The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-16
MISSOURI CONVENTION.


field, of Lamonte, Rev. L. j. Spencer
offered the opening prayer.
The Convention was held at Lamonte,
Pettis county, Missouri. in the beautiful
church dedicated last June. 1t is the
third church built in Missouri, within
three years, under "the new plan of
work"
The gathering was a typical Missouri
Universalist assembly. Here every face
beamed and every mind sparkled with
interest and enthusiasm.
In the absence OF the Secretary, P. F.
Lucas, of Kansas City, Mrs. Ida r.
Martin, Of La Plata, was appointed as
Secretary pro tenn. The President ap
pointed the usual session committees.
By vote all members of our church
present we're made delegates, providing
the appointment of one for each three
families was not exceeded.
An address of welcome was made by
Rev. E. M. Clark in his cordial manner.
AS the President was resident of the
town he commissioned DIR. @. H. Shinn
to respond in his stead. DIR. Shinn set
forth the hopes and aims of our Con
vention in his most earnest style.
Rev. Mr.. Clark then introduced Rev.
]. Cover, of the M. E. Church, North,
who delivered most cordial address of
fraternal greeting, Its spirit of toler-
ance and Christian fellowship was
warmly responded to by the Conven-
ton.
The Secretary's report was read, re-
viewing the work of the year.
The report of the Treasurer, r. Gillas.
py, was also read. 1t showed that s424.-
rs had passed through his hands; $500
Of this went to the Lamonte church and
the balance to the Elmer church.
These reports were referred to CON-
mittee of five to examine official reports.
The Committee was: DIR. O.. III. Shinn.
Mrs. r. Gillaspy, w. HI. McDavitte, j.
Shoemaker, J. W. Pigg. DR.. @. H. Shinp,
Chairman of Fellowship Committee, re
ported as follows:
FELLOWSHIP.
Since our last annual session a letter
of transfer has been granted to Rev. G.
L. Ball transferring him to the Kansas
Convention. Rev. E. Manford Clark
has been fellowshipped from the Texas
Convention. A latter of license has
been granted for one year to Rev. J. E.
Hyatt, of Narrows Creek, Mo. Bro.
Hyatt came to us from the Baptist
church. Also a letter of license has
been granted Rev. John M. Garner, of
Springfield, Mo. Bro. Garner was for.
merly minister in the Southern Meth
odist church.
We recommend that the church at
Springfield organized last June, by Rev.
@. III. Shinn be received into the Fell
lowship of this Convention.
Attorney ]. w. Overstreet, Chairman
Of Committee on church incorporation,
reported that under the laws of Mis-
souri,. the State Convention could not in
corporate to hold church property.
After the noon recess the Convention re-
assembled and was led in prayer by Bro.
Hughes.
A paper on the Sunday school work
was read by Mrs. 1. r. Martin, in which
she set forth the Importance of the moral
t:aining of our young and the value of
the.Sunday school as an auxiliary to the
church. She urged every parish to
sustain school even if few in numbers
and composed of inexperienced workers.
/ A most animated and interesting dis
cussion followed touching on the advisa-
bility of isolated Universalist parents
allowing their children to attend the
Sunday school of other churches. DR..
Shinn spoke against it in his positive
manner. He deemed it one of the most
potent sources of denominational loss.
He was sustained by Mr.. Hughes; Mrs.
@. A. Emerson presented the other side,
claiming that for religious training and
social intercourse it was best for child
rem to attend Sunday-school of some
kind, but that Universalist parents
should teach their Interpretation of the
Scripture at home and in that way hold
their children true to their doctrine.
She was sustained by her sister, Mrs.
Day, Mrs. Martin and others.
The Convention then proceeded to
the transaction of business, Bro. Shinn
presiding. The Committee on Nomina-
tions recommended the following as
officers for the ensuing year:
President: L. c. Littlefeld, Lamonte.
Vice Presidents q. ii. Shinn.
Treasurer: Dr. r. Gillaspy, La Plata.
Secretary: Ida r. Martin, La Plata.
Trustee: r. II. Manning, Kansas City.
Committee on f. o, & D.; Rev. E. Manford
Clark, p. f. Lucas, j. w. Oyerstreet.
Delegates to General Convention. @. H. Shinn,
d. D.. Mrs. G. II. Hastings, DR.. r. c. b ack-
mer.
1t was at once voted that the officers
nominated be declared elected, the Sec
retary casting the ballot.
P. F. Lucas who has served the Con-
vention for three years as Secretary, and
proved himself to be most efficient Of
ficer in every respect, had, for business
reasons. declined e-election-hence a
substitute was necessary. A vote of