The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-05-29
EPISODES OF THE CALIFORNIA
CONVENTION.
THE RIVERSIDE CHURCH SAVED.


vERsALIsT know of the efforts to raise
the money requisite to remove the
mortgage from the Riverside church.
The principal was $4,000. Interest
and the costs of foreclosure had
swelled the amount to 81 400. The
great hearted j. S. Dennis, of Chicago,
a year or so ago, out of his great love
for the church of which he was once
minister, conceived the plan of
lifting the Riverside church out of
the slough of despond into which this
fearful burden had plunged it. At
ter the most self-sacrifcing efforts
on his part and most generous con-
tribution of his own, he was able to
telegraph from Chicago, about a
week before the Convention, that he
had secured the last dollar of the
principal, $4,000! But this had been
secured with the promise to each
contributor that if every dollar of
principal and interest were not OBJ
tanned and the mortgage lifted, and
the church entirely freed, the money
should be returned to the donors.
Besides the principal. interest and
legal costs had added 81, 400 to the
debt. This must be raised by the
Riverside parish.
The second day of the Convention
a telegram came from Riverside:
eve have raised $1,1O0. Can you
help us!" The matter was presented;
small subscriptions began Wednes-
day afternoon; they were continued
in the evening, and 5000 were added.
This left but 500, which the River
side delegates assured the convention
would be obtained without doubt.
The day ended most joyfully. The
hearts of DR.. and Mrs. Deere over
flowed with joy; and all were happy.
A valuable church was saved from
loss, and our cause in Riverside and
California from disaster. Bro. Den
mis- is now in California, and the great
transaction will undoubtedly be con-
summated before these words reach
the readers eye. Such a work, in
these days of financial depression,
by one of his years and infrmities,
could only have been accomplished
by an unconquerable and a conse-
Grated spirit. 1t has made many
hearts glad, and the good results
will be enjoyed for long years to
come. God bless JOSEPH S. DENNIS!
is the prayer in multitude of hearts.
| "A resolution was adopted con-
veying sympathy and love to Prof.
James G.. Clark, the poet,singer,
whose words, music, voice and apos-
tolic presence have so often blest our
Convention, and who now is pros
trated in sickness. 1t was touch
ing recognition of noble services
rendered in his days of health and
strength.
"A committee of the w. G. T. U.
was received, presenting the cause
of temperance to the Convention.
The president of the Pomona society
made the address, which was re-
sponded to in fitting terms.
The pastor of the Unitarian
church, the Rev. Mr.. Pierce, not only
graced our sessions with his pres
ence, but invited and urged us to
occupy his beautiful church, and his
people prepared sumptuous repast
in the banquet-room of the church.
1t was genuine communion, a
"feast of reason and flow of SOUL"
as we'll as a source of gustatory
pleasure. Though different church
es, with differing views of religious
subjects met, the unity of the Spirit
was there.
1t had leaked out that May II
was the seventy-fourth birthday of
the Rev. DIR. Hanson, and he was
surprised and delighted, and evil
IDENTIFY overcome, by the presentation
of two magnificent bouquets--one
of carnations, and one of roses-fol.
lowed by touching address by Pres
ident Conger, and the adoption of
the following resolution by a rising
vote:
ave congratulate the Rev. DR..
Hanson on having reached the fourth
milestone beyond the Scriptural lin
it of the years allotted to man.
May the freshness of his seventy
fourth birthday be preserved the
many years we wish may be allotted
to him."
The presence of Major Geo. f.
Robinson, now on the retired list of
| the regular army, was an inspiring