The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-02

dead for several years-dead beyond resur-
rection. The causes of this decay are vari-
GUS. Some were born out of due season, and
never lived except in name. Others have
been crippled by deaths and removals, and
internal dissensions have worked destruction
to Others. Steps should be taken to revive
all those parishes and settle ministers, where
there is any prospect of making the work
success. Where parishes are dead beyond
recovery, and they have church property, an
effort should be made to secure that proper
| ty for the use of the Convention. The money
was given for the cause of Universalism, and
it is wrong to allow the church property to
go to decay or to go into the hands of private
parties. If in the hands of the Convention
it could be used to advance the cause in
the State at large. Six ministers are on our
list who are not in active service. Some of
these are superannuated, the rest engaged in
secular work. One minister, Rev.W. j. Hicks,
has left us, the past year, for the better land;
another has withdrawn from active duty; and
one new minister has come among us: and
another is here to commence work soon. In
several of our parishes there has been quite
revival of the cause, and full $50 persons
have been added to our church membership.
The parishes where we have settled ministers
are in very healthy, prosperous condition.
In the suit brought by the heirs to break
the will of Br. Burbank, of West Union, the
higher court has sustained the will, and our
parish there is now at liberty to proceed at
once to the work of building church. By
this decision of the court, they secure some
$4,000. The money left by will for church
at Eft. Dodge several years ago, has doubled
by interest, and forward movement should
soon be made in that growing and beautiful
city.
We own desirable lots for the erection of
church edifices at Waterloo and Oskaloosa,
and we believe that if proper efforts were
made in these places to build up our cause
they would prove successful. A few years
ago our little church at Dexter was sold for
$7OO,and the money placed in the hands of one
of the Trustees for safe keeping. Cannot the
Convention secure that money and hold it in
trust till needed there again, using the inter
est for the State work?
AS we look over the field and take into ac-
count all things, we believe our cause is in a
better condition to-day in the State than at
the beginning of the year. And therefore we
have good reasons to be hopeful and encour-
aged, and to enter upon the new year with re-
newed zeal and earnestness. And vet wa
feel we have not done ell that we ought. or
could have done. Iowa, in many respects, is
State peculiarly adapted to the work of our
church. And all over this commonwealth, in
almost every town and hamlet in the State,
there are men and women who accept our
faith and are in full sympathy with US. But
we lack organization. Our forces are scat
tered. We need earnest, faithful evangelists
to travel over the State and gather our peo
pie into one fold. Gould evangelists 90 forth
two by two, as in olden times, and preach the
gospel OF the kingdom to the people, here and
there, everywhere organizing believers into
churches, and leaving each flock in charge
of some one who would lead them, what
qulckening there might be among usl Some
how we lack zeal and devotion to what we
believe to be the truth. We greatly enjoy our
religion. 1t gives us infinite satisfaction.
We talk of our joys, but we do not work for
tho spread of this religion. We forget that
what affords us such supreme satisfaction
will satisfy others also, and that having tasted
of the good fruits of the kingdom ourselves,
1t is our duty to communicate what we DOS
sess to others. that they may rejoice with us.
AS means to bring about this result, which
we all long and pray for, allow us to suggest
the following
Recommendations.
1. That the work of raising an endowment
fund be continued and pushed forward with
earnestness, and that all our people be seen
personally and be urged to give something to
increase this fund.-
2. That either an active, energetic Finan-
cial Agent be engaged to canvass the State in
this work, doing missionary work as oppor-
tunity presents itself, or State Superinten
dent be secured, who shall give portion of
his time to securing funds.
b. That In raising money the method of
securing pledges adopted last year be contin-
ned; also that more attention be given to Sc
curing ilfe memberships, and that an effort
be made to secure, for the Conventions use.
all church property, where our cause is dead
past redemption.
T. That those who love our church and
have means be asked not only to contribute
something while living, but to remember the
needs of the Convention in their wills.
B. That all parishes without pastors be
asked to make the effort to renew regular
services, we pledging ourselves to render
them all assistance in our power.
6. That where parishes are too weak to
maintain services alone. they be urged to
unite IN forming circuit, thus each holding
regular services portion of the time
7. That the present modes of raising money
for Convention work be continued: l. BY
parish collections. 2. The Woman's Mis-
sionary Association. 8. Individual contribu-
tons. t. Missionary boxes.
8. That sometime during the summer
months we hold a grove mass meeting at
some central place, and that our people be
invited to come in full force and help make
the occasion one of great Joy and earnest
conservation.
8. That more attention be given to the or
ganization of our scattered forces and the
increasing of our church membership.
10. That to this end special meetings be
planned and carried out in all our churches,
during the winter months.
IL. That the propriety of securing an evan
gelist to visit our parishes and to hold meet
ings with view of quickening new life
| among ne b6 cOneidarad NV fhia Nonuant;ox,