The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-12


veying or building their own lines to her
gates, will doubtless always do the bulk
of the trans-Pacific trade; bat the pluck
and enterprise and public spirit of Sc
attic will not allow her to be greatly
led by any rival. Portland sits trium-
plant upon the banks of the Willamette,
the distributing point of a vast area east
and south, and will never cease to grow,
the Columbia giving her an open gate to
the sea. 1t seems but rational to pre-
dict that it will not be long before this
great, rich country will be teeming with
the life of various industry and trade.
And to the surprise of the East, no doubt,
which suspect views this country as a
sort of unnatural development of the
boomer and specul itor, and which can
not, by the very nature of its impetus,
be permanent in it's growth. But be-
meath all the noise of booming methods
and enterprises there runs deep cur
rent of honest industry, which. having
saved these cities from the financial ruin,
is already moving them forward upon
the new era of their growth.
Well, what does all this mean to the
Universalist Church? 1t means this:
If she has any intention of occupying
this field, now is the time for her to be
laying out her claims. 1t is Of immense
Importance to our Church that she is
gaining a residence in this richful land.
OF great promise to her future growth
therein that at the four or five leading
cities she has congregations, two of
which have church buildings, organized
and equipped in the very midst Of the
hard times. And may say it modestly.
of great Importance that minister is on
the ground to push the lines of growth
forward and represent our faith in an
hospitable community
1t seems providential, too, that circum
stances gradually eliminated in fixing
Tacoma as the point for the emphasis of
our first efforts. Simply because of her
relative position with the other cities.
Spokane lies east some 300 miles; Ever
cit north about 100 miles; Seattle 80
miles in the same direction and Port
land south about $50 miles. AS near
the geographical center as possible. with
direct lines Of railway to each of the
other points, Tacoma hopes to be able,
and ought to be, to give her sisters val
liable assistance when they are ready to
make the call
1t is now three months since l stood
in Park Universalist church for the first
time. Two months since l actually be-
gan its pastoral work. And I would
venture to make some startling prophe
cies il it were not for the suspicion that
they might be discounted as premature.
And then, too. Bro. Shinn, who does not
lack the gift of prophecy, is in the East,
and will undoubtedly attend to that
branch of the business. There are a
few facts at this end, however, which
may not lack significance. Our congre-
cations have doubled during the two
months. We are already attracting at
tention in the city. Our rgregations
are made up of thoughtful, warm
hearted people. We have as fine class
of charter members as pastor could
wish, and several wealthy and influential
families have joined our movement since
it assumed position of promise. There
are others who are likewise waiting to
see if we are in earnest before joining
forces with us. We are drawing people,
too, by the virtue of our Universalist
faith, and there will be nothing uncer-
tain about their theology. We are pub
fishing weekly paper which has been
self supporting from the first issue. 1t
is going into many families throughout
the city who are available for our cause.
We are using the daily press also, re-
ports of the sermons appearing with
prudent frequency We are not noisy
in our methods, but we are trying to
make enough noise to acquaint people
with the fact that our church is in
town. The Christian Union begins to
assume graceful proportions andwill be-
come vigorous champion of our cause.
All in all we feel that we can announce
to our Eastern friends, and we are all
from the East out here, most of us 1000
miles from home, that we have made a
beginning dignified and efficient. Nor
is the cause in the other cities anguish
ing. Spokane and Portland are holding
their ground admirably and Seattle will
not be found wanting when given a
leader. That is the crying need of all
these cities. And our Church must not
miss her first opportunity of putting
men into these fielde. From purely
UNCONVENTIONAL point of view, which is
not the whole of the matter, it will pay
an hundred fold.
We are quickening our missionary
pace marvellously of late. Let there be
no slackening, but healthy accelera-
ton, and the Universalist Church will
make history in the next quarter Of a
century.
Meanwhile keep friendly eye upon
the northwest horizon.
TACOMA, WASH.