The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-12-12

the dedication of a neat house of wor
ahip on Sunday, November 90. Abou
two years ago the hotel property wal
bought by lady from Columbus, who il
bitter partialist, and at that time q
member of the Presbyterian church
She was determined to have an orthodox
church for the "benefit of her family
her guests and the community" After
canvassing the situation she decided
that Methodist Episcopal church was
the kind most likely to be successful.
Accordingly by authority of the presid-
ing elder. Rev. j. F. Marlay, D. D., of
Springfield district. Rev. VIM. Tecumseh
Stafford. pastor of Mutual church was
instructed to take charge Of movement
to organize a church. This he did in
the latter part of November year ago.
He held series OF meetings and in
about two weeks had gathered society
of over fifty members. All auxiliaries.
such as Sunday-scnool, Epworth Lea
que. class meetings. ETC., we're at oncs set
in operation. 1t is true that many who
joined the church. fell out, "by the way
side," but the remainder continued right
on, The select Presbyterian" Method
ist woman. gave lot and headed sub
scription list for the erection Of church
with one thousand dollars, and the
country was canvassed far and near, for
additional donations.
The church was erected, and on Sun
day. November %, was dedicated, Rev.
D. Fl. Moore, DID,, editor of the Western
Christian Advocate, preaching the dedi-
cation sermon, and again occupying the
pulpit in the evening. while Rev. VIM
Tecumseh Stafford, the organizer,
preached in the afternoon. At every
service appeals were made for subscrip-
tions to pay the indebtedness, and the
day closed with total subscription of
over 81 300. OF course much of this will
not be collected; but enough was
pledged to allow the dedication services
to be completed. Now this work could
not have been accomplished had it not
been for the complete organization and
machinery of the Methodist Episcopal
church, which enables it to take pos
session of any place where there is a
prospect for organizitio and go to
work. Had it not been for the circuit
system, whereby strong churches are
compelled to assist in supporting weak
ones, this Methodist church would rot
have been established, for the preacher,
who was the director of the movement
received his relief support from the
other churches of the circuit, and this
will continue to be the case, for some.
time, for with the exception of the "elect
lady," the majority of the church are OF
limited means. Yet they are all ex-
pected to "do something" and are gen.
orally told how much they should pay.
From the first this church has been kept
in touch with the general work of the
denomination, by calls made for do
nations to all disciplinary obligations.
1t is by strict compliance by ministers
and people with the rules of the church,
and the grand and complete system of
organic alton, that the Methodist Epis-
copal church has become the power it is
in the Christian world. 1t began its
work about the same time az did the
Universalist Church; but in numerical
strength we are far behind, and the rea-
son for this has chiefly been our lack
of thorough and concentrated organiza-
ton. No Methodist minister would
dare to advise his churches to pay no
attention to the calls which the author
tiles of the church make upon its mem
berships. We regret to say that we
have known Universaliet ministers to
do this. Had we the system of co opera
ton which has made the Methodist
church so successful. we could add many
new churches to our roll every year
We are improving however. and by the
influence of the Y. P. O. u. the organi
cations of the women of the church to-
gether with the gradual filling up Of
our ministery by those who possess the
genuine missionary spirit, we may YET
take the place we should fill, in leading
mankind into the kingdom of truth anC
righteousness.
OHIO MINISTERIAL RELIEF FUND.
We suggest that in connection, with
our Christmas celebrations, collections
in our Ohio churches shall be taken To-
the benefit of the Ministerial Relic
Fund. We have two or more minister
who by reason of advanced age are no
wanted by churches, who desire "younG
men" These ministers are still vigor
GUS in mind and fairly active in body
but are not able to find work. We trus
our ministers who are still considered
young enough" to be acceptable, will
earnestly urge liberal contributions To-
the benefit of the Relief Fund. These
men have worked diligently at low sala
ries, but now having passed the "age
limit" are comparatively helpless
Other churches care for their worn
out ministers, their widows and orphans
The Ohio Methodist Episcopal Confer
ence at its last session distributed
about five thousand dollars among it