The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-05-25
MISSIONARY WORK IN MICHIGAN.

AS announced in the last UNIVERSAL
1sT, Wednesday. May 1st. Miss Olivia ].
Carpenter was by solemn rites set apart
to the work of the Christian ministry,
Miss Carpenter has met with phenome-
nal success since she commenced the
ministerial work. Going out to the "lanes
and by-ways" and the waste places of
our Zion, she has planted the standard
of our church successfully where more
experienced hands have failed. At
Dewitt, where Universalism had been
for many years preached occasionally,
she made stand. determined to con-
quer. Realizing that it could be done
only by concentrated and organized
effort. contrary to the advice of some
who should have been her most hearty
supporters, she organized, less than a
year ago, church which now numbers
nearly or quite forty members. A
church building for Dewitt is in the
near future.
1t is a mistaken kind of missionary
work for the pastors of strong city
church to go to such places now and
then and hold services with no effort to
make their work permanent by organi-
cation.
What has been done at Dewitt and
at Eagle could easily be done in score
OF places in Michigan. Miss Carpenter
is now at work, portion Of her time. at
Pennington and Plymouth. These two
places would form an excellent circuit.
and could give fair support to an ear
nest, consecrated pastor who would
work not for the salary merely, but for
the purpose OF winning souls to Christ
as the primary object. The salary is
necessary contingent, but let the minis
ter seek first the kingdom of God and
his righteousness and all these things
shall be added"
Rev. w. S. Goodell, of Eagle, spent
Sunday, May II. by special request. with
the people at Pennington. He found
them in earnest and the outlook for the
revival of our church there seems prom
Using. Good congregations greeted him.
The singing was good and the most
united feeling and harmony prevailed.
A special meeting of two or three days
in June is contemplated which may be
beneficial The weak element of our
church in Michigan is isolation. Uni
versalists are too much strangers to
each other. No general and frequent
rally is called for. like the rally at Ann
Arbor, for the workers of our church.
Miss Carpenter will visit Portland
June End. Portland and Eagle will
afford another feasible circuit. Portland
has a fine Y. P. @. u, which has kept
the doors of the church open every
Sunday evening since they have been
without pastor. Eagle has proved that
it can sustain a regular resident pastor.
The church there is we'll organized with
all the auxiliaries.-Ladies' Aid. Sunday
school, Y. P. G. U. all active with an
influence constantly increasing and
broadening. 1t is the ambition of the
Eagle pastor to see these two churches
thus combined. when he will feel that
his work in Michigan is we'll done.
Christian Lodge No. 65 and Grand
Ledge Lodge 1. o. o. f. attended church
at Eagle as an anniversary service. the
pastor preaching from 1st Cor, xiii. ID:
"These three, the greatest OF these is
love-" Children's Sunday will be OBJ
served June 7th, and the Annual Fair
and sale be held the following Friday
and Saturday. w.s.G.