The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-21

The Treasurer's report to the Con-
vention in 1880, at Manchester, gave the |
Permanent Fund as $248.25 At the |
Convention held in Akron in 1881, the |
fund had increased to $377.94. The
report for 1882 to the Convention held
at Bryan, showed a sum of $440.05,
and at the Norwalk Convention in 1888,
the Permanent Fund was given as
$599.11. at this Convention, the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted
RESOLVED. That the Convention pledges
itself to proceed forthwith, through it's
proper officers, to raise $4,000 as Per-
manent Missionary Fund, the interest of
which only shalt be used for missionary
work.
This was the first time definite sum
was named.
The report Of the Treasurer to the
Convention held at Westville in 1884,
still showed an increase-the fund be-
ing given as $65591. The reports of
the Executive and Special Committees
recommended that efforts be continued
to raise the fund to minimum of
$4,000.
The. Executive Committee, at meet
ing held at Fountain Park, July 80,
1884, took energetic steps to complete
the Permanent Fund, which they re-
commended should be not less than
$4,000. To accomplish the work, it
was deemed indispensable that an agent
be employed, and the position was Of
fered to Rev. HI. F. Miller, who was
finally induced to accept. He began
adjusting his private affairs to give his
whole time to the work, and had secured
some substantial promises, when his
earthly life was cut short, and the Com
mittee did not deem it wise to attempt
to fill the vacancy until after the next
session Of the Convention, which was
called at Woodstock in 1885.
just here we should note that at the
close Of the Sunday morning services
at the Westville Convention, an appeal
was made for subscriptions to the Per-
manent Fund, which resulted in $756.56
being pledged, about two-thirds of
which has been paid.
The Treasurer's report at the Wood
stock Convention gave the Permanent
Fund as $SO3.72. The matter of COM
pleting the fund was left in the hands
of the Executive Committee, and at a
meeting held at Columbus, July Is,
1885, the Committee accepted a propo-
sition to unite with Buchtel College in
employing joint agent, with the I'M
derstanding that his special attention
should be given to raising the fund =
and Revs. G. E. Nash, and j. W. Hen
ley, and W. J. Littell were appointed to
cooperate with the Executive Commit
tee Of the college in selecting the agent.
The choice fell upon Rev. Fl. L. Can
field, who entered upon his work the
following September, and his success
was most gratifying. Akron, the seat
of Buchtel College, responded with
large subscriptions, and many other
places did well. Br. Garfield contin-
ued in this special work until February
2, 1887, when his official title was
changed from that of Financial Secre-
tary' to Estate Superintendent" While
it was still his duty to increase the
Permanent Fund, the necessity for en-
larged duties was imperative. Since
that date the fund has not increased
very much but it is now large enough
to furnish foundation, and with the
collections made by the Superintendent,
for services at places visited, and pro-
ceeds Of appointments made to the
churches for the General Purpose Fund,
the work of caring for, reviving and
building up our church, can proceed
with less embarrassment to the Super
intendent, than before the fund was
begun. 1t is imperative, however, that
it be completed as soon as possible, and
we call upon our brethren everywhere
to contribute to this work by immedi-
ate donations, or by doing as one brother
has already done provide for a bequest
in his will.
The arrangement between Buchtel
College and the Convention for employ
ing joint agent, lasted for only one
year, when it was ended by mutual con-
sent. Since January l, 1887, the en-
ployment of the State Superintendent,
and the responsibility for his salary and
expenses, rests solely with the Conven-