The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-10

stoSs LoAufuooSn FURNISHED CCHoOlvAAERCA
At this meeting the matter of the
employment of a State Missionary
pressed itself at once upon the attention
OF your committee, and after discussion,
the Missionary Committee was directed
to correspond with person eligible for
that position with view to his possible
employment. This question received
consideration at each meeting until at
the March meeting it was finally settled
by the engagement of the missionary as
hereinafter detailed.
At the October meeting written re.
quest was presented in behalf of the par
ish at Belvidere for an appropriation of
$500. 1t was represented that the par
ish was considerably in debt. the people
discouraged, and that, unless some &C.
ton was taken. the parish property
would probably be lost. 1t was decided
to give the $500, provided that suffi-
cient funds in addition be raised by the
people to pay all claims against the
church and that the church property be
decided to the Convention free and clear
Of all liens. These conditions we're after
ward complied with, deed made and
property secured to the Convention in
the usual way.
At the November meeting committee
was appointed to secure, if possible, ten
guarantors who would pledge themselves
to the extent Of not more than $4,000
each toward meeting possible deficien-
cy in case missionary should be en-
ployed. These guarantors we're not to
be called upon unless the funds of the
Convention should prove to be INSULT
Gent to sustain missionary to the end
OF the Convention year, Oct. l, 1895, and
then they were to be required to pay
only the sum necessary. if any should
be necessary, to bring the Convention
to the end of the year free from any
obligations by reason of the employment
OF the missionary, each contributing his
or her proportionate share.
At the December meeting six such
guarantors were reported as secured. the
Universalist Woman's Association being
one of them to the extent of $4,000
making in all s700. pledged.
At this meeting, written applications
having been received, on the recommen-
dation of the Missionary Committee.
$500 was appropriated in aid Of Rev. F.
M. Yates in his work at Dixon, and
$4,000 to the Church of Our Father,
Chicago, on condition that it's property
be decided to the Convention.
AS method of increasing the income
it was voted as the sense of the Execu-
tive Committee that collections should
be taken at annual sessions for the mis-
sionary work Of the Convention.
A deed of property to be used as
parsonage by the church at Girard, was
received and the President and Secre-
tary were authorized to execute deed
conveying the property to the society at
Girard on the usual conditions.
An application in proper form, signed
by it's officers, approved by Rev. j ohm S.
Cook as pastor and approved by the
Committee of Fellowship, was presented
in behalf of the newly organized church
at Clinton asking for fellowship with
the Convention. By unanimous vote the
application was received, ordered filed
and the church admitted to fellowship.
This Convention has suffered an ire
parable loss in the death of Bro. James
II. Swan. December 18th, 1895. A quo
rum of your Executive Committee in re-
Spouse to notice from the President
attended the funeral December 18th.
AT the meeting of January 9th the
President and Secretary we're directed
to prepare suitable memorial. This
memorial was presented at the February
meeting. adopted and made part of the
records of this Convention.
1t is as follows:
James Fl. Swan, who departed this
life on the morning of December 18th,
1895, was at the time and had been
continuously an officer of the Illinois
Universalist Convention since January
10Th, 1875. The records show that he
was then elected President by the Ex-
ecutive Committee to fill vacancy in
that Office. During his twenty years.
connection with the Convention, Bro.
Swan was President, member of the
Committee of Fellowship and Trus.
tee.
The Executive Committee of the Con-
vention having been officially informed
of the death OF Bro. Swan, so long an
honored member of the Board, both as
its President and as Trustee, desire
herewith to place in the records of it's
proceedings the high appreciation of the
members of the Board. individually and
collectively, of their departed brother.
In all the walks of life, as citizen,
soldier. churchman and husband, he
gave his fellowmen by the answering
fidelity to the duties imposed upon him