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


One has said, "The church militant is
a church marching" The Masters
cause requires of all active service now.
AS DIR. Gunnison so we'll says in recent
communication: "Our denomination now
stands at the parting of the ways con-
fronting the largest crisis in it's history.
The old watchwords have measurably
lost their power. The new era is one of
administration. Some of US are then
hopeful that the earnest courage OF our
people, their splendid tenacity, their
sincerity and devotion to cause in its
dark days, will adjust itself to the new
work of new age; that we shall not
loiter so long among old memories that
we shall fail to use the new opportunities;
that no unwise conservatism of method
will keep us chained to dead past; that
we shall be alert to the spirit of the age
and be as progressive in administration
as we have been pioneers in religious
thought.
We are liberal church; that is our
pride and boast Liberality of faith
should not be contradicted by illiberality
of service, gifts or administration. In
the fore front of thought we cannot be
laggards in action, and we should not
depreciate our past, nor dim the bright
ness of our successors, by hating with
timidity on the banks of the Jordan, re-
fusing to go over and possess the land.
Shaping the Policies of the Future.
The Universalist Church of the future
is to be by the men and women who
have the spirit of tomorrow in their
hearts. No matter how old in years men
may be, they will lead US wisely if only
they are inspired, not dispirited, by the
past; if they only feel the thrill of the
future, and are in step with it's music.
| But we cannot run the mill with the
water that is past. and We have to fight
! our battles now with the iron clads, and
gear our wheels to the new motors of
new age.
What a splendid word it was that
Gladstone uttered, when with magniti
cent defiance he said, "The men of the
future are to shape the policies OF the
future" 1t was the heart of youth
speaking in the frame of age. This is
what our church needs. We want the
sunshine of tomorrow on our church
work; we are proud of our past, but it
ought to give us a momentum for swifter
progress.
We, with every loyal Universaist
within our borders, should rejoice with
unspeakable gladness in the two latest
movements of the church, THE every
day church" and the Gent a-Day Plan. !"
What grand possibilities are within
our reach as church if we will but rem
der whole hearted, loyal service to the
efforts now being made by the authori-
ties of our church administration. My
whole being is thrilled as l contemplate
the glorious results that might be achiev-
ed by the women alone OF the Universal
| list Church if each woman could be made
| to see and realize the demand of the hour
in the great opportunities in the West
and South of presenting the glad mes
sage which to us is so full of the sunlight
of joy and peace and righteousness.
No one realizes or appreciates more
than l the devoted, untiring labors of
the women Of our parishes, whose aid in
sustaining services in their respective
parishes is SO invaluable, but l would
emphasize the truth already declared in
this address, that true loyalty to the spirit
of Universalism does not end in the local
parish. An important part of Christian
worship is giving. Giving really devel-
opes the soul as much as any church OBJ
servance.
The aroused interest among the women
of our parishes where Mission Circles
their study Of missions and missionary
enterprises of the church, have attested
already the deeper interest which fol-
lows Immediately when one is brought
in closer touch with desired object. 1t
is hardly possible to estimate the results
if we had been successful in organizing
Mission Circle in every parish of the
nine States where State societies have
been organized.
The transition state which the twenty
fifth year of our existence found us in on
account of a revision of the constitution,
made it impracticable to call for special
offerings for the Silver Anniversary in
1894. Special reference was made to the
important milestone the Association had
reached in its history, and attention
was called to the fact that Silver
offering is always acceptable for church
extension. We received nine Life Mem
bers the past year. The appropriations
have been limited from necessity during
the past year. The financial condition
of our country has been such that the re-
turns and contributions have been less
than other wise would have been the case;
this has necessitated the withdrawal of
aid in many places, in part, which we had
heretofore assisted literally.
Scottish Mission.
This mission has not been so actively
prosecuted in the past as in previous
l.