The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-21
THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT.
Its Missionary and Executive Phases.

Its Missionary and Executive Phases.
Those who have given serious
thought to the subject of missionary
work, not only in planting new, but in
nourishing and keeping alive old fields
of labor, concede it to be one of the
most potent and necessary agencies in
the spreading of Christianity of the
Universalist type.
To most effectively prosecute mis-
sionary work, our preachers and pro-
Tossing believers must act in harmony
on well-defined plan. This plan must
not only carry with it that which will
commend it to enlightened judgments
and quickened consciences, but it must
also necessarily possess, to persuasive
degree, the hint of authority.
To capture and control the intense
democratic feeling of individual SOW
reignty, which is naturally peculiar to
both preachers and people Of our faith,
and to mold and fashion it into service.
able utility-to change it from an ele-
ment of weakness into an element of
strength, when combined effort is de-
sired, has been an unsolved problem in
our past experience. If this desired
object is ever accomplished, it will be
through the State Superintendency by
an incumbent whose Christian spirit,
genius and commanding executive abil-
ity will win allegiance and overcome
all obstacles.
In no other way, by no other methods
can the raveled and broken threads of
our cause, represented by idle but will
ing hands and hearts, scattered broad
cast over our State; be gathered UP ard
rewoven into chord Of sufficient
strength to move the whole earth.
Until this is done by some master
hand, the prophetic genius of Univer-
salism will fail of complete fulfillment.
WHAT'S needed is organization, method,
with common fixed and worthy
purpose to be accomplished by work, in
which all can and must be unselfshly
engaged, with an inspiration and energy
that permits no tagging, and which
treats with scorn the suggestion of
failure.
Let us begin at home. In Ohio we
have many fertile but at present uncul-
tivated fields.
Look abroad. What is discovered
Pastorless churches on every hand and
general apathy among professed Uni
versalists in many sections of the State.
Our honored pioneer preachers have
dissipated the black cloud of fear as to
the eternity Of punishment to an ex-
tent, that little remains of it in our
day, anywhere, to cast its baleful
shadow over the lives of men.
This has been done by the power of
argument in opposition to other sys-
TENS, and while necessary step it has
in tco many instances only resulted in
breaking up the fallow ground and pre-
pairing the SOL for the indigenous
seeds of anti-orth oxy to take root.
While this class may possibly be
greatly benefited as the subjects of
missionary labors, yet the hope of the
future Of the Universalist Church rests
with its willing workers, its youth and
its children.
They must be trained to imbibe
higher and broader conceptions and
comprehension of the progressive truths
of Universalism and the responsibilities
they impose.
They must be graduated out of the
thigh school" of missionary workers,
with their diplomas inscribed with the
device that "a life is failure in the
degree that it comes short of contribu-
ting its best endeavors to the dissent
nation of the sublime truths of Chris
tianity of the Universalist type"
The Superintendency involves other
inherent duties and responsibilities of
great weight and Importance. but the
missionary phase of its mission out
weighs them all.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, pre-
sented from the Ministerial Associa-
tion were adopted by the Ohio Universal
list Convention, at its session in June.
1857, defining the duties of State Super
intendent:
ReSoIred.-That this Ministerial Associa-
ton recommends to the Ohio Universalist
State Convention the following plan of work
for the church extension, and petitions that
body to adopt said plan as basis of contin-
uous operation:
l. There shall be chosen by the Executive
Committee, a State Superintendent of
churches, to be under the immediate control
and direction of the Executive Committee.
2. The duties of the State Superintendent
of churches shall be thus defined: