The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-31
HOME MISSIONARY WORK IN SOUTH
DAKOTA.

Mr.. w. o. MosHER, of washington
Springs. S. D.. wrote THE UnIvERsALIsT
few months ago, of an endeavor to en-
tighten those in that vicinity on the sub
ject of Universalism. Mr.. Mosher, his
wife and Mrs. E. V. Whitney are the
only protested Universalists in the place,
though there are few also who seem
to be in sympathy with the doctrine.
The meetings were commenced during
the winter and have continued, almost
without interruption. up to the present
time. Mr.. Mosher breaches sermon
each Sunday, which is followed by
more or less lengthy discussion by those
in attendance.
At times it would seem as though
the friends of our church had awakened
quite an interest by this movement.
There are three church organizations in
the place. the Congregationalist, Free
Methodists and Methodist Episcopal,
so there is plenty of preaching if it were
only the right kind. but our friends are
not satisfied with it. 1t is not the Cos
pei of good news to all people.
About two weeks ago these few friends
decided tohold their meetings in grove
on the edge of town. They had previ-
ously been held either at Mr. Mosher's
house or Mrs. Whitney's. The last two
meetings have been held in the grove
and the congregation has increased and
it seems as though lasting interest has
been awakened. Whatever may be the
result we commend the movement of
these distant friends to the attention of
those who would help our cause by this
kind of home missionary work.
1t is good sowing of the seed and
will bear fruitage in the hereafter if not
Immediately.
In order that our readers may see
how intelligently our faith is presented.
we give following the address of Mrs. E.
V. Whitney. at one of the recent meet
ings. Such clear and concise presen-
tation of the doctrinal teachings of our
church no doubt will prove highly SER
viceable in that community. We trust
our friends will continue the good work.
OUR BELIEF AS UNIyERsALISTS.
1t is something quite out of common
for me to attempt to address an au-
dience, however small. and it is only be-
cause Of my belief that the doctrine of
Universalism is misunderstood by the
majority of people, that have decided
to speak to you few minutes on this
subject. 1t hiss not been my privilege to
listen TO very many Universaiists sermons
myself since l was old enough to under
stand and appreciate them; but have
taken Universalist paper for a good
many years; my mother is a strong be-
lever in the doctrine OF Universalism;
my father was a Universalist and 80
was my grandfather,-my mothers IA
ther,-at time when Universalism was
new thing, at least in these later years:
though we as Universalists claim, and
with good authority, that the doctrine of
Universalism was commonly preached
for the first four hundred years after
| Christ.
would like to take up briefly the
principal points in our doctrine. and see
if we can find out that in any way we
merit the name Of infidel.-a term of re.
proach not uncommonly applied to those
of our faith. There are those even in
this town, who in speaking OF the Uni
versalists have classed them with the
| infidels.
Not infrequently have persons in
speaking to me of others whom they
have known said They were Universal
lists, but they were real good folks"
seeming to imply that they were good in
spite of their doctrine, and not because
of it. Now believe that the doctrine of
Universalism has tendency to make
people good. do not admit that it is
| dangerous doctrine. III it were, why are
there not more Universalists in our State
prisons and in our iails? You will say
perhaps that the Universalists are few
in number. and admit they are compa-
ratively few, still there are good many
Universalists. They are very few in this
vicinity; but through the East there are
good many who embrace our doctrine.
and it seems to me that if the doctrine is