History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 99

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340

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HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

the Philosophy of Intercourse between the Natural and Spiritual Worlds ; Mrs. Seymour, a trance medium, lec- tured February 22 in Metropolitan Hall. She was said to be the only medium in the West through whom the manifestation of writing upon the arm could be produced. On the 15th of March J. White lectured in Harmony Hall on the Unity of Inspiration, Revelation and Science. On April 18 A. B. Whiting, a speaking me- dium, lectured on Spiritualism. He was a popular speaker and an able exponent of the Harmonial Phi- losophy. Miss C. M. Beebe, of Boston, lectured in Light Guard Hall April 26 and 30. Joel Tiffany, of New York, lectured in the same place May 10, and Dr. Brookie, of St. Louis, on the 17th. From this time until 1860 there was comparatively little done in Chi- cago to disseminate the doctrines of Spiritualism.

THE BETHEL ..- As early as 1842 religious work commenced among the seamen, and a building for this special feature of missionary labor was erected. In [844 a society was organized, with twenty members, and a new building was erected at the corner of Kinzie and North Franklin streets. . At this time Rev. Mr. Row- latt was the missionary in charge. In 1846 he was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. Wilcox, and in 1848 Rev. Mr. Row- latt returned. In 1851 Rev. Philander Griffin had charge of the Bethel, and in June of this year the church building was moved to the corner of Wells and North Water streets. The first services were held at this location on June 15. In 1853 the Rev. Mr. Rowley was in charge, and in 1854 the Rev. J. H. Leonard was sent out by the Seamen's Friend Society, whose head- quarters were at Cleveland, Ohio. He had services in the Bethel Chapel, which stood on Wells Street, near the Galena & Chicago Railroad depot, where also was maintained a very interesting Sunday school. Mr. Leonard was very much encouraged with the result of his labors among the seamen, and visited the vessels with a great deal of energy and persistency, as also the boarding houses and dwellings where boatmen and sailors were to be found. On the 3d of February a re- vival commenced at the Bethel. There was preaching every evening, and in a short time twelve hopeful con- verts were reported. In the winter of 1854-55 another protracted meeting was held, the chaplain of the Bethel preaching every night for some weeks. There was a good attendance, and considerable good resulted from the special effort then made. On the 20th of May Rev. P. Stone, chaplain of the port of Boston, preached at the Bethel. Another protracted meeting was held in January, 1856, lasting one week. In 1857 and 1858 similar special efforts to convert the sailors were made. In April, 1858, one of the local papers refers to an in- teresting work of grace that had been in progress for a long time during the past winter. The indefatigable pastor, Rev. J. H. Leonard, had preached every night for a long time. Fifty converts had been made. The Bethel in Chicago was then one of the few in the United States that maintained a Church organization. The membership, which for some time had been about fifty. was greatly increased by this revival. The Bethel Sun- day school contained about two hundred scholars, and was conducted mainly by members of the Second Pres- byterian Church. Lockwood Brown was then the si- perintendent. The Bethel Church was Congregational in its polity, and had, besides a regular Church organi- zation, a constitution, articles of faith and covenant. Deacons were elected annually, and its pastor was in connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the history of the Chicago Bible Society quite full ref- erence has been made to the work of the Bethel in the

distribution of Bibles and Testaments among the sea- men. A continuance of its history may be found in the succeeding volumes of this History.

CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

The history of this Seminary is naturally divided into three periods: the first lasting from the incipient discussions of the propriety of the project of establish- ing a theological seminary in Chicago, to the opening of the Seminary. October 6. 1858-four years of pre- paratory struggle. The second embraces the thirteen years between the opening of the Seminary and the great fire of October 9, 1871, and the third the thirteen years subsequent to the fire, to 1884. It is proper that the history of this Seminary should be preceded by a brief outline of the various steps taken previous to the inception of the design of founding a distinctive theo- logical seminary in Chicago, with the view of adding theological departments to various colleges already es- tablished in different parts of the Northwest. The first attempt of this kind was made in connection with Beloit College, at Beloit, Wis., in 1852. In that "year the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Beloit was elected professor of theology in the college. The expectation was that this would be the beginning of a theological department in the College, of the advan- tages of which both Congregationalists and Presbyte- rians could avail themselves, and where theological students would experience the advantages of the influ- ence and instruction of a pastor. But the pastor de- clined the call, and no further attempt was made to establish a theological department in Beloit College. On account of a violent prejudice existing in the West against the clergy and the Church, the Legislature of Illinois at first refused a charter to Illinois College. and when two years later the charter was granted, it pro- hibited theological education in the College. Subse- quently this prohibition was repealed, and a legacy was received by the College for the founding of a theolog- ical professorship, but no steps were ever taken by the trustees in that direction. It was the original design to establish a theological department in Knox College, located at Galesburg, and a fund was provided for the purpose, but the plan was abandoned. It was also under consideration to have a theological seminary located on the campus of the Michigan State University, but the design never matured. Inwa College was without a theological department, as were also Carlton, Olivet, Ripon, Wheaton, and other colleges afterward estab- lished. All of them, however, educated young men for the ministry through a thorough course of college in- struction. All plans failing for the establishment of distinctive theological departments in colleges, move- ments were made by several evangelical denominations in the Northwest toward the establishment of theolog- ical seminaries of their own. As a result of these move- ments the " Garrett Biblical Institute " was established by the Methodists at Evanston, and opened in September, 1856: the "Chicago Theological Seminary," by the Con- gregationalists, at Chicago: the "Presbyterian Theologic- al Seminary of the Northwest," transferred from New Albany. Ind .. to Chicago, in October. 1856: and the " Baptist Union Theological Seminary," at Chicago, in October. 186 ;. Originally the design was entertained by certain individuals of enlarged views and liberal spirit, of founding a union theological seminary for both Congregationalists and Presbyterians, but this plan met with opposition from others more intensly denomi- national in their opinions. Hence the Chicago Theolog-

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CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

ical Seminary, when founded, was entirely under the auspices of the Congregational Church, but open to students of all denominations. In 1853, in order to meet the demand for a larger supply of ministers for the smaller churches in Michigan, Rev. L. Smith Hobart pastor at Ann Arbor, drew up a plan, and submitted it to the General Association of Michigan in May of that year. This plan embraced the following particulars:

I. The establishment of a theological seminary in connection with Michigan University.

2. The course of study to be divided into two terms for each year-a six-months lecture term under the instruction of the fac- ulty, and a six-months reading term with the pastor of some Church.

3. The degree of Bachelor of Divinity to be conferred on those completing the full course.

4. Each State interested in the seminary to endow a profes- snrship.

5 The control of the seminary to be vested in a board of trus- tees elected by the general associations of such States,

6. The library to be supported by annual contributions by the churches.

This plan was reported upon favorably by a com- mittee of the Association appointed for its consideration, consisting of H. D. Kitchel, A. S. Kedzie and D. Mus- sey, and then referred to another committee consisting of Revs. L. Smith Hobart, E. N. Bartlett and J. Patchin, for report at the next annual meeting of the Association.

The plan was published in the Congregational Herald June 18, 1853, and its publication awakened considerable interest among ministers of the Northwest, many of whom began to feel that the time had come to found a theological seminary in that section of the country. The next meeting of the General Association was held in May, 1854, at Detroit, at which the con- mittee having the plan in charge reported thereon, and called special attention to its design of combining the advantages of two methods of theological instruction- theoretical in the Seminary, and practical with pastors. The General Association highly approved the plan, adopted the report of the committee, and authorized its secretary to confer with other ecclesiastical bodies in the Northwest with the view of securing their approval and co-operation. In March, 1854, Rev. Stephen Peet, of Batavia, Ill., and Rev. George S. F. Savage, of St. Charles, Ili., after conferring with others, had sent letters to several hrethren in Illinois and Wisconsin, calling a meeting to consider the question of founding a theological seminary for the Northwest. This meet- ing was held in March, 1854, in the rooms of the Con- gregational Herald, Philo Carpenter being chosen moderator, and Rev. G. S. F. Savage scribe. An adjourned meeting was held in April, in which Iowa was represented, and the Michigan movement reported. In June, Rev. H. [ .. Hammond laid before the General Association of Iowa, which convened at Davenport in that month, a copy of the report of the committee to the General Association of Michigan which had con- vened at Detroit in May. Other general associations having the same information before them in reference to the movements in Michigan and Chicago, and as a result of the deliberations of similar associations and of the adjourned meeting which met at Chicago, a large meeting was called which met in Chicago June 12, 1854. At this meeting most of the Northwestern States were represented. Rev. Asa Turner, Jr., of Iowa, was chosen moderator, and Rev. G. S. F. Savage scribe. At this meeting a committee of twenty-one was elected to mature the plan of the Seminary ; to invite proposals for a site ; to make other preliminary arrangements ; and to submit the result of their labors

to a general convention of Congregationalists in the Northwest-this convention to meet upon the commit- tee's call. This committee was composed of repre- sentatives from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Towa, Missouri, and Minnesota. It met at Chicago July 12, 1854, and decided to call a convention of those interested in the founding of a theological semi- nary at Chicago the following September. Meanwhile the project had been kept before the readers of the Congregational Herald, by Rev. J. C. Holbrook, its editor, and in anticipation of the success of the enter- prise its friends had secured the services of Rev. Stephen Peet as financial agent, pledging to him a sal- ary of $1,200 a year and expenses. It now became evident that there was to be a theological seminary somewhere in the Northwest, and the convention called by the committee of twenty-one, fulfilled this expectant hope. This convention met at. Chicago September 26, 1854, in Plymouth church. It was composed of dele- gates from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri. A board of directors was elected, dis- tributed among the States as follows: Michigan-Revs. L. Smith Hobart, Harvey D. Kitchel, Adam S. Kedzie, Judge Soloman L. Withey, and Joseph E. Beebe: Indi- ana-Rev. M. Augustus Jewett; Illinois-Revs. Stephen Peet, William Carter, Flavel Bascom, George W. Per- kins, John C. Holbrook, Nathaniel H. Eggleston, George S. F. Savage, Philo Carpenter, and Joseph Johnston ; Wisconsin-Revs. Charles W. Camp, Hiram Foote, John S. Miter. and Horace Hobart : Iowa- Revs. Alden B. Robins and Jesse Gurnsey, and John G. Foote ; Minnesota-Rev. Richard Hall ; Missouri- Rev. Truman Post.

The first board of visitors was composed as follows : Rev. Asa Truman, Jr., of Iowa ; Rev. N. C. Clark, Rev. . R. M. Pearson, and A. Comstock, of Illinois; Rev. H. M. Brinsmade and Rev. S. M. Eaton, of Wisconsin, and Rev. D. M. Bardwell, of Indiana. On the 27th of September the board of directors was organized by the election of the following officers: President, Rev. Stephen Peet; Scribe, Rev. N. H. Eggleston; Treasurer, Philo Carpenter : Executive Committee, Revs. Stephen Peet, J. C. Holbrook and G. W. Perkins, Philo Carpen- ter and Joseph Johnston. The work of procuring a charter devolved upon the executive committee. . A committee was elected to draft a constitution, consisting of Revs. L. Smith Hobart, A. S. Kedzie, and Harvey D. Kitchel. The question of how the board of control should be elected engaged the attention of the conven- tion, and likewise of the board of directors at their earlier meetings. Two plans were proposed-first, that of having the board elected by the General Associa- tions: second, of having its members elected by the churches-interested in the Seminary. The latter plan was adopted, on the ground that the associations were of human institution, and might not continue ; while the churches were of divine institution and must con- tinue, and that the Seminary would be best cared for and most effectually guarded against error, under the observance and control of the churches. Another que's- tion considered by the convention was that of modity- ing the course of study under the " Reading Term." The original design contemplated simply a course of reading under the instruction of some pastor. But later it was thought that a more important end would be attained by initiating the student into the practical work of his calling under the guidance of an experi- enced pastor, or by his taking charge of some vacant church or vacant missionary field as opportunity offered. Still other questions were discussed and acted upon -- as

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the adoption of a special course of study by which men too old or for other reasons unable to go through col- lege, might nevertheless be educated for the ministry. The adoption of such a course was authorized by the convention. No action was taken upon the subject of the enlargement of the curriculum of theological study, and although this convention considered the question of co-operation with the New-School Presbyterians in founding a Theological Seminary and instructed the board of directors to favorably entertain any proposi- tion looking toward such a result, nothing in that direc- tion was accomplished. The board of directors met in Chicago, March 27, 1855, just after the sudden death of their president and financial agent, Rev. Stephen Peet. For financial agent, Rev. Adam S. Kedzie, of Michigan, was chosen to succeed him. Entering upon his work almst immediately, he continued it until July, 1862. Philo Carpenter, on account of the pressure of his own business, declined to serve longer as treasurer, and was succeeded by Lucius D. Olmsted, who held the of- fice until his death in March, 1862. The Legislature of Illinois granted the Seminary a favorable special charter, which is dated February 15, 1855. Under its provisions, by decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, all the property of the Seminary is exempt from taxa- tion. The second section of the charter is as follows :

" That the Seminary be located in or near the city of Chicago. The object shall be to furnish instruction and means of education to young men proparing for the Gospel ministry, and the institu- tion shall be equally open to all denominations of Christions for this purpose."

In the year 1855 began the persistent work of se- curing funds, and the plan followed of creating a gen- eral fund out of which all the expenses of the Seminary should be met until such time as special endowments should be secured. The increase of assets went on with gratifying success during 1855 and 1836, and had it not been for the commercial crisis of 1857, the Seminary would have speedily attained prosperity. Not fore- seeing the crisis, the executive committee in March, 1856, sent Revs. H. D. Kitchel and A. S. Kedzie East for the purpose of securing able professors for the various chairs. After the return of this special com- mittee the board of directors in April, 1856, elected five regular professors and six lecturers, in expectation that the Seminary would be opened in the fall. But this expectation was doomed to disappointment. Various causes rendered so early an opening impracti- cable. Difficulties about the location of the Seminary. lack of funds in the treasury, and above all the declining of the professors elected to accept the positions ten- dered them, except one who held hisappointment under advisement, were among these causes.

The difficulties about the location of the Seminary were not finally overcome until the year 1865. The first agreement made with reference to location was be- tween Rev. Stephen l'eet and Rush Medical college, Mr. Peet verbally agreeing to purchase their building for the use of the Seminary at the cost of $10,000, but the agreement failed. After considering various pro- jects, the board of directors finally, in 1856, purchased a lot at the southwest corner of West Lake Street and Ashland Avenue, relying upon local interest to as- -ist in making payments. But as this reliance failed. and as business was crowding in that direction, ex- change was made in 1858 of this lot for the entire front of the next block south, facing Union Park. The diffi- culty now arose, of making payments on this block, and the Seminary was brought into peril by the inability of the board of directors to make overdue collections.

From this peril the Seminary was rescued by Philo Carpenter, C. G. Hammond. E. W. Blatchford. J. MI. Williams. T M. Avery, S. M. Moore and other gener- ous friends; but their action saved the Seminary only the south seventy-five feet of its location, upon which a temporary building had been erected, but the portion saved, though inadequate, being unincumbered, was highly prized.

Having traced the struggles of the Seminary with reference to its ownership of an unincumbered site, an account of other struggles and transfers which led to permanency of location and property 'are deferred to the next volume of this History.

In January, 1857, another election of professors was held for the two most important chairs but these two pro- fessors declined, and the financial panic of that year made it again impracticable to open the Seminary as was hoped might be done that fall. While the opening was reluctantly postponed for another year, vet it was definitely fixed for the autumn of 1858. With this in view, the board of directors, at their meeting in April, 1858, elected to the chair of systematic theology, Rev. Joseph Haven, D D., and to the chair of Biblical litera- ture, Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, D. D). In April, 1856, Prof. Franklin W. Fisk, D. D., had been elected to the chair of Sacred Rhetoric. Desiring to give Beloit Col- lege one year's notice before vacating his chair in that institution, in 1858, the board of directors of Chicago Theological Seminary, requested such notice to be given, so that he might be prepared to occupy his chair as early as the opening of the second year. These three professors accepted their appointments, and the prospect of opening the Seminary was brighter than at any previous period. The history of the first period of the existence of the Seminary may fittingly close with brief reference to the attempt made by the board of directors to effect a union with the theological depart- ment of Oberlin College. The following quotation is . from the Quarter-Centennial Historical Sketch pub- lished by the board of directors in 1879:

" In November, t$57, the agent, without any formal action of the board, but in accordance with their wishes, went to Oberlin and informally consulted with some of the trustees of that college. with professors in the theological department, and with others, on removing that department with its professors to Chicago. and mak- ing it the nucleus of the theological seminary then about to be opened there. Refusals of professors elect to accept chairs in the seminary, led the board to be less sanguine than at the first, in their hopes of securing men fitted for the work of instruction, and for giving the seminary a commanding position in the esteem of the churches. In consequence, they were disposed to take men who had already proved themselves competent for these purposes. Ilence the above proposal for union. And though no action was taken by either party, the attempt, though for other reasons, was afterwards renewed in a more formal way."

CHICAGO BIBLE SOCIETY.

This Society was organized August 18, 1835. l'ur- suant to notice the ministry and a number of the mem- bers of the various religious denominations met in the Methodist Chapel in Chicago on that date to consult upon and adopt some measures for the distribution of the Bible among the people. On motion of Rev. Jeremiah Por- ter, Rev. J. T. Mitchell was made chairman of the meeting, and Grant Goodrich, Esq., secretary. The object of the meeting was explained by Mr. Mitchell. prayer was offered by Mr. Porter, and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :

" Resolvi. That it is the imperative duty of every Christian to extend the circulation of the Holy Scriptures to the utmost of his ability, and that this obligation will not cease till every individual who can read them is put in possession of a copy.

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CHICAGO BIBLE SOCIETY.

" Resoived, That for the accomplishment of this object it is ex- pedient that we form ourselves into a Bible Society, auxiliary to the American Bible Society."

A suitable constitution for the auxiliary Bible So- ciety was then adopted, and fifty-one persons gave in their names as members, subscribing in the aggregate the sum of $85.25. The Society then proceeded to the election of officers for the current year, unanimously selecting the following individuals: President, Rev. Isaac T. Hinton ; vice-presidents. Messrs. John Wright and Grant Goodrich ; recording secretary, Rev. J. T. Mitchell ; corresponding secretary, Rev. Jeremiah Por- ter ; treasurer, Dr. John T. Temple ; executive com- mittee, Philo Carpenter, Dr. Peter T. Temple and James Rockwell. The first annual meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, November 25, 1835. The meet- ing was called to order by its President, Rev. Isaac T. Hinton, and prayer offered by Mr. Warner. The min- utes of the previous meeting and the report of the treasurer were read and approved, as was also the re- port of the executive committee. The following reso- lution, moved by Rev. John T. Mitchell and seconded. by Philo Carpenter, was adopted :

" Resolied, That, as the Author of the Bible is also the Cov- ernor of the world, and from whom we receive every temporal ats well as spiritual blessing, the first fruits of our prosperity are justly Ilis due, and should be devoted to the establishment of the King- dlom of God by the distribution of the Word of Life."

Rev. Isaac T. Hinton then offered and Thomas Wright seconded the following resolution :

" Resolved, That this Society regards the continued and pro- gressive opening of l'apal and Pagan countries to the distribution of the sacred Scriptures, both as a decisive testimony of Divine favor on the past and present exertions of Bible societies, and as an indispensable and urgent appeal for persevering labor and in- creased liberality."

Those subscribers who had not paid then handed in their subscriptions, and several new subscribers were added to the list. The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year : President. Rev. John T. Mitchell; vice-presidents. William H. Brown and Lieu- tenant Louis T. Jamieson; recording secretary, Thomas Wright; corresponding secretary, Rev. Isaac T. Hinton; treasurer, Dr. John T. Temple ; executive committee, F. Thomas, Grant Goodrich and James Rockwell. This first organization does not appear to have been recog- nized as an auxiliary by the American Bible Society, · presumably because the officers neglected to report to the parent society the fact of its organization ; neither does it appear to have accomplished very much in the way of distributing the Bible among the destitute. But the necessity for labor in this direction continuing to be recognized and felt by Christian people, another or- ganization was effected in November, 1837. This organ- ization was named the "Chicago and Vicinity Bible Society." The officers of this Society were as follows : President, John Wright, Sr .; secretary, Rev. John Blatchford ; treasurer, William H. Brown, and it was recognized as an auxiliary by the American Bible Society. Immediately upon its organization this Society gave great promise of efficiency and usefulness, and the foundations were laid for permanency. An invoice of Bibles was ordered from the parent society in New York, which when reveived were permitted to lie in the warehouse some months before any efforts were made to distribute them. A. B. Lewis, an agent of the American Bible Society. came to Chicago in 1839, to look after the interests of that So- ciety, and it was mainly through his influence that " The Chicago Bible Society " was organized as auxiliary to the American Bible Society, on the 7th of April. 1840. This organization was effected in the Presbyterian

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History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 99

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas Number of Pages: 1340

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340