The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-27
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA.

The friends of Christian Universalism
in California are rejoicing over the &C.
complishment OF great feat in River
side. No place in our country has suf-
fered from the financial depression more
than the beautiful Home of the Or
ange." In addition to the general strin.
gency Riverside-which carries nearly
call it's eggs in one basket" suffered
from the freeze of two years since, and
its next crop-a magnificent one, was
practically lost by being absorbed by the
middlemen who handled it, and the peo-
pie we're left almost impoverished and
completely discouraged
The debt on the church is $1,000 and
is at large interest, and SO pinched
were the people that they were positive
ly unable to pay the interest on their
indebtedness for two years,-so when
February came their debt was $1,000,
$1,000 Of which must be paid. at once.
The General Convention was appealed
to, and $500 were given, provided the in
terest were all paid. Friends we're writ
ten to, and earnest appeals were sent
out. but few responses came. While the
matter was impending, and the hearts
of DIR. and Mrs. Deere we're almost
breaking at the prospect of losing the
church-the child of tears and prayers
and toll and sacrifices, the splendid
orange crop began to promise better
times, and the hearts of the parish were
lightened as the sales indicated pros
porous year, and at length, "hoping
against hope" the devoted pastor and his
consecrated companion, who have toiled
and sacrificed for years as few in our
ministry have done, entered on the for
lorn hope Of eDdeavoring to extinguish
the interest-debt. Mrs. Deere called
meeting of the women of the parish, and
they resolved to destroy the incubus that
handicapped their prosperity. and in
few days sixteen of the women reported
pledges and contributions of S4OO. and
Mrs. Deere crowned the pile with s400
more, thus extinguishing the enemy of
the life of the parish. A month ago the
effort would have failed, and no one else
than DIR. and Mrs. Deere could have sue
ceeded in overcoming the dishearten-
ment OF the people, even now.
The grateful parish voted thanks to
Mrs. Deere, and the Trustees were au-
thorized to transfer the title of the prop.
erty to the General Convention.
The only outside contributions were
from three generous hearted men. -Oz-
mum. of Los Angeles. and Chas. Hutch
inson. and Joseph S. Dennis, of Chicago.
The parish is hoping to obtain the
loan at lower rate Of interest and that
a sinking fund may be created to liquid
ate the principal. The great orange
crop and encouraging sales are infusing
new life into the people, who are re-
ioiced to believe that the improved f.
nancial situation may induce DR.. Deere
to forego his purpose of dissolving the
pastoral relation. The terrible pressure
on his powers has been in some degree
removed. and all hearts are encouraged
to anticipate better days.
The Riverside church is the most
beautiful one of our faith in California.
and the parish occupies an important
strategic point. and the consecrated
effort of pastor. wife and people for
years deserves complete success.
j. VIII.
PASADENA, April IL. 1895.