The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-05-18
BIZ JAMES X. PLEASANTS.

As the clerk OF this churcn L nave
prepared an article, or paper, some
thing in the nature of a report, and
appropriate for this occasion. What
l have written is partly historical,
partly financial, and partly biogra-
phical, but more largely theological
or statement of belief.
In the year 1862 the Universalists
of Vevay began the erection OF a
house of worship on a part of the lot
which is now the Delaney hotel prop
erty. That building was 30x50 feet,
built of brick at cost of about ST.
OOO-and when completed was dedi-
Gated free of debt, May 81, 1868. The
ministers who took part in the exer-
cises on that occasion, were Revs. l..
G. Smith, HI. F. Miller and B. F.
Foster. One of these, Bro. Miller,
has passed on to the other side. Bro.
Smith, who is now in his seventy ninth
year, is here with us today, and Bro.
Foster is now, as then, residing in In
dianapolis.
Previous to building that church
we held our meetings sometimes in
the Court House and sometimes in
Odd Fellows hall, which stood on
the corner where the Delaney hotel
now stands. In 1886, or twenty four
years after it was built, that church
and the ground on which it stood was
sold for the sum of $1,80O-and the
money placed at interest. The build
ing was torn down to make room for
the hotel. Since that time we have
been without house or place of wor-
ship, but have kept up our organiza-
ton, and held meetings for the trans
action of business pertaining to the
affairs of the church. But early last
year it was voted to build house on
this spot, which, together with the
dwelling on the west end of the lot,
we purchased in 1889 for the sum of
$1,000.
This property, the residence, the
church and fixtures complete as it
now stands, cost something more than
$1,000, all of which is paid for, or will
be as soon as a few more subscrip-
tions can be obtained and collections
made.
JOSHUA SMITHsoN, and SARAH his
wife (whose maiden name was God
dard) were citizens of Vevay. He
was born on December 25th, Christ
mas day 1892, and died June Oath,
1867, aged IA years and six months.
Sarah Smithson was born March
Goth, 1902, and died October 16, 1889,
aged 81 years and seven months.
They were consistent, respected and
honored members of this church.
Those of us who knew Joshua Smith
son knew him to be an honest man,
"the noblest work of God," man of
integrity, upright, just and honorable,
in all dealings with his fellow men. 1
myself knew him from the days of
my boyhood, and was with him much
of the time during the sickness that
terminated in death, and never. Meth
er before nor since his death, have /
heard an evil word or word other
than good said of him.
By industry and economy, they &C
quired some property; and having no
children of their own to provide for,
by the terms of his will, this church
received from his estate, after the
death of his widow, the sum of eigh
teen hundred dollars. This sum ad-
ded to the 81 800 received for our old
church, and $162.50 proceeds of sale
of church property at Centre Square,
this county. and 1925 individual do
nations, received from more than fifty
contributors in sums ranging from
25 cents to $3.50, together with accu-
mutations trent and interest) has all
been put in this property. This, briefly,
is our history.
We have named this the "SMITHsoN
MEMORIAL CHURCH" We did this to
honor the name of our departed
brother and sister, who in so sub
stantial manner proved their great
love for this faith. Theirs is an ex-
ample worthy of emulation.
May we ever love, revere, and keep
their names in grateful remembrance;
also the names of all other kind
friends who in any way assisted in
building and furnishing this house.
The question has been asked,
"Why have these people built this
church? Why have they added anoth-
er house of worship, when there was
more than enough room in the
churches we already hal, more than
enough to accommodate all the
church going people of this city,
II