The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-26
INDIAN TERRITORY.

Itappesrs that not only preached the
first Universalist sermon ever preached
in this Territory, but, that have the
honor, if there be any, of having preached
the first sermon of any kind ever de-
livered in this vicinity. If by heathens,
we mean those who have not the gospel,
this vicinity may properly be 30 classed.
There are grown men and women here
who have never been inside of church
or heard the message Of salvation. Not
that such is the state of the people in
general throughout the territory; for the
Presbyterians and Methodists have nu-
merous preaching stations through the
Territory and some fairly strong de-
nominational schools; but these cannot
supply all the localities, and Adair and
vicinity seems to have been one of the
unfortunate localities. There is one no.
table thing worthy Of mention here. The
people are less exclusive than I expected
to find them. There is no disposition on
the part of the natives to ostracise Uni
versalists, owing probably to the fact that
the orthodox have not been here to SOW
the seed of dislike In advance. Thus far
the people have been friendly to my
meetings. But among the non-citizens,
that is those who have come in here from
the States, such as have been identified
with the orthodox churches before COM
ing here, and who had therefore been
surcharged with enmity. toward our faith,
I find the same opposition we meet
with elsewhere. AS sample give this
instance.
A Mr.. Wilkerson came here about
the time I came and with whom had
many talks and arguments while he was
in waiting for his family, and before I
had begun holding meetings in the depot.
Mr.. Wilkerson is Baptist. He seemed
ed surprised that we made any preten-
sions to religion in an organized form.
He supposed all there was in Universal
ism was to throw off all restraint, live
and do as you please, and believe that
everybody would be saved "any how"
I assured him that we were a religious
people as we understand religion; that
we haYe churches and maintain relig-
ious life very similar to other professed
Christians and invited him to attend my
services which expected to establish
soon. or course he assented, claiming
that he was willing to hear any denomin-
alton. He concluded that our faith met
the wants of his soul more perfectly than
his own, and expressed desire to be
convinced OF it's truth. But alas! prom
ises, they say, are like pie-crusts, easily
broken; and so it proved in this case. AL
though he lives within stones throw
of the depot where / hold my services
and Sunday school every Sunday, nei-
Their himself nor one of his three sons nor
his wife or daughter have so much as set
foot once into our services or Sunday
school or our Wednesday evening prayer
and praise meetings. And on last Sun.
day at the hour for my services Mr..
Wilkerson had bear dance in front of
his door with crowd OF men to cheer
and make fun.
On Monday, meeting Mr.. WilkersoD, I
said to him, "Br. Wilkerson, believe
you had q larger audience at your meet
ing Sunday than had but think our
gift was more acceptable to God" He
tried to excuse himself by saying he
could not help it; that the gypsies came
there and he could not prevent the per-
Torrance. told him 1 never knew of a
protested Universalist remembering the
Sabbath day after that fashion; and that
if he was not very careful the Universal
lists whom he thought had no religion,
would prove themselves more orthodox
using the word in its true sense) than
the orthodox themselves. The same
gypsies came from his door to mine, but I
drove them away.
want to do all the missionary work,
/ can while remain here, and some day
the seed viii grow to harvesting ripe
ness, no doubt. may not gather any
of it, but l will have the pleasure Of
planting the seed. E. M. CLARK.
Addir, l.. T.