The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-18

dent Wilder announced that the first
topic for Observation-Disclosures being
temporarily suspended = was,
"The Necessity of Regular Sunday Col
lections'
This was introduced by brief paper
by Capt. G. III. Tro.t. We give full
report of very sensible and timely
address:
While the subject of the financial support
of the church is not under consideration,
still it is closely connected with church col
lections aud it will be necessary to touch on
it somewhat.
Among the various methods adopted for
providing for the church expense, probably the
best is the weekly subscription; that is, a sub
scription which provides for contribution
of stated sum each week by each subscriber.
larger subscription can be secured in this
way than in any other; for instance, persons
will freely give twenty-five cents per week
who would hesitate to contribute $1,000 a.
year. The weekly subscription seems insig-
mncant Dy comparison.
The subscription having been made the
question is, when shall it be collected? Prac-
tically the best time is at each regular SER
vice. Undoubtedly no better than the en-
velope system has ever been devised for this
purpose. 1t has been successfully carried
out in SO many churches that it is worthy our
| thoughtful consideration, and is in itself a
sufficiently strong argument for its universal
adoption.
To the collection made in this way no sub
scriber can reasonably object. There are
those who contribute nothing, whose con-
sciences may be disturbed, perhaps, at hav-
ing an invitation extended to them twice
marks are applicable. But there can be no
right-minded Christian who will not make
sacrifices in some direction to enable him to
give something to the church of his faith.
The smallest SUN, say five or ten cents,
contributed each week in the right spirit by
those who can afford no more, is as accepta-
BILE as the contribution of dollars by those
who are better able. And large number of
these small contributions, not only make up
large aggregate, but the giving creates bet
ter feeling in the hearts of the givers. 1t is
not to be supposed that there ia church.
| goer in the State of Kansas who cannot con-
tribute something each week.
Suppose, however, that some other plan
has been devised for the pastors salary and
church expenses. l still believe the collec-
ton should be taken at every regular church
service,-if not for the direct benefit of the
church, then for some enterprise connected
with it; for the poor, for missionary purposes,
for the State Convention, for the General
Convention, or for some other worthy object.
Each man, woman and child in the church
and Sunday-school should be educated to
| give of their earnings to the church, and in
order to really benefit the giver, some little
sacrifice must be made to enable them to
make the gift.
Every person who attends divine service
should regard it duty and a privilege to
take with him his offerings to the Lord. 1t
should be regarded as part of the services,
and the pastor had the correct idea when he
announced that, "We will continue the SER
vice by taking up collection"
1t is as much part of the service as the
singing and the prayer, and it seems to me
that no Universalist should not feel that an
important part of the service is omitted if
this is neglected. If strangers from other
churches happen in, they are prepared to put
their offerings in the basket They expect
the opportunity to do so.
This subject should interest every parish,
- 4 A.I-z j. IL
favor.
President Wilder followed, and en-
dorsed the position taken by the writer
of the paper. Rev. A. Barnes was
heartily in favor of the Sunday collec-
tions, and gave his experience at juno
ton City. DR.. Demarest gave his
earnest word in behalf of collection
at every service. In old times he was
accustomed to collection at every
sermon, and there were three of them
on Sunday. The collection was always
means of grace. DR.. Cantwell fol-
lowed. The early Christians did not
carry around subscription papers or
pay pew rentals, but they gave from
Sunday to Sunday. We should lift the
church above all resort to worldly ex-
pedients for the support of the gospel.
The collection educates the people in
the ''divine science of giving" Mr..
Williams also spoke. If this system
was generally adopted our churches
would progress more rapidly. If all
people did their duty in regard to this
question of finance there would not be
any need of closing any of the Kansas
churches the present year.
"The Requisites of Successful Minister
A paper on this subject, by Mr.. C.
V. n. Smith, of Topeka, was read by
President Wilder. 1t held up high
standard for the ministry, and was
valuable paper in all respects. THE
UNIvERsALIsT will give it in full an
other week. We note the recapitula-
lions of the paper: The requisites for
the successful minister are an effort at
least to attain to pure moral lives, good
intellectual development through thor
ough college training, spiritual conse-
Grafton and the practical application of
such superior attachments through
conscious labor for yourselves and 9TH
ers.
DIR. Demarest, j. II. HI. Ford and