The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-11-07
MINISTERIAL ORGANIZATION.
Paper at Waterloo. Iowa, Ministerial
Conference.
BY REV. H. L. F. GILLESPIE.

there are two agencies by which it is ad-
anced,-doctrine and method. Without
the former we have no kingdom to ad-
vance and without the latter no way of
advancing what we have.
Our doctrine rests In our Confession
Of Faith to which none subscribe with
out belief and heartfelt loyalty, because
our confession is the symbol of the most
hopeful, worthy and sacred faith which
God has entrusted to human hands.
We are touched by grief that is not
selfish because our faith does notreceive
the recognition which we know it's mer-
its deserve; and we sorrow because it
does not serve humanity as it is able.
make no apology for presenting that
which will assuage our grief, ease our
sorrow and make our ministry of greater
service than now.
l. Labor directly for church member
ship, enlightened, pure and devoted.
This means a personal life-and-death
struggle to wrest from sin the souls
which it enthralls.
The Sunday-school is the legitimate
recruiting ground. Urge upon parents
their duty to direct their children from
the cradle to choose the faith which to
them is dear and which is most able to
guide their loved ones to higher life
here and better hope hereafter.
Beware OF those who join Universal
ist societies, seek or accept office therein,
but have not the courage or moral per-
ception to give themselves to the service
of Him whose yoke is easy. In prosper
ity they call wrong right and right
wrong, and are willing to pay literally
for such concession, by which the min
istry Injuries itself and them; in adver-
sity their moral and material wealth is
ruinously deficient and the church i'm
potent to help itself or them.
2. Taking it for granted that all pro-
fessional ministers have gained the
heights where the great commandments
have become life, there still remains a
world of method and detail for profess
sional endeavor.
For energy and hope it is doubtful if
any ministry surpasses that of the Uni
| versalist Church, but the visible results
| OF their toll are among the least. Their
| work lacks order. We do not expend
our prayers and labor with that telling
power which is only born of spiritual
| sympathy which in turn begets rythmic
| working to the same definite objects,
which things are the conditions of sue
cess.
Our State should have superintend-
| ent (bishop is the correct term), sound
in doctrine, brave in purpose and ex-
| perienced in methods and he should
have the recognized and loyal support
of convention, churches and pastors of
Iowa. He should do the work of an over
seer. visit and preach at regular inter-
walls at every church, decide when and
where continued meetings be held, assist
and instruct inexperienced pastors and
| churches in methods of parish work and
settlements, and be at the helm when
4
difficulties arise.
| A Superintendent is needed TO keep
in touch with ministers proposing to
enter the State and prevent clashing
between those who are now here. His
pay may be raised by: l. Voluntary
offerings. 2. Convention aid. 3. A
just per cent of clerical income. 4. In
cidental work.
He should be an ex-officio member of
the Fellowship Committee, if not an ac-
tive member of the same. He should
have as assistants and advisers resident
pastors in such districts as the denomi-
national needs require.
We have need in Iowa in addition to
superintendent, an evangelist who
shall be constantly employed, not here
and there wherever an opening appears,
but regularly where he can do the most
good for the cause. The work of an
evangelist is both science and an art.
AS science it is exact, resting upon
known laws of the human mind, and as
an art it must be applied in accord with
those laws. Success is then as certain as
(; that day follows night.
We should have as soon as possible
one or more missionaries to search out
new fields. to do house-to-house work, to
assist local and influential pastorates to
preach in country school-houses and
hamlets. The entire ministry should
meet four times each year to discuss
professional and theological interests,
for conference. prayer and encourage
ment, thus keeping in close and real
sympathy of unity and purpose.
Given such work as above outlined no
minister need remain idle nor upon the
rack and mercy of local criticism, nor
endure the torture Of candidating, a
thug Injurious alike to parish and
clergy; neither need any pulpit remain
without work, and thus retrieve us from
just lack of confidence which the public
now have. We should have more cheer
full and effective personal service Of
every man in the State. Vantage points
now idle would be utilized, active par
ishes strengthened and new missions
| established.