The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-24
OUR MISSION IN JAPAN.

The Trustees of the Universalist Gen
eral Convention, in calling for another
annual contribution to support the Uni
versalst Mission in Japan, established
in 1889. gladly recall the fact that the
| efficiency of the Mission has been well
maintained during the past year. All
the missionaries under engagement to
| the General Convention have been act
lively at work in the distant field, viz. !:
Rev. /. Wallace Cate, Rev. Clarence E..
Rice, Rev. Edgar Leavitt and Miss
Catherine Osborn. Under their general
supervision the several Japanese preach
ers and assistants have prosecuted their
| labors in the various localities where
| there has seemed to be demand for
such Christian service as they we're able
| to render.
The Theological School at Tokyo has
been continued aud some additional
facilities provided for it's increased use
fulness. The School for Girls in the
same city has likewise received some new
material in the way of equipment. and
its work has prospered There has been
no step backward.
Notwithstanding some adverse condi-
iions connected with, or resulting from,
the recent war in which japan won so
considerable victory over China, the
outlook for our Mission is bright and
encouraging. There are new enquirers
constantly seeking to become acquainted
with Christianity as taught in the name
of the Universalist Church. and there
are fresh calls for such service in the
way of preaching and teaching as our
Universalist Mission was established to
| meet.
At this time-with the situation in
japan as hers Representative Trustees
make an appeal for means to carry for
ward the work in the coming year, 1897.
They are obliged to make this appeal,
for they have no reserve fund to fall
back upon; no source OF supply to which
they can look. other than the parishes
and people comprised in the Universal
list communion.
O1e year 20 we asked for $4,000, and
in response pledges we're given, with col
lections, amounting to 81 300, or little
more, of which sum about $4,000 has
been paid. Presumably the balance will
be paid; but even then the expenditures
for the year 1896 will exceed receipts by
about 50 900. thus nearly exhausting the
amount which. fortunately, was in hand
at the beginning of the present year, as
a remainder left over from the first sub
scriptions.
The Trustees ask for contribution Of
$4,000 for the ensuing year. This sum
is required to ensure comfortable work
ing of the Mission according to approved
plans, and to provide for contingencies.
The Board of Trustees will be unable
to meet the needs of the Mission, and to
furnish adequate support to those faith
full preachers and teachers who now rep
resent the Universalist Church in japan.
unless the response to the present appeal
shall be more general aud more produc
tive than was the case last year. We
have confidence to believe that there
will be such response. Our people
understand the situation; they appreci-
ate the need; they realize that it the
standard of Universalism is to be upheld
in japan there must come generous
offerings from individuals and from
arishes.
The Trustees ask for special offering
in aid of the japan Mission, to be made,
so far as possible. in all churches, on
Sunday, November 8, 1896. IL in any
case the day named is not convenient.
let some other Sunday near that date be
selected, so that returns can be made
before the end OF November, that the
Trustees may know within what limits
to keep the appropriations for the Mis-
sion.
The Financial Secretary, Rev. Henry
w. Rugg, Providence, r. l., will send
supply of printed blanks, for pledges,
to all Universaist pastors. in ample sea-
son for use on the second Sunday in
November. He will also send circulars
and blanks in response to any individual
application. Returns of pledges and
contributions, whether from individuals
or parishes. should be made to him.
(Signed) For the Trustees,
g. L. DEMAREsT. Secretary.