««Lf Congregational "hurohes Connertirut General Conference nutes 1870 BX7I46 I.C8A5 1870 ■h 'msst. BX7I46 ,CS AS 1870 'J!I°D 'uoppojs 'AN 'ssnDojAg " Du i 'soaa ayoiAvs Aq pajnpD^nuD^ agaNiaiaiHdwvd lNHOWOlOHd V JUL 29 1915 MINUTES THIRD A \N UA L M E ET I ISTG General Conference CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES CONNECTICUT, II ELD IN N 1-:\V LoN DON, ZNTott. 1-3. 1870. II A RTF OH I): CASE, LOCKWOOD & BRAINARD. 187*0. GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CONNECTICUT. OFFICERS Moderator. Prof. CYRUS NORTHROP, New Haven. Scribe. Bev. MYRON N. MORRIS, West Hartford. Assistant Scribes. Dea. Charles Northend, New Britain. Henry M. Cleaveland, Brooklyn. Standing Committee. liev. Asa S. Fiske, Rockville. Rev. Constans L. Goodell, New Britain. Rev. Daniel Merriman, Norwich. Henry M. Cleaveland, Brooklyn. Dea. Charles Benedict, Waterbury. Registrar and Statistical Secretary for 1869-72. Rev. William H. Moore, Berlin. Treasurer for 1868-1871. Dea. Alfred Walker, New Haven. Auditor for 1868-1871. Wells South worth, New Haven. Preacher in 1870. Bev. Constans L. Goodell, New Britain. Collectors of Statistics in the Several Counties. Fairfield, Rev. Nathan T. Merwin, Trumbull. Hartford, Rev. Leavitt H. Hallock, Berlin. Litchfield, Rev. William E. Bassett, Wan-en. Middlesex, Rev. Silas W. Bobbins, East Haddam. New Haven, Rev. Elijah C. Baldwin, Branford. New London, Rev. Samuel Hopley, Norwich. Tolland, Rev. George A. Oviatt, Talcottville. Windham, Rev. Henry F. Hyde, Fomfret. GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CONNECTICUT. CONNECTICUT HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY. Directors. Rev. Samuel G. Willard, Colchester. Rev. Nathaniel J. Burton, Hartford. Rev. Salmon McCall, Old Saybrook. Rev. George A. Oviatt, Talcottville. Rev. Constans L. Goodell, N. Britain. Rev. Joseph VV. Backus, Thomaston. Rev. Homer N. Dunning, S. Norwalk. Rev. Asa S. Fiske, Rockville. Rev. George J. Tillotson, Central Village. Rev. George L. Walker, New Haven. Dea. William C. Crump, New London. Dea. John N. Stickney, Rockville. Dea. George Langdon, Plymouth. Dea. Philander Button, Greenwich. Prof. Cyrus Northrop, New Haven. Secretary and Auditor. Rev. William H. Moore, Berlin. Treasurer. Edward W. Parsons, Hartford. State Missionaries. Rev. William H. Moore, Berlin. Rev. Charles H. Bullard, Hartford. FUND FOR MINISTERS. The Trustees, Secretary, Auditor, and Treasurer are the persons who are Directors, Secretary, Auditor, and Treasurer of the Connecticut Home Missionary Society. Annalist of the Churches. Rev. Edward W. Gilman, Stonington. COMMITTEES. On state of religion — to report in 1871, Rev. Edward W. Oilman, Stonington, Rev. Theodore J. Holmes, East Hartford, and Rev. Homer N. Dunning, South Norwalk. On systematic beneficence — to report in 1871, Rev. Hiram P. Arms, Norwich, Rev. Aaron C. Adams, Wethersfield, Rev. William L. Gage, Hartford, Dea. George W. Shelton, Birmingham, and Dea. Rowland Swift, Hartford. On National Conference — Rev. Leonard Bacon. New Haven, Dea. William A. Buckingham, Norwich, Rev. Davis S. Brainerd, Old Lyme, Rev. Robert G. Vermilye, Hartford, Rev. Edward W. Gilman, Stonington, Ralph D. Smith, Guilford, Dea. Calvin Day, Hartford. Substitutes — Rev. M. McG. Dana, Norwich, Rev. David Murdoch, New Haven, Dea. Benjamin Douglas, Middletown, and R. S. Ferris, South Norwalk. 1870. GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CONNECTICUT. A.BSTRACT OF MINUTES. The General Conference of the Congregational ( 'in R( in - of ( Ionnecticd c convened for it- third annual meeting, in the First Congregational Church in New London, on Tuesday, Nov. 1. L870. A prayer meeting was beldal ten o'clock, conducted by Rev. George A. Oviatt. At eleven o'clock, a sermon was preached by Rev. Con-tan- L. Goodell, '.vim was assisted in the devotional ex- ercises by Rev. Hiram P. Ann-, from 1 Cor. 2 : 2, " For I deter- mined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." A recess was taken till half past two. Tuesday Afternoon. — At hall past two, Rev. Edward W. Gilman chairman of the Standing Committee, called the Conference to order, and at his nomination, Prof. Cyrus Northrop was chosen .Moderator, Rev. Myron N.Morris, Scribe, and Dea. Charles Northern!. Assistant Scrihe. The roll, when completed, contained the names of ninety-seven persons, including eighty-nine delegates from thirteen constituent hoilies, six members ex ollieio. and two honorary members, delegates from corresponding bodies. All ministers of Christ present, and all members present of churches connected with the constituent bodies of the Conference, were invited to sit as honorary members. Prayer was offered by Rev. George L. Walker. Rev. Robert (i. Vermilye, Rev. George M. Boynton, and Dea. Philander Button, were chosen a nominating committee, and the fol- lowing committees, named by them, were appointed : On the state of religion — Rev. Messrs. Homer N. Dunning, Eli- jah C. Baldwin, Gowen C. Wilson. On finance — Dea. Henry P. Haven. Dea. Philander Button, H. 8. Hill, Dea. Charles Northern!, and Dea. William Hall. On Congregational relations — Rev. Messrs. Edward W. Oilman, Thomas P. Field, Constans L. Goodell, Oeorge L. Walker, Dea. Ben- jamin W. Tompkins, Henry M. Cleaveland. The subject of corre- spondence by delegates with other hoilies, and also a communication from the General Conference of Ohio respecting a National Confer- ence, were referred to tin- last named committee. It was resolved, That in the discussion of theme- all speakers, ex- cept those io whom topics have been assigned, be limited to five minutes. 6 GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CONNECTICUT. 1870. The constitution was amended as proposed on p. 18 of Minutes of 1869, so as to provide that the Statistical Secretary be elected by ballot for three years ; and that he and " committees to report," be ex-officio members of the Conference. Rev. Edward W. Gilman was chosen Annalist of the Churches, the appointment to that office having been accepted from the General Association. The care of the Fund for Ministers was likewise accepted from the General Association ; the same to be managed by Trustees, acting under a charter given in 1867 and amended in 1870, and in accord- ance with the following rules : 1. No application for assistance shall be granted unless it be shown that the clergyman for whom, or for whose widow or orphans, aid is sought, has ministered statedly to some Congregational church in this State. 2. Aid shall be granted for the civil year, and only on a written application signed by at least two members of the District Associa- tion to which the minister belongs, or belonged at his death, for whom, or for whose widow or orphans, aid is sought. 3. The names of the beneficiaries shall not be published in con- nection with the grants made in their behalf. 4. The Treasurer shall give bonds for the faithful discharge of his duties, shall pay out money only as ordered by the Trustees, and shall make an annual report to them ; and his accounts shall at all times be subject to the examination of any of the members or officers of the corporation. 5. The records of the Trustees shall be brought annually to the meetings of the General Conference. The report of the Statistical Secretary, recommending that the fol- lowing question be added to the schedule — " Through what Conso- ciation, or Conference, is your church represented in the General Conference ?" was accepted and approved. After a season of devotion conducted by Rev. Robert G. Vermilye, in which Rev. Messrs. Rufus S. Underwood, Thomas L. Shipman, Henry B. Smith, Edward W. Gilman, Myron N. Morris, and Dea- cons Benjamin W. Tompkins, and George W. Shelton took part, a recess was taken till half past seven. Tuesday Evening. — At halfpast seven, the Conference re-assembled, the Moderator read appropriate passages of Scripture, a hymn was sung, and Rev. George H. Griffin offered prayer. The fifty-fourth annual report of the Directors of the Connecticut 1870. GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CONNECTICUT. 7 Home Missionary Society, embracing with the topics usually pre- sented the report of the second State Missionary to the Director-. and the report, of a committer appointed by the Directors to consider the policy of the Society in employing two State Missionaries, was read in part by the Secretary, in part by Rev. Charles II. Bullard, and in part by Rev. ConstanS L. Goodell, and wa- approved and ordered to be printed. A resolution that the Conference approve of the policy of employ- ing two State Missionaries, was discussed by Rev. Messrs. John Avery, Asa S. Fiske, Orlando II. White. II, mv 11. Smith, John Churchill. Leonard Bacon, Francis Williams, George J. Tillotson, Henry B. Elliot. Thomas I.. Shipman, Edward AY. Gilman, and Dea- cons William C. Crump, and George W. Shelton, and adopted by ballot. Prayer was offered by Rev. Hiram P. Arms, and the Con- ference adjourned to nine o'clock of the next morning. Wednesday Morning. A prayer meeting was held at nine o'clock, conducted by Rev. M. McG. Dana. Deacon Henry P. Haven, in behalf of the committee of 1869, on systematic beneficence, presented a report with resolutions which wasaccepted. The subject was dis- cussed by Rev. Messrs. Gustavus D. Pike, Joseph Aver, John Avery, Rufus S. Underwood, William L. Gage. Edward II. Pratt, Henry B. Elliot, Robert G. Vermilye, William II. Moore. Charles II. Bulla: d. William H. Dean, Francis Williams, Leonard Bacon, Orlando II. White, and Deacon George W. Shelton; and the resolutions — tin- second one having been amended, — were adopted as follows : Resolved, That we recommend the annual appointment hy the Conference, of a committee on systematic beneficence, whose duty it shall be to present to the body at the annual meetings, a report of the progress of systematic giving in our churches ; and their views as to what can be done to increase the number of those who will adopt that principle. Resolved, That we recommend to all the ministers and members of our churches to adopt immediately the principle of systematic benefi- cence, and to give in proportion as God has prospered them. A discussion on "Methods of Promoting the Fellowship of the Churches." was opened by Rev. Edward W. Gilman and continued by Rev. Messrs. Samuel G. Willard, Leonard Bacon, Orlando H. White, George H. Griffin, Gowen C. Wilson, Edward T. Hooker, Charles C. Beaman, Deacon Benjamin W. Tompkins, and the Moderator. The hymn, " Blest be the tie that binds." was sung, and prayer was offered by Rev. Henry B. Elliot. 8 GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CONNECTICUT. 1870. Deacon William A. Buckingham, in behalf of the committee of 1869, in relation to the American Bible Society, presented a report which was accepted and approved. A recess was then taken till half- past two o'clock. Wednesday Afternoon. At half-past two o'clock, the Conference met in the Second Church, where the remaining sessions were held. After singing by the choir, prayer was offered by Rev. Samuel G. Willard. Deacon Northend being obliged to be absent, Henry M. Cleaveland was chosen Assistant Scribe. The discussion appropriate to the "Memorial Year," of "Our Heritage and our Work," was opened by Rev. Leonard Bacon, and continued in relation to the building of the Congregational House, by Rev. Isaac P. Langworthy, Secretary of the American Congregational Association ; and in relation to the Church Building Fund, by Rev. Christopher Cushing, Secretary of the American Congregational Union. Rev. Abijah P. Marvin presented the salutations of the General Association of Massachusetts, and Rev. John Rogers, those of the Congregational Union of Ontario and Quebec. Rev. Alexander King, of London, made an address. To these three speakers responses were made by the Moderator. The following was adopted : In thankfulness to God for the fathers, for their polity in church and state, for the tradition to us their children of their heroic spirit and piety, we do hereby heartily commend, in general, to each Con- gregational church in the State, the practical commemoration of this memorial year by special reconsecration of their persons, services and possessions to the Master ; and we do specially commend — 1. That each church should place the American Congregational Union, our Church Building Society, upon the list of objects to which it will contribute every year on or about the twenty-first of December, beginning with December of the present year; and 2. That each church should between this and the first of April, 1871, make a liberal gift to the Congregational House at Boston, or to such other object dear to the hearts of Congregational Christians, as its judgment shall approve, in the way of an extraordinary and worthy memorial offering. The committee on Congregational relations reported the following resolutions, which were adopted : Resolved, That we approve of the formation of a National Conference of the Congregational Churches of the United States, and i*ecommend that it be composed of delegates from the State General Conferences, on a fair basis of representation. 1870. GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CONNECTICUT. 9 Resolved, That :i committee of seven be appointed by this Confer- ence to co-operate with similar committees from other Slates, in any preliminary measures which they deem desirable for the successful initiation of such National Conference. Resolved, That, if it be found best to convene the proposed National Conference before the time which may be designated for the next meeting of the General Conference of Connecticut, the Standing Committee of this Conference may. at their discretion, appoint delegates to represent us u such initiatory meeting. Whereas the special advantages which in times past have been secured by the annual appointment of delegates to the General Asso- ciations and Conferences of other States, can now be secured with greater facility by other means. Resolved, That this Conference henceforth discontinue the appoint- ment of such delegates, except on occasions when peculiar exigencies require it. Resolved, That the Registrar of this Conference be requested to communicate our action in respect to a National Conference, and in respect to corresponding delegates, to the various bodies with which we are in correspondence. Committees for the ensuing year were appointed as follows : Standing Committee — Rev. Messrs. Asa S. Fiske, Constans L. Goodell. Daniel Merriman, Deacon Charles Benedict, Henry M. Cleaveland. On systematic beneficence — Rev. Messrs. Hiram P. Arms, Aaron C. Adams. William L. Gage, and Deacons George W. Shelton, and Rowland Swift. On the state of religion — Rev. Messrs. Edward W. Gilman, Theodore J. Holmes, Homer N. Dunning. It was voted. That the Registrars of the local Conferences and Consociations be requested to send the reports on the state of religion in their respective bodies to the committee on the state of religion. After singing, prayer was offered by Rev. William K. Hall, and a recess was taken till half-past seven. Wednesday Evening. At half-past seven, the Conference united in singing. The committee on the state of religion presented a report which after amendment, was approved and ordered to be printed. The committee on finance presented a report containing the follow- ing recommendations, which were adopted : 1. That the report of the Treasurer, submitted by them, be approved and printed. 10 GENERAL CONFERENCE OP CONNECTICUT. 1870. 2. That the Treasurer be requested to invite all the churches to contribute toward canceling our obligations and meeting our expenses, at the rate of four cents for each member. A discussion on " Parochial Evangelization," was opened by Rev. Daniel Merriman, and continued by Rev. Messrs. Asa S. Fiske, John Churchill, Henry B. Smith, M. McG-. Dana, William H. Moore, Thomas L. Shipman, Sylvester Hine, Samuel G. Willard, Charles H. Bullard, Elijah C. Baldwin, George Curtiss, Leonard Bacon, and Deacons Philander Button and Benjamin W. Tompkins. In connec- tion with this discussion, a resolution instructing the Directors of the Connecticut Home Missionary Society in respect to the services oi the State Missionaries, was introduced, debated at some length, and indefinitely postponed. The following persons were, by ballot, chosen Directors of the Connecticut Home Missionary Society, — Rev. Leonard Bacon having previously requested to be excused from further service on the Board, and the nominating committee having been instructed to provide printed tickets containing five new names, — Rev. Messrs. Samuel G. Willard, Nathaniel J. Burton, Salmon McCall, George A. Oviatt, Constans L. Goodell, Joseph W. Backus, Homer N. Dunning, Asa S. Fiske, George J. Tillotson, George L. Walker, Deacons William C. Crump, John N. Stickney, George Langdon, Philander Button, and Prof. Cyrus Northrop. The same persons were chosen Trustees of the Fund for Minis- ters ; and it was voted, That the annual meeting of the Directors of the Connecticut Home Missionary Society be held at the Theolog- ical Seminary in Hartford, at two o'clock, Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 11, 1871 ; and that at the close of that meeting the annual meeting of the Trustees of the Fund for Ministers be held in the same place. The committee in relation to a National Conference were appointed as follows — Rev. Leonard Bacon, Dea. William A. Buckingham, Rev. Davis S. Brainerd, Rev. Robert G. Vermilye, Rev. Edward W. Gilman, Ralph D. Smith, Dea. Calvin Day. Substitutes — Rev. M. McG. Dana, Rev. David Murdoch, Dea. Benjamin Douglas, R. S. Ferris. After singing, the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Leonard Bacon, and the Conference adjourned until nine o'clock of the next morning. TJiursday Morning. — At nine o'clock, there was a prayer meeting, conducted by Rev. George L. Walker. At half past nine, business was resumed, and it was resolved, That the Standing Committee be 1870. GENERAL CONFERENCE OF CONNECTICUT. 11 requested to make arrangements for a social meeting in connection with tlic next annual meeting of the Conference, for the promotion of mutual acquaintance during the session. Henry C. Robinson opened a discussion of the theme — "What Jesus does for us ;" and Rev. Theodore J. Holmes, of the theme — " What Jesus expects of us." At this point, the Moderator requested the Scribe to take the chair, uttered a few pleasant and earnest words of parting, and retired from the Conference as the following resolution was adopted : Resoh-ed. That the thanks of this Conference be returned to our Moderator, Prof. Cyrus Northrop, for his very acceptable services in conducting with such promptness and efficiency the deliberations and the business of this body. The Conference was then addressed by Rev. Albert A. Stur- ges, of the Micronesian mission and by Rev. Luther H. Gulick, District Secretary of the American Board. At eleven o'clock, the Conference united with the churches of New London in the celebration of the Lord's supper, at which Rev. Thomas P. Field presided, and was assi-ted by Rev. Constans L. Goodell and Rev. Josiah E. Kittredge. At the close of this service, it was resolved, That we tender our acknowledgments to the railway companies which have modi- fied their rates of fare for our advantage ; that we proffer our grati- tude to the local committee of arrangements ; and that we assure the good people of New London of our hearty thanks for their cordial and graceful hospitalities, and of our prayers that grace, mercy, and peace from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, may abide with them forever. Remarks in the spirit of this resolution were offered by Dea. Benjamin W. Tompkins, and a response was made by Rev. Thomas P. Field. The minutes were approved, prayer was offered by Rev. Thomas P. Field, and the Conference was dissolved. CYRUS NORTHROP, Moderator. Myron N. Morris, Scribe. Charles Northend, > . . . . c ., TT ,, r y Assistant scribes. Henry M. Cleaveland, j The foregoing is published and distributed to the churches by di- rection of the Standing Committee. William H. Moore, Registrar. Berlin, Nov. 15, 1870. l//SKr rLibrary I 1 J012 00035 99™ vU A