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

Inc following is summary of the
Report made under date of Feb. q,
1897. H.. w.R.1
DEAR BRETHREN:-You will note with
regret, as do, a slight falling off in the
receipts of the last month, as compared
with January 1896. The shrinkage can
be accounted for by the lessened pay.
ments made on pledges for the Japan
Mission. 1t is but fair to state, however,
that the anticipated increase in contri.
buttons of parishes and individuals for
the General Convention has not been
realized. The doubt, uncertainty and
depression manifested in the business
world for so considerable period are
still felt. and interpose formidable bar
riers to the gathering of desired contri.
buttons, either from individuals or par.
ishes. l looked for marked change for
the better with the beginning of the
year 1897, but the expected improve
ment has not come; indeed. l am obliged
to say to you, in all frankness. that Dur
ing o time since l entered upon my
duties as Financial Secretary, have l re
celved 80 many announcements of in
ability to aid as within the last six or
eight weeks. The story comes to me in
nearly every mail of parishes hardly
able to support preaching and to meet
local expenses, and consequently unable
to do anything for the General Conven-
ton. | may add, in this connection, that
these letters showing the poverty Of the
situat ion at many points, are not charged
with so much Of the criticising spirit as
was formerly expressed in communica-
tions received at this Office. | believe
that there is an improved feeling of fell.
lowship among Universalist ministers
and people. with something more of
loyal devotion to the church; and with
the revival of business interests, be-
lieve it will be easier than it has been
heretofore, to gather funds for Conven-
ton uses.
The new apportionment submitted to
and approved by the Board of Trustees
at it's meeting in New York, Jan. ID,
1897, has been sent out. This apportion-
ment, as you know. was submitted to
wise and prudent brethren in different
parts Of the country, whose opinion was
asked as to the proposed equitableness
of the specific sums called for from the
different parishes. After receiving the
suggestions. and after the same had
been reviewed by DR.. Demarest, who
gave me the benefit of his judgment on
the proposed changes, final revision of
the respective schedule was made, and
the call was sent out to pastors and
parishes. | did not make the call a
mere formal one; but mailed an expla-
natory letter with the designation of the
apportionment, accompanied by circu-
lar prepared to show the value of the
Cent-a-Day plan. and the urgent needs
of the General Convention.
l made earnest request of pastors to
inform me as soon as possible, whether
or not the desired sum. or any other
amount, would probably be contributed
for the uses of the General Convention.
Many of the pastors thus addressed have
as yet made no responses; but some two
hundred replies have come to hand.
Some of the answers already received
are as follows: Cannot pay;" Can do
nothing this year," "Our church is
struggling for existence, and can do
nothing outside There is no use in
making call my people refuse to pay"
Have placed matter in hands of parish
committees" Qater on received notice
from parish committee o. their adverse
action.l I've can make no Offering
parish heavily in debit" Twill promise
nothing. but will try to obtain few
more Centa-Day pledges Probably
is to pay State quota"
Other letters, however, are of differ
ent character: will try to raise the
full QUOTA" Twill undertake to fulfill
the obligation;" "Will pay what is
Asked" will soon present to my people
the General Convention interests, and
will urge them to adopt the Cent. a. Day
PLAN" "Will take collection at EASTER"
Expect to do more than to pay the re-
quired amount. by Cent-a- Day and an
nual pledges will undoubtedly pay
the full amount" "Will take collec-
tion;" will probably send a more gen.
erous amount than you ask for" A
New York pastor says he shall surely
send a larger amount than the sum as.
sessed. Another writes: II will do all
that can; don't give up the Cent-a. Day
method; keep at it. it will surely win.
Our fault in the past has been too many
policies Now that we have one policy,
let US stick to it," Massachusetts,
pastor responds briefly and to the point:
IL will see to it that the full amount
asked for under the new appointment is
sent forward from my parish"
The letters promising at least some
effort in the direction desired are far
more than those expressing complete in
ability, or announcing a positive declin-
alton to contribute. Many of the prom
ises point to the taking of collections at
Easter. or about that time. In several
cases. cent-a-day blanks have been ap-
piled for. with an intimation of the pur-
pose to use that system in raising money
for the conventions. l have quoted
from these letters to indicate the general
feeling, so far as any response has been
made. as we'll as the probable outlook
for financial resources. Evidently we
have many parishes whose members feel
absolutely too poor to pay even the
smallest sum; while a larger number are
indifferent or think they can do nothing,
when, il really aroused and interested,
they would find a Way to make at least