The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-12-28
vW. G.. Fl.
(The Womans National NJ ssionary Society of
the Universalist church,

OUR PRESIDENT HAS SOMETHING TO
It seems to me that a recent letter re-
ceived from our President is just the
thing to use as an opening wedge in this
months notes. She is always so much
in earnest it cannot fail to impress
others as it has me. After the usual
preliminary remarks of personally adj
dressed letter she says: II begin to look
the field over for the work to be done.
and our proposed efforts for the future
advance of the Woman's National Mis-
sionary Society of the Universalist
Church.
1.-THE members of the Mission Circles,
the Ladies' Aids and Womans Leagues
are now in the midst of their active
church or parish work, and / would
speak word of personal encouragement
to them. urging them to greater conse-
Grafton, deeper devotion and more self
sacrificing effort than ever before. Per-
haps it is not possible for you my sisters
to conceive how much good you are do
ing, nor how much depends upon your
individual influence by associating your
selves with the mission work of your
church.
"We are very grateful for the results
of the first years working under the new
regime, in response to the call of State
and National officers, but we not yet sat
isfied. They are not half what they
should have been. We shall not be sat-
isfied until we have enrolled every Uni
versalist woman in active mission work
of the church.
"The National officers on whom rests
the great responsibility of meeting obi
cations, and paying pledges for church
extension and aid to weak parishes are
often experiencing most anxious days
and sleepless nights over the indiffer-
ence of those who could help so much
by simply giving of their abundance.
How much easier to respond with an
annual subscription than to carry the
responsibility the officers and leaders
do. 1 like the ring of the frank, and
fine statement of DR.. Adams letter in
the Leader of November IA, and quote
it for the benefit of those who may not
have seen the Leader, or may have over
looked it. 1t is good enough to be twice
printed.
WHAT DR.. ADAMS HAS TO SAY.
"Dr. Adams says: We need courageous
leadership, and we have a right to insist
that those whom we have made our exc.
cutives shall take bold initiatives and
make bold advances. He is referring
to the Japan Mission, but his point is
just as applicable to our missionary work
at home. He resumes: But what is
the use of leaders without followers?
What avail the most vigorous initiatives
with no body to follow them up? How
can any conceivable body of leaders affect
anything whatever with timid, hating.
critical. recalcitrant following? What
is the use of talking of forward move.
ments if when the bugle sounds the
charge half the column stands fast in its
tracks, or throws down its arms and
deserts? Is there any good in large
plans which end in talk, and liberal
views supported in the stingiest fashion
with close-fisted giving9
What body of men Tor woman
either, say y was ever assembled to lead
a great movement whose heart would
not fail, and the enthusiasm ooze out of
their souls if they got no support, no
loyal response, no effort of compliance to
their appeals for work and sacrifice? =
1t rests with our pastors. Moth
ing can succeed in the Universalist
Church without the FULL hearty and 10y
al support of the ministers. Unless they
are faithful all our policies will miscarry
If they refuse to bulge we may shout
Forward, until Gabriel blows his horn,
and never gain an inch. 1t is the cold
nese, and indifference and prejudice in a
hundred prominent pulpits and thrice
that number Of lesser ones which battles
our cavalry. and mires our artillery, and
SHOWS up our infantry.
"'Yet things are better than they used
to be. it is glorious to see 30