The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-10-27

slonary duty at Suffolk, town not far
from Norfolk, Of 1000 inhabitants, half Of
them OF his own race, with view to the
establishment of a regular mission there.
SCHOLARSHIPS.
Our accounts show that the amount of
Returned Loans during the year is ST.
606.5O; that the appropriations in aid of
Students amount to $11,O1O. The
Scholarship Fund is stated at s46.72O.
and the Income of the Fund for the year
ID S2,2o2. Twenty-four aided students
have graduated from the several Theo-
logical Schools; and nearly all have en-
tered upon pastoral service. The number
OF newly aided students will probably
equal the number who have graduated.
Concerning the smallness of the am.
CUNT of Scholarship Loans returned
during the year, it may be said that for
good reasons no special urgency has
been used the past year to secure pay.
ment. NO such urgency would be
needed upon those who have a Just
sense OF obligation, and disposition to
Keep their promises in whole or in part,
II able, or to make frank explanation of
tnelr difficulties, and seek advice how to
oovlate them. The Trustees hope that
IN the coming year largely increased
payments will be made.
THE SPECIAL AGENCIES
|
Early In the year an attempt was
made to operate the plan approved at
Washington, for the increase of contri-
buttons in aid of the missionary enter
prises OF the Conventions. Trustworthy
agents were sought for the canvass of
the friends Of our Church in that inter-
est, and two for New England were Sc
cured. the Rev. w. P. Burnell for the
first, or Northern District, and the Rev.
IS. Nickerson for the second or South
ern District. Diligent correspondence
failed to obtain an agent for the Central
District, and not until May was one OBJ
tanned for the Western, the Rev. Thomas
Il. Dotter. The condition precedent to
success was not only earnest effort to
canvass our entire Church, but "to have
fewer calls for money during each year,
and the hearty aid of all our minister's"
lfthe min ster will fully second"the plan
proposed, it was thought that "far greater
means would be obtained by all the Con-
ventions than ever before. The Agents
met, first of all, the stringent financial
conditions of the time. 1t is needless,
perhaps, to put upon record other un-
favorable circumstances. Let it suffice
that where ministers have thrown their
influence in aid of the Agents work, a
moderate degree of success has been
reached; not what was originally hoped.
but something more than the usual par
ish contributions.
In the three Districts cauvassed UP to
October LIST, the amount of pledges OBJ
tanned is 49, 400; of which S6,367. has been
paid, and S2053 is to be paid The di-
vision of the money accruing required
by the "Plan" has been made in part; an
account having been made with Vermont
up to August LIST, with New Hampshire.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island to Sep
TENDER LIST, with Connecticut to Septem-
Der IA, and with Maine to September
25th. The amount paid to the several
State Conventions wasin all 81 ,684, while
an equal sum was credited to our Gen.
eral Account. There remains undivided
in our Treasury from this source $674.
FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
The Trustees are still of the opinion
that larger means await an approved
call for missionary contributions. The
cent day method, by which. it is hoped
every family of our church may be
reached, has been approved. and dis
tinct department of our work will be or
ganized, under the charge of Rev. Henry
W. Rugg, DID,, member of the Board,
fully acquainted with the resources of
the Convention and the demands upon
it, and widely and favorably known to
the ministry of our church. He is to
open an Office in Providence and give his
entire time to the financial side of the
Conventions work, so far as relates to
the necessary appeals for personal and
parochial contributions and the collec-
tion of the same. His work also will in
cidently include some attention to the
increase of the permanent funds of the
Convention, by bequest or otherwise.
With the increase of income will the
ability of the Convention to deal with
the demands for missionary aid aug
ment And not only So but the problem
how adequately to deal with new centers
of influence would become soluble.
Movements already begun in such places
as San Francisco. Los Angeles, Grand
Forks, st. Paul, st. Louis, Kansas City,
Atlanta. might be fostered and stimu-
lated to speedy success and general mis-
sionary work of most useful character
be done. The work among the freedmen
begun at Norfolk might be greatly ex-
tended and much more be done for true
evangelism in the Southern States and
elsewhere.
The Trustees cannot too strongly urge
the importance of concentration in