The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-09

should seem the more expedient course of
procedure. (5) By presenting sugges-
tions as to the best ways of promoting
the general interests of our Church.
1t is pleasure to record the fact that
a considerable proportion of the breth-
ren thus written to have responded and
that in most instances they have fur
nished names for enrolment and other
desired information. and have promised
help in cne or the other OF the ways pro.
posed. Some have not yet replied; but
almost every day responses are being
received from those who, for one reason
or another, have delayed sending in an
answer.
have laid stress upon the Washing
ton plan of obtai1ibg contributions by
individual offerings to be equally di-
| vided between the General Convention
and the State Conventions respectively.
have specially urged the Gent Day"
plan approved by the Board of Trustees
OF the General Convention; and, as re-
CARDS this plan, desire to say that in
every case when it has been presented,
with the approval of pastors. the people
have responded to such a degree as to
show the large possibilities OF success
attached to this new scheme.
One Massachusetts pastor who made
successful testing of the new plan be-
fore his people ON the second Sunday in
January, reporting the result, says: Il
want to say good word for the Cent
a-Day' plan. theoretically and prac-
tically it is excellent. 1t is by far the
best plan we can use for raising money for
our conventions. Its application is ex
ceedingly simple. business like and effect
i've. / thought that the financial method
of the Universalist denomination was
subject important enough to deserve
treatment in a sermon; so l gave dis
course on this subject to my congrega-
tion yesterday, not forgetting to dwell
somewhat on our beloved Church's needs
and opportunities, and the peoples obli-
cations to the Conventions which they
had organized and by the exercise Of
their right of representation, we're con-
tinuing, and on my own duties to the
Convention which educated me SO that
now / am privileged to preach the Cos
pei. Then the young men helped to dis
tibute the pledges. Five minutes later,
the end of the work so far as am con
cerned, was satisfactorily reached. The
quota question was settled, so that for a
long time to come my congregation and
their minister would have no trouble,
or worriment over this vexatious ques-
ton.
2 "Is your work intended to be help
full to State Conventions and the raising
of quotas for those bodies?"
1t is thus intended; but it reaches be-
yond the obtaining of a definite sum thus
called for. urge the making of definite
calls made to the parishes, if they can do
no more. The local work OF each State
in the way of Church Extension and the
rendering of desired aid to feeble socie-
ties is important. There should be no
neglect to make adequate provision for
such service. By the Washington plan,
however, or by the Gent Day" method,
both Conventions share equally in con-
tributions thus obtained; and, as al
ready stated. it is in this way would
like to have the appeal presented when
ever practicable. If this is not possible
then take parish collection to meet the
State requisition and another collection
for the benefit of the General Conven-
ton.
3. "Will the Cent-a-Day plan pay
quotas? Is it to be regarded as some
thing over and beyond what the parish
is expected to give by former methods"
If a sufficient number of pledges are
signed by members of a parish the sub
scription thus made would seem to con-
stitute an ample provision to meet all
Convention calls. Contributing by this
method the members of parish can
answer acquisitions of the Conventions
as we'll as by any other form Of giving.
The word Extra" sometimes used in
connection with the Cent-a Day" plan,
is not intended to suggest any limitation
of it's use. as though the new plan was
only to be brought into use after the
quotas have been paid or regular offer
ings made. The word was first employ
ed by me with the thought that in many
cases the promise of Gent a-Day'
would be in addition to other pledges or
gifts. A few persons have made special
contributions for the Conventions, and
then signed "Cent-a Day" pledge.
A. "Will not the collection of Cent a.
Day pledges be difficultf In what way
can payments be made when the pledges
mature?"
There is no reason why the collection
OF pledge that represents So Go per year
should be any more difficult of collection
than pledges for one dollar, two dollars
or five dollars, or any other sum. just
now my desire is to get the pledges. /
am confident that the amounts can be
easily collected at the proper time, either
by the aid OF an interested pastor or some
local agent designated by him. Many
will remit directly to the Financial Sec