The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-14
NEBRASKA.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF
OMAHA.

Chaplin. DID,, resigned the passionate of
the Universalist church of Omaha. She
felt the need of rest from the pressing
cares and duties of pastoral labor. and
to this end she decided to sever the con-
nection between herself and the church
which she had served most faithfully
and successfully. The relation existing
between pastor and people had been
continually OF the most cordial and
happy nature. In mental equipment
and social culture the pastor was emf
nently fitted for her work. The i'm
mediate settlement of another pastor to
succeed DR.. Chaplin was confidently ex-
pected by the church. This expectation
was not realized. In this extremity the
writer occupied the vacant pulpit two
Sundays as temporary supply. A knowl-
edge of the condition and needs Of the
church was thus obtained, and in the
hope of serving useful purpose these
brief statements and suggestions are
voluntarily made.
That this church needs pastor will
be readily admitted. To be SO long
without stated ministry and the bene-
fits of active church work can but be
depressing in it's influence upon those
who are Immediately interested in the
prosperity of the church.
Though the Nom bership of our Oma.
ha church is not large it is composed OF
some of the best material in the demon
ination. They know the value of our
faith, and are willing to contribute &C.
cording to their ability for it's support.
The church edifce, in some important
respects, is we'll located. Its surround
ings are pleasant and inviting. The resi-
dences in that locality denote homes Of
quiet and refinement. Freedom from
large manufactures and saloons makes
the atmosphere pure and healthful. The
locality is suburban, and somewhat dis
tant from the business part Of the city,
yet easily reached by street cars.
This field of labor invites pastor
who is willing to push the work beyond
the limits of the parish. One who can
bs aggressive without being offensive.
From the unchurched people here a
number should be drawn equal to that
which now comprises the membership of
this church.
Too many minds are unenlightened
concerning our faith because it has not
been kindly and persistently urged upon
their consideration. And too many
persons are not seen in our churches
because they have not been invited to
meet with us,
Oar church work, so we'll begun here,
may now be more successfully carried
forward through the services of a man
as the pastor, There is a social and
b lsiness element from which woman is
s1lf-excluded, simply on account of her
sex There are conventions for the
transaction of public affairs-meetings
called to consider mea sures of social or
moral improvement, to which men only
are invited. To these the ministerial
Office perse. is no bar.
The Christian minister, by visiting
such meetings and manifesting proper
interest in them. may extend his &C
quaintance with business men. enlarge
the sphere of his influence, and 80 pre-
pare the way for the introduction of our
better faith, and the consequent growth
OF our UNCONVENTIONAL work. May not
such methods be employed to build up
our church in Omaha? Some of the
churches long established here adopt
these or similar measures to insure their
prosperity through their res ective pas
tors. The Universalist paste here may
fiud it expedient to have services on Sun
day evenings in some public hall CEN
trally located, for the better accommo-
dalton of those who M ~ attend. A re-
spectacle number of people could at
once be gathered at these services who
would be willing to contribute to the
payment of the necessary expenses.
There is very much ground yet to be &C.
cupied, in this way in Omaha.
L. M. HAYES.
/. OMAHA, Nov 6, 1896.