The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-11
THE UNIVERSALISTS IN 1895.
BY 1. NJ. ATWOOD, D. d.

Independent, Jan g: The most prec-
ious events in the life of Church, as in
that of an individual, refuse to be report
| ed. Ii we're to select those occurrences
in the Universalist calendar fer 1895 that
have had most interest and most value
for me. they would not meet the objects
OF this annual summary. The same
when, on an appointed day. a pastor re-
ceives into the fellowship of Christ and
the Church forty-four members, and
then administers the Lords Supper to
as many as the edifice will contain
how can it be put into any tabulation
which shall not diminish it's significance
aud effect? Yet it is by such events
that the deeper and truer life of church
is measured.
The interest of the denomination has
been divided between home and foreign
missions-divided, not distracted. Our
one foreign mission deserving the name
is in Japan. 1t was inaugurated about
five years ago, and has been unexpect-
eddy successful. A furnishing Central
church and theological school in Toxic
form the headquarters. A school for
| girls at point further from the coast,
eight other churches in important cite 8
of the Empire, with a number of prom
| Using missions opened elsewhere, many
of them under the care of native pastors
educated in the seminary, constitute a
hopeful beginning. The General Con-
vention voted to raise $4,000 to carry on
this mission during 1896.
The Home Mission work has been ex-
tended the past year in the South and
Southwest, and @. II. Shinn, DID,, a
jealous and effective evangelist, has
been put in charge of the operations
with the title of General Missionary.
Atlanta is the seat of the present efforts.
and the Y. P. G. U. organization pro-
poses to repeat there its fine achieve
ment in Hartman, Tenn.
One of the largest gatherings in the
history of Universalism was that of the
Young Peoples Christian Unions in
Boston, in July last. Over 1000 Union
ers were in attendance. Three sessions
were held daily for an entire week at
each of which there was crowd and an
overflow. The effect of that great meet
ing was felt throughout the denomina-
ton. 1t witnessed great awakening in
actual progress, and surprised the elders
with revelation of the high grade OF
intelligence and religious capacity pos
sessed by the young people.
The biennial session of the General
Convention was held in Meriden, Conn.,,
in October. 1t was large and inhuen-
iial assemblage of the clergy and laity of
the Church. 1t has been styled the
working Convention" The report of
the Board of Trustees showed progress
along all lines of prescribed work, with
several new enterprises undertaken.
The most noteworthy action of the Con-
vention was the vote, 68 to 10, to substi-
tute three new articles for the three that
have so long held place in the famous
Winchester Profession of Faith. Final
action must be taken on this substitute
in 1897. The changes proposed are not
radical nor important.
More church edifices we're dedicated
in 1895 than in any previous year OF the
life of the denomination; and they have
aggregated considerably larger cost.
By the death of Alonzo Ames Miner.
DID,, LII. D i, in June last, the Univer-
salist Church suffered the loss of the
most conspicuous figure that has APP
paared on its stage, with the possible ex-
ception of DR.. Edwin H. Chaplin, since
Hosea Ballou. DIR. Miner was eminent
in many directions, and was, physically,
mentally and morally an honor to the
human species.
CANTON. N. Y.