The 1899 "Five Principles" Declaration
The portion customarily used in worship is in bold type.
The Profession of Faith adopted by this body at its session at Winchester, N. H., A. D. 1803, is as follows: The Winchester Profession
2. The conditions of fellowship in this Convention shall be as follows:
I. The acceptance of the essential principles of the Universalist faith, to wit: The Universal Fatherhood of God; the spiritual authority and leadership of His Son Jesus Christ; the trustworthiness of the Bible as containing a revelation from God; the certainty of just retribution for sin; the final harmony of all souls with God. The Winchester Profession is commended as containing these principles, but neither this, nor any other precise form of words, is required as a condition of fellowship, provided always the principles as stated above be professed.
II. The acknowledgement of the authority of the General Convention and assent to its laws.
2c. These historic declarations of faith with liberty of interpretation are dear and acceptable to many Universalists. They are commended not as tests but as testimonies in the free quest for truth that accords with the genius of the Universalist Church.
3. These conditions of fellowship in this Convention (church) shall be acceptance of the essential principles of the Universalist faith and acknowledgement of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Universalist General Convention.