The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-09
ILLINOIS.
TsurERsrENDENTs REPORT CONTINUED, ]
McHenry and Hoopeston.

McHenry and Hoopeston.
During the month of December sue
cessful efforts were made to revive the
church in McHenry and establish preach
ing services in Nunda. Rev. B. Drumming
was settled in McHenry and has been
doing an excellent work Since Jan. l, l
have preached in Hoopeston one-half the
time and very largely concentrated my
attention upon this parish. Hoopeston
is in Vermillion county and is compar-
atively new town, settled largely by fam
lilies of wealth, education and business
enterprise. A Universalist church was
organized here in 1882 and had sustained
preaching one Sunday in each month up
to Jan. 1, 1886. Last year steps were
taken to raise money for the building OF
a church. The movement received such
encouragement that a lot was purchased,
a plan adopted and the foundation laid,
when the work was deferred till spring.
Difficulties growing out of hard times,
the inexperience of the people in church
work and differences of opinion arose to
discourage the friends and delay the
work. The plans were twice changed
before the friendly differences of opinion
were adjusted. It is sufficient to say that
owing to the wisdom, perseverance and
religious conservation of this people, all
the difficulties have been overcome and
the building carried to completion. This
is very hopeful field for our cause, and
the parish gives promise of being one of
the best in the State. 1t is well organ
lied, has good leaders, hard workers, a
missionary spirit, and the people are con-
secrated to the church in the name and
spirit of Christ. With good pastor it
must become living and growing
church. They are ready to settle min
lister one-half the time, soon as he can be
found and some other point is made
ready to cooperate in the settlement.
Other Labors.
The remaining portion of my time has
been divided between the parishes herein
named. Some of these parishes will soon
resume regular religious worship and be-
come again active churches, while others
give very little evidence of life Windsor
is about to call minister and have reg
ular services two Sundays in each month,
and Rev. d. Morrison has been called to
take charge of the circuit composed OF
the parishes in Greenup, Westfeld, Hut
sonville and Good Hope.
The Springfield parish is still receiving
aid from the Convention, and has pas.
tor who gives his undivided attention to
this parish The pastor, Rev. @. G. Con-
nor, has the entire confidence and affec-
ton of the people and is doing good
work. Religiously the church is in an
excellent condition, but is still somewhat
financially embarrassed. Last spring the
street upon which the church is located
was paved, imposing upon the parish an
extra tax of 1862. While the property is
thereby increased in value, it was an un-
fortunate time for the improvement and
for the additional burden to be laid upon
the parish.
The church is hopeful and gives fair
promise of ultimate success. The work
should be continued and encouraged by
such assistance from the State Conven-
ton as may be needed to continue the
services of Br. Conner.
Formation of Circuits.
Preaching should be regularly main
tanned in several small parishes by the
formation of circuits. To find the minis
ter able to edify the people and willing to
make the needed sacrifice; TO bring the
churches to an agreement in calling
minister and the great distance to be
travelled in visiting a circuit, are some OF
the difficulties we meet in forming cir
cults. An effort is being made to form
two or three such circuits; but time and
patience are needed to consummate the
work. 1t is comparatively easy to organ
ize parish in a new field; but to over
come past discussions and bring the peo-
pie to willingness to receive such min
listers as they are financially able to sup
port, are obstacles hard to be overcome.
If churches would only forget old
troubles and discussions, and accept
such pastors as they can support, work
ing with confidence and strong purpose
to sustain the cause, our church would
be greatly extended.
Increase of Strength.
There has been very general increase
of strength and numbers in our parishes.
The religious life of our church has been
greatly promoted by the special efforts of
our several pastors, and wherever L have
labored religious interest has been
awakened. Churches have been built at
Hoopeston, Greenup and Chicago. The
people are taking more interest IN the
special services of our church and max
ing greater efforts to provide for the spir
itual needs of the children. There has
been no time in the past when our par
ishes have so generally responded to the
call of the Convention as they have in
the year just closed. We are getting into
a fair working condition, and have only
to continue working in the methods
adopted by our church, to secure large
results in the future. Our cause will
prosper if we are wise enough to see and
improve our present opportunity. Our
people are coming to realize the value of
a church and the necessity for closer