The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-11-06

extension and missionary work.
| may mention as cause OF en-
enlargement, that quite recently,
since the summer vacation, goodly
numbers of blanks have been called
for, in parishes where heretofore the
new plan has not been tried, or where
it has not been pressed to any salts
factory application; and confidence
has been expressed by pastors writ
ing me for blanks, tia; they shall be
able to provide for generous parish
contributions through this method.
1t is Of interest, as bearing upon
the working of this plan, to note the
localities, classified by states, to
which the Cent-a-Day pledges now
in force are credited. The largest
number of live pledges, S31, is cred
tied to Massachusetts,. The next
highest number, 1879, is credited to
Pennsylvania; to Vermont, 1873; to
Rhode Island. 122; to New York, 1854;
to Ohio, 81; to Illinois 81; and so,
in decreasing ratio, to two or three
pledges, or a single pledge, in some
of the far away states of the south
and southwest.
Cne Misrepresentation.
One misrepresentation in regard to
the Cent Day pledges has caused
not little misunderstanding, in
some localities, at least. This is as
to the length of time for which the
pledge is binding. A considerable
number who signed pledges at first,
supposed they were limited to sim
gle year, and were unwilling to pay
for longer time. The Cent-a-Day
pledge may be limited in respect to
time, by a pencil Endorsement on
the blank, or an elimination of some
of its conditions; but, unless such
elimination appears, the pledge is
binding until notice of desire
for it's discontinuance is received by
the Financial Secretary. This contin-
uous nature of the pledge is one of
the merits of the plan; for, if we are
able to secure several thousand sub
scribers to pledges, who will continue
to give one cent day, year by year,
we shall have very sure and helpful
source of revenue.
Another misapprehension pertains
to the credits given to parishes from
the receipts on individual Cent-a-
Day pledges. 1t should be under
stood that in all cases, payments on
enta-Day pledges are entered to
the credit of the parishes with which
the subscribers respectively are con-
nected; and the amount thus re-
ceived, whatever it may be, atands to
the credit of such parishes, and goes
to meet the call for quotas. No
doubt it would be every way better,
if the Cent-a-Day plan could be
brought into general favor and use,
to dispense altogether with an ap-
portionment, and with the call for
quotas; but with the conditions as
they now are, there seems to be no
other way than to ask for the annual
contribution from parishes in fellow
ship; and at the same time press
upon their attention the advisability
of using the Cent-a-Day plan in pro-
viding for the desired offerings.
The Mission in Japan.
Another part of my work during
the past year has been in the way of
calling attention to the needs of our
Mission in japan, and in seeking con-
tinued contributions for the support
of that work. The canvass for the
present year has been pressed as
earnestly as was able, in connection
with the other work, to which | have
been obliged to give attention. The
sum of $4,000 was asked for the
current year. The contributions and
pledges to the present time amount
to $4,000, and it has not been alto
gether easy TO obtain even this
amount, so imperatively required to
meet the needs of the Mission, and
to furnish an adequate support to
the Missionaries and their associates,
who represent our church in japan
| present herewith a tabulated
statement, showing the individual
and parish offerings for the present
year, arranged under the headings
of states and parishes from which
these contrib ations have come. A
few states, it may be remarked, have
done generously in keeping up the
amounts of their gifts for the Japan
Mission. Others have fallen away,
because of the strin yency of the
times, or for other reasons, leaving
the result to show much lower figures
than could be desired.
II may not be out Of place for me
20 stata .baf naorly q 000 of tho