The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-13

ness anxieties, and to secure to the
paper acceptable managers. have been
the governing motives of this action.
This effort was unsuccessful. Finally,
negotiations were opened with the Uni
versalist Publishing House, resulting in
transfer of the Banner to that House
on conditions acceptable to all the par
ties Immediately interested.
The tendency of the present time is
toward consolidation in all classes of
business. In many instances such COM
blnations insure better products at no
greater cost TO the people. The Gospel
Banner Company feel that the union Of
the Banner with the Christian Leader
will afford larger, handsomer, and in
every way better paper than either
Office can give by Itself. The cost of
production will be largely reduced. The
Publishing House has ample means at
it's command to carry out whatever plan
it may deem desirable in the way of de-
velopng and Strengthening the pub
fishing interests of the Universalist
church.
Maine interests are to be cared for
under the new management. The Sc
nior editor of the Banner, Rev. l. j.
Mead, is to have editorial connection
with the consolidated paper and will
still be in communication with the large
company of readers and friends who
have been interested in his work for the
past fourteen yeare.''
The Gospel Banner has had long
and honorable history as an expo
nent of the doctrines and principles
of the Universalist church. 1t was
established in Augusta, Me-, more
than sixty years ago and has exercised
vast influence in the state in behalf
of Uniyersalism and all allied re-
formatorY and humanitarian causes.
Is has ever been loyal to the demon
ination, a foremost defender of the
faith and conspicuous advocate ofall
measures tending towards it's organi-
cation and development. The Maine
Universalists are devotedly attached
to their state organ and deeply regret
the necessity of its discontinuance as
a separate periodical. But they have
the consolation Of knowing that it
passes under control of the Publish
ing House Of the church, who will
conserve in the consolidated paper
all Maine interests, and are abund-
antly able to furnish larger and
better paper than was possible under
the former individual ownership, with
limited financial resources.
The publication of the Gospel
Banner was begun in 1885, under
the editorial charge of Rev. William
A. Drew, one of "the strong men,
well armed" of those early days and
widely known in the fraternity as
sound theologan and vigorous and
accomplished writer He remained
in charge until October 1854 From
1854 to go Rev. j. w. Hanson was
the editor, beginning in the Banner,
the extended and brilliant career as
religious journalist which he main
tanned afterwards in the New Cove
nant and Star and Covenant until
1880. Mr.. Hanson was followed as
editor of the Banner by Rev. r. A.
Ballou, who had as associates, Rev.
II. @. Leonard and Rev. G. r Moor,
and Rev. G. W. QuinbY, the latter
ending his connection with the paper
in July, 1888 "All these" says
the Banner, were men of talent who
well sustained the prestige gained
for the Banner by its first editor"
Since the retirement of Dr.. Quinby,
Rev. III. Mead has been in editorial
charge and part owner of the paper.
He has worthily maintained the
prestige of the Banner and in these
fourteen years has given ample proof
of ability and fitness as the successor
of the eminent editor, who preceded
him. He is also entitled to large
measure of praise for having carried
on the Banner successfully during
the last few years of unexampled trial
and perplexity for all publishers of
religious journals.
The Banner says:
Attention is directed to the notice
furnished by the agent of the House
which is hereafter to be the publishers
of this paper in combination with The
Christian Leader. Mr.. Endicott greets
all who are interested in The Gospel
Banner ia liberal and fraternal spirit.
1t is the purpose of the publishers and
editors of the Banner to reciprocate the
kindly feeling thus manifested, and it is
their earnest desire that all the sup.
porters and friends of the Banner shall
transfer their friendly interest to the
consolidated paper"
THE NATURE OF OHRIST'S
COMING.