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

The officers and trustees together
constitute the Executive Committee.
There are five trustees, because the
law of the State requires it. The Pres
ident and Vice-president are made
trustees, so that the Executive Com
mittee may not be too large a body,
thus avoiding expense, and giving a
better working Committee.
DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
"They shall have the general man.
sgement of the affairs Of the Conven-
tion during its recess and shall have
power to adopt all needful measures for
promoting its interests
"They shall act as Finance Com
mittee, and shall put in execution all
measures for raising funds which may
be authorized by the Convention"
"They shall direct the investment by
the Treasurer of all funds of the Con-
vention, except where investments shall
be specially directed by the Conven-
tion."
"They shall authorize disbursements
for the purposes of the Convention, by
orders on the Treasurer" "They shall
fill all vacancies however occasioned,
until the next session Of the Conven-
tion."
"They shall make due preparatory
arrangements for the order of pro-
ceedings, and for the religious meetings
at the session of the Convention sub
ject to its approval"
"They shall annually appoint an
Auditing Committee, who shall exam
inc the accounts of the Treasurer and
certify as to their correctness or other
WISE"
"They shall keep full minutes of
their proceedings, and submit an an
nual report thereof to the Convention.
They shall also present general state
ment as to the condition and wants Of
the church within their jurisdiction,
with respect to education, Sunday
schools, and whatever else concerns its
interests, with such suggestions as
they may deem proper.
GA majority of the Committee shall
constitute quorum; and the travel
ing expenses of the members to and
from business meetings shall be paid. !"
The Convention has Committee Of
Fellowship, Ordination and Discipline,
two of whom are clergymen, and three,
laymen.
The Secretary and Treasurer of the
Convention are obliged to give bonds
for the security of all fnoneys and prop
erty of the Convention which passes
into their hands.
We ask special attention to the facts
given above, with regard to the compo-
sition and organization of the State
Convention, for the reason that some
misapprehension, and much ignorance
prevails amongst our people with re-
gard to it.
THE CONVENTION CONTINUOUS.
Many seem to think that the State
Convention is nothing more than an
annual assembly, which meets about
the first of June, holds session of
three or four days, and then dissolves
until the time for the next annual
meeting. On the contrary, it is Pc
rennial plant; its existence is continu-
Gus, and its work unceasing. 1t is a
body legally organized and duly incor-
porated, and does its work according to
approved business methods. The an
nual meeting is the time when the offi-
GERS and committees and servants Of
the Convention are called together to
give an account Of their stewardship
to report what has been done during
the year, to indicate what still needs to
be done, and to turn the work over to
their successors, as the Convention in
its wisdom may direct.
DOMINANCE.
II the Universalist churches of Ohio
would do their duty, or exercise their
privilege, in sending delegates to the
annual meeting, the proportion of lay
delegates to ministers would be as six
to one; and the vote of layman counts
just as much in shaping the policy of
the Convention, in determining its
work, or in selecting its agents to do
its work, as the vote of minister.
REPRESENTATION.
1t is of the utmost Importance to the
advancement and success Of our cause,
that our churches be represented by
their best men and women by those
who have an intelligent interest in the
work of the Convention, who are COM
petent to select and elect its officers,
and to aid in giving direction to its ac-
tivities. When our annual State gath
erings were almost wholly devoted to
preaching, and to religious and social
enjoyment, it was not matter of so
much consequence who were delegates,
and who were merely visitors but that
day is past.
We now have important work in
hand, and large interests at stake.
TTuo., A. ,DrohIa,oo 90 an. p,,A,,,o ,,,o.lx