RESULTS OF EXPERIENCE. The experience of every year supplies new illustrations of the importance of the church-building work accomplished by the Union as related to the progress of Congregational principles and the planting of free Christian churches. The waste of time and money and labor when expended at points where Christian organizations have been formed but are without places of worship, is every year demonstrated by new facts. Instances are all the while occurring in which churches that have been enabled to build by the aid afforded them have been almost immediately favored with seasons of spiritual refreshing, and both by the greater advantages of their new position and the additions to their numbers, as the fruit of revivals enjoyed, have been speedily so strengthened that they could dispense with aid from the Home Missionary Society. Every year also makes more manifest the fact that the work of church-erection might wisely, with great advantage to all concerned, be prosecuted much more vigorously than it has been hitherto, could the necessary means be furnished. If already, by the comparatively small amount of aid afforded, the number of the Congregational churches out of New England has come to exceed by several hundred the number within it, what might not be accomplished in the next ten or twenty years, could the Union have at its disposal the means of keeping fully up to the demands that are made upon it, or rather that would be made, were there sufficient encouragement to apply for help? It is another happy result of past experience, that it abundantly justifies the confident expectation that the Union will be sustained by the churches, in the future, in the prosecution of its work. While it must be admitted that the opportunities providentially offered are greater than the zeal and liberality of the Congregational churches as a body has hitherto been sufficient to meet, there is still great reason for thankfulness and hope in view of so much that has been wisely done. It every year becomes more apparent that the Congregational Union and its work for our country are commending themselves to that class of thoughtful and conscientious givers who need only to understand that any Christian enterprise is vitally important, to awaken their hearty interest in it. The Union has re ceived several legacies of ten thousand dollars each, with many smaller ones, and it has been notified in several cases of other bequests that are eventually to come into its treasury. An increasing confidence in its fidelity to its trust is significantly manifested in these and other ways. That it has achieved so much, notwithstand ing its resources have been so limited, has added materially to its power for good. It is a thing that should by no means be overlooked, that an organization, or society, through which the churches are to carry on Christian work, must needs be a growth. It is a thing that cannot at once be created in full power and influence, or be developed in a day. It is by the quiet and successful effort of years, by the accomplished good it can show, that it establishes itself in the confidence of Christian people; so that, recognized as trustworthy, after full trial, it stands approved of all. From the day of its organization the Union has, in fact, been striking down its roots, slowly but surely enlarging its sphere of influence, gathering around it historic associations, and enlisting the sympathy of Christian hearts. It should have been stimulated by more abundant prayers and more liberal contributions to a more rapid and luxuriant growth. Still it stands like a goodly tree that has brought forth much fruit and is rich in promise for the future. CO-OPERATION OF WESTERN CHURCHES. In most of the Western States where Congregational churches have become numerous, the General Associations appoint one of the pastors a local Secretary, whose duty it is to look after the interests. of the church-building cause within his own State. These secretaries issue each year circulars to the churches reminding them of their obligations to the Union, and urging them to contribute to its funds. These appeals are direct and stirring, and coming from one who is known to those addressed, and is on the ground, are a very important and useful agency. It is hoped that the General Associations will from year to year co-operate more and more effectively with the Union; and not content merely with the annual appointment of a State Secretary, will manifest a zeal which will encourage him in his efforts and awaken among the churches a lively interest in churcherection. If the pastors in their meetings, both in the State and District Associations, will talk over the subject among themselves, and then in their pulpits will make their churches understand and feel the necessity of sustaining the Union in its work, which is so largely for their benefit, much more than is now done may easily be accomplished. If the question were raised, Shall the Union give over the attempt to aid the young churches of the West in churcherection? the answer, we are sure, from the pastors and churches of Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kan sas, Nebraska, Colorado, and California, would be one loud and emphatic No! But how shall it prosecute the work with vigor, if many of the stronger and established churches in those States contribute nothing to its funds? The money to be given the weak churches must first be placed in the treasury of the Union, and East and West alike must see that it is furnished. THE WORK IN THE HANDS OF PASTORS. It is an encouraging fact that in some of the States the pastors are taking hold earnestly in the effort to give system and thoroughness to the benevolent activity of the churches. They are collecting the statistics of the actual Christian work accomplished, and of the extent of the neglect to do anything, for the purpose of placing the statistics before the General Associations. This is an important step, and it may be hoped will lead to others in the same direction. What is needed in order to develop the moral power of the churches and draw out their Christian charities on a liberal scale, is correct information as to the progress of Christ's cause and its personal demands on them. They must be educated up to a clear comprehension of their obligation to bear — each individual church and each individual disciple-a part in the grand work of applying the blessed Gospel to the world for the relief of its miseries and for the elevation and salvation of men. Only the pastors can so educate them and awaken their zeal that they shall count it not only a solemn duty, but a high privilege, to share in the labors and sacrifices by which the Kingdom of Christ is to be set forward. In proportion as pastors shall faithfully present the claims of those great departments of Christian enterprise for which our churches have special organizations, will the liberality of the churches abound and the treasuries be filled. This is proved by the results in those cases where the pastors do faithfully cultivate the benevolence of their congregations. As the Congregational Union, in accordance with the wishes of the pastors, employs no agents, it feels all the more free to call earnestly on the pastors themselves to perform conscientiously and thoroughly the needed labor among their people. LIFE MEMBERSHIPS. The very tasteful and significant certificate of life-membership will be sent to any individual contributing twenty-five dollars within one year to the funds of the Union. If a church sends a contribution, it may, by sending the name or names of one or more persons, re ceive certificates for as many life-memberships as the amount sent will pay for, at the rate of twenty-five dollars for each. We are glad to have a framed certificate hung up in as many Christian households as possible, to remind the members of those households of the interesting and important work of aiding to establish permanent Christian institutions, in which the Union is engaged. It may help to secure for it a place in the thoughts and the daily household prayers, to have it kept constantly in sight. CONCLUDING REMARKS. It only remains, in concluding these statements, to render thanks to the divine Lord and Master who has graciously owned and blessed our efforts on behalf of the churches that are dear to him, and to commit it to him and to those who love him, for the future. It is a great thing surely that nearly nine hundred Congregational churches. have been assisted in the building of Christian sanctuaries. In most of these churches there is a regular ministration of the blessed Gospel from Sabbath to Sabbath. There are Sabbath Schools, with their libraries, their faithful teachers, and their sweet songs, and all the various connected influences that are fitted to mould and educate the children and the youth to the early knowledge and service of Christ. Christian ordinances are made permanent. Revivals of religion are enjoyed. Influences go forth from these centres that stimulate popular education, originate and sustain colleges, and operate effectively in many ways to elevate and purify civil and social life. The man or woman, who by generous gift, or by legacy, provides for the building of a single house of worship, is a benefactor to the country and to the world. For the tide of population that year by year sweeps on, provision cannot be made too soon. There is need of a warmer, more enthusiastic, and more general interest throughout the Congregational churches from Maine to California. May the Divine Spirit so stir the hearts of many who have it in their power to give, that they shall count it a privilege to help the Union in the blessed effort to fill the new States and Territories with Christian institutions. RAY PALMER, |