The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-11
The Convention Raportar.

mature deliberation concerning the risks
of the undertaking, to publish Quarterly
| which would be the special organ of the
Convention and convey to the Universal
lists Of Indiana more detailed accounts of
work done, and more deliberately present
to our people the plans and purposes of
the Convention than we could reasonably
expect would be given in the pages of
our UNCONVENTIONAL papers. Heretofore
the Convention had issued circulars and
appeals, and our UNCONVENTIONAL papers
had freely opened their columns to us,
but it was felt that we could reach more,
say more, go more into detail, and it
would eventually cost no more to issue
| paper. The result has justified our ex-
pectations. II the Convention sees proper
to endorse the enterprise and continue
the paper, I am very confident it's circu-
lation with very little effort can be trebled,
and its advertisements doubled, and still
give its readers hundred columns of
denominational matter.
1t may be proper, perhaps, to say here
that the Reporter is in no sense a rival OF
any other publication. 1t has specific
work and should keep within its legiti-
mate field. In it's editorial management
am conscious that I have made some
mistakes, but as it was my first venture
in that direction, 1 pray your charity.
Helping Others.
It has been source Of great satisfac-
ton to me to be able to work up great
many appointments for my co-laborers
in the ministry. The missionary is loudly
called for, and he cannot be ubiqui-
tous. "The harvest is white labor
ers few" and the Convention is derelict
in duty if it fails to sustain the missiona-
ry. He has opportunities for finding the
"open door, not enjoyed by many of the
brethren. And can say without boast
ing that in more than score of instances
I paved the way for some one to follow
me. And would be ungrateful if did
not acknowledge my Indebtedness to my
brother ministers. All with whom came
in contact extended the helping hand
and bade me "God speed"
My Methods.
In the prosecution of my work I have
not made preaching speciality, although
I have preached times during the year.
I rather sought to act the pastor, the
| h. ~Aoks
acted wisely you must judge. have
gone into more than three hundred Uni
versalist homes during the year and
talked about the interests of our Zion
more effectively than / could have done
from the pulpit. 1 believe this to be the
true policy. The Superintendent should
be more of pastor than mere pulpit or
ator. have given great deal of atten-
ton to and spared no pains in gathering
statistics. / believe that the Indiana
page that will appear in the next "Regis-
ter" will very fairly present our denom-
national strength.
| The Convention Farm.
This property has been greatly inn
proved during the past year. The woods
have been enclosed and some ditching
done. Twenty acres rented for wheat at
$500 per acre, and fine crop of oats
raised on another tract. This crop is now
in market, and estimate it's value at at
least fifty dollars. We also disposed of
last years crop of corn, realizing $50.
I sincerely wish the Convention would
effect some much needed improvements
in fencing, draining, barn building, etc.
A committee should be appointed at this
Convention to visit the farm and arrange
for developing its resources. AS have
laid my views fully before your Execu-
tive Committee, it is not necessary for me
to enlarge upon this topic.
The Permanent Missionary Fund
has been kept steadily in view, and when
it becomes expedient to make this matter
a Speciality we will find many friends de-
string to contribute thereto. 1 think the
time is now ripe to push this enterprise,
and believe that with iudicious manage
ment and proper encouragement on the
part of the Convention, by this time next
year such fund will be pledged as will
wonderfully strengthen our cause and
gladden. our hearts. Already thousands
of dollars worth of property are about to
pass into our hands, if we are wise, dis
Greet, and can give satisfactory guaran
tees to the donors that their wishes will
be faithfully carried out.
UNCONVENTIONAL Growth.
Despite the paucity of preachers, and
the fact that nearly one half of our par
ishes are pastorless, am very happy to
be able to report a decided increase in
strength and numbers. One new society,
Pleasant Grove, has been formed and will
seek your fellowship. Every Association
reports handsome gain in mem bership.
A dozen churches have effected extensive
repairs. Our people, many of them, are
awakening to the Importance of doing
more for the spiritual wants of the chill
dren of the church, as evidenced by the
more general observance of Childrens
Sunday, and conservation in baptism.
We have given considerable attention to
the formation of pastoral circuits, and
some progress has been made, but in the
chaotic condition OF our parishes, the
formation of pastoral circuits is the most
froublasopoo ouoofion mo ora BALLAD x1DoY