The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-09

OI buo mlSSlOudry spirit anu TO become
enlarged by devising more liberal things.
Our people wonld be more generous in
support of the local work, if they had
more interest in the general work of our
church. The churches which do most for
others, do most easily the work at home.
We must continue to educate the people
to sense of their duty in this direction
and give them correct views regarding
their relationship to the church of Christ.
We must come to believe thoroughly in
missionary work and when ministers and
laymen do believe in it with all their
souls, they will work for it, sacrifice
for it, and make it the most important
branch of church enterprise. With
out this spirit no true progress can be
made, as it is a condition of our growth
and advance.
We must also encourage worthy young
men and women to enter our ministry.
It must, however, be an educated and
consecrated ministry, and as essential
unity of thought is of great importance
TO the extension and upbuilding of our
church, we must see to it that they are
sufficiently in harmony with Universal
ism to conscientiously preach it.
Lower Wabash Association.
August 10, ID, IA, Is, I attended the
annual meeting of the Lower Wabash
Association in Beecher City. Feeling
the importance of having some official
representative Of the Convention present
at the meeting of the above named Aeso-
citation, early in the year I made an ar
rangement for attendance. This Associ-
alton includes all that portion of the
State which lies south of Springfield.
The attendance upon this meeting was
large and the audience more than filled
the church at each session when relig-
ious services were held. Few OF these
people have had the opportunity of
meeting with the State Convention, and
have as yet, very crude ideas regarding
our organization and plan of work. The
majority, having never received proper in
struction regarding their relation to this
Convention, are Indifferent to it's claims
upon their attention and contributions.
Here is field needing the attention of
the Convention. There are many diff
culties in the way of rapid growth
which will, in time, be removed as the
country becomes more prosperous and
the people are educated to more gener-
GUS support of the gospel.
Within this Association are many Uni
versalists and several small parishes,
perhaps too many, that are only preach
ing stations and without reasonable
hope of ever becoming a permanent
church. No church within the Association
is large and strong enough to support
preaching every Sunday in the year, and
none supporting a minister moro than
one Sunday in each month. Possessing
few "riches of this world" and poorly
trained in giving for the church, they are
not able or willing to support such minis
tiers as they desire to hear and SO remain
either without preaching or live at a
were adopted at their last meeting ex.
pressing approval of the State Conven-
ton and its methods of work and pledging
more cordial support.
The church building in Kirkwood has
passed into the possession of Mr.. N. A.
Chaplin, who has generously offered the
Convention two-thirds of the purchase
money, in case it can be sold. have
been there to investigate, and found it
not advisable to force a sale at present.
l think the matter can be adjusted dur
ing the coming year and something be
realized from the property.
Recommendations.
a. The resolutions adopted by the
Lower Wabash Association and ad-
dressed to this Convention, should receive
serious consideration by the Conven-
ton.
(2) The Convention should continue its
various lines of work without any essen
tial change, other than to increase the
efficiency Of it's present methods.
g. The policy pursued by the Trus-
tees in concentrating the labors of the
missionary and continuing at any given
point, till success is assured, should meet
your hearty approval and be continued.
a. We should continue to interest our
parishes in the general work of the Con-
vention and secure more generous and
prompt contributions in support thereof,
to the end that our church may be ex-
tended and the local parishes be revived
and strengthened.
o. The Superintendent should make
an immediate effort to settle pastors at
Hoopeston, Leroy, Windsor and Litch-
field, and form at least two circuits within
the limits of the Lower Wabash Associa-
ton. The church properties at Kirkwood,
Pekin and other points should receive
the attention of the Superintendent.
Thara ra aauorol ohnrohop that ehaull