to the privilege of voting on questions of business. The association is to hold an annual meeting at Boston, one month's notice of the meeting being previously given. A permanent organization was effected of officers and committees. At the first meeting speeches were made by Unitarians, Universalists, Spiritualists, Progressive Friends, Progressive Jews, and others connected with no particular religious denomination. At the second meeting, held in 1868, a Baptist clergyman, who had bean censured for close communion practice, and an Episcopalian clergyman, who had been tried for an exchange of pulpit with a non-Episcopal clergyman, were among the speakers. (A.J.S.)
