The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-12
THE KANSAS CONVENTION.

The Universalist Convention of
Kansas convened according to official
notice, on Friday of last week,
October 4, at Seneca, Nemaha Co..
and continued in session until the
following Sunday night. 1t was the
privilege of the Editor of The UNI
vEBsALIsT to attend this meeting by
invitation of the resident pastor, Rev.
Leon P. Jones, and the Seneca par
ish. Pleasant memories of visit
nine years ago, when the State Con-
vention met at Seneca, while the par
ish was under the care of Rev. G..
H. Rogers, were kindled anew by this
invitation, and Office duties permit
ing, we decided to accept it, and
again meet with the Kansas Univer-
salists in annual session.
Leaving Chicago on the Burl-
ington at s:45 Thursday evening,
Friday noon found us at the pleas
ant little city of Seneca, in the north
eastern part of Kansas, nearly 900
miles from Chicago. The Conven
ton had been organized at the morn
ing session and the previous even
ing, Rev. Eben H. Chaplin, of Lin
coin, Neb., preached what the pro-
| gram styled the Preparatory Ser
mon" In the spirit of his accustomed
helpfulness, Bro. Chaplin had re-
sponded to the call for this service
He returned on Friday noon to Lin
coin amid the regret of the friends
who had hoped for his presence dur
ing the subsequent meetings of the
Convention.
The Universalist Convention of
Kansas is never, at the best, large
body. The churches of the State
are few in number and the believers
widely scattered. This year the at
tendance of delegates and visitors
was smaller than usual, but those
who were present came prepared to
enjoy the meeting, and as the Con-
vention progressed, evidence was
forthcoming at every session that all
were animated by the one desire to
push forward the cause in their re-
pective localities and do all that is
possible for its advancement.
Encouraging reports were received
from Seneca, Junction City, Hutchin
son and Haven (where new church
is being built) and other points in the
State. The great need of Kansas is
State Superintendent, or Chief Pas
tor, who will care for the isolated be-
levers and attend to the promising
fields where churches might be es-
tablished and made strong and self
sustaining in few years under the
nurture of the Convention.
The Convention was opened on
Friday morning, on the call of the
Secretary, Rev. Leon P. Jones, and
the committees appointed. At the
afternoon session President A. p.
Wilder, of Topeka, was in the chair
Further routine business was then
transacted and the major part of the
afternoon given up to reports from
societies and the reading of communi
cations from those who responded to
the Secretary's letters inviting atten-
dance. Wegive elsewhere the letters
of the Governor of Kansas, and Hon.
M. F. Knappenberger. The Conven-
ton resolved itself after this into a
committee of the whole and talks
were made by Hon. Abijah Wells, of
Seneca, Rev. Josiah Davis, DIR. Can't
we'll, Rev. Miss Brant, and others. In
tie evening, before large congrega
ton, made up largely of the Seneca
people, Rev. G.. l.. Ball, of Junction
City, delivered a sermon from the
words, "Of Him, and through Him,
and to Him are all things to whom be
glory forever" The discourse was
sound in thought and felicitous in