The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-03
KANSAS CONVENTION.

bers, and separated by magnificent
distances" which to overcome requi-
res many hours of tedious trav-
ell. Isolated Universalists, it is true,
are to be found in every community,
but small effort has been made to in
terest them in UNCONVENTIONAL work.
For these and other reasons conven-
tions are not largely attended. In
point of interest and numbers the
session of 1894 compared favorably
with those of other years.
Four churches-Delphos, Hutcnin-
son, Topeka and Seneca-were repre-
sented by twenty-one delegates. The
following named clergymen were
also in attendance: Josiah Davis, Os-
wego; W. F. Smith, Junction City; S.
M. Barnes, Junction City; Joy Bis
hop, Delphos; F. G. Brant, Hutchin-
son; V. P. Wilson, Abilene; ]. A.
Stoner, Seneca; and j. E. Reyes,
Marshalltown, Iowa.
junction City, the place of meeting,
contains about five thousand people,
and is pleasantly situated near the
confluence of the Smoky Hill and
Republican. The city is laid out
with wide streets, and contains many
handsome house, substantial business
blocks, and elegant public buildings.
About four miles distant is located
Fort Riley, favorite post among
armymen. Here are quartered at all
times large body of United States
troops. Here millions have been ex-
pended in the erection of residences
for the crank" quarters for the ''file, !"
and store houses for materials of war.
Here is to be found one of the few
open saloons that now exist in Kan
sas; the bar is presided over by an
enlisted soldier, who is detailed for
that duty. The Secretary of War
calls these government saloons "can-
teens"
At the opening service on Thurs
day evening our Seneca pastor
preached to good audience.
Friday morning was taken up with
the Presidents address, reports of
officers, and the reading of paper
on the topic: "What may isolated
Universalists do for their faith7" by
Miss Katie R. Chaplin, of Downs.
Friday afternoon reports from
churches were heard. From these we
learn that none of our churches have
been inactive. Seneca, junction City,
and Hutchinson have settled pastors,
and maintain each Sunday school
and Y. P. G. U. Topeka and DELPHI
os have preaching monthly, and each
supports Sunday school and Y. P.
G. U. that meets every Sunday. Ha-
ven supports preaching one-fourth of
the time. The societies at Towanda,
Frankfort, Redfeld, and Leoti have
occasional services. At Valley Center
is new society Of forty-four mem
be1s, but at present without minis
ter All the clergyman in the fellow
ship of the Convention had done
good and faithful service. From the
reports given we learn that Father
Bishop had preached as often as once
a month during the year. Father
Davis had delivered nineteen sermons;
and Sister Barnes had answered all
calls.
By unanimous vote the Board of
Trustees was instructed to consider
the appeals for help made by the par
ishes at Delphos and Hutchinson,
and to take such action as was
deemed wise.
The leading feature of the evening
service on Friday, was a paper by
Mrs. A. P. Wilder, of Topeka; the
subject, "Hymns," was treated in a
most pleasant manner.
At IL A. M. on Saturday, Hon.
Abijah Wells, of Seneca, addressed
the Convention on the relations of
pastor and people. The speaker de-
picted the ideal preacher, and also
the ideal congregation. He consid-
cred the relations ofthe ideal preach
er and the ideal congregation; of the
ideal preacher and average congrega-
tons; of the average preacher and
ideal congregation; and lastly, of
the average preacher and the
average congregation. The speaker
stated that he had long held the
opinion that the nearest approach to
the ideal life in this world is that
lived by the worthy minister.
Rev. Miss Brant, of Hutchinson,
spoke on Spiritual Energy" in the
afternoon, and in the evening preach
ed to a large audience. The Western
Evangelist was present at this service
and rendered several of his soul
stirring songs.