The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-02-04

success of these entertainments.
The Association connected with our
Akron, o., church, held its last monthly
meeting on last Friday evening, Jan. 20.
A supper and literary program were pro-
vided. We bespeak for these young peo-
pie all the help and encouragement pos
sible from ell who are friendly to them
and their work. And all who are in any
way friendly to the Universalist church
should deem it privilege, if not duty,
to see that no unnecessary influences are
allowed to stand in the way Of the work
they have in hand. We have too long
been remiss in regard to aiding our youth
in the WORK of the Christian church and
cannot now afford to overlook any atten-
ton which they need to encourage them
in their laudable enterprises.
Early in the year 1884, Mrs. George B.
Marsh, of Chicago, Ill, one OF the Trus-
tees of the Universalist General Conven-
ton, proposed to the Board, through one
of its Committees, Of which she was
member, a plan for the formation OF
Young Peoples Missionary Associations
in the several parishes OF the Universal
ist church, with forms of Constitution
and Bylaws for such Associations. The
Board of Trustees adopted the plan, by
the following resolution: "ResoIUed, that
the Board of Trustees heartily commend
the plan reported by the Committee,
providing for the organization In every
parish for a Young Peoples Missionary
Association, auxiliary to the State and
General Conventions, and presenting a
Constitution and Bylaws for the same;
and they strongly urge State and Sunday
school Superintendent, pastors, and all
other lovers Of our Church to use their just
influence in securing the immediate organ
ization in their respective parishes of the
Associations proposed, and thus promot-
ing among us the missionary spirit, and
giving it due form and power" The
plan was warmly approved by the Gen.
eral Convention.
Already an Association had been form
ed CNo. y in connection with st. PsuPs
church, Chicago, on the basis OF the Con
stitution recommended; and others fol
lowed. The plan originally appeared to
confine the Associations exclusively to
the form of Chris tian work indicated by
their title, but was afterward modified,
go as to authorize other forms, according
to the circumstances of the parishes with
which the several Associations might be
connected.
In the report Of the Board of Trustees
to the General Convention, at its session
of 1887, held in the city of New York, Is
the following statement: " The Secretary
has sought from these Associations IN
formation as to their methods OF expend-
iture. since their organization, receiving
replies to his questions from twenty-tour
Secretaries out of twenty nine addressed.
These reported 1868 members at the time
of organization, to 1853 members now;
receipts from memberships, Soo9.Zo;
from missionary boxes, $669.O2; from
other sources, $1,943 43; payments to the
General Convention, $71692; to the State
Conventions, $689.22; to other objects
1895. The "other objects" include
"clothing poor children, ""howers for the
church and the sick, special missionary
appropriations" "books for the parish"
"Swedish Mission" "parish treasury"
"church repairs" "pastors salary" "Beth-
ell Home,"" tracts" etc. Eighteen Associ-
atoms. report 205 meetings at which exer-
cises appropriate to the purposes of their
organization were had: addresses, discus
sion, essays and the like. The other sources
of income include special collections, do
nations, entertainments, etc. Pastors in
several instances have found these ssso.
Citations helpful to them in various ways.
But their chief value is to be found in
the interest they promote in the work OF
our church through the General and the
State Conventions; and whatever other
valuable service they may fulfil, it is
hoped that their primary purpose will be
kept foremost. Thus youth may be
trained in knowledge of the aims and
possibilities of the Universslist Church,
and may love and respect it, both for its
precious freight of doctrine, and also for
its practical fidelity to its opportunities"
Some notifications of the Constitution
and Bylaws are now deemed judicious,
and the Board of Trustees recommend
them to the present Associations for their
adoption. They also recommend the
Constitution and Bylaws, now proposed,
as the basis Of new organizations, subject
to such change as may be found neces-
sary on account of local circumstances,
except as to Articles vi. and VII. of the
Constitution. These are in no case to
be omitted, to secure the recognition of
the Association by the General Oonven-
ton. A Missionary Association is essen
TALLY religious body; and the modiica-
tons are intended to emphasize this fact,
thus indeed emphasizing the original
purpose of the Association.
Copies of the Constitution and By
laws may be had upon application to
Rev. Henry w. Rugg, Providence, Il. l.,
Chairman of Committee; or to Rev. G. l..
II