The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-02-06
THE TRUSTEEs' MEETING.
The Recent Board Meeting in New York.
The Situation Surveyed and Ex-
planned.

Inc situation surveyed and Ex-
planned.
Rev. DR.. Adams reports the January
meeting of the Trustees of the General
Convention to the Leader. We transfer
as follows:
The January meeting of the Board of
Trustees was held at the Park Avenue
Hotel in New York on the 18th and 14th
of last month. 1t is pleasant to record
that the meetings this year are unueu-
ally large. At this session all the mem
bers were present except the chairman.
Mr.. Joy, who was unavoidably detained
at home. The Western contingent
which now, happily for itself, numbers
Mr.. Manning in its ranks, was present
in full force and showed how entirely
possible it is to bring men. even from a
distance. who really have the interests
of the church at heart. The Board has
no more constant or interested members
than DIR. Nash and Mr.. Fowler and Mr..
Manning. We Eastern folks are feeling
very keenly the removal of Mr.. Manning
to Chicago. But when he attempted at
this session to remove himself from the
Board also. he was met by affirm and
vigorous refusal, which carried to his
soul the conviction that he is not to be
spared.
The reports of the General Secretary
and the Financial Secretary, while show
ing perhaps as plainly as any they have
made the effects of the protracted and
tremendous financial strain of the times,
nevertheless were, on the whole, reas-
surfing. But they offered new evidences
of the fact which had been referred to
more than one in these columns, that
the burden of responsibility for the sue
cess or the failure of the Convention's
plans. lies not on methods, or policies, or
officials, but simply and directly upon
the ministers. Perhaps that statement
does not need enlargement from this
pen.
The chief matter under advsement
and the one which received the larg est
and most serious consideration of the
Board was the question of ways and
means for the Japan Mission. The call
went out this year just at the crisis of
the presidential election. when every
body was absorbed andIbusy over politi-
cal affairs; it was impossible to present
the matter on All Souls Sunday; the
financial condition OF many of the best
friends of the mission has delayed or
prevented subscriptions; and the zeal of
many has waxed cold. because they love
to give only when theyshear the music
of the "boom." 1t appeared probable
that even with the same draft upon the
reserves of the mission the.funds appli-
cable would fall considerably short of
the amount raised last year; and the one
great aim of the Board now is not to in
crease the debt. The result of the de-
alterations OF this session was the sub
mission Of a proposition to the mission
aries which it is hoped may tide over the
present stringency and enable us to cur
tail expense without positively crippling
the work. Meanwhile it was decided to
make a most strenuous effort to in
crease the subscriptions for this and our
other Church Extension enterprises; and
among other auxiliaries it was voted to
issue at an early day. special newspaper
numbers-always assuming that the
papers will be willingly put at the ser.
vice of the Board-having this for their
leading theme.
The affairs of several churches in
great need of help. were carefully and
most alphabetically considered. and
every possible aid was extended. The
plans of the Denver church were ap-
proved and the pastor was authorized to
make canvass in its behalf, when he
should be ready. The same action was
taken with reference to Kansas City.
The report of the committee appointed
to confer with the committee delegated
by the Y. p. @. U. at Jersey City in re-
ference to closer union and better I'm.
Outstanding between that body ami the
General Convention, was received by the
Board. The meeting which was held
the evening previous to the session of
the Board resulted in free and frank
discussion of the situation in the very
best of feeling. The only definite propo-
sition made came from the representa-
sives of the Y. P. @. u, and was a
suggestion that possibly the General
Convention might create Missionary
Board which should consist of the rep.
resentatives from the General Conven-
ton, the Woman's Missionary Society
and the Y. p. @. u, to have in charge
the conduct of all the missionary and
church extension work coming within