The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-04-14
THE EASTER CHURCH AOOEsSIONs.

The record made in THE UNIVERSAL
LIST Of this week Of the results of the
Easter services in our Western churches,
has never been equaled in any previous
issue of the paper. The reader holds
in his hand this week tangible evidence
of the growth of the Universalist de-
nomination toward the realization of
the church idea. Last year there were
also encouraging reports from our
churches and large accessions reported
at the Easter tide; but those of this
year indicate far wider observance of
the festival, and more spiritual and
religious use of the great occasion. All
things considered, perhaps the present
issue of THE UNIvERsALIsT contains
the most encouraging evidence yet pre-
sented to our readers and the Christian
world in general of the steady progress
that is being made in our denomination
in the direction of membership in the
Christian church.
The change which is coming over our
parishes in this respect is indeed strik
ing evidence of the awakening of our
believers all over the country to the re-
sponsibilities and privileges Of the
Christian church. Our societies are
very rapidly changing into churches,
and membership in secular body
merged into the organized church of
the Lord Jesus Christ. At the present
rate of progress in this direction, it will
not take more than decade to change
the entire character of our organizations
and bring over believers, banded to-
gether in the present society organiza-
ton, into the embrace of the Christian
church. The attentive reader will also
notice that in many cases our reports
indicate that our church membership
is also largely recruited from the Sun
day-school; the young people gradual
ing from the school into the church.
This is as it should be, and is additional
evidence of the steady and progressive
religious work which has now been 60
ing on in our parishes for several years.
The work of Christian instruction in
the Sunday-school and in our faithful
pulpits is bearing its rich and pre-
cious fruitage. We may well thank
God and take courage that such is the
case.
We give in other columns, detailed
reports from the various churches re-
ceived up to the date of going to press
The record is by no means complete
and we may expect for several weeks
to receive similar reports. So far as
heard from we have as a result of the
easter services 1876 members added
to the Christian church. We aim only
in these columns to report accessions
in the Western field, leaving the LEAD
ER to report from the Eastern churches.
1t will be seen, however, from the para
graph which we copy on the fifth page
that the accessions in the East have
also been encouraging, although not SO
large or so general as in the West.
The revival meetings held throughout
the territory of THE UNIvERsALIsT dur
ing the last three months have undoubt-
eddy contributed largely to the splendid
results which we chronicle this week;
and it is noticeable thatthe largest Access
sions have come as the result of direct
and specific appeals made at these meet
ings. If any doubt existed as to the value
of Universalist revivals in arousing the
religious enthusiasm of the people and
directing their attention to the duty of
church membership, the results record
ed this week should prove sufficient
reply. Special religious meetings and
the Lenten observances have largely
given us these splendid results. We
may expect that on the next occasion
appropriate for church accessions-
Flower Sunday in June-that many
more additions will be made to our
membership. Let the churches which
have sent in such encouraging reports
for Easter be prepared to avail them
selves of the opportunities presented
FOR further work in this direction.