The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-12
yu. c. E..
NOTES FOR MAY.
THE AFTERMATH.

mO0tiuB dt tHo uUuo VI MIS- W. hOuiso
Thomas, in New York CITY,, it has been
impossible to be on time with W. @. A.
notes this month. Besides, there have
been such good reports of our meeting
in the UNCONVENTIONAL papers, we could
afford to be more leisurely in our pace
and gather up the aftermath, as Ruth
followed the reapers in the fields of
Boaz.
The brethren have given us more
credit for a good meeting than we would
have dared to claim for ourselves, and if
we have enthused them. or anyone else,
we are only glad to know our work and
prayers have not been misdirected or in
vain.
We. too, have felt it was good to be
there; and while there were not 30 many
present as we hoped to see, those who
we're signifed by their interest and zeal.
that it is not absolutely necessary to
have crowd to do good work, or to
send the force speeding on its way,-the
true missionary spirit spreading and cir
cling outward, until finally. we hope to
see the masses of our sisters engaged in
the work as the few now are. 1t was the
Master himself who gave us the encour-
aging sign by comp airing an influence to
the leaven: "a little leaven leaveneth the
whole lump" We never we're more
hopeful or sure that the Woman's Ma
tional Missionary Society has great fu
ture before it than since our annual
meeting. Changes may come. but there
is no going backward; and the friends
of yesterday will still continue to walk
with US, and new friends are strengthen
ing our hearts and hands.
THAT RECEPTION
Our Convention began well, in a So
cial event that will long be remembered.
Mrs. Russell, the State president of Penn
sylvania, who was i'll. yet strong in the
spirit. longed to see all the delegates and
friends, and since she could not hope to
meet them in the Convention, she
come, with plants and spring blossoms,
and most cordial greeting. 1t is the
getting acquainted which helps on the
work afterward, and the reception had
its uses, as social life always does when
confined to its legitimate sphere, the
home.
THE CHURCH.
1t would be dull soul that did not
feel the uplift and influence of the home
like and yet church-like place of gather
ing. The "Church of the Messiah" in
Philadelphia, is the most beautiful and
ornamental and ecclesiastical church of
the denomination. Beauty and har
mony, are united to fitness, from open
doorways to pictured windows, that tell
the story of the Gospel Of Peace on
earth, goodwill to men,"
The meetings seemed to grow in inter
est as the time passed on, and all of it
shaped toward work for church extern
sion, united to an economy of resources
which had to be considered. The APP
preparations we're all too small. but as
large as the apparent resources of the
treasury would permit, and. as times i'm
prove the Executive Board hope to be
able to increase them. 1t is always cas-
Ter to enlarge ones field of labor than it
is to contract it when it is found to be
too extensive.
THE RESULT OF THE CONVENTION.
Ii the annual meeting st God for any
thing at all it stood for more than it has
been doing before. 1t felt its way along
with caution and prudence, but it was
not without enthusiasm. One had to
apply the brakes to keep from promis-
ing more than there was likelihood of
performing.
The Convention voted to raise 81 900
for the Pacific Coast Mission; 500 per
year for the education of women and
girls in japan, for five years; 5000 per
year for Denver church building fund.
for five years; 500 per year for Kansas
City, Mo, for five years. for their build
ing fund. And the Executive Board at
their business session, after adjourn
ment. made appropriations for two aged
ministers families of $50 each for the en-
suing year. and the other usual appro-
priations for having the work carried on
as executive business.
The meetings were all harmonious. and
the reports from State officers showed
an increase of interest in both home and
other fields of labor.
Maine, New York. Vermont, New
Hampshire and Connecticut, all had
good excuse for their existence. Con
necticut had specially good report
through her treasurer Mrs. Abbie L.
Bates, but even she forgot one important
item of interest which it is we'll to men
ton now. She writes, 81 shall have to
TESS. like Topsy, to an important minis
sion in my report from Connecticut.
Last September our State Board voted
to give one hundred dollars during the
coming year for the Pacific Coast Mis-
sion work The subject not coming up
in that way forgot to mention it when
had the floor"
THE MEETING IN NEW YORK.
Mrs. M, Louise Thomas has always
been. peculiarly hospitable to the Board
OF Managers OF the Association, and she