, 1873-03-23
THE CHICAGO TIMES AND THE SWEDEN
B0RGlAN CHURCH.

To thc Editor Of The Chicago Tribune:
E1R: brief chapter OF modern ecclesiastical history
WIS given few weeks ago in The Tribune. II re-
lated TO the connection OF Mr.. J. Y. Scammon with the
Swedenborgian denomination in Chicago. 1t was
stated therein that Mr. Scamon using the lever OF
his personal influence and his wealth, had effected aa
exchange OF lot Eighteenth street, belonging to
himself for tho lot Adams street occupied BY tho
Swedcnborc.u church before the fire. Tic terms Of
the transfer not given, but it WAS effected ut his
urgent request and under the stress OF threats
that he would toll elsewhere In the Lords vine
yurd unless the point was yielded. That the
exchange vas most satisfactory to him cannot
he doubted 1t Was further alleged that Mr.. seaumon
had been the public and private custodian ct certain
relief funds contributed By Eastern churches for tho
destitute OF the denomination in this city, aad had
failed to report what disposition lie had made Of them.
II is said that the publication OF these facts excited
Mr. Scammon to demonstrations OF ungodly wrath,
aud uuseeul1y excitement, but tho allegations could
not he denied. A card appeared scon after in TIE
TRIBUNE, in which 1t denied that there was law
suit contemplated by tie society for partition Of
the church property, nnd the Information was added
that the most charming state Of larmouy existed
between the secedcrs and their former brethren No
further explanation youcheafed, md not Il word
Of further contradiction offered until last sun
day, when tho Times took up the burden OF the
reporter who does the religious ''walkirg" for that
holy n Lave not
1t pleased the 1iGa for and in Behalf OF Mr Sca1n-
mon to deny tho charges entirely It may he WSA @ to
state that the information upon which tue DENIAL WAS
based obtained by setial display Of enter
prise on the part Of the 77meS 1t was oroush, 70 nai
sss.nsyr Sss b ~ Il l s:ano 1ons s; ss3"5Ea
on tho Saturday night preceding the publication, and
contained in two resolutions rahasd By ths E-seu
tive Committee ct the Ch1cago society OF the Ne"
Jerusalcm,n at d meeting held March Is:
Eetogre That the reports made to this comaittoe b5
hs y % oa'
9i a. @ C4 o.
and good Judgment In tho matters to which this resolution
Rrsorsd Tha. the action Of Nr. scam1non IN tho i'd
1nisrauen of the finances VI the chqrca especially nc9
s IT, III; M d
& e H. she snss WHOSE
These resolutions cannot be called denial Of
thing. They simply affirm the ccEadcnce OF the C2m-
the Ill judged card Of Mr. Putnam and these Hsenua,
ed resolutions MI tho OF the denlnl that
ever likely to have Of eertain straightforward
and wel-sustained charges.
The resolutions - printed arc sgnsa By Ae1sndsr
George F. Root, and ". Northrur. They constitute
tho Executive Committee Of the First Swcdcnbcrgan
| Church. Since the First 6wedenborgtan Church WEE
! organized IN Chicago, it has never had Trus-
| tee, Executive Committeeman unacceptable to
Hr. Scammon- The present Committee Ia especially
under his influence but It Is needless to recount their
relations to him. One Of them associated with him
In the Mutual Security Insurance Company. Another
is employe Of Mr. Scanmon. Another is the con-
tractor OF Ar. Sca1nmon'a buildings. But to make
short chapter Of It, there Is evidence that the
6wedeoborgians OF Chicago or any SwedenborSlau
Society authorized 1ndorsed the resolutions.
The facts In regard to the Swedenborg1an dre-rcef
fund follows: The delay Of Mr.. scammon in
making his report in regard to tho tho disposition Of
the 1aEsf funds annoyed every cne concerned, and
was frequent theme OF fretful complaint
sn1ong the sufferers bJ tho tire. The first
finance report made In Mr.. scs1unlona
peculiar style. At certain meeting Of the
Executive Committee, Mr. ScamHaon stated that
he had report to nuke In regard to tho relief funds.
He drew ont paper, which IVES supposed to contain
the desired information tourtshed 1t awhile in the
eyes Of the submissive MEMBERS and then retuEnedi it
frgdly the Of inner pocket. This 10 the
history of what is caed his first report. ua second
report made for tho first time At the meeting
the 18th Of March. The using Of relief funds for the
building Of chapel is unique, but no. quite much
the appropriation Of the money to the payment Of
delinquent pec-rcs Of church that las been burned,
the delinquent psw-rcnters being mostly wealthy
persons
When the 6wedenborgans Of Chicago approve Mr.
scamnon 1t will be time for tie TIMES to give that
gentleman certificate Of good character, If there is
anything in a certificate that has tendency TO assist
peraoE in gaining higher norzl or religious att1-
tudc. The history OF Mr. Scammon's connection with
6wedenborg1ansm in Chicago, il written fully, would
be moet entertaining. It only remains to say in clos
ing that tho complications Of the Bwcdeuborg;au
Church far from being settled and that Mr.
is the only real rock Of oHenso in tha: Of
the vineyard JUSTICE,