The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-10

| IN the Work at UrOana Tor the 81,
months ending May 18th.
At this meeting letter was presented
from the Church of Our Father, stating
that the appropriation of $3.50 could no
be accepted on the conditions named
for the reason that the title to the
church property was not in the church
and conveyance to the Convention
could not. therefore, be made.
A written application was also re-
ceived from the church at WoodIawn
Park for an appropriation to assist in
maintaining regular services.
Both these matters were considered by
the Missionary Committee and the Com
mites recommended that $3.50 be given
to the Church of Our Father and the
same amount to the Woodlawn church.
In pursuance of this recommendation
$3.50 was appropriated to each of those
churches for the year beginning Oct
tober l, 1895, payable in quarterly in
stallments, their Trustees, in accepting
the same in writing, to give assurances
that all current expenses would be met,
regular services kept up. and in the case
of the Church Of Our Father, its prop
erty not being secured to the Conven-
ton, that it's organization would be con-
tinued in fellowship with this Conven-
ton.
A special meeting was held January
22nd, to consider proposition for en-
ployment as State Missionary at 81 300
per year. That sum was considered be-
yond the ability of the Convention to
pay and was not accepted.
At the February meeting an applica-
ton in writing was presented in behalf
of the church at La Grange asking for
5000 to assist in continuing the work
there, and after consideration it was
voted to appropriate that sum payable
in quarterly installments. The Trustees
of the church were to accept the appro-
priation in writing and to give assur-
ance that regular services would be kept
up during the year. and that all current
expenses would be promptly met. 1t
was further made condition that the
Ladies' Aid Society should contribute
out of its own funds sufficient to main
tain services of the same standard as
we're kept up last year.
At the meeting of March End, the com
mittee previously appointed nominated
Mr.. E. A. Lancaster, of st. Paurs
Church. Chicago, for Trustee of the
Convention, in place of James II. Swan,
and he was elected such Trustee to
serve till the annual session. At this
meeting also the result of negotiations
with Rev. John S. Cook was reported
and it was voted to employ him as the
State Missionary. Mr.. Cook was to en-
ter upon the performance of the duties
of that position March 1st, or as soon
thereafter as possible. and to serve till
October 1st, 1896, the end of the Con.
vention year. His compensation was
fixed at 1925 per month and his expen-
ses we're to be borne by himself.
Having assumed this expense it was
seen to be necessary to exercise care in
expenditures and to increase the rev.
enue in every possible way. With this
in view. Mrs. Ellis suggested that the
Sunday schools be called upon for con-
tributions to assist in the support of a
Missionary. The suggestion was adopt
ed and it was voted to request the Sun
day-schools to take collections on the
Sunday following Easter and thus in
augurate a custom which should con-
tinue in succeeding years.
At the April meeting Mr.. E. A. Ian
caster was elected trustee of the Viii.
liam H. Ryder Fund in place of our de-
ceased brother, James Fl. Swan, to serve
till the end of the Convention year.
A report of the action of the Univer-
salist Woman's Association of Illinois
with reference to District Associations
was presented at this meeting and in
pursuance of suggestion therein, it
was voted to recommend in this annual
report that the several District Associa-
tions throughout the State be reorgan-
lied; that an effort be made to infuse
new life into those now inactive and to
bring all of them into condition of
greater usefulness.
1t was also resolved at this meeting,
that since the obligations already entered
into will require for their fulfilling the
entire income for the year, it is inadvis.
able to assume further obligations to any
parish.
May 3rd a letter was received from
the La Grange church accepting the
appropriation of 5000 made at the Feb.
ruary meeting. There was not quorum
present at the May meeting and this
matter was not acted upon. The matter
was presented at the June meeting and
after discussion, it was decided to with.
hold the appropriation, for the reason
principally. that. in delaying the accept.
ance from February till May the parish
had tacitly relinquished any claim upon
the appropriation, and during this 81
lence arrangements had been entered
into for the employment of State Mis-.