The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-16

of union of four churches having
common interests, and common pur-
pose. At MEANWHILE, four miles from Mil
ford, we once had society organization,
and occasional preaching. A number
of excellent families believing our faith
reside there now, some Of whom have
their membership in the Milford church.
l have promised to preach for them in
MEANWHILE, at no distant day. In this
way l hope to interest others in our
church here"
TWO THOUGHTS.
There are two thoughts in the FORE
going we wish to emphasize. The first is,
the necessity OF churches having the
same pastor feeling that the interests of
one church are common to all others.
There are but few of our Ohio churches
that have financial strength to sustain
pastors alone. Hence, to have regular
services. they must have pastors who
employ a part OF the time with some
other church. The custom has been to
have the minister hunt up the other
church or churches. The rule should be
reversed; the churches should agree to
work together. and then select the pas
tor. The second thought, is the estab-
fishing of "out-posts" by pastors, by
which the interests of the local church
may be strengthened. We have scarcely
/ ohur hot hoo ~ sor,f Ixyr no
place or places, where Sunday after
noon or week night services, could be
held occasionally to the great advantage
of the church. This is genuine mission
airy work.
McCONNELLSvILLE.
Rev. Eliza F. Turner. of Bellville, in
copied call from our church in McCon-
nellsville. and will enter upon her work
January II. Years ago we had strong
and fourishing church in that town,
but "deaths and removals" have very
much reduced the church, both in num-
bers and financial strength. There is.
however, remnant left in Israel" and
pl nty of outside material from which
to gather material to build up anew
There is a small but interesting Sunday
school, which has served to keep the
friends together during the time they
have been without pastor. Owning a
good church, free from debt. in which
there is fine pipe organ, and with the
aid of an income from fund left by
the late Mrs. Richard Dodge. with faith
full, we'll directed work by pastor and
people. the church at McConnellsville
should resume it's former standing and
influence in that town.
EVANSVILLE.
We spent Sunday, December q. with
our church at Evansville. Holiday absen-
tees and sickness caused the congrega-
tions and Sunday school to be smaller
than usual.
Still there was fair attendance, and
the services were interesting and profta-
Bile to all present. The Sunday school
did not have any formal celebration Of
Christmas, but on Sunday morning the
scholars received tokens of good will"
The people are all united on Rev. R. N.
John, the pastor, and we anticipate con.
tinued good results from his earnest
labors in that important city.
RAvENNA.
An item in regard to Ravenna in THE
UNIvERsALIsT for January 2, by some
accident, either of the printer. or writer,
was published in connection with para
graph about the Milford Circuit. Such
mistakes are not frequent in THE UNI
vERsALIsT. but to make amends to our
Ravenna friends, we repeat the sub
stance of the item, viz: 1.-The Sunday
school and church had their usual enter
tainment on Christmas eve. and the
Masonic Fraternity attended in body,
services in our church on Sunday even.
ing, December 81, it being st. Johns
Day."
Y.P. ~. Missionary. Bro Eben Mum
ford, of Alcony, who was recently licen-
sed to preach. has been employed by the
Executive Board of the State Y. P. G. U.
to spend month in doing missionary
work for the Union. Bro. Mumford is
we'll qualified to do this kind of work, and
we have no doubt but that excellent re-
suits will follow his labors His engage.
ment, however, is not to interfere with
his supplying the churches at New
Madison and Palestine. He has already
assisted in the revival OF one Union, and
the establishment Of another.
'HARD TINES"
From every direction there comes the
cry of "hard times" and the difficulty Of
raising funds to sustain regular services
in churches. While it is fact that our
country is passing through financial
stringency, and a period of low prices
not often experienced, it is not right that
our churches should be closed. and the
people deprived of ministerial and relig-
ious services. Sickness and death pre-
vail in hard times as we'll as in those
more prosperous. and the consultations Of
the Gospel are just as precious now as
| when prosperity abounds in the land,