The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-06-06
Our Ohio Churches.
FROM J. W. HENLEY, d. D.
State Secretary.
THE METHODIST GENERAL CONFER

0SSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSsO
THE METHODIST GENERAL CONFER
ENCE.
The quadrennial session of the Gener-
al Conference of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, which was held in Cleve-
land during last month, have renewed
testimony to the value of thorough or
ganization, and concentration Of effort.
Next to that of the Roman Catholic
Church, the organization of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church is the best
adapted to promote growth, and in
crease influence. Of any ecclesiastical
body in this country. It's growth has
been rapid because its machinery is
wisely constructed, and is kept we'll
oiled.
THE ESPRIT DE CORPS.
Contributions to the many different
enterprises which it fosters, are obliga-
tory, and not at the pleasure of the peo-
Pile. Ministers are not allowed to use
their pleasure, in determining whether
or not, they may call for contributors to
promote the institutions Of the church.
Their ministerial character stands or
falls. in part, upon the performance or
neglect of duty in this respect. If a
measure is adopted by the General Con
ference it makes no difference how
much it may conflict with the superior
judgment" of the "circuit rider" he
must carry it out if he expects an ap-
pointment next year." Some may
think this smacks of tyranny! Not so!
1t only signifies that in that great and
successful organization, compliance with
every obligation required by the control
ling body of the church, means that
loyalty is the principle to be main
tanned.
THE CONTRAST.
The Methodist Episcopal and the Uni
versalist churches began their work
about the same time. But the growth
of the two organizations has been quite
different. The Methodist Episcopal
Church counts it's membership by the
million, and their ministers and churches
are to be found in every part of the
world, while the number of member
of the Universalist Church, only reaches
few thousand, and the organization is
limited chiefly to the United States, and
the Japan Mission. Why this difference
of results? Some men say that it has
been because of the unpopularity of the
doctrines of the Universalist Church.
This may be true in part; but to only a
small degree. The Methodist Church
began with a thorough organization of
ecclesiastical machinery, which has been
kept in good condition by active use.
OUR EARLY WANT OF ORGANIZATION.
The Universalist Church began with
but little organization and its growth
has been the result of individual effort
instead of concentrated cooperation. To
promulgate an idea, more than to estab-
lish our doctrines in a permanent man.
ner. was the object OF many of the pho
neers in our ministry. 1t is true, many
organizations were effected by these
pioneers, but their chief object was to
sustain preaching" Associations and
conventions were organized; but their
object was more to hear "big preaching, =
than to establish measures for the build
ing of strong and aggressive organiza-
ton. Consequently. real and substantial
growth has been limited. Many local
organizations were short lived because
after the excitement of whipping the
orthodox" died out there was nothing
to keep up interest and to cooperative
effort, in many cases. there was strong
antagonism. The result is. the Metho
dist Episcopal Church has gone on pros
pering. while the growth of our church
has been slow and painful. 1t is only
about thirty years since our church has
begun to recognize in practical man
ner, the necessity of thorough organiza
ton, and concentration OF effort. The
results for the better are manifest; ye
we are far short of what we might anC
should be. And the reason for this is
the great difficulty in convincing oul
people that they should feel living in
terest in every church already organ
lied, that they should be willing t.
"lend a-hand" in occupying all desirable
places for establishment of organized
Universalism. That there is a growth
in the right direction, we are glad to &C
knowledge, and we trust that the spiri
of aggressive and progressive work viii
develop still more rapidly, for the times
are ripe and the opportunities many fol
the establishment of our Universalist
churches.
EXPENSES OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
In one thing the Methodist churches
have always been in advance of US
They have always recognized the fact
that it was the duty Of the represented
to pay the expenses of the representa-
tives. At the General Conference OF
the Methodist Church in Cleveland
there were over six hundred delegates;
and their travelling expenses we're paid
by the church. Consequently all con-
ferences, at home or abroad, were repre-
sented by full delegations. The Ohio
Universalist Convention elected twelve