The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-05-25
SPOON RIVER ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Spoon
River Association of Universalists was
held at Table Grove, May Is and 49,
Delegates were present from Henderson
Grove, Macomb. Gaiesburg, Swan Creek.
Avon. and Table Grove. Every active
parish was represented except Peoria.
The largest delegation came from Gales
burg. but it was much regretted that
the pastor of that church was obliged to
return home Saturday noon.
The sessions steadily grew in attend
ance and enthusiasm, but the first days
work was retarded by the late arrival of
delegates.
Friday evening. Bro. j. A. Clark, of
Ryder Divinity School. preached from
Luke xxi, IA. The sermon was forcibly
illustrated, and was fervent appeal for
more generous support of church work.
Saturday morning, Rev. DR.. Stocking
preached the occasional sermon from
Luke xiv, %. 90. 30. 1t was a strong
argument for the power of Christianity
to save the world.
Saturday evening, Rev. j. G. Lee
preached from Isaiah iv. 2. The idea was
brought out that the broad and rational
religion of eternal hope is the only one
that can fully satisfy the expandil g
needs of humanity, Sunday morning
prayer and conference meeting. marked
by deep feeling. was led by Rev. l.. w.
Brigham. After delightful hour spent
with the thriving Table Grove Sunday
school, the Association listened to SER
mon by Rev. Margaret Titus from the
text, What shall it profit man to gain
the whole world and lose his own soul?"
The communion was administered by
Rev. Dr. White with peculiar impressive
ness.
The papers by Mrs. Perry on "Wl at
shall We teach in the Sunday sche ol?'
by Miss Uptograff on 1.-THE Missionary
Spirit Among our People" and by Mrs.
Crissey on 1.-The Need Of Universaliem
in the midst of Liberal Orthodoxy
were bright and suggestive and called
forth much discussion. A. T. Wing be-
ing detained by sickness. his paper on
"Our Obligations to Lombar was read
by Miss Anna Cutter, and aroused NJ UGH
enthusiasm for our college. In the dis
cussion that followed, Prof. Lee, speak
ing of the elective system recently in
troduced there, made the statement,
based upon thorough investigation. that
Lombard, in its internal organization, is
the most thoroughly progressive of sny
college in the United States. But it
stands in pressing need Of better ma
terial equiv ment which it can rot have
for lack of money.
Sunday evening all united in the Y.
P. G. U. devotional meeting. Then
came sermon by Rev. +. F. Buckner.
who was assisted in the devotional SER
vice by Bro. George Rogers, of Ryder
Divinity School. The sermon was from
Rom. XII. SO. 1t was lofty in thought,
fervent in feeling. beautiful in express
sion and was fitting climax to an ex-
cellent meeting.
Next year the Association meets at
Swan Creek. The new officers are
Rev. j. @. Lee, President.
Rev. F. F. Buckner, Secretary.
Mr. N o. Crissey, Treasurer
Rev. Frank McAlpine, Preacher of Oc-
casional Sermon.
A motion to change the time of meeting
from Saturday and Sunday to Tuesday
and Wednesday, was lost by unani-
nous vote.
A resolution was adopted renewing
our fealty to the Association and re,
questing all the churches to send full
delegations with their pastor to attend
the yearly meeting from the opening to
the closing session.