The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-14
[. |. BUXBAUM & co, Props.

to a large. public audience, left
IN this city who do not account themselves
Unitarians During the year we have enjoyed
Washington clergymen, Rev. Eliza T. Wilkes, of
sioux Falls, 5. OAK, Rev. Thomas Van Ness, of
san Francisco. Rev. Thomas L. Eliot, d. D., of
Portland, and Rev. Christopher Janson, OF Min
neapolis The recent visit of Mr.. Janson,
the Norwegian orator, poet and novel
lst, was cordially hailed by his
Scandinavian friends, who in large numbers
some coming from great distances-ayailed
themselves of the opportunity TO hear him twice
in English and thrice in his native tongue The
hospitality extended them in the free use of
our church was cordially appreciated, and We
trust his visit will prove moral and intellectual
uplift to many unaccustomed to our rational
liberal religious views.
FINANCES.
The treasurer's report, herewith presented,
will show the aggregate amount OF receipts and
disbursements for the last year For the last
eighteen months no financial aid has been re-
ceived from the East, and the spirit which
many OF our members show in desiring to be
seif-supporting and independent Is wise and
honorable. The American Unitarian Assoeia-
ton of Boston recently rendered US gilt of
$3.50 for expenses, but we have not deemed best
to accept II. To conduct religious society sue
eessfulIy upon the basis of free seats
and voluntary contributions is difficult
task, rarely accomplished by Unitarian
churches The system of card pledges
and weekly contributions in envelopes
adopted year ago gives some definite basis Tor
reliance, and we recommend its continued use.
But it's success is dependent upon its general
adoption, the liberality of the subscribers and
their fidelity in keeping their pledges. The posi-
ton OF treasurer is the most important in the
society next to that OF the pastor. and his duties
in administering the finances under the
free system are very onerous 1t would
be q simple matter for your treasurer TO
keep an ordinary cash account, but the necessity
of being present or represented at every service,
making up frequent statements keeping run of
many details. sending ont reminders OF back
dues and soliciting subscriptions to deficiencies,
renders the position . burdensome one. With
every effort TO tighten the burden, his satisfac-
'tion for much time, labor and perhaps money,
mus; lie in the thought that the-poss OF duty is
the post Of honor.
Special effort has been made to bring our
counts this year to the showing presented. and
under all the circumstances the result must on
the whole be regarded as highly gratifying.
ORGANIZATIONS
The Women's Auxiliary Society (Which now
counts nearly six years OF active existence) has
continued its unremitted work throughout the
year, eliminating in grand church fair, held
last month, from the proceeds of which 500 were
generously appropriated to our pastors salary.
We hope their own separate report Will fully pre-
sent their activities The Sunday school, which
is the nursery OF the church, wilIbe reported on
by our pastor, who has acted in the dual cepac-
ity of superintendent aud leader of music.
The religious study class for adults, which
was formed year ago, has maintained its con-
secutiye study OF Christian history, and espe-
While the earnestness and attention of a few
members OF the class. who have even volun-
teeTed TO find recruits, challenges the hdel-
ity OF the leader, yet the attendance
in general is quite iuctCatinG and desul-
tory. avere ging ierhaps twenty-five out of
the 100 who have from time to time been pres
emit The attempt. at first planned 10 make the
class connecting link for the young people be
tween the Sunday school snd church, has for
the most part failed, but the class has added in
terest in the presence OF some minds mature
and ripe in experience, but whose attention mas
never been especially turned to the interesting
topics OF church history, which underlie the
foundations Of all the religious sects about Us.
The problem remains, how TO stimulate the
moral and intellectual earnestness that VIII
convert casual visitors into occasional attend
ants. and these into faithful. s.ulious members
The library association has arisen within the
last year in place OF the former Tree rearing
room committee which was abandoned at the
last annual meeting Under It's auspices the
nucleus OF parish library given by The sener-
osity OF the former pastor, Rev. Z. {. Smith, re-
ceiyed large accessions, and the books were
properly covered, labeled, she!yed and cata-
lOgued in convenient form, and offered with
many Of the current magazines for general use
upon q nominal charge Rev. VI. J. Savage
made gift OF twenty-four volumes,
comprising his entire published WORKS;
aud il is interesting to state that
the American Unitarian Association. of Boston,
recently gave forty-two volumes OF its publica-
tons, representative OF our religious views, 10
the public library OF Seattle, which has now
catalogued them upoa its shelves The useful
ness OF our parish library can be much in
creased BY the addition Of further needed books
and by encouraging the free and constant Use
thereof. Any influence and practical sug2es-
tons that you can give to promote attendance
OF the study class and the use OF the library
will be highly appreciated By those who have
these interests in charge and prove valuable in
establishing this society and our church upon
the sure bssis OF reason in religion
The parish union with constitution pub
lished in the year book formed and orgaai zed
ne annual AFTER
the organizations at Washington City, Oakland
and other cities where their success and useful
ness has been demonstrated. But in the ao-
sence OF pastor az the outset and throug inex-
perience or Indifference, the attempt has been as
we regret TO gsy, attended with no great success