The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-05

towns are as rule very we'll sup
piled with churches and at present
the people feel that light crops and
close times make it burdensome to
support the churches they already
have. Some denominations have ex-
pended large sums of money in Kan
sas and Nebraska during the past two
years to support their churches-in
some cases the entire support of
church has been taken-in many
cases half or part of the minister's
salary has been paid out of the Mis-
sionary funds.
1t is not strange, then, that as times
improve the people of such communi-
ties feel that they owe loyalty to
these churches. Nor is it strange
that wea ker denominations who have
not been able or disposed to take
such course have lost ground and
perhaps abandoned some places
where they had churches.
1t can not be said that our church
has made any great gain during
these two years in this portion of the
West, but we cannot be said to have
lost any ground.
However, we have not extended
our influence as our workers have de-
sired to do, and we are now facing
circumstances that do not greatly en-
courage the workers.
Some of our weaker churches are
so remote from any self-sustaining
and established church that they
cannot even have the occasional SER
vices of pastor and at the same time
they are unable to employ resident
pastor.
We cannot change this condition
as to existing churches, but wisdom
would suggest that future efforts be
made chiefly in the vicinity of es-
tablished churches, unless our Cen
eral Convention has disposition and
means to continue the support of
some point until it is self-supporting.
Every meeting that is held has its
influence whether we are able to
point to converts added to our ranks
or not; but at the same time we
would be more encouraged if we
could select somefavorable point and
concentrate our efforts there, and see
as result the founding of new
church near enough to one of our
existing churches SO that they could
be mutually helpful and could have,
occasional exchanges of pastors with
out great expense. But to under
take such work we must have the,
support of the Church, as missionary
work in this region cannot under
present circumstances be made self
sustaining at the outset; and we are
not provided with ministers who are
able to do the work and pay their
own expenses.
Go into a community and preach
and attempt to collect together the
friends of the faith and Immediately
there goes out an impression that
you are authorized and backed finan-
cially by some Convention and the
general public has no disposition to
contribute to your expenses; while
the friends you are seeking are not
as yet organized and are not accus-
toned to pay for the support of the
Gospel; hence the need of support
to such work if we would extend our
influence.
Let us then have the encourage
ment of the denomination in this
region though the times be not as
propitious as we have hoped. And
again would say to isolated Univer-
salists let us have your membership
in our existing churches. Give us
your names and your support and
call on us to hold meeting at your
home-place some time and get out
your friends and neighbors, and gen.
orally you can have good congrega-
ton. Almost any place-unless very
distant-can collect enough to pay
expenses, and perhaps your home is
the very place where Universalist
Church can be organized.
But make yourselves members of
the church and give your friends to
understand that ours is Christian
church-requiring duties to be per-
formedsby its members that are COM
mensurate with the hope it offers
them.
With great hope we must have a
great devotion and a great response
bility. Let US be worthy the faith