The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-05-19
gae ddaest.

IOWA.-Cedar Rapids.-We have good
news from this important parish. For
many years, in fact ever since the church
edifice was built in 1878, debt has been
hanging over the property. The friends
determined this spring to extinguish this
debt, if possible, and after a canvass
among the friends OF the society, the en-
tire amount S3,400, was secured. The
General Convention preferred aid, but
the work was accomplished without
calling for any appropriation. Rev. W.
A. Pratt, the pastor, was assisted in the
canvass by Rev. Amos Crum, of Dubuque,
who did good service. The church prop
erty is now decided to the State Conven-
ton.
The annual parish meeting was held
on the first Wednesday in May. It was
one of the most enthusiastic and harmo-
NOUS held in the history of the parish.
Rev. W. A. Pratt received unanimous
vote to remain as pastor another year
the fourth year of his pastorate-with a
liberal increase of salary. During Mr..
Pratts three years in Cedar Rapids,
eighty.two have been added to the mem
bership. Now that the debt is extin-
guished there is splendid outlook for
our cause in this important city.
Charles City.-The Universalists of
this place have rented the Christian
church, organized society and will hold
regular services. q
WaterlOO.-There are rumors abroad
in the land that new church will soon
be built at Waterloo. Rev. James Cor
ton is the pastor, and we presume will
keep our readers informed of the move
ment.
West UniOn.-Rsv. Mr.. Wing, of Gree
ley, has been engaged for half of the time
by our society at West Union.
MINNESOTA. Rev. August Dell
green's Mission. that it will
be Of interest TO Br. Dellgren's many.
friends and our church in general, to
know something OF his work and our
Swedish Mission, report the progress
thus Tar liz this work.
No minister of our church since Father
Murray, commenced his work under more
unfavorable circumstances than did Br
Dellgren. He did not understand the
cituation an1 No ono INNS obIa 70 odu;so
He had to contend against the indiffer-
ence of that class who had become dis
gusted with the old creeds, and the ex
treme bigotry OF the Lutheran Church.
All denominations have found it diff
cult matter to establish their churches
among the Swedes, as they are 30 welded
to the established church of the old coun-
try. Br. Dellgren has been very hard at
work for the last eighteen months, and OF
course understands the situation much
better; is gathering around him as loyal a
little company of followers as ever helped
worthy pastor.
On the 22nd of April the church organ
izstion was completed, and the following
elected trustees P. NJ Liljengren, Albin
Carlson, Alfred Larson, Chas. johnson
and @. Olander. J. A. Hanson and HAL
mar Liliequist were elected descons.
The name adopted was "The First Swed-
ish Universalist Church" Three united
with the church on Easter. Br. Dellgren
has been circulating for the past week
paper upon which he has the names OF
thirty-two persons who have subscribed
to the support of the work, but who are
not members of the church. The Sum-
day school has membership of thirty
five with good average attendance. We
expect it to reach fifty at least as the days
grow warmer.
Br. Dellgren holds weekly conference
meeting at the home of some one OF his
people, or at the home of another who is
willing, and at these meetings he presents
the doctrines of our church. These meet
ings have been OF great value for many
attend them who do not dare to attend