, 1873-02-23

of the Swelenb0rgians
Of Chicago.



s"edenborgian denomination in this city, who
are now worshipping in DR.. Bartlott's Church. On
Wabash avenue, under the ministrations Of the
| heV. Mr. Noble. The early Swedenborgians OF
Chicago worshiped in the parlor OF Mr. J. Y.
scammon. They we're few in number, poor in
earthly riches, but encouraged to persist by the
1ergld zeal OF their leader. Their next place of
meeting was modest room on Harrison
street' few years later they purchased the
1ot near the foot OF Adams street, on which they
erected church, used for UNCONVENTIONAL pur-
poses until the great fire occurred in the fall Of
1871. The first week after the fire. it will be re-
memoered Mr. Scammon spent in settling his
losses With the Mutual Security Insurance Com
pahy, st the expense Of the other policy-holders,
1t was some time before he found leisure to at
teno TO church affairs. In the meantime. it
hed become apparent that Wabash and
Mlchlgan avenues, between Madison and Harri-
son streets, must henceforth be devoted to buBi-
ness uses only. This, Of coprse, enhanced
greatly the Value Of the lot Oh Adams street,
which has an area OF 76x190 foet, and ia most
eligible for the ends OF business. II the church
sold this lot it must build elsewhere. Mr. Scam
mon WAS the owner Of lot on Eighteenth
street, OF some value, but of no Immediate
use. and he made up his mind that
it should be exchanged for tho Adams
street property Being member Of the Board
of Trustees, and also Chairman Of the Execu-
tive Committee, the power to negotate an e1
change WAS largely in his Own hands. Mr. Scam
mon had always been potent III the Church still
more in the Board Of Trustees and the Execu-
tive Committee. No man had ever been allowed
either upon the Board or in the Committee, to
whom Mr. Scammon objected. As eoon there
fnra ha cn1ffd t91r7 hia attention
sitlons affecting insurance companies to mattorH
connected with his own denomination, lie called
a meeting Of the Executive Committee. Tho
neafsio1 noss was not it, general and in the
found an e1cuao for the small attendance.
Only friends OF Mr. Scammon who could be-
relied on to favor the project were present.
This fractional meeting Was 80 small that, real
notice to the rest Of the Society Of this PROPOSE
tion to exchange, and asked general express
sion of opinion. "A general expression Of opinion
was made, few favoring the project, The
locality. and the thing looked badly on the faco
Of it.. Formal protests we're made by prominent
members of the Society, at meeting called to
discuss the subject, and the whole matter WAS
laid over for future consideration.
The annual meeting OF the Society occurred
the following january, at which the customary
business Of tho year was transacted Mr. Scam
mon, as Chairman Of the Executive Committee.
made report The report was a compendiouss'l
and ethically considered. It told how. tenderly
he hsd fostered the Church from its small begin
nings how he had held it:i his arms directed it's
infant steps, sighed for it, and wept over it
hood, guided and counseled it in its.1
youth, and now expected, in recompense, to
be permitted to govern and regulate, in Gko |
manner, its maturity. The entire paper served !
merely as wrappings and integuments Of the |
which Was carefully unfolded as he |
proceeded. He expressed the hope that no ono |
would oppose the exchange, and broadly inti- |
mated that # the transfer was not made, he |
should withdraw from the Society. and devote |
his energies and his means to other modes of |
furthering the interests OF Zion. No action was
taken in regard to the proposition: It was
merely laid over in an informal way, and ordered
tho matter BY the Society, acting in it's corpo-
rate capacity, but. soon after, the trans |
fer was made, and dissenting members were SO
informed. Mr.; ]. Y. scammon. Chairman Of
legal forms, the lot on Adams street,
to Mr.. Jonathan Young Scammon in exchange
for the lot on Eighteenth street. There WAS
show OF appointing committee OF valuation, |
but tho e1chnnge had been foreordained, and
could not be prevented An inexpensive chapel
has been built on Eighteenth street. Chapels
have also been erected on West Washington |
street, adjoining Union Park, and on Fuller
ton avenue. With what funds these arc
built, or to what extent these funds have been
dsbursed is not known. But tho case has
legal aspect. l1r. Scammon and his Executive
Committee have conferred title to property
which, it is claimed, is not good in law. Tho
statute regulating the powers and duties of
trustees, specifics s.that they shall have power,
under the direction Of the Society congregation,
to execute deeds and conveyances Of and con-
corning tho estate and property herein author
zed to be held By such society CT congregation. ;"
a+,r hoo1 4 |
nor even consented to, the exchange OF tue
Adams street property for the lot on Eighteenth
street.
The proceeds Of church GALES arc not the only
,hequer. Soon after the fire large contfi-
buttons were made to relieve the nee4ls
II Swedenborgians in Chicago. The par
les contributing relief either male
iuties incident to such position. How mudh
money WAS received by him is not known, npr
aow much, nor III what way it has been eh-
pended. He has been asked tor report, bpt
aas declined to make any statement whatever tn
regard to receipts or disbursements Of the relief
moneys confded to his charge.
Mr. Scammon has been the real pastor Of the
Swedenborgian Church for the past twenty-five
Feara. It was dissatisfaction with his pastorafe
That caused the secession of large portion Of ]
he members under the Rev. c.. D. Noble. MF.
Noble came to Chicago the colleague of Mr. |
Hibbard nearly three years ago. Being youHg
nan OF spirit, as well of education a1sd
:nlture, he would not submit without question ,,
% Mr. Scammon's ecclesiastical domineering.
IN proportion as he became popular with tile !
Society he became unpopular with Mr. Scammoh,
sho could not brook any question Of his own
supremacy in the Church. aIr Scanmon soon
discovered that he did not like Mr. Mobiles man t
Ter, nor his doctrine, and criticised both we'll
O his face as III his absence. The new associate !
rould have departed many months ago, had he !
lot expected the secession which has recently t
%4 e4n "E,n.1 I