The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-03

and retards the growth of the move
ment. Yet for the present nothing
better is available. Under these cir
cumstances the leader, for time at
least, must be content to be obscure,
to have small congregations, to be in
different to salary and to serve the
few with an untiring devotion. In
mining camps the miners often spend
much time, labor and money in do
ing what is termed "dead work" They
sink deep shafts, blasting and remov-
ing the rock that carries no ore, un-
til they strike the glittering treasures
that enrich them. The missionary
must be content for a time to do
'dead work." confident that his
efforts will be rewarded.
A church home which will event
ually take on the character of an in
stitution is necessary factor to per-
manent success. In my judgment
the selection and purchase of build.
ing site should be consummated at
the earliest possible time. A mis-
take in the choice of location is a
fatal error, and retards the growth of
a movement. In Western cities, es-
peciaIly were owners of real estate
desire to enhance its value, offers of
building site, as gift or at low
price, are sometimes made. AS gen.
eral rule these offers should be de-
clined, for eventually they prove dis
astrous in every way.
A location as central as possible,
convenient of access and in a COM
manding position, should be secured,
though at a greater cost. 1t is wiser to
postpone the erection of building
for a time than to construct it in an
obscure and unfavorable locality. A
conspicuous building site makes the
erection of church in accordance
with the laws of good taste more i'm
perative. There is little danger, in
building, that the ideas of convenience
and utility will be ignored. Though
the church be inexpensive it should,
from an architectural standpoint, be
gem, constituted on lines of beauty,
dignified and conducive to worship.
AS denomination we have paid
too little attention to architecture,
and some of our church buildings
are an offense to God and man. In
these Western fields where we are just
beginning, the study of architecture
should receive the attention it merits.
The financial problem is the most
difficult one that confronts us. 1t is
a source of great perplexity and anx
iety to both pastor and people. Fail
ure to devise sound financial policy
or to persistently execute such pol
icy when devised, is almost sure to
terminate in collapse of the en-
tire enterprise. A plan of raising
money must be found that is adapted
to the pecuniary conditions of the
people who are expected to contri
butte, and to the exigencies of the
times and locality. To the question
of finances the missionary minister is
often obliged to give time and study
that he would prefer to devote to the
consideration of more congenial
themes in direct line with his profess
sion.
In short, he needs to be a business
man OF wisdom and sagacity, quick
of perception and bold in action. If
man be faint hearted, easily discour-
aged by difficulties rather than in
spired by them, then this Western
field is no place for him. In this
great Western country that is forming
there is rush and intensity of life
that is both exhilerating and wearing.
One is constantly put upon his metal,
and if he get out of step and fail to
keep up with the marching column,
he is ruthlessly crushed. Literally it
is ''Pike's Peak or bust"
The people who live under the
shadow of the Rockies" are general
ly men who have had the faith and
daring to enter new country, and
the ability to carve outof its raw ma
terial splendid empire, Such men
are strong and original characters
and have little patience with any re-
ligion unless it have juice in it and
the flavor and ring of strong and
vigorous manhood.
The Western people are intellectu-
ally hospitable and give every man a
hearing, but when he has finished,
they express their commendation or
condemnation with frankness that
is refreshing, though often humiliat-
ing. In such an atmosphere the reason
able, satisfying and inspiring faith of
Universalism ought to take deep root
and flourish.