The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-25

ana fellow sympathlzers In that be-
lief they felt to be true.
This is all that needs to be done to
start Post Office Mission work. 1t
lies with the Unioners how far it may
be carried; how many may be bene-
fitted, and how much, and what re-
suits may be attained. Work, money
and co cooperation are necessary. We
must know the individual needs of
our enquirers and learn what will
most help them.
There are SO many good publica-
tions to be used for this work. PIT.
Barnum's "Why l am Universalist,"
being among the very best. We have
found the tract written by our own
pastor, Mr.. McCollester, "What do
Uniyersalists Believer" Of very great
use. This has been applied for by
other States. The sermons preached
from our own pulpits, published and
distributed, are very helpful, espe-
cially doctrinal topics. Many sub
scribers to Universalist papers can
be found among the members OF our
churches who are willing and glad to
donate them to the use OF the young
people. After having perused our
EDWARDS, we can send them on to
benefit others.
1t has been suggested that tracts
be placed in the depots and public
places. This would certainly extend
our literature far and wide. In each
city or town photograph of the
church of that place might also be
hung, with its location, hours of SER
vice, young peoples meetings, etc.
1t would assist in guiding strangers.
In connection with the work we
should have circulating library,
sending books to any to whom we
think they would be helpful, the
only stipulation being that they be
returned with the postage paid.
Our society found it could do much
in this work, but with the return of
our delegates from the National Con
vention in Boston, with their enthusi-
asm and information gathered there,
we learned we needed the co-opera-
ton of our sister Unions in the State.
A short time ago we received letter
from a lady residing in the State, who
was hungering and thirsting for
Universalist sermon. She had heard
only one in fifteen years, and that at
funeral. There were others also in
the same town
Then, and not till then, I realized
the deplorable lack of organization
among our societies. 1t is hard for
us to comprehend what this means
Universalist unable to hear her own
belief preached. If we had been in
communication with other societies
we could have discovered which par
ish was in closest proximity to that
place and forwarded our letter there.
1t might be so near that minister
could preach occasionally. In such
manner we might lead to the forma-
ton of new church societies. Does
not the Post Office Mission work in
deed offer endless possibilities? Sew
eral different schemes exist for the
best method of organization.
DIR. Shinn thinks so much better
service could be done by having one
central bureau for the whole United
States, and have each of the different
soc cites notify the central and all
matter be sent from there to the in
dividuals.
Laurence Parker, who is very
prominent and experienced in this
work, takes different position. He
would prefer that each State has
central bureau independent of other
states. | am inclined to agree in
part with Mr.. Parker. This work is
yet in its earliest infancy and it seems
to me each State could best lock after
its own people. | should desire
the central bureau have in charge
the books and such literature as must
be returned; and the local societies
send out their own papers, pamphlets
and tracts. Each local society would
not then need to possess a library and
the work could be done with less
cost. Each Union would have to
contribute a specified amount to the
central.
So much more information could
be distributed, the work could be
done in much more systematic man
ner, and such great responsibility
would not devolve on one society,
were we all working in unison. Thus
we see the field is large and the work
ers are few. Let us, then, the few
that are, be the more faithful, earnest
and sincere. Believing as we do i'll
the beautiful faith of the Fatherhood