The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-07

clip the following suggestive article. 1t
presents an aspect Of things which
should appeal powerfully to the zeal
and liberty of all Christian people:
In over twenty counties in the South,
which belong to the field of an Ameri-
can Sunday-schoo Union missionary,
''there are no communities outside the
towns and villages that have regular
preaching on the Lords day." Some
of the ministers have from four to
eight preaching places, and can reach
them only once in as many weeks. A
Sunday-school is the only religious SER
vice which can be sustained regularly
every Sabbath. Some of the people
have not heard a sermon for many
years, and young people almost reach
ing the age of maturity have never
heard Gospel sermon in their lives.
This is not because they have willfully
neglected means Of grace, but because
no religious services have been held
near them. The children are so wild
that they run away and hide whenever
they see stranger approaching their
homes. Some of the people wish for
better things; but lack of knowledge,
of means, and of confidence in each
other, make them helpless. When a
missionary comes he knows how mat.
tiers can be mended. He has confidence
in his remedy, for he has seen it effect
ual again and again. He knows how
to go to work. His confidence begets
confidence, his enthusiasm begets en-
thusiasm, his knowledge compensates
for the lack Of knowledge in others.
Experience has shown him the best
ways of securing results with the least
friction. He raises the banner of the
cross, and when Jesus is thus lifted up
men are drawn to him as they have
been during all the Christian centuries.
Here is an illustrative incident from
missionary's notebook. 1t was in the
great State Of Georgia. People told
him that there had been only three re
ligious services in their community in
nine years. He visited all the families
far and near. He found a dilapidated
schoolhouse, and appointed meeting
therein for the following Sabbath. The
little room was more than full. All
listened with great attention to the
speaker as he discoursed to them of
God, of Christ, of the Bible and the way
Of life. A Sunday-school was planted,
and soon became one of the most prom
Using en- the roll. A church has been
organized and neat edifice put up. A
prayer-meeting is well attended, there
is regular preaching every month, and
many have been led to believe in Jesus
and to confess him.
This story of one community might
be multiplied many fold. Sunday
schools have been planted which have
become centers Of Bible light to all the
regions around. Weak and feeble Sun
day-schools have been visited and
strengthened; Sunday-school conven-
tons have been held, at which superin-
tendents and teachers have been encour-
aged and instructed; prayer-meetings
have been established; regular preach
ing has been secured for destitute COM
munities; churches have been organ
lied, and by the blessing of God have
induced an intelligent study of the
word of God, which has brought light
and salvation to many awakened souls,
reminding one of the prophecy, 1.-THE
wilderness and the solitary place shall
be glad for them; and the desert shall
rejoice, and blossom as the rose"
What field this presents for Christ
ian activity in this part of our country.
What a vast amount of good to be done
with small outlay. What a large oppor-
tunity for some gallant Knight of the
Cross to win name and fame. What a
picture of moral and spiritual destitu-
ton waiting to be fed with the bread of |
heaven, and clothed with the garments |
of righteousness. Who, out of our |
Zion, will answer this trumpet call? !