The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-23

offered by Rsv. G. S. Nickerson. The
choir again rendered very touching
selections.
The first address was by Rev. Mr.. AL
colt. He said, when this service was
planned it was not thought that another
of the eminent ministers, beside DIR.
Balch, would be added to the list of the
deceased. Bat not long after the death
of the one mentioned we were called to
mourn the loss of DR.. Ryder. The
services would be memorial of thess
two highly esteemed brothers.
He would not speak Of the denomi-
national work of either of thess men.
That would be left to others present.
With DR.. Ryder he had no intimate
acquaintance. Or him other clergymen
would speak What he had to say
would be out of his own knowledge of
DIR. Balch as parishioner.
The address exhibited the fact that
DIR. Balch, though once and for many
years one of the leading ministers, be-
came almost the ideal layman. 1t was
one of the resolutions of this good man
never to be a hindrance, but as far as
possible help to his pastor. This
helper he was.
Rev. DR.. Hanson being introduced,
reported for the Committee on Reso-
buttons tribute to the memory Of these
men. The reading of the minutes of
the committee was followed by an ad
dress by DR.. Hanson. He bore testi-
mony from many years of intimacy
with both these men; he could speak
intelligently to the sterling worth of
DR.. Balch and DR.. Ryder.
Minutes Adopted by Fox River Association.
During the past year death has invaded the
ranks of the ministry of our church, within
the bounds of this Association, with more
startling emphasis than ever before during
its history, and two brethren, richly endowed
and rarely consecrated, who had lived long,
wrought faithfully, and whose labors were
crowned with inestimable benefits to our
church. and with blessings to the world, have
been removed from the scenes of their earth
ly labors, and transferred to spheres of
higher service. We mourn their departure
from us; we lam Mt that we shall no longer
have their visible presence in our midst, nor
listen to their wise counsels and inspiring
exhortations; but we are devoutly grateful to
God for the faith that the lights extinguished
on earth are relighted in higher stations in
heaven, and that the benefcsnt influence of
their lives and la5ors remains with us, to aid
and bless us as we strive to continue the
work they 80 successfully wrought to perfect.
We are thankful for the long and faithful
service of William Stevens Balch, d. d.
Protrscted beyond the fourscore years to
which, "even by reason of strength" mans
earthly life is limited, threescore years of
that long period were devoted to the promul-
cation of the truth, the upbuilding of the
cause and church of Christ, and the dissem-
ination of the spirit of his Master among
men, both by precept and example. "Being
dead he yet speaketh," and the message of
his now silent lips will continue to be heard
in our hearts in that ex hortation which more
than any other he reioiced to utter; "Love
one another"
In the death OF William Henry Ryder, DID,,
we mourn the departure of the man of pow
erful mind, loving heart and pure character,
the genuine servant of God, who ever i'm
pressed on all who came within his wide in
huence profound conviction of the price,
less value of a noble life. We thank God
that he not only continues to bless the church
and the world by his invisible presence, but
by those visible benefactions which his large
wealth and larger generosity enabled him to
bequesth to oar church, and to other agen-
cies of benevolence and that in the long
ages to come, our cause and the world will be
the richer for what he was able to do.
To the bereaved families of these beloved
and sainted brethren we extend our sympa-
thies, and mourn with them our mutual loss,
and pray that they may look with us to that
realm to which they have gone, and we are
Fastening with the full assurance that
"When days and years are past
We all shall meet in heaven
Appropriate addresses filled with
tenderness and emotion were made by
Revs. A. H. Laing, L. W. Brigham,
A. j. Chaplin, G. S. NickersOn, o. Ben
dixon, w. F. Small, M. A. Straub, D.
M. Reed, II. Slade. Mr.. Newman also
spoke words full of emotion. Mrs.
Becker read Lowel's ''Eulogy on DR..
Channing," which was very appropriate.
Judge Wilcox made an address on his
personal relations to Brother, not
Doctor" Balch. Many others would
gladly have spoken, but the hour bein g
late, the service was brought to close
by hymn and the benediction. The
entire family of DIR. Balch was present
at this service.
AFTERNooN-THUR
At 2 o'clock came the final business
session. The Committee on Nomina-
lions reported the same officers as last
year. A new executive committee was
appointed consisting of Rev. G. S. Nick
erson, Mrs o. w. Nash and Prof.
Straub. These were duly elected.
Rev. A. J. Chaplin was chosen the Oc-
casional Preacher for 1SS9-the place of
meeting, the church of Our Father,
Chicago. A vote of thanks was ex-
tended to Rev. A. H. Laing for the
Occasional Sermon, to the Elgin parish
for their kind hospitality, to the