The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-10-30
RIVERSIDE.

church, communicated to US the condi'
tions at Riverside, and the inability OF
the parish to meet them. and asked the
trustees to contribute $4,000 for it's re-
lief from its mortgage debt. The Board
carefully considered the proposal with
the respect due to it's source; but found
itself unable to meet the call, the cause
of which was the pressure for payment
of the principal, with the rapidly accru-
ing interest. But it proposed that il the
parish, being free from other debt, could
obtain a new loan at six per cent. the
convention would pay the interest for
five years.
At the May meeting, a further COM
munication was submitted by Mr..
Dennis. He had offered to give one
twelfth (S500) of the principal sum for
which the property was holden, and was
st eking the needful remainder. 1t was
asked whether the convention would
not give three-twelfths, or 81 500, in lieu
of the interest, $500, proposed at the
former meeting. The Board decided
that such payment could not possibly be
made out of the income OF the year, but
appropriated $1,000, payable in six
annual installments, the same to be
certified, provided that the whole shall
thus be raised, and the record cleared.
Mr.. Dennis sedulously devoted him
self to the canvass for the completed
subscription; but although he increased
bis own pledge to $1,000. the subscrip-
ton was found at the time Of notice of
foreclosure 10 be still $3.50 short of the
goal. Friends had been found who
would discount five-sixths of the obliga-
ton, leaving one-sixth, net $3.50. to be
paid down by the Board. One Of the
trustees proposed that in the emerg-
ency the remaining sum, together with
the remaining sixth of the appropriation
made in 1896, be provided by modifica-
ton of the order adopted at Meriden,-
believing that the convention will glad
Iy spprove--whereby one half of the re-
paid Scholarship Loans was to be added
to the Scholarship Fund; and by apply
ing $1,000 of the same, or go muth
thereof as may be necessary for the pur-
pose, in aid of the redemption of tie
church property at Riverside" The
proposal was approved, and the sum OF
5000 was accordingly applied, and Mr..
Dennis himself attended to the clearing
of the Record, visiting Riverside for the
purpose, though in infirm health. AL
though the moneys did not pass through
our Treasury, list of subscribers will
be found in Appendix I. Mr.. Dennis's
devotion to the work he has so gener-
ously undertaken is worthy OF special
recognition.
The title of the church property is in
the General Convention, and is thus
hereafter inalienabls, without its con-
sent.
OUR MISSION IN JAPAN.
Report is here made of another year
of work and progress. Rev. l. Wallace
Cate, Rev. Clarence e. Rice. Rev. Edgar
Leavitt and Miss Catherine Osborn
have constituted the Mission force at
work under engagement with the Cen
eral Convention. They have been dill
gent in the prosecution of their respon-
sible labors. and they have had the
hearty cooperation of the native preach
ers and of other assistants identified
with the Universalist Church in japan.
The Theological School and the Girls,
maintain their positions as well-estab-
lished agencies of help. Schools have
been established in several important
localities where they have come to be
regarded with justly deserved favor.
For want of funds there has been some
curtailment of outpost work. Services
have been maintained. however, at sew
eral of the preaching stations, with re-
suits fully iustifying the continuance of
work at the outposts, under the general
supervision of the Missionaries.
Rev. Mr. Gate, at his own request, has
been released from his engagement with
the General Convention. He reached
this country, with his family. few
weeks ago. Mr.. Cate was the senior
among the Missionaries in time of ser
vice, having been connected with the
enterprise from the date of its estab-
lishment. The Trustees would place on
record their appreciation of the efficient
service which he has rendered, and bear
willing testimony to the ability and
zeal which have characterized his labors
during the seven and one half years of
his missionary work in japan.
With Mr.. Gates return. until another
is found to take his place, the working
force of the Mission, representing our
Church on this side. will consist of Rev.
c. e. Rice. with whom Encouragement
has been effected, and whose position
is that of President of the Mission Board
in Japan, Rev. Edgar Leavitt, and Miss
Catherine Osborn. That these workers
will have their hands full, in preaching
and teaching, in caring for the general
interests of the Mission, and in exercis-
ing a wise supervision over its affairs,
will not be questioned by any one in
formed as to the situation.