USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The New church and Chicago; a history > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
"This [says Mr. Odhner], as far as we know, is the
313
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
first, the very first, distinct announcement of the 'Acad- emy Doctrine' in its fulness, and this report was accepted by the Association and ordered printed in the journal of the Association."
Mr. Odhner now goes on and details the troubles within the Association and those for which he holds the General Convention responsible; telling wherein it, as he thinks, treated the Association in an unjust and dis- courteous manner ; says that for a few years following 1864 the "Association seems to have been in a languish- ing condition ;" Mr. Benade in that year having re- moved to Pittsburg, trouble grew between the Associa- tion and the president, Mr. Wilks, who, as Mr. Odhner says, "had become infested by spiritualism and pseudo- celestialism."
This condition existed until 1871 when, in the meeting held in Pittsburg to rid the office of president of the objectionable incumbent, "the constitution was sus- pended, a temporary organization adopted, and a reso- lution passed, inviting all members of the New Church in the state to unite in the formation of a new general body. The Rev. N. C. Burnham was chosen temporary president, and the whole subject of reorganization was placed in the hands of a committee."
Notwithstanding that Mr. Odhner is a devoted mem- ber of the General Church; its official editor and writer ; that in its interest he is writing this, its history ; and that he is establishing the growth of the General Church in the Association, he says: "We must confess that this revolutionary procedure seems to us to have been quite unnecessary," and after giving the authority, says: "The Association, therefore, could in perfect order have pro- ceeded to the election of a new president without abol- ishing the constitution or breaking up the old organi- zation."
314
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
The Association reorganized with its old membership in 1872, when a new constitution was adopted. Mr. Odhner says: "It was decidedly a step backwards, necessitated, perhaps, by the temporary majority of cer- tain reactionary members.
"During the next ten years [says the historian of the General Church] the Pennsylvania Association re- mained, apparently, very much like any other state Asso- ciation connected with the General Convention. The journals of the annual meeting's present but little of spiritual interest, for the activities of the leading spirits were centered elsewhere, that is, in the American Confer- ence of New Church ministers, in the General Conven- tion itself, and after 1876 in the Academy of the New Church."
Following, the historian tells of accretions to, and withdrawals from the Association, and refers to a num- ber of members who, under the teaching of the Rev. W. F. Pendleton, had embraced the principles of the Academy of the New Church.
Mr. Odhner says: "The Pennsylvania Association thus gradually became thoroughly imbued with the prin- ciples and influences of the Academy ; it became more and more the merely external connecting link between the Academy and the General Convention.
"This condition in the Pennsylvania Association [we are still quoting] continued until the year 1883, when the body found itself in freedom to organize itself actu- ally into a General Church, with an Episcopal form of government."
At the annual meeting for 1883 the name was changed to "The General Church of Pennsylvania," and there was adopted an "Instrument of Organization," distinctly recognizing the Divine authority of the heavenly doc-
315
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
trines as the presence of the Lord in His second advent, the government of the. Church by the priesthood, the trine in the ministry, the episcopacy of the third, or highest degree, and the division of the administrative functions into a council of the clergy and a council of the laity.
"The General Church now [Mr. Odhner says] entered upon an era of internal development and also of con- flict, such as had never before been known in the history of the New Church. Having been set quite free from external restraints, the General Church each year witnessed new developments of principles and prac- tice. It became an experimental field for the imme- diate application of new ideas, and also the scene of con- flict between the new ideas and the old, within and without the borders of the organization."
And now Mr. Odhner goes on again and tells of the troubles and successes; tells of our own Mr. Hibbard as "Coadjutor Bishop," in the missionary field organ- izing some little societies, "which swelled the member- ship but did not materially add to the strength of the General Church."
Still quoting: "The next annual meeting, held in Pittsburg, May 23, 1885, is memorable on account of the reception of the small circle in Concordia, Kan., and of the First German Society, of Brooklyn, N. Y., this action signalizing the fact that the General Church now con- sidered itself no longer a state Association, but truly a general Church, ready to receive into its membership, individuals and societies anywhere, irrespective of geo- graphical limitations. This fact was further emphasized by the reception of the newly organized Immanuel Church of Chicago, on Sept. 5, 1885, an action which gave great offense to the authorities of the Illinois
316
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
Association and the Chicago Society of the General Convention, although the objection was invalid, inasmuch as Immanuel Church had never been connected with either of the bodies, or in sympathy with their methods and policies."
At the annual meeting, 1877, the nomination of the Rev. L. H. Tafel, as assistant bishop, was confirmed, the Rev. J. R. Hibbard having resigned May 28, 1886.
Mr. Odhner goes on: "The annual meeting, 1889, fol- lowing upon the scandalous Convention in Washington, was devoted to a review of the relations between the General Church of Pennsylvania and the General Con- vention."
Finally, after giving a long list of inflictions and afflic- tions, by and from the General Convention, Mr. Odhner says: "Freedom of speech being thus denied to the Gen- eral Church, and freedom of priestly action being refused to its priesthood, external separation from the General Convention now became a matter of necessity for the continued existence of the General Church. And, there- fore, after most serious deliberation in joint councils, and in general assembly, the annual meeting held in Pittsburg Nov. 13-16, 1890, adopted the following preamble and resolutions :
"Whereas, it has become evident that the General Con- vention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America is not in internal accord with the General Church of Pennsylvania, and that the external bond, existing under and by virtue of a compromise compact, has been rent asunder by the General Convention, both by the acts of its duly constituted officers and also by the acts of a majority of its members in solemn conven- tion assembled ; therefore, be it
"Resolved, that the clause reading, constituting a part of the most general body of the New Church in America,
317
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
styled the General Convention (etc.) be hereby expunged from Paragraph 1, Part 2, on 'organization' in the in- strument of organization of the General Church of Pennsylvania, and,
"Resolved, that the councils of the General Church of Pennsylvania be requested to draft and transmit to the General Convention a declaration setting forth, in appro- priate terms, the position of the General Church of Penn- sylvania and the circumstances of the severance of the external bond heretofore existing between it and the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America."
Following Mr.' Odhner says: "The General Church having cut loose from the General Convention, the scene of its external conflicts, and having gained complete liberty of speech and action, now entered into an era of internal conflict and temptation."
Then he tells of their "exaggerated ritualism ;" "rever- ence for the priesthood, and especially for the aged head of the Church, which, for a time, tended towards man- worship and autocracy." After enumerating other ills, he tells of the movement to divide into two churches, the Church of the Academy and the General Church, each with its own distinct priesthood, membership, and exter- nal of worship.
Instead of dividing, however, a compromise was effected, and the name was changed to "The General Church of the Advent of the Lord;" this in 1891 by a joint meeting of councils held at Knights' Hill, now Cairnwood, Pa .; it being decided to have no written con- stitution, the following "Declaration of Purpose" was adopted instead :
''The General Church of the Advent of the Lord declares its purpose to proclaim and teach the everlasting gospel that the Lord Jesus Christ reigneth, as that gospel
318
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
is set forth in the books written by Him, through His servant, Emanuel Swedenborg."
Mr. Odhner now goes on, occupying two or three pages of his magazine article, in telling of the acts, rulings, and declarations of the bishop who presided over the two churches with the consolidated name, which read quite like the ravings of infestation, until he brings the subject down to 1897, when finally following one of the bishop's own rulings, "that the Church could not dispose of the bishop, but that the members could individually withdraw, they did, the members of the two churches almost to a man, and without collective action or even consultation individually, send in their resignations and withdraw from the government of Bishop Benade."
Then soon followed the election of a new bishop, and adoption of the name, "The General Church of the New Jerusalem," the name and conditions having now lasted seven years.
Such is a correct brief of the history of the General Church; a history written by the official writer thereof.
In trying to write in extenuation for the organization of Immanuel Church out of members of the Chicago Soci- ty and Illinois Association-actually from among those then worshiping in the churches of the Chicago Society- Mr. Odhner says: "Objection of the Illinois Association and Chicago Society was invalid because Immanuel Church had never been connected with either of the bodies."
This is a subterfuge, pure and simple, which the writer of should be above. It insinuates contention by the Chicago Society, which is in substitution for the actual fact.
Of course, as an organization, it had not belonged to either of them; Immanuel Church had not existed; but
319
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
what about the Jesuitical way in which the two ministers, posing as brothers, in church homes of those whom they called brethren, proselyting and cultivating discontent in the contented happy church family, until-making use of the expression of the executive committee in its commu- nication to the Association-they had "succeeded in sedu- cing some" to form a Society? This, Mr. Odhner, is the plain, simple text.
There is but one General Church. It is the Church of the New Jerusalem; the members of it are known only by the Heavenly Father; membership in societies of mor- tals, and conformity to rules prescribed by mortals, do not make members of the New Jerusalem.
According to the report of the secretary for 1904 the membership of the General Church in the world is six hun- dred and ninety-eight, twenty-five of whom are members of the clergy or, as they would say, the "priesthood." There is a small Society in Chicago and another in Glen- view, a suburb, the latter being Immanuel Church.
This so-called General Church is not general under any understanding of the word.
It is not general in the way it construes and makes use of the doctrines of the Church. On the contrary, it is very specific as regards interpretation, granting to no interpretation which differs from its own, any possibility of correctness.
It is not general as to physical membership, and cannot possibly be, for the reason that entrance to membership demands peculiar and special requirements which are the reverse of general and quite rigidly enforced.
It is impossible to believe that it is a General Church in the spiritual world, for if that were so it would be general in the external world.
320
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
It is not general in the external world, as it is known in only a very few places, and the number of its members is possibly smaller than in any other sect in Christendom.
It is the opposite of general in government of the Church, for, as stated by Mr. Bostock, the prime reason for the organization of Immanuel Church under the General Church, was to come under control of the priest- hood.
As compared with the general interest that exists for the English Conference of the New Jerusalem, and the General Convention of the New Jerusalem, it occupies the most retired place. It cannot claim that general interest exists for it.
In its standing declarations, published monthly in the New Church Life, are these:
"That this revelation was given because the state of the first Christian Church and of the whole civilized world thence, was become one of spiritual vastation and night, in which no truth of doctrine and no good of life remain."
It declares for distinctive thought and life-"involving distinct church organization, distinct ministry, sacraments, and worship; distinctive marriage and education, and thus a distinctive conjugal and social life."
It seems to deny that there is any good in the world outside itself.
1
CHURCH OF THE DIVINE HUMANITY AND PARISH HOUSE, Stewart Avenue and Seventieth Street, Englewood.
THE NEW CHURCH CONGRESS OF 1886.
In the meeting of the Ohio Association, October, 1885, held in Cleveland, a Congress of New Church people to be held in Chicago was suggested; and in the meeting of the Illinois Association, November, 1885, the subject was thoroughly discussed and put in process of accomplish- ment; consequently at ten o'clock March 4, 1886, there met in the Van Buren street temple a considerable group of people, the record of whose work has gone into history, and the effect of which has been beneficially felt during all the years since, and is visible now.
This group of people, brought together for a certain purpose, was extraordinary in personnel, and better fitted to deal with the subject matter than any other that could possibly have been gotten together, even going to the extent of saying that there were not the people from whom to draw another group so specially qualified.
Among those who took part, many of whom faced Mr. Mercer when he delivered his address of welcome, were the following: Rev. John Goddard, Rev. Frank Sewell, Rev. Adolph J. Bartels, Rev. Phillip B. Cabell, Rev. Albinus F. Frost, Rev. Samuel C. Eby, Rev. Gerhard Bussman, Rev. Frank L. Higgins, Rev. Stephen Wood, Rev. Henry H. Grant, while the Rev. E. C. Mitchell, Rev. Myron G. Browne, and Rev. Thomas F. Houts were represented in addresses which were read to the Congress. Others were J. Young Scammon, Alexander Officer, Alvan E. Small, Charles H. Cutler, Charles C. Bonney, N. B. Copley, Dr. W. H. Leonard, C. W. Dorsett, Owen Kent, Rollin A. Keyes, Olaf Benson, George F. Root, Joseph R. Putnam,
323
324
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
William A. Barton, Willet Northup, William L. Brown, Joseph Burton, and others.
After the address of welcome, there was general discus- sion, followed by organization of the Congress by the elec- tion of the Rev John Goddard to the presidency, and Rev. Henry H. Grant to the secretaryship.
The first address was by the Rev. Samuel C. Eby, entitled, "Do we Need a Northwestern New Church Union?"
Mr. Eby said: "The Christian Church has been a prime factor in the development of natural civilization. It has figured far more conspicuously and influentially as an ecclesiasticism than as an organ of spiritual life. It has made one with monarchy, aristocracy, the free cities, and democracy in constituting the elements which have been implicated in the evolution of modern society.
"But civilization is nothing more or less than the out- growth of man's proprium, or selfhood. It is not begot- ten of God. It does not descend out of heaven like a bride adorned for her husband.
"The New Church is distinguished from the old Church, in all its length and breadth, by the fact that it has not fel- lowship with civilization as such. Its immediate juris- diction is not over men who are evolved from below, but over men who are born from above. It is no mere element or factor of civilization. No civilization can ever reach to its level. The New Church surmounts, supersedes, sits upon the final work of civilization. It is the blossom on the stem of ecclesiasticism."
Then Mr. Eby goes on and shows what the propagan- dism of the old Church means in fact, saying: "There are multitudes who still live in the middle ages, and to whom Rome gives the best pabulum they can receive. There are multitudes who now live before the last judg-
325
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
ment, and to whom the innutritious paps of Calvinism and Armenianism can give the only food they crave."
He makes the point that in the revivals and apparent progressions of the different branches of the old Church. each simply gathers and holds its own, saying: "They all have either an arbitrary God or an impossible Gospel of morality; or both."
Further he says: "The New Church gaining success by flowing in the stream of natural civilization is not the New Church descending from God out of heaven. The Gospel of the New Jerusalem proclaims death to the proprium.
Every inch of ground we conquer must be by the laying down of the natural self."
The argument, then, is for New Church propagandism, and the speaker says: "In the light of all this we ought to have our rallying points, and a better method of unit- ing and utilizing our forces, that we may give the new life and light the essential means of their progress among us."
Then are given the names and locations of the different Unions for propaganding New Church doctrine, and the names and locations of the different publications, all of which are in Eastern cities, when the speaker says: "We should have a Union of some practicable description in Chicago, which would be a rendezvous for all our people and the headquarters of all our connectional interests. Whatever information is to be sought or given about the New Church in the West ought to be here accessible. The instruments needed by the missionaries of the Church ought here to be found. This Union should have a motherly interest in every child of the Church, and should be so equipped as to be able to advise and supply with necessary reading, any who might become alive to the truths of the new dispensation. We ought to have a fully
326
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
equipped book room, where all the literature of the Church would be constantly in stock. We ought to have an agency for printing and publishing sermons, pamphlets, and books. We ought to have a paper, however small, to be the organ of the united New Church interests of the West."
Then the speaker makes an argument of the propagan- ding power of the literature of the Church, and in sup- port of having such an establishment as he recommends . in the West, says: "The customs and spirit of the East \ are just the thing for the East. There is no need, how- ever, of saddling them on the West. Let the West have its own genius and its own ways. The New Jerusalem does not date from Boston, or New York, or Philadelphia. St. Louis and Chicago are as near the Divine meridian as any spot under the sun."
The whole paper, in pamphlet form, from which this review is made, is very forceful, pungent, and most inter- esting, and it is safe to say was received with very marked interest.
Following this there was general discussion, and at the evening session Rev. John Goddard read a paper entitled, "What are the Conditions of the Power on High and How to Fulfil Them?"
Friday a paper by Rev. E. C. Mitchell, of St. Paul, entitled, "What are the Needs of our Isolated Churchmen, and How to Meet Them?" was read in his absence, as was one by Rev. Thomas F. Houts on the same subject; and Rev. Albinus F. Frost read a paper entitled, "What shall we do for our Children, to Fit them for Regenera- tion and Usefulness?"
In the afternoon Mr. Charles C. Bonney made the motion that the Congress approve the proposal to form a "Western New Church Union," and spoke on the subject,
327
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
as did Mr. Scammon and others. The motion being put to vote, prevailed, and the Union was formed.
In the evening session Rev. Frank Sewell read a paper on the subject, "Progressive Revelation-The Word as God's Presence with Men."
Saturday opened with discussion on the subject, "What is the Practical Solution of the Problem of Church Finance?" The argument of Rev. John Goddard was for endowed churches, his reasons being that when not required to pay, people will more generally attend church service; that then the minister is free to speak his mind; and, as Mr. Goddard said; "It is very difficult, indeed a very difficult thing, to reconcile the doctrine of trust in the Divine Providence, with the necessity of making provision for the Church as of ourselves."
In the afternoon there was a paper by Mr. Mercer, entitled, "What can Urbana University do for the Church?" and one by Rev. Myron G. Browne, entitled, "What can we do for Urbana University?"
In the evening Rev. Phillip B. Cabell delivered a paper entitled, "The Gospel of the New Church-The Doctrine of Salvation in its Appeal to the Present States of Men."
The different addresses delivered at the Congress were generally published as pamphlets or otherwise.
Several of the clergymen remaining over Sabbath, Chi- cago had the pleasure of seven New Church sermons.
THE WESTERN NEW CHURCH UNION.
As shown in the preceding article, the Union became an entity; the following being elected a board of directors; Revs. John Goddard, Frank Sewell, Phillip B. Cabell, Myron G. Browne, Albinus F. Frost, Samuel C. Eby and G. Bussman; laymen, Alexander Officer, J. Young Scam- mon, Charles C. Bonney, and Dr. W. H. Leonard; and the following were named as the officers: Rev. Lewis P. Mercer, president and secretary; and Alexander Officer, treasurer. Special auxiliary committees were appointed.
The things to be done as outlined in Mr. Eby's address were adopted and enlarged upon as follows: "This
organization is for the purpose of devising and executing plans for missionary, educational, publishing, and other uses, having in view the welfare of the New Church in the West. It shall consist of all New Churchmen and friends who desire to be members, and who will pay the annual fee of one dollar. It shall have a room or central office in Chicago. This room can be the headquarters of the external working force of the Church in the West. This office shall be in charge of the secretary, who shall keep himself in communication with the members, and answer all letters concerning the Church and her writings. There shall be kept in this room a supply of the works of Emanuel Swedenborg and proper works bearing on his doctrines. These books will be for sale, and subscrip- tions for periodicals of the Church may be made there. Sermons, lectures, pamphlets, and books will be published by the Western New Church Union, and bear the imprint thereof. There shall be a paper published to represent the interests of the New Church in the West, and to
328
-
329
THE NEW CHURCH AND CHICAGO
foster the study of the works of Swedenborg. The Union is to establish and maintain a permanent library in Chica- go, in which shall be manuscripts and books of interest to the New Church."
The rooms were opened in the New Church temple, 17 East Van Buren street, and Miss Lydia W. Ragatz was appointed assistant to Mr. Mercer in the charge of the rooms and books.
The number who became members up to Jan. 5, 1887, was three hundred and seventy-nine.
Miss Ragatz was succeeded by several people, among them, they who are now Revs. George H. Dole and Willis L. Gladish, until finally in the latter part of 1891, the assistance of that long-time and very highly respected member of the Chicago Society and thorough New Churchman, Mr. John J. Geiger, was obtained and held with eminent satisfaction to the Union and its patrons, until he was stricken with illness which physically incapacitated him, at the completion of the twelfth year of his faithful stewardship. Mr. Geiger is now an occa- sional and interested visitor at the rooms of the Union, where no person is more welcome.
In order that it could receive bequests the Union was incorporated in April, 1877, and it has been the recipient of gifts by Mr. Julius J. Luther, Mr. Alexander Officer, and Mr. John Ritchey, amounting to about seven thou- sand three hundred dollars, which it has invested in inter- est-bearing securities. It has had bequests of books and manuscripts, by Mr. J. Young Scammon, Mr. James Speirs, and The Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.