The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-02
CINCINNATI LETTER.

| Lovers OF music, here and elsewhere,
were greatly interested in the Centennial
Musical Festival" given in the Music
Hall from May % to May 26. The
financial success of the enterprise was
quickly assured by the advance sale Of
$3.50 season tickets, at a generous pre-
MUM, while the engagement of gifted
musicians, and the finely trained chorus,
rendered brilliant and enjoyable series
OF concerts. Cincinnati is justly proud of
its music hall, it's great organ, one of the
five largest in the world, and in the love
of music and art which characterize its
people.
Early History.
Not long since, had pleasant visit
at the home of Mr.. Jacob Hoffner, gen.
tleman nearly ninety years of age, who
came to this city in 1905, and was one of
the founders of the Universalist society.
Unfortunately the church records from
1927 to 1843 are lost, and after diligent
inquiry have not been able to ascertain
any trace which will lead to their recov-
cry. Mr.. Hoffner thinks the first Univer-
salist sermon in Cincinnati was preached
by Mr.. Stceeter, IN Wings school
house, corner of Vine and Sixth streets,
in 1917 or 1878, only small audience
being present, as Universalism was un-
popular at that time. Services were
afterward held in the court house, by
Rev. Messrs. Longley, KidwslI, Samuel
Tizzard, Thomas Whittemore and others.
The society was regularly organized in
1927 at Talbot's school house, on the
north side of Fifth street, between Vine
the Race. Among the early members were
Richard L. Coleman, David Hopper,
Elmore Williams, Thomas Tucker, Col
Carr, A. Oarnes and Mr.. Hoffner, in
whose family the first pastor, Rev. J. @.
Waldo found home A wooden church
was built about 1928 on Elm street, south
OF Fourth, at cost Of about $4,000, but
the society was in debt, and after the res
ignation of Mr.. Waldo, in 1882, the build
ing was sold to can eel the. Indebtedness.
After some Investigation 1 have been
able to make out
List of Pastors
OF the First UniversRlist Society, which is
approximately correct. 1t is as follows !:
Rev. Josiah @. Waldo, Nov. 1928, July
1892.
Rev. George Rogers, Dec, 1885, March,
1886;
Rev. William West, April, 1868.
Rev. John A. Gurley, March, 1884.
Rev. Abel G. Thomas, Oct, 1874, May,
1S47.
Rev. Henry Jewell, jane, 1S47, May, 1851.
Rev. George ". Quinby, Nov, 1851, April,
1854.
Rev. I. D. Williamson, D. D., Sept, 1884
March, 1857.
Rev. George 7. Flanders, Now, 1857,
July, 1861.
Rev. l. D. Williamson, D. D., Nov, 1861,
Oct., 1868.
Rev. G. L. Demarest, lam, 1864, May 1865.
Rev. Everett L. Rexford, Oct, 1865, Aug,
1869.
Rev. Willard Spalding, d. D., May. 1870.
Dec., 1872.
Rev. John G. Adams, D. D., June, 1873,
June, 1876.
Rev. j. Murray Bailey, JAM, 1877, Aug,
1873.
Rev. ]. H. Hartley, March, 1879, April, 1880.
Rev. Summer Ellis, d. D., May, 1880,
Oct, 1880.
Rev. William H.Rider, Sept, 1882, Sept,
1888.
Rev. Elmer F. Pember, June, 1884, JAM,
1887.
Rev. Ebert W. Whitney, April 1887.
Cincinn ati seems to have been from the
first
Hard Field
for the Universalist church. The Cstho
lies, Jews and conservative churches.
perhaps because Of their superior energy
and enterprise, have pIospered, but the
Unitarians and Universalists have met
with much adversely. From the records
it appears that the Univer salists have
nearly always been in debt; the mortgage
of $4,000 on the Walnut street church
only being paid in 1852, when the prop
erty was sold for S23,230. At the COM
pletion OF the Plum street church
large debt rested upon 1t, and only at rare
intervals since has the society been free
from financial incumbrance.
Rev. G. L. Demarest, D. D.,
and wife have recently spent few days
in the city. Sunday, April 20 he preached
in both churches, to goodly number OF
friends and former Pensioners, who
were glad TO hear him once more. He
expresses himself much pleased with the
Mcmillan street church and congrega-
ton, and thinks it hopeful field of
labor.
Plum Street Church.
The union sociabie in the vestry of the
Plum street church was well attended
by the members and friends of both Sun
dsy-schools, and proved to be pleasant
and profitable occasion. A Young Peo-
pies Society has recently been formed
IN connection with the church. The last
meeting was held upon a rainy night,
but goodly number was present, and
the program was much enjoyed. Prerar
ations are being made for union picnic
OF the two Sunday schools to be held in
Meyers Grove, saturday, June 2.
Mcmillan Street Church.
A strawberry festival. under the auspi-