USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The New church and Chicago; a history > Part 13
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Arthur D. Rich; secretary, Joseph R. Putnam; and treasurer, George Barry.
The following preamble was adopted :
Preamble of the Second Swedenborgian Society of Chicago, adopted at the first annual meeting, Nov. 13, 1872.
The essential doctrines of the New Church, foretold in Daniel vii and in Revelations xxi, are these :
I. God is one in essence and in person. He assumed and glorified a human nature, thus becoming God-with- us, the Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
II. The Word is Divine truth, proceeding from the Lord. It is adapted to all the various states of angels and of men, and is the means of consociating them together, and conjoining them with the Lord.
III. The Lord alone is the source of spiritual life, the precepts of which are the Ten Commandments. These precepts are to be obeyed by man as of himself, but with the acknowledgment that the power to will and to act is from the Lord alone.
In order to aid in the establishment of the New Church now descending as foretold in Revelations xxi, and announced by Emanuel Swedenborg, who was taught through the Word, by the Lord, this Society is instituted.
Its objects are :
1st. To provide for the administration of the Sacra- ments of Baptism and the Holy Supper.
2nd. To provide for instruction from the Word and for worship on the Sabbath.
3rd. To use all such other means as the Lord may grant to aid its members, and all others who may come under its influence to learn the truths of the New Church, and live according to them.
The pastor, Rev. C. Day Noble, resided at 1443 Indiana avenue, where "the free loan of Swedenborgian books could be obtained," and notice was published that
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"the seats at the Sunday service are free, the service being sustained entirely by voluntary offerings and sub- scriptions."
The organization of the Society was now complete, and it seems the prospects must have appeared bright. Social entertainments were arranged for and participated in by the members and their friends, among them a series of three dancing parties which occurred in Bornique's hall during the winter of 1872-3, which, as the report of the committee says, cost two hundred and fourteen dol- lars and fifty cents, leaving a balance of subscriptions for the purpose that was turned into the Sunday-school library fund.
A letter written by Mr. Noble, published in the New Jerusalem Messenger, Jan. 8, 1873, describing the Christmas festivities, says: "The entertainment at the residence of Mr. Arthur D. Rich, 945 Michigan avenue, in the afternoon, a bitter cold day, consisted of songs and a series of tableaux representing scenes in the life of Joseph and Mary at the time of the nativity, which were produced in a thoroughly artistic manner as the result of the use of much time and care by Mrs. Joseph R. Putnam."
1873.
In March, 1873, Mr. Noble being away from the city, Rev. Frank Sewell, then residing in Urbana, Ohio, filled the pulpit one or two Sundays.
The service was continued in the Congregational Church, Indiana avenue and Twenty-sixth street, then called Plymouth Church, at a cost of fifteen dollars per week, until Nov. 23, 1873, when it was transferred to Murray chapel, located on Indiana avenue between Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth streets, at a cost of twenty-
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five dollars per week, continuing, as before, to be held in the afternoon.
1874.
The Society met quarterly for business. In the meeting of January, 1874, the chairman of the finance committee stated that the subscriptions for the expense of the year, amounting to twenty-five hundred dollars, would prove insufficient, as the expense would likely reach thirty- five hundred dollars; he consequently urged additional pledges.
About February 1st Mr. Noble was taken ill with scarlet fever, and by very severe illness was prevented from performing his ministerial duties. About the mid- dle of March he had recovered sufficiently to be able to travel, departing on the 17th for Georgia. Sunday, the 15th, his resignation as pastor was read to the con- gregation and referred to the board of trustees, which convened and accepted the resignation, continuing the salary until May 1st.
During this illness, and after the departure of Mr. Noble, the record says: "The duty of conducting the Sunday service devolved on the chairman of the church committee," who, as per record, was Mr. Joseph R. Putnam. Following, commencing on the 17th of May, the Rev. Samuel S. Seward conducted the service and filled the pulpit for a few Sundays. Later, in the early autumn, Rev. Benjamin F. Barrett administered a time or two.
Under date of November 14th a letter directed by the executive committee of the Chicago Society was addressed by the secretary, to the secretary of the Second Society, inviting the members to attend worship in the places of worship of the parent Society, pending the
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obtaining of a minister, and suggesting that the children of the Sunday-school also attend with those of the parent Society.
This was formally, though kindly, acknowledged by letter directed by the Second Society, in which it was suggested that a committee to be appointed by each Society meet the other, and the two jointly consider the subject of the members of the two Societies worshiping together, becoming in fact one Society.
Such committees were appointed; for The Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem, Alexander Officer, Willet Northup, and Dr. Alvan E. Small; for the Second Socie- ty, Andrew J. Galloway, chairman, Joseph Sears, Joseph R. Putnam, and Ezekiel H. Sargent. They met at the residence of Doctor Small, 583 Wabash avenue, Decem- ber 28th.
The conditions of consolidation desired by the Second Society were :
1st. That all adults, male and female, members of the two Societies residing or worshiping on the South side, shall have equal voice in the election of officers and in the selection of a pastor.
2nd. That the selection of a pastor shall be made without reference to the past of either Society, but solely upon the basis of his services being acceptable to the South side congregation.
3rd. That the management of the affairs of the con- solidated South side congregation shall be exclusively within the control of the same, and that the same priv- ilege be conceded to the West side and North side con- gregations.
There was much discussion and several conferences, but agreement was not effected.
Under date of June 1, 1877, Mr. Putnam made the following notation :
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The Society has never assumed active operations since the departure of Mr. Seward, June 21, 1874. Efforts were made during the winter of 1874-5 by means of con- ferences of committees, but nothing came of the discus- sions, the old Society not being willing to make any concessions or changes.
The members scattered, some attending Mr. Hibbard's services occasionally, but the greater number going else- where, until the advent of the Rev. Lewis P. Mercer in connection with the Union Swedenborgian Church brought nearly all the members together again in that movement.
Final meetings of the Society to legally dispose of the little assets were held June 15 and Sept. 11, 1877.
The communion service, a baptismal font, a silver platter, four offertory baskets, and a library of three hundred volumes, more or less, were all loaned to the Union Swedenborgian Church.
A sum of money, six hundred dollars, which had been given by Mrs. Abigail W. Turner to be applied to a fund for building purposes, was by her direction trans- ferred to the Union Swedenborgian Church for use in the library.
And so, the Second Swedenborgian Society of Chicago became only a thing of history, and why in the wisdom of Divine Providence did it so end, is but reasonable to ask.
It had its origin in dissatisfaction with the old pastor more than in anything else, and to effect a change of pastors was the first effort.
This could not be considered on account of the relation- ship then existing between the Society and him. He was in Europe, where he had gone with the mutual understanding that the pastorship would be held open for him. Besides this, the Society was a church family,
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any subject of general interest to be decided only in the interest of all the members. Then, too, there were the uses to the Church at large which were to be consid- ered, and provided for in severing the arrangement with Mr. Hibbard.
The organization of the new Society was pressed on to accomplishment; the long-established and hitherto har- monious one being rent in twain and very much weakened, as will be seen farther on.
The chosen pastor was soon incapacitated by severe illness, and could not continue his labors. Though deter- mined, and for months continued effort to fill his place satisfactorily was made, it could not be done.
Some lessons may reasonably be drawn from it.
The Lord stamps our efforts with, approval or disap- proval, and they become successful or non-successful. It is, therefore, but reasonable to conclude that the dislike for one minister and preference for another was not to Him acceptable reason, in this case, for the dis- memberment of the established Church Society. The effect of our workship is not heightened because the minister may be of our choice. The minister is the leader in worship, and, like the occupants of the pews, a worshiper, not the object of worship.
In due time the Lord placed Mr. Hibbard in another field of usefulness, when, after the elapse of time, the Chicago Society and its offshoots, excepting the German branch, became united under one leader, the conditions being such that no faction and no individual could draw from or place any self-satisfaction on the accomplish- ment of the unification, or in acts or conditions which led to it. The Lord worked it out in His own way.
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THE GENERAL CONVENTION, 1871.
THE CHICAGO SOCIETY-CONTINUED.
In the meeting of the executive committee, which was held Nov. 13, 1872, the great conflagration which occurred in Boston on the 9th and 10th was the subject of discussion, and Mr. Scammon was requested to write Mr. David L. Webster and ascertain the condition of the New Church people.
The following is the correspondence that resulted, some lines of a personal character being omitted from Mr. Webster's letter:
Chicago, Il1., U. S. A., Nov. 13, 1872.
David L. Webster, Esq., Boston, Mass.
My Dear Brother :- The great fire which has visited your noble city called most vividly to mind your great kindness and sympathy for us at the time of the great conflagration, Oct. 9, 1871, and at the meeting of our executive committee this afternoon I was instructed to write to you to ask if any of our New Church friends were burned out and need assistance from abroad.
We do not find your name among the list of those who were burned out, though from the location of the fire we supposed you were included. We would be only too desirous of sending to you a portion of our funds if needed. Will you please let me know?
Such great fires, it seems to me, manifest a closer con- nection of the world of causes with that of effects than we have been in the habit of appreciating. May they enable us more lovingly to see that the Divine Providence is ever seeking to lead us to see that nothing is substan- tial but spiritual things. May they help us to get into the stream of that Providence and come into states in which we are willing and desirous of being led by the Lord, and conformed to his commandments. Our citi- zens were most profoundly moved on Sunday morning
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and the Inter-Ocean published three extras during the day.
None could so well sympathize with Boston as Chicago people, who had just passed through a like but greater affliction.
Let us know if help is wanted, and we will respond at once.
With kind and fraternal regards,
Yours truly,
[Signed]
J. YOUNG SCAMMON.
Boston, Nov. 24, 1872. J. Young Scammon, Esq., Chicago, Il1.
My Dear Brother :- Your very kind letter of Novem- ber 13th, written by request of the executive committee of your Society, was duly received during the latter part of last week, and on Sunday was read at a meeting of our Society, held immediately after the morning service.
It was received with marked emotion and gratitude, many members giving expression to their feelings on the occasion. It was then referred to the church committee for consideration and adequate response. On Monday evening at a meeting of this committee the subject was fully considered and it was ascertained that while many of our New Church people were large losers by the fire, there were probably none who would on that account . need pecuniary aid at present.
It is a most fortunate circumstance that but very few dwellings were burned, leaving our community in a far less trying condition than was yours, when not only your business houses but your railroad stations, churches, houses, clothing, bedding, provisions, etc., were all destroyed.
From what we have just passed through we are able now to realize more fully than ever before what a time of great tribulation it must have been for you during your great fire.
It will be necessary to furnish a large number of work- ing people, men and women, thrown out of employment, with a considerable amount of temporary aid. This is
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gratefully received and dispensed by our citizens' relief committee, and committee of the city government. Those needing assistance are mostly young, many of them having homes in the country to which they can go until such time as they can again procure work, which we hope will be soon, and with higher wages than they have hitherto received, on account of necessarily increased activity of manufacturing establishments in supplying goods lost by the fire.
There are but few of this class in our Society. What is the reason? Can we not take as good care of them as other religious societies? We are dependent on them for our daily bread under our Heavenly Father, as others. Why are they not drawn towards us? Is it because we do not live the truths we profess and thereby let our light so shine that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven?
You say truly that "such great fires seem to manifest a closer connection of the world of causes with that of effects than we have been in the habit of appreciating." We certainly have reason for deep humiliation that our spiritual states and associations are such as to furnish occasion for these manifestations.
Were it not for our spiritual disorder the natural con- ditions necessary for sustaining such great conflagra- tions would be wanting, and of course they could not take place.
These conditions are the direct outburst of human cupidity.
Such calamities are permitted by our Heavenly Father that our eyes may be opened and our affections chastened, and that we may be led to see that when our minds are fired by the selfish love of gratifying our appetites and passions, of appropriating goods of others, or of ruling over them for our own sake, that we are in danger, not only of having our worldly effects consumed by the raging elements, but that we are in still more fearful danger of, if not already in, the vortex of the fires that cannot be quenched. If we do find ourselves in this latter case we still must not despair; "all things are pos- sible to God;" we may be delivered from this vortex if
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we persistently endeavor to keep His commandments, acknowledging that the power is from Him alone.
This effort and acknowledgment brings us into His presence; we are with Him and He can save us from our- selves. "Turn us again, O Lord God of Hosts, and we shall be saved."
I have been charged by the church committee with the duty of expressing their gratitude and that of our Society, that we were so kindly remembered by you in the time of our visitation. I wish this duty had devolved on some one more competent than I am to give expres- sion to their appreciation of your affectionate sympathy and offers of aid. We would thankfully accept the latter, as we do the former, did we need it. Though we really do not, we are still none the less grateful for the tender.
Most, if not all, of our business men suffer more or less by the fire, many directly, some indirectly, though most, if not all, will have a sufficient amount left with which to continue their business.
The Latin works of Swedenborg, stored in the attic of the store occupied by Webster & Co., on Milk street, were destroyed. Insurance, two thousand dollars, will pay about twenty-five per cent. The books of the treasurer of board of publication were saved. A trunk of papers, bills paid, deeds of the Church, and several pews, etc., etc., belonging to the Boston Society were lost. Treasurer's books saved.
Excuse my tardy reply. I have had no time.
[Signed]
Fraternally yours, DAVID L. WEBSTER.
During the latter part of 1872 and the early part of 1873, a chapel was erected on the property owned by the Society, near the junction of La Salle avenue and Clark street.
October 9th plans were exhibited to the executive com- mittee, which Mr. Olaf Benson represented could be built for one thousand five hundred dollars. The committee appropriated that amount, borrowing it from the fire relief
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fund. A contract was made with Mr. Benson to build the chapel under a supervising committee. The amount appropriated proved to be not enough; the executive committee supplying additional money at different times that was used in construction and to move the building, which, as will be seen, became necessary; and some was obtained by donation. It was not until 1881 that the final appropriation of five hundred dollars was made and Mr. Benson completed the little church, there being improvements not contemplated in the original plans.
The records do not definitely show how much was expended or where it came from; a careful study of the subject, however, warrants the opinion that the total amount was about three thousand one hundred dollars, of which, possibly, five hundred dollars was given by mem- bers and friends of the congregation, the balance, two thousand six hundred dollars, being supplied by the executive committee.
The name officially given this chapel was "The New Church North side mission chapel;" it being known and spoken of as "The North side chapel," "The Lincoln Park chapel," and "The North Clark street chapel."
A fine temple was erected on the property which the Society had purchased on the corner of Washington boulevard and Ogden avenue, which was, by resolution, named "The Temple," being known while the Society owned it as the "Union Park temple." It cost about sixteen thousand six hundred dollars and was dedicated by Mr. Hibbard Sunday, Dec. 22, 1872, the following letter being prepared on the occasion:
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The West Side Congregation of The Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem.
New Jerusalem Temple, Union Park, Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 22, 1872.
To the Pastor, Trustees, and Congregation of the Union Park Congregational Church.
In the Holy Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, fraternal greeting.
By a series of great and unexpected blessings the Divine Providence has given us a permanent home in your vicinity, which we dedicate this day to the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour; and in which we shall hence- forth worship Him, and try to teach His commandments to our followers.
When the temple on Adams street was destroyed, we found refuge in an inconvenient hall, but had not long remained there before your Christian charity offered us the use of your own beautiful church for our services, until our own temple should be completed.
Deeply affected by your generous kindness, we accepted your hospitality and have enjoyed it until this day; and now when we are to take our departure a grateful remem- brance prompts us to introduce into the solemn ceremonies of the dedication, a formal and public acknowledgment of the benefits and blessings which the Lord gave us by your hands; and in like manner to testify our apprecia- tion of the genuine spirit of Christian brotherhood that prompted your action towards us. When this spirit, inspired by the Divine Comforter, shall prevail, the unity of the Church in Christ will be near at hand. It is the desire of our whole congregation to participate in this acknowledgment and testimonial; and we, therefore, as a body assembled for public worship, do heartily thank you for all the favors you have shown us, and earnestly pray that the light most precious of the Holy City New Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God, may shine on all your ways, and that the only Wise God our Saviour, may lead you always into the peaceful pastures of His redeeming love.
Adopted by unanimous vote of the congregation, and
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witnessed by the executive committee of The Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem, and the Sunday-school committee.
[SIGNED] J. R. HIBBARD, Pastor, J. YOUNG SCAMMON, Chairman of the Committee,
CARL F. W. JUNGE, Secretary of the Society,
CHARLES C. BONNEY, Teacher of the Doctrinal Class,
ORLANDO BLACKMAN, Superintendent of the Sunday-school, EDWIN BURNHAM, Member of the Sunday-school Committee,
JOHN H. RAGATZ, ALVAN E. SMALL,
EDWIN R. BURNHAM, ROBERT E. Moss,
Members of the Board of Trustees.
During the time of building, as above, a building was erected on the property on the corner of Prairie avenue and Eighteenth street, which by resolution was named, "New Church hall." It cost about fifteen thousand dol- lars.
1873.
The annual meeting of the Society for 1873 was held in New Church hall, January 20th, when the following reso- lution was adopted:
Resolved, that the action of the executive committee in exchanging church lots, and in purchasing lots and building places of worship during the last year, be approved, ratified, and confirmed; and such approval, ratification, and confirmation be entered at large, and in detail, in the records of the Society, with a particular statement of all moneys received by the Society since the great fire; from whom received, by whom received, to whom and what purpose applied, with a statement of the present condition of all the property and assets of the Society.
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Some unimportant changes were made in Section 2, Article I, and in Section 1, Article II, of the By-laws, and the following was adopted as Section 3 to Article V:
Any member of this Society may withdraw from the Society by giving notice of his or her desire to do so, or by joining any other religious society, and whenever any member shall join any other religious society, such member shall thereupon forfeit his or her rights in this Society and cease to be a member thereof.
In the meeting of the executive committee of February 28th, the following occurred:
Whereas, a slanderous article appeared in the Chicago Tribune of Feb. 23, 1873, misrepresenting the char- acter of the chairman of this committee in regard to his financial operations in connection with The Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem, and also in regard to his management of the fire relief fund of the Society, there- fore:
Resolved, that Messrs. Junge, Officer, and Edwin R. Burnham be a committee to prepare a paper in refutation of said article, stating the facts of the case so far as necessary to that end, and that they present the same to the next meeting of this committee.
The preamble and resolution were adopted.
In the record of the next meeting, March 14th, is the following:
A report of the committee appointed to consider the slanderous article which appeared in the Chicago Tribune of Feb. 23, 1873, was read by the secretary as follows:
First, a report written by Mr. Burnham.
Second, the same report somewhat modified by Mr. Officer.
Third, remarks which Mr. Charles C. Bonney had made to the secretary.
The record of the meeting does not give any action on the report.
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A special meeting of the executive committee was held March 15th, from the record of which is the following:
Resolved, that the report made to this committee by the Hon. J. Young Scammon, respecting the relief fund entrusted to his custody, and his acts for the assistance of the Society in the recent transactions relating to the property, be heartily approved and our thanks returned to him for his efficiency, fidelity, and good judgment in the matters to which this resolution refers.
Resolved, that the action of Mr. Scammon in the administration of the finances of the Church, especially since the great fire, entitles him to the enduring gratitude of the Society, and fitly crowns his long and faithful career as one of the most valuable friends whose assistance the Church has enjoyed.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted and placed on file, signed by the following: Alexander Officer, Robert E. Moss, Edwin R. Burnham, Orlando Blackman, Carl F. W. Junge, Alvan E. Small, John H. Ragatz, George F. Root, and Willet Northup ..
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