The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-10
The Illinois Convention.
FIRST DAY-TUESDAY.

FIRST DAY-TUESDAY.
At 1915 on Tuesday morning,
Sept. 20, the fifty-ninth annual ses.
sion of the Universalist Conven-
ton of Illinois, was called to order
in Ryder Memorial Church, Wood
lawn Park, Chicago, by President
Frederick A. Winkelman. Secretary
Hughes was present and the roll of
the Convention was ready for read
ing.
The President congratulated the
assembly on the return of another
annual session. The business de-
preston, to which he had referred at
the opening of the last session, had
continued during the year. 1t was
not yet dispelled; but there was
"silver lining in the cloud
(not in the political sense, added
the speakerD and there is a cheer
ing prospect of better times near
at hand. The Universalist Church
in the State had suffered as all
churches have during the year from
the unfavorable business condi-
tions, but, nevertheless, the work OF
the Convention had been steadily
carried forward, and the reports
would show that substantial and
gratifying progress had been made.
especially in the field Of missionary
effort. The President spoke in a
hopeful vein of the future, and clos,
ing his brief Introductory words,
called upon Rev. j. j. Lewis to lead
in prayer.
Roll Called.
The roll of the Convention was
called by Secretary Hughes, and a
quorum declared. Twenty clergymen,
twelve officers an thirty three dele
gates answered to their names, very
gratifying attendance considering
the rain storm that was in progress.
In addition to this number of mem
bers the Convention had visitors
enough to almost fill the chapel.
Session Committees.
These were constituted as follows:
Elections.-Lewls Cordes Oliver Sollitt. Jacob
F. Birzee
Religious Servlces.-Rev. F. W. Mlllar. Rev.
Mary Straub, Rev. s. II. Laing.
Nominations.-Re DR.. Cantwell, j. E. San
ford, Mrs. E. H. Rexford, Mrs. E. P. Townsend.
Business. Frank NJ Sherman, W. F. Hun
tington, Rev. T. B. T. Fisher.
Resolutions.-Rev. DR.. Canfeld, Rev. w. p.
Burnell, Rev. Mrs. Newport.
Auditing.-H. P. Wilbur, Mrs. Samuel Kerr,
Crawford Parker.
Reports Submitted.
On motion a change was ordered
in the program submitted by the
Executive Board. The Occasional
Sermon was postponed until 2 o'clock
in the afternoon and the first bust
ness was the submission of the an
nual reports, viz:
|. Treasurer.
2. Executive Committee.
3. Trustees of Ryder Fund.
The report of the Treasurer gave
as receipts of the year including last
years cash balance, ST, 633.65. Ex-
penditures, $1,5S2.40. The Perma-
nent Fund is $7,640.49. The Treas
urer's account and vouchers were
duly audited by the committee ap-
pointed for that purpose and pro-
nounced correct. The report was
then ordered on file.
Courtesy to Visitors.
On motion the usual courtesy of the
floor was extended to visiting clergy
men of other State fellowships.
The Communion Service.
The Convention at IL o'clock sus-
pended business to observe the Holy
Communion. The pastor of Ryder
Memorial Church, Rev. F. W. Millar,
presided at the service. Rev. DIR.
Garfield offered the communion pray
er, and Messrs. j. E. Sanford and
Lewis Cordes acting as deacons. The
simple but touching ritual of the
Ryder Memorial was followed. The
responses were given by the congre-
CATION in subdued yet distinct tones,
and the entire service was refreshing
ly simple and beautiful. The collec-
ton for the Gum Fund was ordered
to be taken at the close of the Occa-
sional Sermon in the afternoon. At
1890 the Convention took its first re-
cess for the lunch which was spread
in the Sunday -school room.
FIRST AFTERNOON.
The Occasional Sermon.