The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-02-06
MICHIGAN NEWS.


The Universalist Church in Michigan
is severely handicapped by lack of funde.
Societies which usually are generous
with pastors cannot raise the customary
amounts. There are several societies
which want preaching, but they can only
raise $500 or 5000. In some instances,
good working pastor. could soon
increase their ability. Some societies
could be combined into circuits to the
advantage of pastors and churches.
There is plenty of work here. and men
who are willing to put their shoulder to
the wheel can get ample opportunity.
DETROIT PRE-EMINENCE.
Detroit boasts Of having mayor
who is governor, Pingree. the potato
mayor; the finest high school building
in the United States; threecent car
fare line; and now we have law suit to
prevent the Bible from being read in
the public schools. A few months ago
the Board of Education purchased
copies of Selections from the Bible for
Schools" for use in the schools of the
city. The object was to use the books
for occasional readings. But hardly had
the action taken place before the secu.
iarists of the city served an injunction
to prevent their use on the ground of
introducing religion into the schools.
The fight is now between extreme evan
gelicals and secularists. Both have en-
gagged counsel, and will carry the mat
ter to the Supreme courts. AS an
observer we believe the discussion will
do good rather than harm. and bring
many to see that the Bible is book of
literature, and of great profit, if used as
suggested by Prof. Moulton.
CONCORD.
Rev. w. L. Gibbs has been devoting
some time to the missionary work of
the State. trying to get pastors to fitted
to the vacant societies. January II he
preached at Hillsdale. and though the
day was exceedingly rainy he found a
band of earnest workers on hand. The
Concord society is keeping up all of it's
departments of work as usual. On
people gave musical entertainment in
the town hall for the benefit of the
church. The entertainment was sue
cess and netted neat sum- Bro. Gibbs
parishes have the faculty of keeping up
at all points. and when the times are
hard they work the harder.
GRAND RAPIDS.
The newspapers of this city made an
amusing mistake in reporting recent
church meeting. The society at its an
nual meeting altered it's laws respecting
the basis of church mem bership and
made assent to the Winches'e r Comics.
sion of Faith optional with new men,
bers. In reporting this action the news
paper spoke of the Westminster Con.
fession of Faith" Mr.. Illman in the
next issue made very neat turn upon
the words Winchester and Westminster.
and we feel sure the Grand Rapids people
will hereafter know that Universalists
never did and never will believe in the
Westminster creed.
DETROIT.
The Ladies' Union have Just COM
pleted a refurnishing of their parlors.
The walls have been re-frescoed, and
new rugs have been placed on the floors.
The Young Peoples Christian Union
led the religious services at the Home
of Industry for discharged convicts,
Wednesday evening, January 81. The
Y. P. @. U. is preparing a dramatic en-
tertainment to be given early in Febru,
AIRY. For two Sundays Mr.. McCollsster
has been speaking on the Theology Of
"Ian Maclaren." The sermons created