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Show Page 72<br><br>The Church Review.<br><br> Published weekly, in the interest of Christian work in Utah, and with the co-operation of the Methodist Episcopal, Congregational, Presbyterian, Baptist and Christian denominations, and the Y.M.C.A., W.C.T.U, and other societies. Subscription price...$1 per year Entered at the Salt Late City post office as second-class matter. O, S. BOWMAN. - Editor and Publisher. Office, No. 78 East Third South. With this issue The Church Review enters upon its fourth year. It is a unique paper in a peculiar field, and enjoys the distinction of being the first of the kind in the United States, if not the first in the world. When begun three years ago by the present publisher, some of the more conservative ministers were inclined to doubt the practicability of any scheme that had as its object the publication of a non-sectarian, but inter-denominational paper, under the auspices of a large number of churches in five denominations; but now the universal verdict of those same ministers is that The Review is indispensable, and they do not see how the churches ever got along without it. From a twelve-page paper circulating in 2000 families, representing twenty churches of five denominations in Salt Lake City, it has grown to a twenty-four page paper, read in sixty churches having nearly 4000 families represented in their membership, throughout the entire State. The demands upon The Review are increasing more rapidly than the present financial depression will permit its business to increase. The somewhat original plan upon which the paper is published permits the ministers of each denomination to have what is practically a paper of their own, with the news of every other denomination in a secondary position, and when they so desire, to insert matter pertaining to their work alone, which circulates among only their own people, and therefore is in no wise offensive to any other denomination. The method of circulation enables churches and societies to reach all their members without reference to their ability to contribute to the support of the paper. The plan upon which it is published is also capable of indefinite expansion and will, thus enable it to keep pace with the growth of the denominations and their increasing demands for local and denominational news. By giving all the news of all the churches in the five evangelical denominations in Utah, the paper brings the work and workers into closer relations and promotes a better acquaintance with the needs and methods of the various fields that is productive of a wholesome fellowship. Again, the benevolent and fraternal organization among the churches find in The Review a useful assistant in all their enterprises, and the good citizenship, temperance and other progressive movements find in it a ready champion of their causes, through which they can reach the classes from whom their moral and numerical strength is drawn. The paper is in its infancy, and its development has been greatly retarded by the "hard times" that have prevailed during its entire existence. For that reason the expansion of the original conception has scarcely begun. But with the coming of Statehood a brighter day will dawn upon Utah, and it is hoped during the coming year to begin various improvements that will greatly increase the utility of the paper to the cause it represents. The ultimate aim is a first-class newspaper that will [PHOTO: O. S. BOWMAN, Publisher Church Review.] go into every Christian family in Utah, regardless of their ability to contribute to its support. The dream is not an extravagant one, and, with the present foundation to build upon, ought soon to be realized. * * * The Review owes its existence to the Christian fellowship so conspicuous among the various evangelical denominations it represents. Their foundational work in Utah was begun under trials too severe to allow time or inclination for thought of differences existing in their creeds. By fire they have been fused into one vast body of laborers in the vineyard of Him who prayed that his people might be one; and that prayer has attained nearer to its fruition in these snow-clad hills and sun-kissed vales than anywhere else on the face of the earth. * * * For this, the first Historical Edition The Review gives to its reader there are no apologies to offer. The matter has been gathered from a thousand sources, by a hundred contributors who generously (though in several instances tardily) gave time and effort to it. The illustrations, although not always perfect, give an excellent idea of the appearance of the people who have wrought in the past and who are toiling now to advance the cause of Christianity and Americanism on this wonderful field. Like The Review, this Historical Edition is original and unique, probably being the first thing of the kind issued in the country. Of its value to the Christian forces now on the field, there can be no question. It will preserve to coming generations a record of how their fathers toiled and endured and builded for God and humanity here in Utah. It will also be of great interest to the thousands of generous friends all over the land who are still giving their tens of thousands every year for further prosecution of the work so well begun. As history, it is complete. An annual supplement will be issued, reviewing the year past, and giving a glimpse of the new pastors, Sunday-school superintendents and other workers entering upon the work during that time. These supplements can be bound with this first Historical number from year to year. Their value will readily be seen. * * * On reading this number, with its extended record of the planting and growth of Christianity in Utah, one is impressed with two thoughts: first, the great prejudice that existed in the early days against Gentiles and the Christian missionaries, and the gradual but certain disappearance of that prejudice (a process incomplete, but still going on); and, second, that the "New Utah," of which so many proudly boast, owes its existence to the faithful and persevering work of the Christian churches from the days of their pioneer missionaries to the present. This debt never will be fully acknowledged, and never can be repaid. Of the stage to which this process of modernization and Americanizing has advanced, there is much conjecture, many maintaining that the progress has not yet been sufficient to justify the Federal Government in withdrawing its hand from the affairs of the State, while the majority are of the opinion that the star of Utah is sufficiently brilliant to add luster to the constellation of States. The opinion of a large number of ministers of Utah will be found upon page 30, under the caption, "The Old and New Utah." * * * The publisher takes this opportunity to express to Rev. James D. Gillilan his appreciation of the labors of that gentleman upon this special number. For some time a Presiding Elder, and for a number of years engaged in educational and pastoral work in Utah, he is well acquainted with the work and the workers, and was, therefore, eminently fitted to superintend the gathering of the information for this history, and further assisting in the execution of the plans of the work. Tireless in his efforts from the beginning, his work has been done faithfully and well. <br><br>PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.<br><br> The cut of Plymouth church inserted with the article on page 7 was reversed by mistake in engraving. |
