USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The New church and Chicago; a history > Part 9
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The report of the Rev. John H. Ragatz, covering the German branch which the executive committee includes, does not show any special change from the last.
The executive committee in 1860 held twenty meetings.
By a meeting held January 9th the several standing committees were announced as usual; February 25th a committee of five was announced to have charge of the arrangements for the entertainment of visitors to the General Convention to be held in Chicago in June; July 28th Mr. Simon B. Wetherell was elected secretary to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr.
DR. ALVAN EDMUND SMALL. By Permission of the Chicago Historical Society.
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Hiram Brown; August 25th it was decided to proceed to build a temple without delay, and committees in that inter- est were appointed.
September 1st further preparation to build was made, and subscription papers were prepared to raise funds.
LAYING THE CORNER-STONE
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1860, the corner-stone of the new temple was laid, there being five closely written pages devoted to the record of the proceedings.
The record opens with a list of the articles which were placed in the stone, including a copy of the Sacred Scrip- tures, the "True Christian Religion," the liturgy, consti- tution of the Society and list of members from its estab- lishment, and publications of the Church.
The pastor read from the Word, "How lovely are thy dwelling places, O Jehovah of Hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." Completing the Eighty-fourth Psalm, he proceeded with and read the first chapter of Haggai commencing with the second verse; then followed the singing of selection 163, and prayer.
Then taking the Bible the pastor said, "This Bible, the Word of the Lord, is placed in this corner-stone because the Word is the Lord Himself, in His Divine Humanity among men, and upon it is his Church established, a foun- dation that cannot be moved." Placing the Bible in the tin box, he took up the "True Christian Religion," say- ing, "This, the 'True Christian Religion,' the last of all the works written and published at the Lord's command by Emanuel Swedenborg, containing the universal theology of the New Church foretold by the Lord in Daniel vii: 13 and 14, and in Revelation xxi: 1 and 2, is placed in this
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corner-stone to represent all the revelations made by the Lord from His Word, through him, by which the Lord has effected His second coming, and established a new dispensation of Divine truth-a church-called the New Jerusalem, and because this building is to be for the use of a Society of that Church." And, so, proceeding with very appropriate remarks for each, all the books, publi- cations, and articles were placed in the box which, being sealed and placed in the stone, was there cemented. The stone being permanently placed, Mr. Hibbard proceeded:
"Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner. He that believeth shall not make haste" (Isaiah xxviii): 16. Next, giving the signifi- cance of the stone of the corner according to the Church writings (Apocalypse Explained, 417),-he followed with reading the very appropriate and lovely words, Mat- thew xvi: 17, 18; Matthew xxi: 42, and Psalm Lxii: 1,2,5,8. Then followed singing of the Te Dominum, and the pronunciation of the benediction, which ended. the ceremony.
LOOKING BACK
Looking back over the thirteen years that the Society had existed since the completed organization in 1847, and having studied its acts and doings as recorded in its books and the universal history of the time, culminating with this superlatively appropriate and devout ceremony, there can be seen in the picture, the accumulated effect of genuinely interested church life.
Nothing could be farther from the desire for rhetorical effort than the devout pronunciation of the Lord's beauti- ful words, selected for this occasion. While by it all is shown the spiritual foundation of the temple in process of building, plainly rises to view the foundation of The
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Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem and the environ- ment in which it grew.
Founded on the writings of Swedenborg, and made secure by the study and love of them, going hand in hand with devoted church life, and believing the motive to be the accomplishment of regeneration and attainment of the blessed heavenly state, we can see the condition of the New Church in Chicago at the close of 1860 to be most orderly and hopeful. And, further, while we cannot know the inner man in our neighbors, we can see in the mem- bers of the Church in Chicago, at the date mentioned, a vast amount of spiritual knowledge, which all must know, and either learn here or in the next life, before regeneration can be effected.
Readers may think that an unnecessary amount of detail has been used in this history thus far-to some the reading may seem tedious. The part of the book now compiled, represents the complete establishment of the Chicago Society and the attending church life of the members. The much closer study of the record and his- tory that the compiler must necessarily have given, than may be possible by those who read the very much con- densed work, has given him an opportunity to clearly appreciate the extreme devotion to, and ever readiness for self-sacrifice for the Church, by the members, and to as far as possible impress the reader with that condition, as it has lived and grown, has made detail necessary, though the story is very greatly shortened.
Following we will pass over the years more rapidly.
1861.
The report of the executive committee of Jan. 14, 1861, gives the membership of the Society to be 129, 90 of whom reside in the city and vicinity. The congregation
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averages 130; average number of communicants being 60. of whom 12 belong to the German branch.
The committee caused to be erected on the east end of the Adams street lot, a stone building 50x76 feet, at a cost of about $9,000. The cost of the new temple, it was said, would be about $18,000, of which it would be necessary to raise $10,000 .*
The report of the treasurer showed assets amounting to $38,508.90, and no debts. The expenses for the year 1860 amounted to $1,581.93, a decrease from the year previous of $300. The assets were made up of the Wabash avenue lot, $25,000; the Reuben street temple, $2,310; the Harrison street temple and small dwelling $1,713; expended on the new temple $8,200, and sundry items.
The German branch showed encouraging growth.
The executive committee decided to assess the pews to raise the money necessary to defray the annual expense of the Society, this occurring in the meeting of March 16th.
At a special meeting of the committee held Sunday, May 5, 1861, the following resolution was adopted unani- mously:
Resolved, That, considering the present disturbed state of the public mind, and consequent derangement of af- fairs and the necessity for the devotion of all our energies in support of the government, the executive committee of the General Convention be requested to postpone indefinitely the meeting of the Convention for 1861.
1862.
In the annual report of the executive committee for 1862 there is this paragraph: "Since our last report a
*NOTE .- In the Chicago Tribune in January, 1861, is a notice of the Adams street temple as follows: "This building is but the rear portion of the prospective edifice to front on Wabash avenue, which will prove, when completed, one of the noblest church edifices in the country."
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great rebellion against the government of our country has broken out in the slave-holding states, and our citizens have been called upon by the executive of the Nation to aid by force of arms in the restoration of obedience to law and order. In answer to this call a number of our young men are now in the army. To minister to their wants and those of their fellow soldiers in the camp, in the field, or in the hospital, as their lot may be, and also if need be to care for the poor and destitute at home, the ladies of our congregation have for some time past held meet- ings at their homes every second Wednesday afternoon- the gentlemen attending in the evening. The gentlemen by regular contribution furnish material, and the ladies work it into articles of use and comfort for those who may need. These meetings have seemed specially useful and happy, as a means of social acquaintance. Meeting for so laudable a use, and one in which they all sympathize so deeply, seems to open hearts towards each other more fully and more kindly than do assemblies for mere recrea- tion."
The condition of the new temple as to completeness was about as it was at the time of last report. There was required to finish it about six thousand five hundred dollars, which under pressure to raise by subscription re- cently started, would in the opinion expressed, result in producing the amount.
The report of Rev. John H. Ragatz, pastor of the Ger- man branch, shows growth in that society, and the pastor mentions work done by him among the Germans in differ- ent places on Fox river, and elsewhere.
At a meeting of the executive committee held at the residence of Mr. Scammon, Sept. 23, 1862, the following resolution presented by that gentleman was adopted:
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Resolved, that in excusing the absence of our secre- tary, Hon. Digby V. Bell, this evening, on account of the recent removal of his son, Lieut. John H. Bell, to the spiritual world, on the heroic and victorious battle-field of Sharpsburg [now known as Antietam], we desire to express our deep sympathy in his affliction and at the same time to express our hope that the revelations made to the New Church in relation to the kingdom of uses will afford him unspeakable consolation. There is no death in the New Church, but a removal to higher spheres and greater usefulness. May the angels who ushered his son into the spiritual world be present with him and afford him grace and comfort.
A petition from ladies of the Society asking that the pastor be permitted to wear a white linen robe was referred back to the ladies with authority to procure and pay for such a robe as they should deem proper. The action of the pastor on this subject is completely set forth by an article written by him and published in the New Jerusalem Magazine in 1870, as follows:
REV. MR. HIBBARD, AND THE USE OF THE SURPLICE.
The fact that its use is unpleasant to any members of the congregation demands a careful and charitable con- sideration. The Church is both internal and external, and there are essentials of the internal and essentials of the external, and these should always be maintained. But the mere style of an official dress is certainly a very external matter, and not to be numbered among the essentials of even the externals of the Church. And it seems to me that while in regard to anything essential we should be always firm, immovable, and persevering, it is the part of wisdom and true charity, in things not essential, to yield to the states of those who cannot so readily yield to us. And although it will be more or less a trial to many of you, and to none more than myself, it seems to me that true charity and the real good of the
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Church will be promoted by laying aside the surplice, which has come, by its association with the evils of a dead Church, to be offensive to those who cannot at once in their thought separate its use from its abuse.
I have given this matter, I think, a fair and honest trial. For more than eight years I have worn the sur- plice in our own congregation, and wherever else I could with courtesy and convenience do so, and have noted its effect; and while it has been pleasant and useful in some respects to many, I am satisfied that, on the whole, until the general Church, by official action or common consent, adopts it, the effort to use it where any are opposed to it is unwise, and will not promote the prosperity of the Church.
1863.
The report of the executive committee for 1862 states that the Society contributed $150 for the use of the Illinois Association; made a contract with Mr. John Roberts, of Frankford, Pa., to build and install an organ at a total cost of $2,000, it being understood that the work would require five to six months; and reports action authorized, in 1860, relative to the purchase and repair of three houses which stood on part of the Wabash ave- nue lot, the authority having been used at an outlay of $3,401.77, which amount was borrowed of Mr. Scammon, and was being rapidly paid from rent obtained for the houses.
Further, the report tells of the completion of the temple and the dedication, which occurred Sunday, Nov. 16, 1862. The cost of the temple and furniture was $18,591.07, which was paid without incurring debt, and leaving a balance to the credit of the building fund of $405.88. Of the various items which made up the building fund $5,602.33 came from subscriptions, and $5,360 from the sale of pews, and premiums paid for choice.
Continuing, the report extends thanks and acknowl-
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edges indebtedness to the building committee, and those who subscribed, and says: "But the committee espe- cially desires to remind the Society of its great obli- gation to our esteemed brother, Mr. J. Young Scammon, for whose affectionate zeal and beneficial aid throughout this entire movement, and without whose generous and timely assistance we would not now be in the enjoyment of the comforts afforded by the occupancy of our new and beautiful temple, wholly paid for.
"In reviewing the affairs and condition of our Society, your committeemen are deeply impressed with a grateful sense of the Divine favor, providentially vouchsafed to us during the past year; and while we acknowledge the Lord's goodness in permitting us to worship Him in this beautiful temple, reared in His name, and dedicated to His service; to enjoy the affectionate and faithful minis- trations of our beloved pastor; and being profoundly thankful for the improvement in our condition as a Society; and in the varied circumstances of our individual lives, let us invoke His holy blessing upon our efforts to find and fill our respective spheres of usefulness, to cherish and cultivate the spiritual element in our characters, that both zeal and knowledge may characterize our action as a visible body of the Lord's New Church upon the earth; not forgetting to commend to the Divine protection and guidance our precious sons, and other relatives and friends who are now in the field of bloody strife, gallantly aiding the government of our country in the suppression of this most wicked rebellion against it."
In his report for the German branch Mr. Ragatz speaks of the German friends having built a fence in front of the temple, of their having bought a carpet, of their intention to paper the temple, and to buy additional Ger- man books for the library.
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The cost of carrying on the German branch was little or nothing to the general Society. Occasionally, as has been shown, a small amount was voted for Mr. Ragatz, but we note that some years passed without. In his report for 1861 he says, "The contributions for the year amounted to $68.72, of which I received $61.20, besides what I made in my business, and received from other sources." Now for 1862 he reports contributions of $158.73, out of which $80 went for fence and carpet, $8.42 for fuel and sundries, and $70.31 to himself.
The other sources referred to above mean what he received for missionary work and other ministerial service.
THE NEW CHURCH AND THE GREAT WAR.
When we remember that the rebellion of the slave states had no object whatever save to establish human slavery for all time; a slavery that made human beings chattels more degraded than are dumb beasts; under which on the auction block, ties of family were most inhumanly severed; and under which in some states it was unlawful to teach blacks to read and to write; which allowed the owner to take the life of the slave without committing crime; from which no race was exempt; and more and worse in the same line, the position of the New Church in Chicago and Illinois, as regards the sub- ject, will remain a cause for gratification as long as his- tory is read. This was in harmony with the action of the freedom-loving commonwealth, which furnished its great citizen, the great emancipator, more than a quarter of a million soldiers and sailors, twenty-eight thousand of whom gave their lives, and vast other sinews of war, to aid in restoring order; extermination of the serpent, slavery, resulting.
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The same year, 1863, in which the Chicago Society adopted the report having the lines on the rebellion as above, the Illinois Association adopted the following: "The Association feels its duty to declare that it has no sympathy with treason or rebellion in Church or state; and that the rebellion now existing in our country must be put down, and the government sustained at all hazards."
This action of the Chicago Society and Illinois Asso- ciation is in line with the like patriotic expressions of Convention 1863 and 1864 and finally of 1865, when thanks to the Divine Father were rendered for the final destruction of the monster, slavery, in our country.
Commencing with July 1, 1863, Mr. Hibbard's salary was one thousand two hundred dollars per year, and to meet the expense of the Society for the year the pews were assessed .*
1864.
By the annual meeting held Jan. 11, 1864, the follow- ing was ordered: "Resolved, that a committee of three, one from each division of the city, be appointed to inquire
*NOTE .- A study of the accounts for several years, commencing with 1863, shows that assessment of pews was continued until 1870, and that the amount raised in that way during 1863, 1864, and 1865 was $5,057.98; that the prices for the sale of pews ranged from $100 to $600 per pew, many of them being $300, $400 and $500; that many of them were rented at premiums on the estab- lished rental, ranging from $25 to $100; that the established rental was $25 to $50; and that the holders paid annual assess- ments ranging from $20 to $50; and further, that some, after paying as above and deducting the several amounts still, under the tithing system, paid a percentage of their incomes to the Church.
In this connection it should be carried in mind that not only were the expenses of the Society met, but that the Asso- ciation, missionary work, relief, and other charities, were liberally remembered and constantly looked after, requiring the annual filling of a subscription list.
THE ADAMS STREET TEMPLE.
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if there be any members of our Society suffering from illness or insufficiency of means to provide for themselves and their families during the present severity of the season; and if so, to provide for their necessities and comfort without delay; and that the treasurer pay the drafts of the committee for the purpose.
The meeting of the executive committee held February 25th, adopted the following preamble and resolution:
Whereas, it has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove to the spiritual world our esteemed brother, Franklin Scammon, late a member of this committee:
Resolved, that the executive committee of The Chicago Society of the New Jerusalem desires to express the sympathy of its members for the family of their departed brother, in this afflictive Providence; and also to record this testimonial of fraternal affection, and their high appreciation of the faithful and valuable service rendered in the various offices of trust held by him in the Society.
Resolved, that a copy of the foregoing be, by the secre- tary, presented to Mrs. Scammon.
By the same meeting an application, signed by Rev. John H. Ragatz, and the members of the German branch, was granted, allowing them to withdraw from the gen- eral Society, for the purpose of forming the First German New Church Society of Chicago. The formal institution of the Society was by Mr. Hibbard, February 28th.
A special committee previously appointed reported the following resolution, which was adopted by the executive committee April 14, 1864. "Resolved, that any rule or regulation requiring the pastor to be chairman of the executive committee is hereby rescinded, and that the chairman shall be elected each year as soon after the annual meeting as may be convenient."
The committee said, "The pastor is acknowledged to be the head of the Society, and therefore occupies a higher
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plane than the chairman of the executive committee, and it is the opinion of the committee that it is more orderly, and will tend more fully to separate the lay and clerical functions, by electing a lay member to the office of chair- man."
Mr. Hibbard had been chairman of the executive committee from 1855, generally prepared the annual report of the committee, and was most prominent in all matters that came before it and the Society. During the fif- teen years that had passed during his pastorship of the Society, not a subject had arisen which was too common- place to have the attention of the pastor; and the thought never assumed expression, that any subject, no matter how purely lay it might be, or even how sensual it might be, would not be easiest to properly handle when farthest within the pale of the Church, and under the light thereof. This action, though the result of direct suggestion by Mr. Hibbard, may have been the opening wedge to a gap which grew between pastor and people. It suggests a condition which frequently arises, based on two reasons.
Ministers being men-simply mortals, as all others- frequently forget that at all times they should be min- isters, and act in the ministerial office. If the subject under consideration be secular, their expressions should be based on the wisdom and teaching of the Church, just as much as though it related to Church service or Church government; the secular effect of their aye or nay should not enter into the consideration.
The poor sensual layman, always ready to find fault with the minister, finding him considering the same sub- jects in the same way as himself, thinks and very soon says, "He too much concerns himself with things not within his province."
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If the expressions of the minister could always convey the wisdom of the Church, and if laymen could remember that every thought and act of life should be influenced by the teaching of the Church, and do accordingly, how much friction might be saved.
The Rev. Adolph J. Bartels appears in the record for the first time, May 30, 1864, when fifty dollars was appropriated to pay him for officiating four Sundays dur- ing the absence of the pastor.
ADOLPH J. BARTELS.
Mr. Bartels, by nativity, a German, was ordained into the ministry of the New Church by Rev. Thomas Wilks, of the Pennsylvania Association, in 1860. Following very soon he became pastor of the First New Church So- ciety of Baltimore, which position, owing to conditions that arose consequent on the war of the rebellion, he did not fill but about a year-the conditions being the inability of the Society to employ a minister.
During 1863, 1864, and 1865, we find him in Ohio work- ing in Newark, Urbana, and other places, under the jur- isdiction of the Ohio Association; coming to Illinois during the latter year, and locating in Peoria, and later in Canton, where his home remained while he was employed in the service of the Church until 1870, when he went to Osage county, Kansas, and established the town of Olivet, the proposition being to found a New Church University, to be endowed with wild lands.
He was soon elected probate judge of the county, and performed the duties of the office and of minister of the New Church. While the endowment in wild lands for a university could have been obtained, there were years of pioneering for Kansas to live through before her land would be valuable, and as the need for money to get
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through those years would compass a large amount, the proposition was found to be impracticable.
Returning to Illinois, we find him, as per journal of Convention, minister for the German Society of Chicago, 1886, which place, and that of missionary within the Illinois Association, he filled until 1899, when he made an extended trip as missionary in the state of Oregon.
Now, ripe in years, he makes his home in Chicago with different ones of his children, his enjoyment being complete when in attendance at service, or a meet- ing in which the Church or subjects pertaining to it are being discussed.
Rev. Mr. Bartels is a representative of many members of the New Church clergy, who seem to be tried in their churchmanship, especially in the teaching that the real growth and establishment of the Church is in man's in- teriors, and not necessarily manifest in numbers of people and physical benefit; that they, having entered the service of the New Church, closed the door to all worldly am- bition, if not, in fact, to the desire for the necessaries of life, and must be happy with the small things that fall to them. Unhappily the Church has a number of such past faithful workers on the roll of ministers, whose whole happiness must necessarily rest on riches stored in the spiritual world.
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