The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-07-04
THE WISCONSIN CONVENTION.

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the Convention of Wisconsin, was
held at Racine, during three days of
last week-beginning in formal man
ner on Tuesday, June %, but pre-
coded by preliminary service on
Monday evening.
The Convention was spirited and
very happy series of meetings, undis-
turbed by any unpleasant discussion.
One mind and purpose seemed to
dominate all. Good fellowship and
harmony characterized all the meet
ings. Rev. A. G. Grier, the Racine
pastor, was Captain General of all the
forces. He was here and there and
everywhere, his busy brain teeming
with suggestions, and doing all that
was possible for the comfort and con-
venience of the guests Of his parish.
The Racine friends responded to all
the requirements of the occasion and
entertained their many guests very
cordially.
The attendance, while not as large
as at Oshkosh last year, was fully up
to the average of recent sessions,
while the reports from the parishes
were highly encouraging and showed
that Universalism in Wisconsin is in
a healthy condition. The contribu-
tions for the State work as shown in
the reports were larger than formerly
and there is larger number of set
tied pastors in the State than at any
year in the last decade We outline
in what follows the salient points of
interest in the several sessions of
the Convention, touching only on
the most important features of the
business sessions and the public SER
vices.
Monday evening, June %, at 7:30, the
first meeting of the week was held in the
new and cosy church of the Good Shep
herd, enlarged and rededicated during
the last year.
Many Of the delegates had already ar
rived and we're ready to enjoy the even
ing exercises.
Badges of white ribbon with the words,
Forty ninth Annual Convention of
Wisconsin Universaists" neatly in
scribed were worn by the delegates and
visitors.
Rev. A. G. Grier called the assembly
to order and the choir sang an opening
anthem. Mr.. Grier said he was pleased
to announce to the guests that Racine
had mayor whom he was proud to in
troduce to them as being we'll fitted to
give the welcome address to a religious
convention, and Mayor James then gave
the following greeting:
Mr.. President and Mem ers of the Universal
ist Convent on Believing that the foundation
of all good government and the prosperity of
this great republic is based on the high moral
and religious principles of the masses, we con-
slider it an honor and a pleasure to make the
acquaintance of individuals who are devotng
pleasant duty as representative of the citizens
of this. tine Belle City, to welcome the leaders
and teachers of those great tene S. In Your Sc
lecting this city for the meetings of your conven
ton we feel highly hOnorei, and hope and be-
lieve that your deliberations will be SO instruct
tive and profitable that when you return to your
several fields of labor you will continue your
good work with rene we'd courage and vigOr.
Your local committee. have no doubt, will
extend to each of you such fullness of social
courtesies that you will always carry with you
kindly remembrances of Racine.
In behalf of the citizens of Racine and the
municipal authorities 1 extend to you all the
Inequalities of the city and bid you a hearty
welcome.
In behalf of the Racine church, Will
liam Walker, President of the Board of
Trustees, welcomed the guests and made
a brief statement of the work accom-
plished for Universalisn in the city.
The fret church was built on the site
where now stands Hotel Racine. When
the building and lot was purchased by
the hotel company and they were with
out a church home. many OF the older
members became discouraged and dis
heartened. But they had with them a
pastor who was strong enough to see
through the mists and under his efforts
and the unfailing support of the young
or members Of the church, who took
new interest 10 Christian work, the
church stands where it does today.
They erected new edifice on the pres
emit site but soon found it too small to
accommodate the rapidly growing con-
gregation. and so recently enlarged it to
its present commodious dimensions. and
it now stands free of debt.
President w. II. Rogers, Of Fort At
kinson, responded to the words Of well
come in an appropriate manner He
was well acquainted with the pastors
who had served the Racine church in
years gone by and had often met at con-