The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-03-21
OUR IOWA BUDGET.
MT. PLEASANT.


Nothing contributes more to the in
terest and success of this church than
it's Y P. G. U. A short time ago, seeing
the need of new carpet for the audi
forum, it had the courage and energy
to set about getting one. The largest
dry goods merchant offered to give them
10 per cent of the gross cash receipts
of his store on a certain day. Pastor
Reyes and six members of the Union
served as extra clerks for the occasion.
Though it was dismal, chilly day, the
friends turned out to trade, and the
Union made S2870 as their share Of the
days profits. With money previously
on hand they now have the 160 yards of
carpet nearly paid for. This shows what
our Unions can do when they determine
to score victory. They will soon make
a contribution to the Iowa Universalist
Convention.
MITCHELLvILLE.
From an interested worker in this
parish we learn that this church contin.
ues to prosper and the Y. P. G. U. is, as
usual, main factor in it's prosperity.
Meetings are well attended and socials
are held frequently. A late venture
was "Ghost Social which created
much nerriment and Melted the
Union little money. All are glad to
welcome home Bro. S. J. Oldfeld, who
has returned from visit in California.
Rev. Messrs. Crum and Reyes still
preach to this people to their mutual
pleasure.
WATERLOO.
The recent quarterly business meet
ing was held and reports of Trustees and
officers showed the affairs of the parish
to be in prosperous condition. The
action Of the Executive Board was rati-
fed by a unanimous call to Rev. j. M.
Getchell to continue as the pastor of the
Church of the Redeemer, and all are
happy in the knowledge that the good
work is to go on without interruption
under the spiritual leading of their be-
loved pastor and his faithful. devoted
wife. The Sunday school is growing
larger of late, and new workers are be-
coming interested. either as teachers or
scholars. Entertainments are we'll at
tended and profitable.
CEDAR RAPIDS.
We are glad to learn that of late there
has been marked increase in the gen.
eral interest and size of congregations.
Quite a number of new families have
been added TO the parish. The Sunday
school is the largest it has been for ten
years. The attendance the last Sunday
in February was 101. Miss Carrie
Palmer is the faithful Superintendent.
The musical part of the church services
are especially attractive
NOTES.
The State Secretary has received from
the Otranto Y P. G. U So and from the
Mitchellville Y. P. G. U. So for the Iowa
Universalist Convention. Others will
follow the good example. We have a
hint that West Union is. to be revived
and good pastor settled there. We
hope so.
THE LENTEN SEASON.
The studied and prayerful effort be-
ing made by SO many of our pastors dur
ing this lenten season to quicken the re.
ligious instinct and spiritual perception
of their people, and of strangers to our
faith, gives promise of large increase
of the church membership. This is we'll
but too often, we think, ministers and
people make the mistake of stopping
there. Indeed We have heard of some
instances in which the very act or ser
vice of induction into the church fellow.
ship was 30 cold and half-hearted that
the new members must have felt that the
pastor regarded the act as of little i'm
portance.
All things should conspire to make
the service most impressive and ever to
be remembered. The candidate should
be made to feel the renewed and weighty
obligation, not only to give the church
a clean life; loving and self sacrificing
service, but temporal support as we'll.
And what of the attitude of the older
members toward the new? Laying aside
all prejudice, il any there be, they should
be received with tender cordiality as
among friends ready and willing to help
and be made to feel that henceforth they
were entitled to aud should have re-
specttul hearing in all councils of the
parish for it's temporal and spiritual
good. 1t should be the policy to give all
new members something to do for the
church, that they may feel that their
help is needed to furnish parish interest
and success.
WEEKLY PLEDGES.
There need not be half as many dor
mant churches as there is. il Universal
ists could be made to realize the power
of small sums Of money given often, at
stated times. They say services cannot
be supported because all are poor or
only moderately well-to-do. and no one
is able to give large sum per year.
They are won't to look at subscriptions
in the lump and seem appalled, at the
thought of paying $50. s25 or even $40