The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-04-25

nomlDatlOnal Work OF the Unlver6alletr In
Northern Wisconsin was in July 1857,
at Spring Vale, at which time the
Northern Association was organized.
This Association met annually for ten
succeeding years, the last meeting being
held in the town of Ashford, Fond du Lac
county, Nov. 18th. 1867
The names OF the pioneers, Rev.
Messrs. Mason. Lawrence Crawford and
Paine, which appears on the records of
the first meeting of the association in
1857 and Rev. Messrs. Todd, Spencer,
Livermore, Thomlinson, Pattee, Skin
ner and Kutchen, in 1858 and in '59 G.
S. Hussy, represent band of devoted
and faithful workers in the cause they
and we all loved so we'll. There remains
to be added to this Roll Of Honor the
names of Revs. E. Garfield, HI. D. L.
Webster. W. Mcneil and A. Vedder.
This brief reference to the work of
these pioneers gives us a starting point
for our own local history. AS the intro
duction and organization OF Christianity
was in the olden time preceded by the
voice of one preaching in the wilder
ness of Judea, SO came those pioneers
into a region which in 57 might we'll be
termed the wilderness of Northern Wis
consin, for then her broad prairies had
been little disturbed by the farmers
pillow, nor had an aggressive movement
been made by the woodmaD's ak upon
her magnificent and boundless forests.
when the telegraph and telephone
were unknown-when we we're undis-
turbed by the rumbling of the iron
horse, and when our forests and glens
sent back no answering echo to the
whistle of the locomotive.
They came, however, not to announce
any new doctrine but to advocate re.
turn to the sublime truths which we're
proclaimed and exempliied in the life
and death of the Master. To repeat
again the announcement of peace on
earth and good will to men. To pro-
claim the Gospel of glad tidings Of great
Joy. To urge the acceptance Of the prin-
ciples taught in the story Of the Good
Samaritan and return to those simple
truths which are included in our belief
in the Fathe.hood of God and the Broth
erhood of Man-these were the truths
they came to proclaim.
This was their mission-this the work
they left for us to carry on.
In the summer of '63, a few of our
friends attended an Association in Osh-
kosh, where they formed the acquaint-
ance of Rev. VIM. Mcneil. Being favor
ably impressed with his ability as a
speaker, they invited him to visit Men
asha as candidate. The invitation was
accepted, and resulting in an engage
ment for limited time, he remained
with us five or six months. This was
during the darkest and most discourage
ing time of the rebellion. War sermons.
war speeches, recruiting and drilling were
the order of the day. Nearly all the men
who could pass muster we're preparing
to go or had gone to the front. The
women with trembling hearts and busy
hands were preparing much needed arti
cles for the Sanitary Commission. The
dropping heads of bounteous harvest
waited in vain for the husbandman and
only secured by the united efforts Of the
old men, women and children.
Under these unfavorable conditions
our cauee made but little progress; we
were slumbering but not dead. Occa-
sionally good brother would drop in
upon US and with words Of encourage
ment, succeed in keeping alive that little
spark which was destined in the near
future to develop into living flame.
On the 11th day of July, 1866, meet
ing was held in the old school house on
the Island, at which time the first Uni
versalist Society of Neenah and Menasha
was organized by the election of Clerk,
Board Of Trustees and the adoption of
constitution. At this meeting the Trus
tees were authorized to purchase a
church lot, superintend the work. erect
a church building and appoint the nec-
essary committees to carry into effect the
same.
This movement met with the hearty
approval Of the members and friends of
the society.
Thus was initiated a movement
which, supported by such men as o. j.
Webster, P. V. Lawn, Josiah Plumm.
Chas. B. Clark and others of less finan-
cial resources, but of equal earnestness
of purpose. was from the start an as
sured success.
The title to the lots upon which this
building now stands was soon after Sc
cured and on the following December
Rev. Chas. S. Hussy was engaged as
pastor beginning his work January /,
1867.
1t has always seemed to me that his
coming at this time was proyidential.
A man cheerful and hopeful in disposi-
tiou, simple and plain in his habits, yet
firm in purpose. Generous to a fault,
ever ready to reach out helping hand
to the poor and distressed and thus win.
ming their friendship and love. These
qualifications peculiarly fitted for the
work to be accomplished and of cement