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

Rev. l.. W. Brigham as State Superintendent.
He is the right man in the right place. There
fore. we recommend that his services be
secured, If practicable, to continue in this
mission. We would suggest to the Board
close analysis of the recommendations in his
report, believing them well conceived and full
of good, if efficiently executed by wise plans
of operation.
"a. In view of the extent of the field of
labor and of the inability of one man, how
ever active and efficient to cover it, we rec
ommend the employment of an Assistant SUI
perintendent at the earliest possible moment
that provision can be made for bis mainte-
nance.
(5). The policy of the Convention in concen-
tratiDg its main efforts on certain important
points until permanent results have been Sc
cured, having so far completely justified itself.
we recommend its continuance
t6). We congratulate the Convention on the
improved condition of it's finances, more mon
ey having been raised by the various means
employed than in any previous year This re-
suit has been mainly secured by apportioning
the amount to be raised among the several
parishes, and by continuing the same policy
from year to year. We earnestly recommend
that this policy be continued under the care,
as heretofore. of the Executive Committee.
| GD. We recommend that an hour be set apart
by the Convention during its present session.
when the roll of the parishes shall be called and
pledges asked from each toward the current
expenses for the ensuing year.
(s). The Wabash Association having memo
riaized this body on the subject of more eff
cient missionary work within its bounds and
| the Executive Committee having in its report
called your attention to the urgent needs in
this direction in the southern section of the
State, we recommend the reference of both
matters to the Executive Committee, with a
request that they give them their most care
| full attention.
| (9). We second heartily the suggestion of
both the Executive Committee and the Super
intendent, that during the ensuing year an
effort be made to establish a parish in at least
one of the centers of population and influence
in the State, and recommend that as much
time and energy and means as is possible be
given to this end
40. We recommend that further matters
pertaining to the Springfield parish be left to
the wisdom of the Executive Committee.
I'D. That portion of the report of the State
| Superintendent relating to the settling of pas
tors over certain parishes within your juris-
| diction is worthy of your earnest considera-
ton; and we recommend that this body
| through its proper representatives, give i'm
mediate attention to the matter. We would also
call your attention to the matter of leopard
lied titles to church property in various local
| tiles within the State. Nothing works more
disastrously toward the downfall of church
than hopeless debt. Where such debts rest
| upon parishes, the State Superintendent
should be allowed time and be granted every
| reasonable assistance, to enable him, through
his counsel business tact and energy, to help
the people clear off the encumbrance.
| Q2). In this connection, another matter,
emphasized in the reports of both the Execu-
tive Committee and State Superintendent, is
| brought to our attention: that is, the impor-
lance of having parish property decided to the
| Convention. We would ask your earnest con-
| sideration of this subject that it may be i'm
| pressed upon the minds of both clergy and
| laity throughout the State. We would also
suggest that the State Superintendent be in
structed to urge this matter upon all parish
es which he may visit, that they may early ad-
just themselves to this order of things, and be
enabled to place their property beyond peril.
Q3). The close of the report of the Executive
Committee bears the following language:
With our next session the Convention will
have completed the first half century of its
existence. Standing on the ground achieved
by the struggles of the last few years, with
the earnest cooperation of those parishes that
are still lukewarm in the work, the opportu-
nifty is presented to make the fiftieth year of
this Convention memorable in our denomina-
tional history, for the results accomplished in
the State. Are we ready to embrace this OPP
portunity?"
We recommend that this Convention show
its disposition to answer affirmatively the
question with which the Committee closes it's
report, by re solving to ttingly celebrate at it's
next session the semi centennial of its exist
ence; that meanwhile, as partial expression
of our gratitude for past blessings TO our be-
loved Church.we make an earnest effort to es-
tablish semi-oentennial church in some large
center as before stated; and that, furthermore,
we strive faithfully to increase the annual
contributions $500 10 meet theexpenses of the
Assistant Superintendent; and that we make
an effort to increase the Permanent Fund of
the Convention by $40 GOO as a special semi
centennial Offering.
All of which is respectfully submitted
W. S. RALPH.
T.. a. etsSNGER.
Fl. ID. l.. WEBSTER. }Commfttee
F. A. WINKELMAN,
S. o. SIMONDS.