The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29

ready for publication. The following
items therefore taken from two sets of
reports. If these are largely financial,
they will show that our Unions have a
practical side and are factors in the ma
terial prosperity of our churches, not
that they are lapsing in devotional
spirit.
Blue Island. Union reports two en-
tertainments during the past two
months. The first was literary and
musical evening, the musical numbers
consisting of lullabys Of the different
nations with suitable costumes and
scenery. The second was a valentine
sociable; stormy weather prevented a
large attendance at both entertain
ments.
Marseilles.-The church here has had
the oil lamps replaced by electric light
fixtures, and are making arrangements
to put in a new furnace. On November
26, the Union gave dime entertain
ment at the church.
Galesburg.-This Union has recently
adopted new constitution. The mem
bership has increased considerably in
the last few months. One Sunday even
ing in January an open meeting took
the place of the regular church service.
Special music, readings, and recitations
made the program an enjoyable one. A
junior Y. p. G. U. was organized not
long ago.
Neao Salem.-The following have
been elected officers of the New Salem
Union for the ensuing year:-Herman
Hooper, President; Mrs. Laura Fife,
Vice president; Mrs. Mary Bell, Secreta-
ry; Anna Sargent, Treasurer.
ClintOn.-A series of meetings was
held recently at the church with good
results. Sixteen names were added to
the church membership, six of these be-
ing members of the Y. P. G. U. OF the
thirty five belonging to the Union,
eleven are now members of the church.
The young people have paid the State
pledge of S., sent for twenty sets of mis-
sion envelopes, and subscribed for eleven
copies of the Onward" We may say
with truth that they are alive.
White Hedth.--Union has been tax
ing vacation since November in order
to save the expenses of hall rent. The
new church is ready for the painters
and the seats for the building will soon
be on hand.
st. Paurs. Chicago.-The young peo.
pie will help edit the paper which the
church is planning to publish. "The
monthly business meetings are held at
the homes of the different members and
at the close of the business meeting the
evening is spent in enjoying some novel
entertainment which has been planned
by the hostess
Sycamore.-Encouraging reports come
from this Union. The attendance at the
meetings is increasing and new interest
is being created. The following items
will show the financial prosperity: first
Union to pay State pledge; have paid
the S25 subscribed toward minister's sal
ary; cleared $40 at recent oyster sup.
per; realized $3.50 from booth at the
church fair not long ago. The secretary
suggests that an occasional literary eve
ming placed instead of devotional one,
will help the Union reach out to the
public. To this plan he attributes in
part the fresh interest awakened in the
Sycamore Union. memorial of Eu.
gene Field was held Dec. 10 and the
attendance was so large as to require
the audience room of the church instead
of the parlors, the usual meeting place.
Avon.-A phonograph entertainment
was much enjoyed. but on account
of unpleasant weather was not a
great success financially, the net pro-
ceeds being only four dollars. The
amount in the treasury was increased
eight dollars by an auction sociable held
not long ago. Sacks containing each 100
beans were sold for five cents apiece.
and bids were made, each bean repre-
senting one dollar. The articles were
opened at once, and caused much laugh
ter. The famous painting "Horse Fair"
proved to be two tiny sheaves of oats;
Diamond Dyes. or Colors that Won't
Rum" an American flag, and so on. On
Feb. 16, the pastor, Rev. B. G. Carpen-
ter gave his first lecture on THE Reli-
gion of the Poets." The work comprised
Holmes and Longfellow. and special
readings were gived by members of the
Union. There will be other such even.
ings.
Oak Park.-Union was in charge of
the candy booth at the annual bazaar,
and received S26.52, one-half the profits.
The fourth Monday evening of each
month is devoted to dime sociable, the
profits to go toward the fund for a new
pipe organ. The $4,000 netted by the
operetta, "Cox and Box" have also been
added to this fund. I. p. Giddings, di-
rector OF music in the public schoola of