The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-04-25
SATURDAY, APRIL %.
EDITORIAL.


tional the Leader: I'VE hope
Plan of Finance. and trust that not so
much as word will
come from any influential quarter
suggesting a new financial method, un.
til our Cent "a. Day has been faithfully
pushed and its possibilities ascertained.
In one month our ministers could put it
on the enduring rock would they but
bend their energies to the task. Then
it Unjust be remembered that the parishes
that have nobly come to CALL may with
reason lose heart il they see the other
parishes. equally able, keeping aloof.
We are all in this boat. 1t is not right,
it is not just, it is not fraternal, that any
of US fold our arms while others pull at
the oars. Come people, one and all, and
make the plan gloriously successful.
We can if we will. If we can we have a
solemn duty"
500
THE Rev. Francis E.
The Key-Note of Clark, the founder of
Christian Endeavor' the Society of Chris
tan Endeavor and President of the now
world wide organization, in recent ar
ticle on the "Signs of the Times" finds
great encouragement for the future of
the movement in the increasing desire
for definite spiritual attainment How
to deepen and strengthen the spiritual
life." is the keynote which he believes
will be struck at the great Convention
in Washington next summer. And he
notes this point which is in the line of
spiritual progress: wherever l go the
question with them is not one of literary
attainment and social fellowship, so
much as of spiritual advancement. The
danger with the young peoples organi-
cations is that they may tend in the di-
rection of amusement and social pleas
ures. The highest success of our Young
Peoples Union. as of the Endeavorers,
will be realized only when the religious
and spiritual purpose Of the organiza-
ton is kept steadily in view. President
Clark finds encouragement in the grow
ing seriousness Of purpose and the
larger spiritual life of his Society. We
trust that the same encouragement may
come to our workers in this branch of
Christian effort.
500
AS one of the results of
The Debts of the financial pressure
sionary Societies. of the last few years,
the home and foreign missionary socie.
ties of several of the great denomina'
tons of this cou ntry find themselves in
an embarrassing situation from accumu-
lated indebtedness. The churches have
fallen off in their contributions and the
consequence is that an appalling am
cunt of debt rests upon dozen or more
of these societies. The Independent in
a recent issue estimated the amount of
this indebtedness at s1,500.000 or more.
1t gave figures. 1.-THE Methodist mission
airy society is $4,000 in arrears; the
Presbyterian home mission board is
burdened by sum almost as great; the
American Baptist Missionary Union
owes $4,000; the Presby terrain for
eign board, s175,000 the Baptist Home
Missionary Society, 100000; the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, south, 100000.
The American Board, which recently
owed S115,00 has just freed itself by
splendid effort. when we consider
these immense debts under which these
larger denominations are staggering,
the problem before our Universalist body
to sustain the work in home and foreign
fields appears Insignificant. Our debt
can be safely carried until better times
come, but it should not be allowed to in
crease. And the work must not stop.
II the churches are only faithful as they
have opportunity, we can tide over
: nicely until the "hard times" cease to be
oppressive. Every one to the fore. now,
to avoid disaster and help in the emer.
gency.
The motto OF the
The Mo ito OF the Keiths, Earls Maris-
Aeiths' chal, of Scotland,
They have said: what say they? let
them say" is strengthening saying, in
dicating free, bold, independent spirit,
one born to rule, and not fond Of conven-
tionalities but accustomed to conform to
standards of its own. In such strain
smoke the freemen OF old who never
bowed the neck to foreign master, and
knew no law beyond the free obedience
of freemen to their chosen and consti.
tuted leaders. In our times. however the
force of opinion has become so great in
these days Of telegraph, cable. telephone
and newspaper. that he is brave man,
indeed, who lie reckless Of it, or lightly
braves the opinion Of his fellowmeL.
- - tba hrava old SCOTCH nrovarb