The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-21
"T0 GIVE LIGHT"
Bryan, 0.

The object had in view in preparing
and distributing this special Ohio issue
of THE UNIvERsALIsT has been simple
and practical. The fact is obvious that
the work of our Convention is thorough
ly understood by only few. Out of
the thousands of Universalists in Ohio
the attendance of two per cent upon
the sessions of any single annual con-
vention would be considered phenom-
email. Those who go, not only get
information of the real situation, but
become somewhat imbued with the
spirit of the enterprise. The same
ones, however, with infrequent excep-
tions, are not likely to return to the
next annual gathering, owing to various
circumstances connected with business,
domestic affairs, or expense of travel,
and their ardor inevitably cools with
time, while their intelligence concern
ing the freshest m ,vements of the
church grows increasingly stale.
The UNCONVENTIONAL papers do much
to supply this deficiency where they
are regularly received. But a news
paper report inevitably fails to convey
the real pith and power of the Conven-
TONS life; and, besides, only fraction
Of our people receive the papers.
Now, information lies at the root of
our hope of progress. Ignorance Of the
spirit and tendencies of our cause, often
miscalculated and misrepresented, be-
comes the parent of Indifference, preju-
dice, suspicion, all fatal to that unani-
nifty among our people which alone
can develop our full denominational
strength.
The true corrective of the evils here
suggested lies in the line of larger con-
ventions, more people coming together
to learn and to plan for the advance
ment of our work. Fresh life, new
thoughts, the active entrance upon the
Convention stage of our leading laymen
would give to the Annual Assembly
not only added interest, but augmented
power. In the multitude of counsel
lors there is safety" If the Conven-
tion's work has gone haltingly, if its
methods are in any respect Intellectual
or unsatisfactory, the only remedy
practicable consists in the advice, the
enthusiasm, the personal force of those
who lament the defect and see the
means of its cure. Larger conventions
are certainly possible; and would in
augurate the day of great things for
our Church. Friend, whoever, where
ever you are, who read this, ponder now
the question whether you can present
yourself at the next Convention, pre-
pared to imbibe its spirit, to respect it's
aims, and to contribute to its efficiency.
And let our pastors set themselves dill
gently to "work up" contingents from
our parishes to something like their
due proportions.
But under the best of conditions,
with the best of intentions, all cannot
go to convention; and that is the
reason we are here with our Ohio
number. We seek herein to put the
facts concerning our work before you,
gentle reader, in a way so plain, so
earnest, so fraternal, that you can
hardly keep having much better notion
of what is being done than heretofore :;
and we expect that a DISPOSE ton to
honor the Convention and to take a
share of its burdens and its privileges
will be correspondingly quickened with
in you. 1t is not unlikely that the
visits of this paper may be repeated
from time to time. We should be glad
to know that you welcome the visit,
and word of sympathy from any
appreciative reader to the State Super
intendent would make his heart bound
with gladness.