The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
Ibe West.

WISCONSIN.-Rev.'A. G. Grier took
advantage of temperance meeting at
his church in Racine at which an out
slider was to speak and went over to
Waukesha and spoke to the newly or
ganized church there Sunday evening.
He succeeded in raising enough money
to ensure the continuance of the work.
The work there is quite encouraging.
MINNESOTA.-The Rev. John Ar
noup, who has been preaching Univer-
salism this spring in the northern tier
of counties in Iowa, recently paid visit
to some of the southern counties of this
State and spoke to good audiences in
Austin. Wells and Banks. At the last
place he held an interesting grove meet
ing. In this locality reside the Dunbar
family, life long Universalists. Rev. Mr..
Arnoup says that in his rounds he has
come across several localities where
there are no Universalist churches, but
where live Universalist preacher who
is out of a pastorate, and has desire to
settle in new locality and is not afraid
of little financial deprivation for
time, can build up an organic alton.
WASHINGTON.- A Brave
Church, have no doubt that many of
my ministerial brothers have recently
received communication from the par
ish at Spokane asking for some slight
help. So many of these appeals come to
US that they are apt to be laid aside
with sigh and soon forgotten. But /
want to say word about this appeal
that am sure will put it on a very differ
ent footing from many another. I wish
to say that know what l say about it,
for was temporary pastor of the parish
during my vacation three years ago.
And. too. my brother has been till lately
one of the most active workers in the
church.
Spokane is city of some 5000 people,
is the center of wide range of new but
rapidly filling country. 1t is fully 1000
miles west of the nearest eastern Univer-
salist parish. There is Unitarian church
there but that organization has never
filled the spiritual needs of Universal
lists. And in spite Of all the difficulties
incident to such circumstance church
was started there by Mr.. Shinn some
four years ago. A more determined
band of people l never saw. Spokane
was very severely hit by the hard times
and the silver depression but that made
no difference to these loyal Universal
lists. They stood right by the little
ship. They never have had any aseis-
lance but have carried the great load all
by themselves. They have held services
in hall for which they have had to pay
high rent and as the town is 80
spread out the people have had to ply
as much for street car fare as they
would naturally put in the collection. I
have more than once thought that they
would give up when one after another
left for other cities. But no such word
has ever been breathed from them.
Their faith and courage have been SUBJ
lime and shall feel that if they are not
given royal help now that there is no
spirit Of appreciation of UNCONVENTIONAL
loyalty among US. They are not asking
for help to pay debt or to maintain
preaching. But they are to build a
church. Where could we invest money
to better advantage in such field and
with such people? Our General Con
vention says they cannot help. They
have sent missionary to the farther
west but he has his hands full and is
unable to do anything for them. They
must have help and they shall. here
by pledge my parish for s25 and if they
can't pay it. l will do it myself. And
there are few parishes that can afford it
less than mine, for with not large par
ish. and no rich people, they have raised
$4,000 in eighteen months for the work.
81 from each of our parishes would set
them right up on the top. But as many
will never respond let each that cares
whether the cause of ours prospers or
not, let each send S. or more and send
Universalism ringing out in the Spokane
Valley and so through all that new
west.
know that everybody who is inter
ested in place thinks that is the most
important. But believe that my ex-
perience as missionary will protect me
against any such implication.
Yours. for not only broad Universal
ism but wide one.
A.C. GRIER,
Pastorin Chief of Wisconsin,.