The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-04
CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN OHIO.

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN OHIO.
Woodstock, o., July 26, 1SsS.-Wbile
all who desire the permanent prosperity
of the Universalist Church must rejoice
in the progress made in the last few years,
toward the more compact forms of gov
eminent and discipline now obtaining,
still, there is much room for improve
ment The one important object to be
accomplished, is to convert many of our
ministers and people to the facts OF de-
nomiDational obligation and responsible
ity. Ministers, as they are licensed and
ordained, must be made to realize, that
the church expects them, not only to pre-
sent and defend the truth, but also to use
every effort possible, to render efficient
for the salvation of mankind, all local and
general machinery created and endorsed
by the church.
When members are received into the
church, they should be made to feel their
obligations regularly to attend worship
and Sunday -school,-to support accord
ing to ability, the means OF grace, and to
live in harmony with the requirements of
our faith. Many of our churches have
long lists of names, representing persons
who have COINED the church" but were
never Fastened" Their faces are rarely
seen in the house Of worship, and il they
support it, it is often with a grudging
spirit. There is scarcely another denom-
ination that would permit people to be
known as members, who, year after year,
neglect or refuse to perform the obliga-
lions assumed by uniting with the church.
Machinery.
While there are defects, no doubt, in
cur church machinery, it is now Of such
construction, that if used zeRlously, it will
accomplish wonders. The trouble is, it
is not used enough to keep it in good run
ming order.
Delinquent Pastors.
Ministers in most conventions OF our
church, have but two collections to care
for, outside OF local work, Uiz, the annual
obligations to the State and the General
Conventions. But it is sad fact, that
many ministers never instruct their peo-
pie, and if they say anything, do it in such
a hslf-hesrted way that the people fail to
see the Importance of contributing liber-
ally in aid of all church work. A sister
member of one OF our Ohio churches
wrote us once in reply to letter solicit
ing someth ing for state work; 81 have
never heard any pastor we have had say
anything about this subiect,c onsequently,
our people are not educated to give"
A pastor to whom we mentioned the fact
that his church had not sent in its contri-
button to the convention, replied, The
truth is, forgot to mention it." Such an
excuse in the Methodist Episcopal Church
would not pass muster, and it should not
in our own. IL we are to grow as a de.
nomination, we must use just such COM
mon sense business methods as are nee
essary to secure success in any enter
prise.
Women's Centenary Association.
Mrs. W. J. Litten, the Vice. President
of the Women's Centenary Association,
has secured the consent OF the officers of
the parent society to retain all collec
tions made in Ohio for state work. 1t is
her earnest desire that in every church
efforts be made to largely increase an
nual contributions. There are but few
women who are unable to pay the one
dollar required annually as membership
fee. The Centenary Association has done
grand work, and it is still doing much.
The Missions in Scotland and Texas and
other places, feel the influence OF its ma
terial aid, and lit the women Of our church
were thoroughly alive to it's utility, its
usefulness would be increased thou
sand fold. Sister Littell would be pleased
to appoint an agent in every church where
there is none, and ministers will render
her great service by sending her names of
suitable persons. Her address is Nos. 5
and 7 West Fourth Street, Cincinnati.
Sabbath Dissertation.
Universalists of ali people are expected
TO live upright lives, to be consistent In
word and deed. This is a strange de-
mand, when we consider that our partial
ist friends constantly assert that the ten
dency of our doctrines is toward wicked
ways. Inconsistent as it il, we are glad
that it is made, and are glad to know, that
in the majority of cases, it is pretty we'll
complied with. We regret, however, to
know that many who are known as Uni
versalists, so conduct themselves as to
bring reproach upon our holy religion.
While we do not advocate 3 return to all
the rigidity Of the old Puritan Sabbath,
we would prefer it to the loose practices
now obtaining, and in which some re-
garded as Universalists, engage. The
summer resorts, where beer, and other
intoxicating liquors are freely used. dane
ing and other amusements engaged in, on
the Sabbath, are not fit places for Chris
tians OF any name, let alone Universalists.