The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-08

tudu ever DeIOTe budb ln6 iSSOCldtiOu
may receive the means to extend our
missionary activities to the great West
and South. 1t seems to me that the call
of the hour is to place a missionary on
the Pacific coast.
/ believe with Rev. r. A. White, of
Chicago, that the opportunity and duty
of the Universalist Church sin theWest.
He says in his able paper in Our Word
and Work for Missions:" "Universaliem
should push into the West to seek it's
own. A great Universalist constituency
trained in the mother churches of the
East has been for years scattering itself
all through the Western cities and towns.
Every large city west of the Mississippi
has scores of men and women bearing
the Universalist brand. Their demon.
national identity is being gradually lost.
Some drift into, and in the second gen.
Grafton are absorbed by evangelical
communiops. But the greater misfor-
tune is, that majority, having no lib
eral church to interest them, lose touch
with religious interests altogether and
join the growing army Of the unchurch-
ed"
In closing this admirable paper, Bro.
White says: MAY vision from the West
trouble our UNCONVENTIONAL dreams
until we heed the Macedonian cry and
pass over into their land, to minister as
best we can to it's needs and take pos
session of it's opportunities" l have
quoted thus largely from Bro. White,
because the situation is better described
by him than any word of mine could
describe it and because desired to have
some endorsement to my own belief that
the call of the hour is for a missionary
on the Pacific Coast. l trust measures
may be taken here in this session to Sc
cure one and to compensate one.
l. RECoMMENDATIoN.-- would re-
commend that we take steps during this
session, either by special contribution or
pledges, to secure a sum sufficient to
support Missionary on the Pacific
Coast.
2. That the country be divided into
districts, and missionary be appointed
for each district.
Sd. That the Executive Board of the
National, hold quarterly meetings. thus
keeping in touch with the activities of
the branches, State Societies and Mis-
sion Circles.
4. That the National Society appoint
a Committee for the preparation of
studies for the Mission Circles for the
ensuing year.
s. Recommend that we continue to
invite the State Societies now working
Independently of the National to become
auxiliary. believing that greater effici-
ency will secure larger results. We are
the only Woman's National organization
in our church. We have revised the
constitution upon basis similar to the
General Convention, and have the same
claim upon the States through State So
cieties, that the General Convention has
upon the different State Conventions.
6. Recommend that we have Com
mittee on Mission Literature.
In closing permit me to call special
attention to the importance of organiza-
ton. An organization combining the
forces of a thousand of the best women
of any State for any purpose could WELD
mighty influence for specified object;
it can not be otherwise; but when this
organization is composed OF many small
er ones, the Mission Circles all harmo-
mious and in perfect working order, that
influence is greatly increased.
The value of careful and complete
organization cannot be over estimated.
The first link in the chain is the Mission
Circle, which is really a study class,
seeking by educational and literary work
the first purpose of its being a thorough
knowledge of the missionary enterprises
of its church and the church's history
This attainment is certain to be accom-
panied with one other immeasurably
greater--a unity of feeling, a mutual
admiration and sincere friendship
among members, an ever increasing de-
light in each other and the great work
engaged in.
The second link, or cluster of links, is
the union of the Mission Circles in the
State; all organized for one important
purpose. gathering once each year at the
State Convention, the delegates from
each circle to discuss the purposes and
objects each has uppermost; focusing
and making available the influence of
all.
Then there are the district unions,
where several parishes. intimately re-
lated as to location and railroad facilities,
may exchange courtesies and hold union
meetings, introducing many delightful
features for the good of each and all.
Beyond these, and leading all, is the
National Association. endeavoring to do
a work which is possible to us in i'm
portance only as the many. voiced, many
handed minor organizations, the Mission
Circles, district union of circles, reach
out to the parent Society that help to
meet the responsibilities Of it's position
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