USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The New church and Chicago; a history > Part 18
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On the North side the only debts obligatory upon the Society are some tax matters which can easily be adjusted when the Society shall have funds at its disposal to settle the same.
The most important question now before the Society is what can be done to cause a revival of spiritual life and growth in the Society. During the past year various plans were suggested, one of which was a proposition to unite with the Union Swedenborgian Church and form one Society out of two. After several conferences between committees from the two Societies the project was dropped as manifestly premature, if at all practi- cable.
Another plan was to institute a series of week-day devotional meetings for the purpose of promoting a free
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interchange of thought on religious matters, and to culti- vate feelings of fellowship between the two Societies under charge of the church committee, who invited the Rev. Lewis P. Mercer, pastor of the Union Church, as leader. These meetings, it was hoped, would be produc- tive of much good.
It is premature to judge of the results at present. It has been suggested as a further measure of relief, whether with our depleted membership and means it would not be worth while to try the experiment of uniting our forces upon the West and South sides, and have one morning service either at the Eighteenth street hall or at the West side temple. True, it would involve a great deal of inconvenience and self-sacrifice on the part of those who would have far to go; but it is not a question of comfort and convenience, but of what can be done to save our Society from going to pieces or becoming spirit- ually dead. In this matter we should be actuated by a due regard for what are our duties to one another and exercise genuine charity, which leads to harmony and union. "In union there is strength," and where there is charity and due self-subordination for the good of others, union is easily effected. The above suggestions are simply presented for consideration, without any recommendation by the executive committee.
In regard to the efforts made to keep the Divine wor- ship on the three sides of the river by the members locally interested, a few words will suffice.
Services were kept up on the South side during the first half of the year, conducted mostly by Dr. Small, chair- man of the committee, and occasionally by Mr. Orson L. Barler. Since July no Sunday services have been held in the Eighteenth street hall. On the West side no Sunday worship has been held since last spring. On the North side, Rev. Mr. Pendleton has been working earnestly and zealously to build up a Society, and Divine worship has been held every Sunday, and doctrinal classes during the week. The Sunday-schools are in a fair condition and have been cared for as well as our local means would permit. Three members of our Society-Mr. Chas. L. Shepherd, Dr. Chas. V. Dyer, and Mr. Joseph C. Moss-
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have departed this life and gone into the spiritual world during the past year. Several members have left the city and located in other places. No new members have joined the Society during the past year.
All of which is respectfully submitted in behalf of the executive committee.
[Signed] O. BENSON, Secretary.
A. E. SMALL, Chairman.
By the executive committee, September 8th, a committee consisting of Messrs. Scammon, Small, Officer, Benson, and Henry S. Maynard was appointed after "spirited conversation," which resulted from the "suggestion of Mr. Willet Northup, to invite the Union Swedenborgian Church to unite with our Society, and to endeavor to harmonize the interests of all the church people in the city." The committee was given charge of the subject.
1880.
The annual meeting of the Society for 1880 was held January 19th in New Church hall. As has been the cus- tom in the Society and executive committee since the organization, the meeting was opened by reading from the Word and with prayer, conducted by Rev. Orson L. Barler, who was at this meeting inducted into membership of the Society, by receiving the right hand of fellowship, extended by Doctor Small, chairman of the church com- mittee. There were twenty members present.
The indebtedness was shown to be fifteen thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, as per report of the treasurer.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR 1879.
Dear Brethren :- Our Society remains in about the same condition, financially and otherwise, that it did a year ago. We have been unable to sell any part of the real estate, and consequently the property at Eighteenth street, and the West side temple still remains encumbered.
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Our South side members have been able to make provision for the payment of interest on the Eighteenth street encumbrance, part of the money, however, having been borrowed for the purpose.
On the West side a considerable amount of back interest is due on the loan due Mr. Martin C. Bissell, and the Society is under many obligations to that gentleman for his kind indulgence, as our West side brethren have been unable to provide for the payment of the interest and the executive committee has had no funds at its dis- posal for the payment of the same.
During the past years the indications of Providence seemed to us to be to "stand still and wait for the salva- tion of the Lord," being depleted in numbers, poor in purse, broken in spirit, and our spiritual eyes dimmed, we could not take any active part in church work, and have been compelled to remain for the most part inactive.
But we think the time has come when it is proper for us to bestir ourselves and see what can be done in the future. There seems to be signs of a general revival of material prosperity in our midst, and may we not hope that ere long we may discern some gleams of hope and promise in our spiritual horizon?
We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that if we wish our Society to regain new life and vigor, such as it had before the fire of 1871, something must be done to build it up again from the mere skeleton it now is. It needs new blood, new muscles, and new flesh.
Whatever can be done to accomplish this, to make us a healthful, active man in the sight of the Lord, ought to be wished for by all. It has been suggested that if the Eighteenth street property was sold, together with such other property as could be spared, and the proceeds used in building a place of worship in some favorable locality, whether such a course would not tend to bring us together in more effective cooperation in church uses than we are now performing.
In such an event it would be a great pleasure to us to offer all our South side friends, at least, a common place of worship. We urge upon every member of the Society to give this subject their prayerful consideration,
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and suggest by word and deed whatever they may deem best that may give new life and vigor to the Society.
The church work for the past year has been left to individual efforts by the respective congregations on the three sides of the river. No regular worship has been held at the Eighteenth street hall, but services have been held there several times by Rev. Dr. Hibbard, and mean- while most of our members on that side of the river have attended service with our New Church friends at Hershey music hall, Rev. Lewis P. Mercer, pastor.
Rev. Mr. Pendleton has held services in the North side chapel during the entire year, and the services which had been broken off at the West side temple in the summer of 1878, were recommenced in August last and have since been kept up regularly.
In this work Mr. Pendleton is supported entirely by the Sunday offerings and by private subscriptions by our West side and North side brethren.
Our Sunday-schools are in a more healthful condition than they were a year ago, with the exception of that of the North side, where there has lately been a considerable falling off, owing to a lack of teachers. The South side Sunday-school, Mr. Rollin A. Keyes, superintendent, has been organized as a union Sunday-school, where mem- bers from our Society and the Union Swedenborgian Church unite with each other in the Sunday-school work. The Sunday-school on the West side continues under the charge of Mr. Orlando Blackman and is in a growing condition.
Our present actual active membership, as near as can be accurately estimated, is one hundred and five. Dur- ing the past year we have lost none by death that we are aware of. Two members have resigned, viz .: Mr. Sanford E. Loring and Mrs. Mary E. Bostock, and no new members have been admitted to the Society.
[Signed]
A. E. SMALL,
Chairman of the Executive Committee.
At an adjourned meeting of the Society, held at the residence of Mr. Officer. 1211 Michigan ave., Dec. 13, 1880, at seven-thirty in the evening, Mr. Officer, as
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chairman of a special committee previously appointed, re- ported the sale of the property at Eighteenth street and Prairie avenue to Mr. Nathaniel P. Fairbanks, for the sum of sixty-five thousand dollars, cash in hand. Out of this money the indebtedness of the Society was all paid, save the amount which was owed Mr. Bissell, secured by mortgage on the Union Park temple and site.
The abandoning of New Church hall, made necessary by this sale, caused the renting of and preparing of rooms in the Marine Bank building, corner Lake and La Salle streets, for church and book rooms; there such rooms were opened, the books being placed in them. Miss Lydia W. Ragatz was placed in charge.
Mr. Hibbard's itemized bill against the Society, amounting to two hundred and ninety-two dollars, was liquidated with a check which was given him for five hun- dred dollars.
ORSON L. BARLER.
Having been reared in Illinois, Mr. Barler graduated for the Baptist ministry from Shurtleff college, Upper Alton, Ill., in 1854.
December 27th of that year he married Miss Emeline A. Condon, of St. Louis, and immediately entered upon the pastorate of a Baptist society at Chester, Ill., being about twenty-seven years of age.
His knowledge of Swedenborg began very early in his ministry, and soon, at the hands of friends, he became the possessor of some of the books.
He says: "But at this time I did not read the books, assuming that they contained nothing of interest to me. 'Heaven and Hell' remained on a back shelf in my library unread. My wife was first to see the light, and
DR. GEORGE FREDERICK ROOT.
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called my attention to it in the fall of 1876, and with the same joy, I imagine, that possessed the wise men when they saw the light that led them to the infant Jesus, we rejoiced, and were readily and willingly led to accept the doctrines of the opened Word. Within a year I was preaching the doctrines of the New Church, with a con- viction of the truth of what I preached that I had never known in my former ministry."
Mr. Barler's first New Church sermon was preached in 1877, by invitation of Mr. Hibbard, in New Church hall, Prairie avenue and Eighteenth street, Chicago.
For some months following he preached for Mr. Hib- bard, during the latter's absence on missionary work. Several years following he served the Church in differ- ent places in Illinois and Wisconsin, among them being Henry, Canton, and Jefferson, and frequently in Chicago.
In 1882 he made a tour to solicit funds for the Urbana University. Commencing at Pittsburg, taking in Eastern cities, and returning by Cleveland, he used about six weeks in the tour, and as much more in collecting by cor- respondence the subscriptions which he had obtained, and in procuring additional ones. He was given for this work ten per cent. of the amount obtained, a total of about six thousand dollars, which was used in construct- ing an additional building for the University.
In 1885 Mr. Barler was living in Columbus, Ohio, and working for the Church, moving to Beatrice, Neb., in 1887, where his home now is. In his report to the Con- vention in 1888 he says: "I now expect to remain here, and will content myself with doing what I can in simple modest ways, without remuneration, and will give lec- tures and sermons as often as ways open."
Commencing with 1890, Mr. Barler was engaged in secular business as traveling salesman, in the business
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conducted by his sons in Chicago, covering practically the territory of the United States, during which time he met New Church people, doing some missionary work, and preaching occasionally.
Retiring from business in 1898, he has kept up his study of Swedenborg and never refuses an opportunity to speak or preach New Church doctrine, in which he is, as he says, "More than ever interested."
He is at present writing a weekly article for the Beat- rice Summary, an illustrated weekly, his title being "Swedenborg Studies," which work has already run through eight months, promising to be permanent.
In all his faithful and efficient work for the Church, he has not been in the employment of any Association or Society; his remuneration being entirely from voluntary offerings.
Annually Mr. and Mrs. Barler spend some time with their two highly esteemed sons and their families who reside in Chicago, where on the 27th of the December just gone, they celebrated their golden wedding, and to-day, Sunday, New Year's Day, 1905, at the ripe age of seventy-seven, in his modest and lovable manner, Mr. Barler preached for the Sheridan Road congregation, his text being "And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. x: 7).
1881.
The annual meeting for 1881 was held in the church rooms, as above, January 17th. The customary reports were made showing the condition of the Society during the year, which was about as shown by the last previous report, except that there was less property, less debt, and more money.
The statement of Mr. Willet Northup, treasurer,
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showed that $415 had been subscribed for the use of the Society, all of which, save $15, had been paid on account of interest, leaving a balance in his hands of the last- named amount. The statement of Mr. Alexander Officer, trustee of the fund obtained from the sale of land at Eighteenth street, showed cash on hand, $54,597.19.
Some money in addition to that reported by Mr. Northup was raised in the North and West sides and used in carrying on the service which Mr. Pendleton regularly conducted during the year in both places.
The three Sunday-schools were conducted during the year.
Mr. Scammon read to the meeting the draft of a gen- eral law which it was proposed to have passed by the legislature, under which the Society could divide the property, for the benefit of different Societies, if it should at any time be decided to do so. Nothing further was ever done with it.
There were twenty-nine present.
FINAL DETAILS OF THE CONSOLIDATION.
From the beginning of the conferences as to the union of the two Societies, there was much interest, although the records of both Societies show a conservative dispo- sition. . The beginning of the building on Van Buren street shows how far confidence in the wisdom and possi- bility of such a union had advanced. As it approached completion, almost daily conferences between the Rev. Mr. Mercer and Mr. Scammon, and other members of both Societies, were devoted to maturing an understand- ing of the most acceptable procedure. The understand- ing was finally reached that Mr. Mercer should secure the consent of the communicants in the Union Sweden-
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borgian Church for him to present their request for membership in the Chicago Society on condition that all should be individually received. Along that line was the following :
Preamble and Resolution adopted by the Meeting, Aug. 8, 1881.
Whereas, owing to the destruction of our principal place of worship and loss of individual fortunes in the fire of 1871, and to various other causes, the original and surviving members of this Society have been scattered and much embarrassed in their society relations and duties, and for want of a central convenient place of worship, there has not been that home feeling and united brotherly effort which characterized this Society pre- vious to the great conflagration, and
Whereas, a new temple more convenient of access by means of increased railroad facilities, and more com- modious than the old Adams street temple (yet suffi- ciently resembling it to recall those old states of sanctity and brotherly feelings which were so much enjoyed and so useful to us, that when we recur to them a well of joy seems to open in our hearts, and a deep feeling of gratitude ascends to heaven in remembrance thereof) is now in process of erection on Van Buren street, and may be ready for occupancy this autumn, it seems to us a fit occasion to call the attention of all our brethren to this fact, and without intending in any way to intermeddle or interfere with any other organization, or to antagonize any party or association, to invite all receivers of the doctrines of the New Church who may find it convenient and useful and orderly for them to do so, to unite with us as members of our Society in this central new temple, therefore,
Resolved, that this Society will welcome gladly into membership all receivers of the doctrines of the New Church, who may sincerely desire to unite with us for the purpose of advancing the uses of the Church and aid- ing each other and us in the work of regeneration, with-
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out regard to any previous organization or any questions which have heretofore or may now agitate the Church or its members, here or elsewhere, believing that where all are in the endeavor to learn the truth for the purpose of applying it to life, there ought to be that considerate kindness and deference to others' views, which will enable brethren to dwell together in unity.
To the meeting of the executive committee of Sep- tember 12th the following letter was read:
Chicago, Sept. 7, 1881. Mr. Rollin A. Keyes.
Dear Brother :- I present you herewith the names of several members of the New Church, known to me as such, who are desirous of becoming members of the Chicago Society. After a personal interview with them in this matter, I am authorized to make their desire known to the executive committee, and accordingly pre- sent their names to you, with the request that you will in some suitable way bring the matter to the knowledge of your committee.
Hoping that these applications may be acceptable to your Society, and that the future of the Church in Chicago may abound in the fruits of fraternal unity and good will, I am very sincerely yours,
[Signed]
LEWIS P. MERCER,
Minister of the New Church.
Accompanying, and part of the record, is a list of eighty-nine names, among them a number who are active members of the Society at this time, including three members of the present executive committee.
A called meeting of the Society was held in the Union Park temple Sunday, September 25th, at eleven A. M., when, following Divine service conducted by Rev. W. F. Pendleton, seventy-seven of the names offered by Mr. Mercer were presented for membership by Dr. Alvan E. Small, chairman of the executive committee.
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In the Sunday-school room of the new Van Buren street temple, which was on the ground floor, Sunday, Nov. 6, 1881, the reunited Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem attended the first service held in that church building, the service being conducted by Rev. Lewis P. Mercer. After the service the right hand of fellowship was given to fifty-four persons, and on following Sundays others were admitted, nearly or quite covering the mem- bership in the Union Swedenborgian Church.
By the meeting of the executive committee Novem- ber 14th, money due the Society from Rev. Mr. Barler for rent of the Eighteenth street parsonage was re- mitted. Mr. Barler had been performing missionary service, and the money that he had received was not enough to cover his expenses.
By the same meeting a committee was appointed to finish and improve the chapel on North Clark street, south of, but near, Menominee street, which is the exact location of the North Clark street chapel, at cost not exceeding five hundred dollars.
1882.
The annual meeting of the Society for 1882 was held in the Van Buren street temple Monday evening, Jan- uary 16th. On motion of Mr. Scammon, Mr. Officer was elected chairman and Mr. Keyes secretary. Rev. Mr. Mercer conducted the devotional service.
Rev. Lewis P. Mercer was unanimously elected pastor of the Society.
The following were elected officers of the Society : Trustees (the order of record indicates the vote from highest to lowest), Joseph Sears, William L. Brown, E. Herbert Sargent, Charles H. Cutler, J. Young Scam-
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mon, Joseph R. Putnam; treasurer, Willet Northup; secretary, Rollin A. Keyes; assistant secretary, Olaf Benson ; auditor, Henry S. Maynard.
There were forty-six present.
EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE : '
The committee has held regular monthly meetings since the annual meeting of January, 1881, each of which has been formally opened by the reading of the Word. and prayer. Under the leading of the Divine Providence the members have endeavored to carry out the wishes of the Society by looking after its welfare and in the management of its spiritual and temporal affairs.
The congregations on the north and west sides of the river have been blessed by steady prosperity under the ministry of Rev. W. F. Pendleton, assisted by Rev. Mr. Bostock .*
Since the last annual meeting important changes have taken place in the Society. The members on the South side continued their attendance until recently at the ser- vices of the Union Swedenborgian Church in Hershey hall, not doubting but that the time was near at hand when the Society would have a more commodious place for worship, Sunday-school, Bible class, and cooperation in other church work. All were anxious to provide a central place of resort for studying the writings of Swedenborg, in order to learn accurately what they teach.
In the meantime, it may be mentioned, that there was apparently on the part of the members of both Societies, an earnest desire for better opportunities to learn under- standingly, as well as practically, the full import and meaning of the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, revealed through Swedenborg, whom the New Church acknowledges to be a man sent of God, and the Divinely commissioned medium of the Lord's second advent.
The earnest desire expressed above eclipsed all sec- tional differences, an unmistakable fraternal interest was
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revived, and with it a longing desire to reorganize with reference to the promotion of more efficient work in the Church. After mutual consultation, and early in Novem- ber last, the Union Swedenborgian Church decided unanimously to dissolve its organization, that the mem- bers thereof might apply for membership in the Chicago Society. This proposition was cordially received by both parties. The names of about eighty persons, male and female, were submitted as applicants to the executive committee, which after due consideration voted to invite them to become members of the Chicago Society, and on the sixth of November last, these persons were most cheerfully welcomed by the right hand of fellowship, into the communion and privileges as members of The Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem.
It will be recalled that a resolution was passed at the annual meeting of 1880, authorizing the trustees of the Society to sell any of the real estate held by the same, as opportunity might offer, for the purpose of liquidating the debts against said property, and for providing a more suitable and desirable place for public worship and other uses of the Society. In accordance with the authority thus given them, the trustees sold the lot on the southeast corner of Eighteenth street and Prairie avenue, and from the proceeds of the sale, after dis- charging the mortgage and other debts, they provided rooms at the northeast corner of La Salle and Lake streets which they furnished and made accessible at all times for those interested in the New Church. In these rooms there were established a depository of New Church books and tracts for sale and distribution, and a library of New Church works, together with commodious ar- rangements for the meetings of the executive com- mittee and trustees, as well as for other committees or meetings, held in the interest of the Church.
Immediately after the above-named provision was made, a committee composed of J. Young Scammon, Alexander Officer, and others, was appointed to select a suitable site on which to erect a temple, which, when completed, should be dedicated exclusively for the public
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