USA > Illinois > Kane County > Geneva > Fifty years of Unitarian life : being a record of the proceedings on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the First Unitarian Society of Geneva, Illinois, celebrated June tenth, eleventh and twelth, 1892 > Part 3
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· In 1870 Article VI was amended by specifying that the officers of the society should be elected for one year and until their successors were elected. Article X was made to read: "This constitution may be altered or amen- ded by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting." In 1884 the declaration and constitu- tion were so changed and amended to stand as at the pres- ent time. . The principal change is in the declaration, by which all reference to any belief or form is excluded. This was not done because the society does not believe anything, but because it was thought sufficient to put 1
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Historical Sketch.
its basis on the simple ground of sympathy in the desire for and work of promoting practical goodness in the world and of aiding each other in moral and religious improve- ment. Broad as the declaration was for the day in which it was written, it was found that the observance of the forms of baptismn and the Lord's Supper, which it assert- ed to be the duty of believers to observe, had practically fallen into disuse. It was also apparent that in the ordi- nary course of events, beliefs must so change that no statement of opinion or creed could possibly cover the be- liefs of any progressive society for all time. It was also seen that people could unite for tlie promotion of practical goodness, who had widely differing 'views in religious and theological matters.
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I find that Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Is- land and New York were all represented in the organiza- tion of the society. Massachusetts sent out the Clarks and Pattens, wlio represented the cultivated Boston Uni- tarianism of that date. A Unitarianism which accepted miracles, the miraculous birth among them, and which had not made itself very clear as to the future state of punish- ment and reward; but it was the most advanced thought of its day, and as far as it had gone, as true to our mov- ing spirit of rationalism as the most advanced type of to- day. It was the same spirit that was so native to all New England, that when the Carrs from Maine also came with their freer but no less refined ideals of social life, and the Conants from Vermont, with their Puritan standards and old time sturdiness in their ability to give a reason for the faith that was in them, they naturally fused into a whole as the First Christian Congregation of Geneva. Clarks, Carrs and Conants, a trinity of Cs, that suggests that
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they had also a trinitarian combination of culture, courage, and constancy that brought about the Unitarian result which we celebrate so gratefully to-day.
As may be seen by our society record and the history of the town, the Episcopalians were early on the ground, and Mrs. Patten, (Miss H. Clark,) told me that it was a matter of very serious consideration with her father's fam- ily, whether they ought not to work with them. I under- stand that it was only because they thought the liberal ba- sis would reach more people, that they did not organize an Episcopal church.
We now come to the grateful task of recalling the characters of the leading spirits in this devout and courag- eous band. While all were worthy of special mention, time will permit of only a few being so brought forward.
First comes Scotto Clark. Coming to the place about 1837, in middle life or later, to retrieve the fortune lie had lost in the east, he seems to have been of the New England type which we know so well, with its intelli- gence, its moral worth and its matter-of-course loyality to its standards of conviction and duty. I have not suc-
ceeded in finding any reminisences of him that would bring him before us in a vivid way. The most I can tell you about him is the respectful tone in which he is always mentioned, and the often reiterated assertion that the foundation of the society was owing to him, and the fact that he seems to have been the one to whom the younger people turned as to their mutual leader in the enterprise. It certainly was not with money that he founded the church, but with the stronger foundation stones of a noble character, a fine devotion and a bold determination to do simply all that lay in liis power for the establishment of a church for the good of the society. His name heads the list of men's signatures to the declarations as copied in tlie
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record. It appears first in the proceedings of the society as chairman of the building committee that was chosen to supervise the erection of this house. He was chairman of the committee on parish library and in September 1843 was elected one of the trustees.
Under date of October 13, 1844, Mr. Conant writes in his journal: "Preached the funeral discourse of Mr. Scotto Clark, a worthy and efficient member of my society, one of my most zealous friends and supporters, and who was chiefly instrumental in procuring my settlement in Geneva. In the death of Mr. Clark, our village has lost one of its best citizens. A public spirited, upright, judicious and useful man. His hospitality and kindness of heart endeared him to a large circle of acquaintances, and his strict integrity and conscientiousness inspired re- spect and confidence in those who best knew his character." Only seven years had he lived in the place, his death oc- curring in little more than two years after the founding of the society.
Mrs. Clark lived till 1870. She was in every way a woman fitted to be the wife of such a man. There is the same respectful mention of her and the same lack of the specific instances that would have brought her charac- ter before us in a lifelike way. In her latest years she withdrew from society altogether owing to the infirmities of age. Though she lived five years after I came to Ge- neva, I met her only once. Soon after my coming her interest in the new minister led her to exchange a few words with me. As I recall the venerable figure and the intense earnestness of the face, it comes to me to-day that it was a privilege to look into it; and through the clasp of her hand, surely there might have come an influ- ence that made me a kind of apostolic successor to those who had labored so devotedly for the cause we both loved.
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It was indeed a beautiful hand if wliat one does gives a higher beauty to that member than the accident of phys- ical proportion.
The one record of a specific action of her's which we have left is of the time she lived with her son Charles in Elgin, about 1849. A colony of Swedes landed there, and before they could find shelter, were attacked by the cholera. Mrs. Clark went to their help when others stood aloof, and ministered to them in spite of the difficulties of communicating with them; and one of the items of the story tells us, how one woman died holding her bible in one' hand and Mrs. Clark's hand in the other, and with a sinile on her face. When I came here in 1865. it was said, that as the result of that beneficence, the Swedes would do anything for the Clark family. I well remem- ber how her sympathetic interest in church life prompted her to send me messages from time to time through. Mrs. Patten, though she would never see mne.
It is natural to pass from so worthy a mother to her equally worthy daughters. It is easy to understand what a satisfaction it must have been to the parents to know that that they were leaving their work to be carried on by such devoted children as Mrs. Harriet Patten, Mrs. Caro- line Wilson and Mrs. Ellen Davis. It is good to know that so many who hear me to-day, can recall with me, witł out help of my weak words, the devotion of these women to this church. It was my fortune to be the last pastor under whom they were fully active in their con- genial work. I had not been twenty-four hours in the town before I was told that this is'a "woman's church," and it did not take me long to find out that it was the de- votion of these two sisters that gave it that name. They were indeed well seconded by Mrs. Dodson, Mrs. LeBar- on, Miss Carr, Mrs. Cleveland, and later, Mrs. Whiting,
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Mrs. Larrabee, Mrs. Geo. Patten, and others whose names are only a memory to the older members. One felt that Mrs. Wilson's ideals were of the highest, and her constant aim was to have for her church the best that could be found or afforded. Mrs. Patten's enthusiasm for Unitarianism was not long in making itself felt. I remember hearing her call herself a "bigoted" Unitarian. But though she might use the term to express her sense of devotion to the cause, we know that bigotry was im- possible to her broad charity, warm heart and intelligent mind. The beautiful hospitality of her home to all who might come in the name of Unitarianism makes her mem- ory a fragrant one in the hearts of every one so fortunate as to be her guest. It was a home which might be said to be consecrated to the use of the church, so generous was her entertainment, so frequent the use of the home for church gatherings of all kinds. Mrs. Davis gave as heartily as her two sisters, of her home and talents to the use of the society, but her marriage was followed by a change of residence which prevented so long a devotion to the church as the others gave.
Unique among the women of this society, and indeed of any society, stands the name of Miss Susan Sophia Carr, one of the original signers who is with us to-day; the only one who has never lost her interest or slackened her work in all these fifty years. The others by death or removal terminated their active interest but, when her removal to her brother's farm at Batavia compelled her to give up the Sunday School class she had taught from the beginning, she still, by her dainty needle work and active assistance during fairs and special occasions, kept herself in touch with the society. Upon her return, after four years absence, she became as before one of the most active in her attendance at church, and in the aid society where
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her work is always in demand, on account of her beauti- ful stitches; besides which, she has always contributed generously from her very limited income. It is rarely that a church can show a record like this, of fifty years of uninterrupted and enthusiastic devotion to its interests, especially in this western world where change is the order of the day.
I purposely omitted from the list of seconders of these two the name of Mrs. S. N. Clark, because it belongs not among those who seconded but with those who were sec- onded. In one sense this church building is her monu- ment. In another place is mention of the part she took in obtaining the money in Boston and Roxbury which se- cured the erection of this house. On her account I look forward with regret to the day which is almost sure to come, when the society shall feel that it needs another building. I wish to suggest here, that when that time does come no building should be erected as a church for the use of this society without having somewhere on its walls a memorial of Polly H. Clark; not alone because she was so strongly instrumental in the building of its first house of worship, but because that was but the begin- ning of a devotion to the interests of this society which was all the more earnest for its unobtrusiveness. Her
means, her time and strength were amply given to further our interests. I do not think I go beyond the require- ments of delicacy of feeling in saying that the interest she showed in the church during the last ten or fifteen years of her active connection with it was, I suspect, to her a tender memorial of her husband, Samuel Nye Clark.
Coming to the town in the first flush of what his after life showed must have been a consecrated manhood, he has left behind a record of one of the noblest charac- ters which has ennobled and sanctified the name of this
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church. That she was the fitting wife for such a man is all that need be said of her. She has been described as a woman who always lamented that she was not able to do more, and thinking it not wise to attempt this or that enterprise in church matters, ended by doing more than anyone else, showing the forethought and wisdom that resulted, as one has said of her, in her being "the one who filled the lamps and saw that everything was brought" that was needed on all special occasions.
When I came here nine years after Mr. Clark's death I never heard his memory revived without tenderness or his name mentioned without allusion to the saintliness of his character and his devotedness to the church. Of this last the church record fortunately gives full evidence as the entries of the first twelve years are in his handwriting; the last being made only a fortnight before the date of his funeral as recorded in Mr. Conant's diary.
He says of him there, briefly and feelingly, under date of July 22, 1856. "Attended the funeral of Brother S. N. Clark, my Sunday School Superintendent and my intimate and dear friend. The loss to me and to the society in the death of Brother Clark is irreparable. He was a model of manly and christian excellence. One whose presence was a benediction and whose life made earth more like heaven. God be thanked that he lived among us."
It is a matter of satisfaction to know that one of Mr. Clark's sons has served the society as Sunday School Su- perintendent and the other as trustee and in business com- mittees. His grandchildren have been pupils in the school he worked for so long.
A friend has handed me the following note which appears to be a copy of an item sent to one of the de- nominational papers and written in 1857 or '58:
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"Geneva, Illinois, is now enjoying the ministrations of Rev. G. W. Woodward, formerly of Galena. He has preached only a few weeks to a congregation somewhat disheartened by a variety of depressing experiences, but there are already evidences of rising courage and an earn- est and determined spirit of perseverance in sustaing pub- lic worship in Geneva. As in some other places, there are some noble women who love the church and its wor- ship and who 'never say die.' Their former pas- tor was in the place a few days ago; the church door stood open and he stepped in. There were the ladies of the society-not a delegation of their servants-in their own proper persons and with their own fair hands with soap and brush cleaning the church they loved so well and in the neat appearance of which they always felt a noble, womanly pride. After standing for some moments unobserved, he interrupted the cheerful conver- sation and earnest work by inquiring if what he saw was an attempt at a practical illustration of 'washing the saints' feet.' They confessed that what they were doing partook of that nature, for they said that when they came to the pew occupied by the widow and orphans of the excellent and deeply loved Superintendent, Samuel N. Clark, no one was allowed the honor of washing it alone but all assisted as an expression of their profound respect and fervent love."
Next on my list comes the name of Eben Conant. I count it one of my great privileges to have known him for the last five years of his life though he died at the age of ninety-five. His peculiarities of appearance and man- ner did not make him an attractive . person. Yet every one who mentioned "Grandfather Conant" did it with a tone of respect that would come in as a sort of mental res- ervation, even when speaking in an amused way of his
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peculiarties.
It was generally thought that he was lacking in the high- er development of the emotions, yet I am suspicious that it was not so much a lack of feeling as the want of the power of expression in the common way. I have heard him say that he could see no beauty in flowers, and the sound of a fiddle made him feel like running. Yet he was a man of such a profound conviction of the importance of duty, so great a reverence for God, so large a faith in man, so strong a confidence in the saving power of truth, that out of all these he stood forth the eminently religious man; and a man who was religious by the force of his in- tellectual convictions. His Unitarianism was the result of his own thinking. Theological and religious matters were of the highest interest to him. Out of his orthodox education had come such a habit of regarding the bible as the source of wisdom and guidance in those matters that he made it the great study of his life. It was a revelation indeed to hear him talk on such topics and note the natu- ral way in which his thought found scriptural language. No Professor of biblical exegesis could show such depth of meaning, such variety of shade, such profusion of sugges- tions, as this homely old man, by the simple natural tone and emphasis he employed in quoting scripture.
It was the power of such convictions and the power of such a character that he brought to the upbuilding of this church.
We come next to the names of William and Sarah LeBaron. Theirs was another of the instances so fortu- nate for the society, in which marriage was not a failure. Their common interest in the liberal faith and the welfare of this society would have made a marriage that would have withstood the strongest test to which the relation might be put. Dr. LeBaron was a graduate of the Har-
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vard Medical School which profession in that day was the one in which, in this country, a scientific education could best be obtained. His mind and temperament led him naturally to the pursuit of science and so "true to his own self" was he that he achieved an European reputa- tion as an entomologist from a locality so obscure as this. It was this scientific mind with his tender heart, his quick and practical sympathy that made him a natural born Unitarian. He was too, the man on whom naturally fell the mantle of Samuel N. Clark as church factotum. Their terms of official services were nearly the same, Dr. LeBaron serving as trustee for eleven consecutive years. His signature was given to the church roll in 1845 and from that date to 1856 he was elected trustee and in 1862, 1866 and 1870 he was chosen to be secretary and treasurer. . He carried the church so deeply in his heart that he wrote up the record from memory when he first took charge of the books. The temptation to dwell upon the memory of this man is strong because I am writing from my personal knowledge.
This special mention of those who have given whole- hearted service to the church would be incomplete without the name of Robert Long, Sr. He was not among the earlier comers, but living among us for twenty-six years, his zeal and earnestness increased with his years. Though he died at the age of eighty-six the last years of his life were the best in church work. His clear head, loyal heart, and liberal hand have been greatly missed since his departure.
I must content myself, and probably disappoint some of you, by saying only that his character and attainments were of such worth as to add to the value of the religious faith to which he gave his adherence and to help conse- crate the cause for which he worked.
· It ought to add much to our appreciation of our faith
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to know that it commanded the loyalty of such persons as Scotto and Samuel Clark, the enthusiasm of Harriet Patten and Caroline Wilson, the devotedness of Polly Clark and faithful service of William and Sarah LeBaron and Rob- ert Long. I have not spoken of these men and women because their Unitarianism was a credit to them, but be- cause they were a credit to Unitarianism.
Turning to more general considerations of the mem- bership we find that five signers of the Declaration of 1842 are still living; Mrs. Samuel Clark, Mrs. A. H. Conant, Mrs. Wm. Conant (whose name was Mrs. Olivia Cleveland), Mrs. David Hanchett, (whose signature was Fayette Churchill) and Miss Susan Sophia Carr .* One hundred and forty-four names have been attached to : the constitu- tion in the fifty years, ninety-two of women and fifty-two of men.
It is interesting to note among these names six of one family, that of Thomas and Rachel Moulding; these with three of the Middletons and John B. Gulley and John ' Eddowes, were born in England, while Joseph and Ann Williams were from Wales.
I pause on these names for the interest there is for me in the fact that a colony of liberals from Old England should have come to associate with that first New Eng- land Colony in a common interest in liberalism.
So much I make room to say about the members by signature. But how shall I speak of the membership, which I suspect is much larger in numbers in every de- nomination, which might be called the membership by as- sociation or of the spirit. I refer to the large constituen- cy which it is the lot of most churches to have. They are the people who attend the church from various motives.
*NOTE: Mrs. A. H. Conant, Mrs. Wm. Conant and Miss Carr attended the Semi-centennial celebration.
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Church Building.
Among them are to be found some of the most ardent supporters of the faith and those who have been the most self-sacrificing in the matters of giving time and strength, and the most generous in their donations of money. I can- not pause even to name them.
Church Building.
What was the first place of meeting I have not been able to determine. Private houses, a store on the east side where the Gully residence now stands, then occupied by Peter Sears, a log schoolhouse near the river, and the old Court House on the site of the present Swedish Luth- eran church, and the basement of the American House are all mentioned as being occupied at various times.
Each place had its peculiar discomforts. The store had so much whisky stored in its cellar as to make the "vile odor" of it a nuisance to the temperance people at least, and probably a source of inattention to those who were not temperate. The log schoolhouse was cold, and the scampering of the mice on the rafters, which were visible for lack of plastering, afforded the children relief from the weariness of services they may not have comprehended.
The history of the present building begins with a note in Mr. Conant's Journal under date of January 17, 1843. He says: "Received a letter from Miss P. H. Patten, a young lady who was in Geneva, and who be- came a member of our society at its formation but who has since returned to Roxbury, informing us that she was making preparations for a fair to aid our society. That she and her sister, (afterwards Mrs. Eastman) had visited Mr. Briggs, general secretary of the American Unitarian Association, to ascertain if anything could be obtained of the Association to aid ns to build a church in Geneva, and
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that he suggested that we make known our wants through the Christian Register. According to the suggestion of Mr. Briggs, on February 21 I wrote for the Register an account of our situation and wants, and an appeal for aid to build a church."
The letter referred to has been found in the files of the Christian Register under date of March 18, 1843, as well as other articles referring to the matter:
(From Christian Register of March 18, 1843.)
GENEVA, KANE COUNTY, ILLINOIS, February 21, 1843. Messrs. Editors :-
As I have not the pecuniary means to visit the East to make an appeal to the religious sympathies of our brethren, I would be glad of a little space in the columns of the Register to make known to the liberal-minded and warm-hearted of our faith, in New Eng- land, the situation and wants of our infant society in Geneva. That there may be no misaprehension with regard to the importance of the place and its claims to consideration on this ground, I will re- mark that it is not a place of great magnitude nor in a very flour- ishing condition at this time. The mania for speculation in "Town- seats," a few years since, operated seriously against its growth and , prosperity. The original proprietors demanded so high a price for lots that few purchases were made. But that mania has now sub- . sided; property can now be purchased at a reasonable pricc, and wc look for a change for the better. It is the seat of Justice for Kane county, has a good water-power and with regard to convenience for building and pleasant natural scenery it is as well situated as any village in the West. What we consider of most importance, however, is the country around it. and its central location with re- gard to other places. It is a fertile, healthy and already well pop- ulated region, six thriving villages within twelve miles, and it may be made the center of religious influence for a wide extent.
Our society, which is established on the broad grounds of common Christianity, was organized June 12, 1842. In the words of our Declaration, "We have associated ourselves together to pro- mote practical godliness in the world, and aid each other in moral and religious improvement; not as agreeing in opinion, not as hav- ing attained universal truth in belief, or perfection in character, but as seekers after truth and goodness. Relying on God as our support and aid, Jesus Christ as our Teacher and Sayiour, and the sacred Scriptures as our guide, and adopting the New Testament as our rule of faith and practice, recognizing as brethren the whole
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