^w^^lr
-:^
-'..•:^.i
,Ai^
■*.*«■ ft •^ ■
,vi.'«:»
..> ■•^''
' ■■■'■■ ^k
.-r1
,^;^|jg^j^JXii7iyiA;ggL^jgjggj2m
Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive
in 2010 with funding from Boston Regional Library System
http://www.archive.org/details/minutesofgeneral7175gene
THE GENERAL ASS0CIATI0:N^
Congregational Churches of Massachusetts..
1871.
MINUTES
OF THE
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL MEETING,
EASTHAMPTON, JUNE 20-22;
WITH THE
REPORT OK HOME EVANGELIZATION AND ON THE STATE OF RELIGION,
AND
STATISTICS OF THE MINISTERS AND CHURCHES.
BOSTON: CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHING SOCIETY,
No. 13 CORNHILL, 1871.
Printed by B. Anthony & Sons, Ne-w Bedford.
THE ge:n^ekal association
OF THE
Congregational Churches of Massachusetts.
1871.
MINUTES
OF THE
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL MEETING,
EASTHAMPTON, JUNE 20-22;
WITH THE
EEPORT ON HOME EVANGELIZATION AND ON THE STATE OF EELIGION,
AND
STATISTICS OF THE MINISTERS AND CHURCHES.
BOSTON: CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHING SOCIETY,
No. 13 CORNHILL, 1871.
iNOTICES FOE 1872.
Meeting of 1872, — at Pittsfleld, on the third Tuesday of June, at 4 o'clock P.M.
Provisional Oommittee for 1872, — Eev. Edward Strong, Kev. John Todd, Kev. Charles V. Spear, Bro. Thomas Colt, Dea. H. M. Pierson.
Associational Freacher for 1S7 2, — to be designated by Cape Cod Asso- ciation.
Collection of Statistics. — The Secretary sends, early in December, a suf- ficient number of " blanks " to the Statistical Scribes of the several Asso- ciations. Each Scribe sends, in December, a " blank " to each Pastor, Acting Pastor, or Clerk, of the churches within his territorial limits ; and the Pas- tors, etc., return the blank, properly filled, to the Statistical Scribe on or before January 10. Each Statistical Scribe sends all his reports to the Secretary February 1 ; if any are then delinquent, securing returns and forwarding as fast as obtained.
Taxes. — A sum equivalent to two cents for each resident church member, to be collected by the Treasurers of the Local Conferences of Churches, and paid to Stephen, T. Farwell, 15 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. The number of such resident members in each church will be found in the Statistics of the churches, printed in this pamphlet. These taxes are now due.
Corresponding Bodies. — The former system of delegations to the several General Associations and Conferences has been discontinued. List of Delegates to National Council will be found on page 9.
OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION.
(elected in 1871 FOR THREE YEARS.)
Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, New Bedford, Secretary, 1856-
Rev. James P. Kimball, Haydenville, Registrar, 1868-
Stephen T. Earwell, 15 Cornhill, Boston, Treasurer, ....... 1861-
Rev. Daniel P. Noyes, 40 Winter Street, Boston, is Secretary of the Committee on Home Evangelization, a list of whose members will be found by referring to the Index, last page of this pamphlet.
MINUTES.
The General Association of the Congregational Churches OP Massachusetts met in the meeting house of the Payson Church, Easthampton, June 20, 1871, at 4 o'clock P. M., and was called to order by Rev. Samuel T. Seelye,* pastor of the church.
The credentials of the members were presented, and the list read by the Registrar.
Rev. Joshua W. Wellman,* of Newton, was chosen Moderator, and Rev. Edward S. Atwood, of Salem, Assistant Registrar.
Prayer was offered by the Moderator, and an address of welcome was delivered by Rev. Samuel T. Seelye.
Rev. J. Jay Dana, Rev. Rowland Ay res, and Dea. Jonas Brooks, were appointed a Committee on Credentials, who reported the following
ROLL OE MEMBERS.
Delegates from the Ministerial Associations :
Andover, — None.
Berkshire North, — Rev. J. Jay Dana, Rev. Edward Strong.
Berkshire South, — Rev. Thomas Crowther, Rev. Evarts Scudder.
Brookfield, — Rev. John Dodge, Rev. William G. Tuttle.
Cape Cod, — Rev. Henry C. Eay.
Essex North, — Rev. John D. Kingsbury, Rev. Lewis Gregory.
Essex South, — Rev. James Brand, Rev. Edward S. Atwood.
Franklin, — Rev. Robert Crawford, Rev. David A. Strong.
Hampden East, — Rev. Martin S. Howard, Rev. Edwin B. Palmer.
Hampden West, — Rev. Edward A. Smith.
Hampshire, — Rev. John H. Bisbee, Rev. Rufus P. Wells.
Hampshire East, — Rev. Rowland Ayres.
Mendon, — Rev. Noadiah S. Dickinson.
Middlesex South, — Rev. J. Henry Jones, Rev. Ellis R. Drake.
Middlesex Union, — Rev. George H. Morss.
Norfolk, — Rev. Charles W. Wood, Rev. John C. Labaree.
Old Colony, — Rev. Isaiah C. Thacher.
Plymouth, — Rev. Philip Titcomb, Rev. George A, Tewksbury.
* Honorary titles are omitted in accordance with former votes of tbe Association,
Suffolk North, — Eev. Edward G. Porter, Eev. Albert Bryant.
Suffolk South, — Rev. Albert E. Dunning, Eev. Jonathan Edwards.
Suffolk West, — Eev. Joshua W. Wellman.
Woburn, — Eev. John Lawrence.
Worcester Central, — Eev. Amos H. Coolidge, Eev. William A. Houghton.
Taunton, — Eev. "William W. Adams, Eev. Hartford P. Leonard.
Delegates from the Local Conferences of Churches :
Andover, — Nathan W. Frye.
Barnstable, — Moses Baker.
Berkshire South, — John S. "Wolf, Jared Eeid.
Brookfield, — N. Bennett, "William E. Lewis.
Essex North, — John P. Sargent, "William Thurston.
Essex South, — Augustus Mudge.
Franklin, — Eeuben Nims, Edward C. Hawkes, John Clary.
Hampden, — George C. Ewing, Charles Marsh.
Hampshire, — Garry Munson, Elam Graves, "Wm. H. Stoddard.
Hampshire East, — George Dickinson.
Mendon, — Wm. M. Thayer, F. D. Ellis, Warren Chenery.
Middlesex South, — Peter Fay, James Farrar, Dexter Washburn.
Middlesex Union, — C. T. Symmes.
Norfolk, — Stephen W. Nash.
Pilgrim, — E, B. Thompson.
Suffolk South, -^ James White.
Woburn, — Waldo E. Cowdry.
Worcester Central, — Jonas Brooks.
Worcester North, — Henry Lawrence.
Worcester South, — Esek Saunders, Amos Holbrook, David M. Bean.
Massachusetts Home Missionary Society : Eev. Henry B. Hooker, Dea. Ezra Farnsworth.
Ux-officio :
Eev. Samuel T. Seelye, Pastor of the Church. Eev. Alonzo H. Quint, Secretary. Eev. James P. Kimball, Begistrar. f HONOEAEY MEMBERS.
Delegate from Corresponding Body : Bhode Island Congregational Conference, — Eev. Thomas Laurie.
By Previous Appointments :
Eev. Albert H. Plumb, Preacher of the Opening Sermon. Rev. Joshua Coit, Preacher of the Associational Sermon,
COMMITTEES.
Kev. Charles W. Wood, Kev. Martin S. Howard, and Dea. James White were chosen Committee on Nominations.
Kev. Samuel T. Seelye, Rev. John H. Bisbee, and Dea. Esek Saunders, were chosen a Committee of Arrangements, after which the Association took a recess until evening.
Tuesday Evening, 7^ oclock. The Association rc-assembled and listened to a sermon from Eev. Albert H. Plumb, of Chelsea. Text, Matt. XXV : 36. " I was sick and ye visited me." The devotional exercises were conducted by Eev. Robert Crawford, of Deerfield.
SECOND DAY.
Wednesday, June 21. The Association assembled at 8^- A. M. for devotional exercises, conducted by Rev. James Brand. At 9 o'clock the roll was called, and the minutes were read and approved. Prayer was offered by Rev. N. S. Dickinson.
SALUTATIONS FROM CORRESPONDING BODIES.
Salutations were presented by Rev. Thomas Laurie, from the Rhode Island Congregational Conference, and by letter, from Rev. Henry A. Hazen, representing the General Association of New Hampshire ; and Rev. Luman C. Gilbert, representing the General Conference of Minnesota ; and Rev. Lucien Farnham, for General Association of Illinois.
DAY OF PRAYER EOR COLLEGES.
A communication from Rev. I. N. Tarbox, in reference to the change in the da}^ of Prayer for Colleges, to the last Thursday in January, embodying the opinion of the Presidents of various Col- leges, was presented by the Secretary. The Association voted to recommend to the churches to accede to the change in the day.
NATIONAL COUNCIL.
Rev. A. H. Quint, Chairman of Committee appointed at the ses- sion of 1870, reported the proceedings of a Convention of delegates from the several General Associations, whereupon the Association
Voted, That it is expedient, and appears clearly to be the voice of the churches, that a National Council of the Congregational churches of the
United States be organized, and that this Association be represented in the same.
Rev. N. S. Dickinson offered the following resolution :
That inasmuch as the organization that is to represent the Congrega- tional churches of the United States is not to exercise any ecclesiastical authority, and is to be modelled, not after our ecclesiastical Councils but after the Conferences of our churches, it is the judgment of this Associa- tion, that in order to prevent all misunderstanding of the motives and objects of the proposed organization, it should be called the National Con- ference of the Congregational Churches of the United States.
After considerable discussion the resolve was adopted by a vote of 33 to 27 ; and the nomination of delegates was referred to the Nominating Committee.
HOME EVANGELIZATION.
Voted, That a Committee of five be appointed to receive and examine the circular prepared by the Committee on Home Evangelization for returns from the churches, together with all other communications bearing upon the same subject, and report upon the same at their earliest convenience.
And Rev. Horace Parker, Rev. John Dodge, Rev. J. D. Kings- bury, Rev. Amos Holbrook, and Bro. Augustus Mudge, were constituted the Committee.
THE AMERICAN AND FOEEIGN CHRISTIAN UNION.
A Committee consisting of Rev. Wm. I. Buddington, Rev. Ray Palmer, and Rev. Henry M. Storrs, deputed by the Conference of New York and Brooklyn, were introduced and made statements in regard to the present condition and future prospects of the Ameri- can and Foreign Christian Union. After listening to the deputation,
Besolved, That the General Association 6t Congregational Churches of Massachusetts withdraws its former recommendations of the American and Foreign Christian Union as an almoner of the contributions of the churches.
Besolved, That for the further prosecution of the work of the Gospel in nominally Christian countries a Provisional Committee of five be appointed by this Association to take measures in concert with such other commit- tees as may be appointed to act with them, in order to preserve the work from detriment and prosecute it with increased energy until settled ar-
i-angements shall be made for the direction of the work; aud thatuntil that time the churches be advised and requested to intrust their contribu- tions for this work to the charge of this Committee.
Besolved, That in the opinion of this Association it is desirable that in the arrangement for the prosecution of this work no addition be made to the number of organizations for collecting and disbursing the contribu- tions of the churches.
Eev. Edward N. Kirk, Rev. E. B. Webb, Rev. Wm. A. Stearns, Bro. Wm. B. Washburn, and Bro. John M. Pinkerton, were chosen as that Provisional Committee, with power to fill vacancies.
MASSACHUSETTS HOME MISSIONAEY SOCIETY.
Rev. J. W. Harding and Bro. O. W. Willcox, were nominated on the part of the Association, on the Executive Committee of the Home Missionary Society.
COMMITTEES.
Brethren Wm. H. Stoddard, Wm. Thurston, and Peter Fay, were appointed Finance Committee.
Rev. J. C. Labaree, Rev. N. S. Dickinson, and Bro. Moses Baker, were chosen committee for the nomination of delegates to cor- responding bodies.
TEEASUEER'S EEPOET.
The Treasurer's Report was read and accepted, and referred to the Auditing Committee.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The Association then proceeded to ballot for officers for the term of three years, and elected
Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, of New Bedford, Secretary, Rev. James P. Kimball, of Haydenville, Registrar, Bro. Stephen T. Farwell, of Boston, Treasurer. After which the Association adjourned.
2 o'clock P. M. The Association reassembled. The first half hour was spent in devotional exercises, conducted by Rev. Henry M. Storrs. At 2^ o'clock the Moderator took the chair. An hour was then occupied by the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society, Rev. Wm. A. Stearns presiding. At 3^- the Association resumed its business sessions.
AMENDMENT TO THE RULES.
feev. S. T. Seelye introduced the following amendment, which was laid over, under the rules, until the next day.
Besolved, That Rule 15, Sect. 2, be amended by assigning the Sermon and Sacrament to Tuesday evening at the option of the Provisional Com- mittee, permitting the Provisional Committee to select a preacher for Wednesday evening.
HOME EVANGELIZATION.
The subject of Home Evangelization was then taken up. A report was presented by Rev. Daniel P. Noyes, which was accepted and the following resolve adopted :
Besolved, That this General Association, without entering upon a careful examination of all details included in the suggestions of the State Com- mittee on Home Evangelization, cordially approves of their tenor, and recommends them to the attention of the churches.
The Secretary presented Memorials in relation to Home Evan- gelization from Worcester South and Brookfleld Associations and Brookfield Associational Conference, which were referred to a Spec- ial Committee consisting of Rev. Edward Strong, Rev. E. B. Webb, and Bro. Wm. G. Tuttle, with instructions to report during the present session.
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
The Secretary presented his annual report.
HOME EVANGELIZATION.
The Committee on Blanks made a report, which, pending the re- port of the Special Committee on Home Evangelization, was laid on the table.
TEMPERANCE.
Rev. J. Jay Dana submitted the following resolutions on the sub- ject of Temperance, which were adopted :
Whereas, The religion of Jesus Christ is the source of the power and triumph of all true moral reforms, and imparts to them that tone which the Bible alone evokes and imposes upon all who have embraced it, the duty of teaching and practising every virtue which the reformation and salvation of men require ; and whereas the church cannot live without
the Temperance reform, any more than the Temperance reform can live without the church : therefore
Besolved, That we believe entire abstinence from all intoxicating drinks : to be a Christian duty, alike necessary to a pious life and a conyastent Christian example, and therefore binding upon every disciple of Jesus.
Besolved, That we heartily approve all appropriate inoral agencies to advance the Temperance cause, such as Temperance sermons and lecture?, the introduction of the pledge in the Sabbath and Public schools, as well as among adults, the circulation of Temperance literature, the organiza- tion of Temperance societies, and all other instrumentalities necessary to advance the cause of total abstinence.
Besolved, That since the traffic in intoxicating drinks of all kinds is an- tagonistic both to the moral agencies used to promote the Temperance reform, and to the means of grace employed by the Church to save men, we hereby record our uncompromising hostility to this traffic, and pledge our support to its legal prohibition.
THE TEEASUKY.
The Auditing Committee reported the Treasurer's report to be correct, and submitted the following recommendation, which was adopted :
The Committee would recommend that the local Conferences raise a sum equal to two cents for each resident member of their several churches, and remit the same to S. T. Earwell, 15 Cornhill, Boston.
DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL.
The Committee on Nominations submitted the names of the fol- lowing persons as delegates to the National Council, who were unanimously elected :
Primaries. Substitutes.
Eev. Alonzo H. Quint, Eev. William W. Adams,
Eev. Mark Hopkins, " Eev. Mason Noble, Jr.,
Eev. Edwin B. Webb, Eev. Joshua W. Wellman,
Eev. Samuel T. Seelye, Eev. Jonathan L. Jenkins,
Eev. Edward S. Atwood, Eev. James M. Whiton,
Bro. Alpheus Hardy, Bro. J. Eussell Bradford,
Bro. Wm. C. Plunkett, Bro. Joseph White,
Bro. Eeuben A. Chapman, Bro. Joseph Murdock,
Bro. S. M. Lane. Bro. S. T. Field.
It was also
Voted, That in case a primary cannot fulfill the appointment, he shall notify the substitute whose name is set against his own ; and that if his
10
substitute does not notify him of the acceptance of the service, the primary may select and appoint any other from this list of substitutes, to act in his place.
The Association then adjourned.
7^ P. M. The Association reassembled, and was led in prayer by Rev. Wm. M. Thayer, after which addresses were made by Rev. Samuel H. Lee, Rev. A. H. Clapp, Rev. Jonathan Edwards, Rev. H. Q. Batterfield, Rev. E. B. Webb, and Rev. A. H. Quint.
THIRD DAY.
Thursday, June 22. The Association assembled at 8|- A. M. The first half hour was spent in devotional exercises, conducted by Rev. Edward S. Atwood. At 9 A. M. the Moderator took the chair. The minutes were read. Brother Samuel "Wiiliston was introduced, and welcomed by the Association. Prayer was offered by Bro. Ezra Farnsworth.
CONGREGATIONAL HOUSE.
The work of the Congregational Association was presented by Rev. E. B. Webb and bro. Ezra Farnsworth. The moderator being obliged to leave, Rev. Edward Strong was called to the chair.
The Association adopted the following :
Besol'ved, That the General Association expresses its gladness at the progress of the movement for a Congregational House in Boston, and earnestly recommends all the churches to assist in its speedy completion ; considering, that while it is a movement of national interest, it is particu- larly a work in which our own churches should be foremost.
SESSION OF 1872.
It was Voted, That the session of 1872 be held with the South Congregational church in Pittsfield, and that Rev. Edward Strong, Rev. John Todd, Rev. Charles V. Spear, Hon. Thomas Colt, and Dea. H. M. Pierson, be Provisional Committee.
COLLEGE SOCIETY. Rev. H. Q. Butterfield presented the cause of the College Society.
11
HOME EVANGELIZATION.
The Stale Committee on Home Evangelization, for the current year, was appointed as follows :
Chairmen and other appointees of Local Conferences, the same as last year, with the substitution of James G. Buttrick, Rev. John W. Doclge, Rev. Hartford P. Leonard, Rev. Walter Rice, in place of retired Chairmen in their several Conferences.
Also, the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society ; and as members at large the same as last year, with the omission of A. W. Dodge, and David Whitcomb ; and the addition of Rev. Joshua W. Wellman, Rev. John W. Harding, Rev. Joshua Coit, Rev. Stephen Knowlton, Rev. John H. Windsor.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH OTHER BODIES.
The Committee on delegation to corresponding bodies, presented the following report which was adopted :
Besolved, That while this Association of the Congregational churches of Massachusetts cherishes with warm sympathy and affection the various ecclesiastical bodies with which we have hitherto been in correspondence, and while in the future we shall be no less happy than in the past to re- ceive their Christian salutations, nevertheless, in order to economise wisely the time allotted at our annual meetings to necessary business, and in view of the fact that a National Council, if organized, will better answer the objects of fellowship, we deem it inexpedient to continue the appointment of delegates to convey to these bodies in form, the yearly expression of our Christian regards.
HOME EVANGELIZATION.
The Special Committee to whom Memorials on Home Evangeli- zation were referred, made the following report :
They cordially approve the spirit and purpose of these memorials, look- ing as they do toward a rigid economy in the disbursement of the funds contributed by our churches for benevolent purposes. At the same time they desire to express their very high appreciation of the value of what has been accomplished by the agency of the Secretary of Home Evangeli- zation, and of what he may yet be able to accomplish. He has been com- mendably earnest, indefatigable, inventive, and persistent in his work, and we think in good degree successful. He has stimulated pastors, churches and conferences to a greater activity in this direction. He has collected valuable statistics and made valuable use of them. He has been the occa- sion of the planting of Mission Sabbath schools, and neighborhood prayer-
12
meetings, and of starling not a few individual Christians in personal Christian work.
In labors of this kind he has naturally met with varying success. Your Committee are not surprised to learn that in some sections, like those from which the memorials have come, it is beginning to be felt that the local churches and individual Christians no longer need the special stimulus and activities which he has supplied. Quite likely they are correct so far as relates to the sections they represent. There are however other por- tions of the State, including some of our large manufacturing towns and cities, in which all his time and experience may well enough for the present be employed. There are still problems of Christian work and church work to be more thoroughly wrought out than they could be by the honored and beloved Secretary of the Home Missionary Society, and for which the Secretary of Home Evangelization is eminently qualified, and in which he is deeply interested. Agreeing then with your memorialists that the two Secretaryships, that of the Home Missionary Society and of Home Evan- gelization should, at least ere long, be united and filled by one person, we are of opinion that the time for such union has not yet fully come. All
which is respectfully submitted.
EDW. STRONG. EDWIN B. WEBB. W. G. TUTTLE.
This report was adopted. The report upon blanks for statistics of Home Evangelization was also taken from the table, and that subject was referred to the Committee on Home Evangelization.
AMENDMENTS TO EXILES.
The amendments proposed on the day previous [page 8] were then taken up and adopted.
VOTES OF THANKS. On motion of Rev. Edward S. Atwood, it was
Besolved, That the hearty thanks of the Association, for cordial welcome and Christian hospitality which has made this session so memorably pleas- ant, be tendered to the Payson church in Easthampton, and its beloved pastor, and also to the First Church and its pastor, for their kind coopera- tion. The Association appreciates the warmth of welcome and Christian love in this beautiful town, and it appreciates the privilege of dining to- gether daily at a public house, successfully conducted while free from all unlawful traflic. Our thanks are also tendered to the choir of the Payson church for their very acceptable assistance in the service of song, and to the several railroads which have given return tickets to persons attending this meeting.
13
On motion of Rev. A. H. Quint,
Voted, That the Association express its sense of the courteous manner In which the Moderator has fulfilled his duties.
Voted, That when we adjourn we adjourn to meet for the sermon and sacrament, at the close of which the Association stand adjourned sine die.
The minutes were read and accepted, after which the Association took a recess until two o'clock.
Thursday, 2 o'docTc P. M. A sermon was preached by Eev. Joshua Coit of Brookfield, from Matt, viii, 7 : " And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him."
The devotional services were conducted by Rev. E. B. Palmer, of Chicopee.
After the sermon, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was ad- ministered, Rev. J. H. Bisbee, of Huntington, and Rev. Thomas Shepard, of Bristol, R. I., officiating.
The Association then stood adjourned sine die.
JOSHUA W. WELLMAN, Moderator. EDWARD STRONG, Moderator pro tern.
James P. Kimball, Registrar.
Edward S. Atwood, Assistant Registrar.
14
GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES OF MASSACHUSETTS, in account with STEPHEN T. FARWELL, Treasurer.
Dr. 1870.
June 23. To cash paid dispatch from Taunton to Montpelier, Vt., . $1.45 To cash paid Wm. M. Adams for printing programmes
for meeting of General Association in Taunton, . . . 13.00 24. To casli paid Wra. L. Greene & Co., advertising, .... 6.00
To cash paid railroad fare, (Treasurer,) .45
Sept. 10. To cash paid postage stamps, .67
19. To casli paid Committee on Jubilee Meetings, expense of circulars to local Conferences and individuals and postage, 4.16
1871.
Feb. 21. To cash paid E. Anthony & Sons, printing 2,500 copies of the "Minutes," 1,400 circulars and blanks for statis- tics and cost of distributing the same postpaid through the mail, 913.50
$939.23
Ck.
1870.
Sept. 28. By cash received of Berkshire North Conference, . . . $19.00
Oct. 3. By cash received of Norfolk Conference, $36.00 ;
Dec. 17, .90, . . . 36.90
10. By cash received of Franklin Conference, . 25.00
14. By cash received of Andover Conference, 31.00
24. By cash received of Middlesex South Conference, . . . 20.60
Nov. 8. By cash received of Essex North Conference, 31.06
28. By cash received of Taunton and Vicinity Conference . 18.00
Dec. 17. By cash received of Worcester South Conference, . . . 19.10
1871.
Jan. 11. By cash received of Suflblk North Conference, 44.00
16. By cash received of Essex South Conference, 40.00
19. By cash received of Barnstable Conference, $12.67 :
April 13, 1.50,' . . 14.17
20. By cash received of Berkshire South Conference, . . . 15.05 30. By cash received of Woburn Conference, 25.10
Feb. 10. By cash received of Old Colony Conference, 22.25
Apr. By cash received of Hampshire East Conference, . . . . 28.80
20. By cash received of Suffolk South Conference, 55.14
27. By cash received of Brookfield Associational Conference, 28.75
May 23. By cash received of Middlesex Union Conference, . . . 23.79
By cash received of Meudon Conference, 10.94
$508.65
Balance from last year per account rendered, 368.73
877.38
Balance due the Treasurer June 19, 1871 61.85
$939.23
REPORT ON THE Work of the Churches and State of Religion :
BEIXG THE SIXTH ANJfUAL REPOET OF THE
STATE COMMITTEE ON HOME EVANGELIZATIOT^.
PRESENTED TO THE
GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES OF MASSACHUSETTS,
AT EASTHAMPTON", JUNE 21st, 1871.
Reports of Churcli work have been received by the State Committee from eighteen of the twenty-four Conferences. At the present elate, the following Conferences have not been heard from, viz. : Andover, Berk- shire North, Essex North, Middlesex South, Middlesex Union, Suflblk North, Worcester South. In the first, second, and fifth, the omission is accounted for by changes in the Local Committees ; and the last has never given notice of the appointment of any Committee on Home Evangeliza- tion. It is under stood that peculiar difficulties have been in the way of the commencement of a vigorous and systematic eflbrt in that part of the State. Pastors have reported a discouraging aspect of afiiiirs.
The following extracts from the Narratives will give some idea of what the churches have been doing and of the religious condition of the sur- rounding communities. Additional particulars, with some of the statistics, will be found in the Appendix.
ANDOVEK CONFERENCE.
(No Report.)
16
BARNSTABLE CONFERENCE.
Reports have been received from fourteen of the twenty-two churches in this Conference — those not reporting being without pastors, and three of them without regular services. The response to inquiries, though tardy, has been cheerful.
In West Barnstable, the Sunday-school has been substituted for the after- noon service, to relieve the pastor who has found himself compelled to take charge of the High School during the week. A large part of the church members are advanced in years. The church is not active. The Sunday- school is sustained with difficulty. Some of the neglecters, — who are for the most part Universalists, Spiritualists or Skeptics — are drawn into neighborhood prayer-meetings. The losses of the church have been greater than the additions.
The pastor of the church at Centreville makes a statement of great inter- est. A revival has been blessed to "the permanent awakening of the ma- jority of its members." An expository service on Sunday afternoons has stimulated new interest in the study of the Scriptures. Once a month it is customary to devote this exercise to the benefit of the Sunday-school ; after which, the young people remain for personal conversation upon the subject discussed ; the pastor availing himself of the opportunity to press home the truth directly upon the heart, conversing, when practicable, with each one singly. At times, many have seemed deeply affected. On every Sabbath also, after the regular service, an invitation is given to meet the pastor for personal conversation. There has been a constant religious interest in the Sunday-school.
During the revival, some of the ladies began speaking in the meetings — and are now the life of them — though previously opposed to the practice. Two years ago the prayer-meetings were so dull that at last the pastor could bear it no longer ; so, leaving the desk, he took his seat among the people and introduced an informal talk. The meetings are now natural, conversational, sometimes delightful, and always good.
The out-districts are reached by prayer-meetings and the distribution of religious reading. The neglecters are numerous ; but the pastor endeav- ors to visit every one for personal conversation. He suggests a restora- tion of the daily meeting, and thinks that nothing else can overcome the daily power of the world.
Revivals have also been enjoyed at Chatham, South Dennis, Harwich Port and Wellfleet — with from nine to nineteen additions in each.
The church in Harwich has paid off its debt. Harwich Port, Falmouth and Orleans have secured new pastors. Ti'uro affords a good illustration of the advantage of a permanent pastorate. Its minister has been there more than twenty-one years, and is one who truly watches for souls. Though the town is declining in population and the church sufl'ers greatly from removals, the proportion of church attendance, instead of diminishing, has increased. Three fourths of the congregation are in the Sunday-
17
school — many having been gathered in by ." solicitors " appointed for the purpose. Some of the Portuguese, also, are by personal effort brought into meetings. Here, as at Centerville, women " have taken part in the prayer-meetings, speaking and praying, to edification."
The churcli in Wellfleet has had a year of prosperity. A revival com- menced with the week of prayer; nineteen have been added to the church, and hopes are cherished that others still are to come. There has been a good deal of visiting from house to house, for personal conversation ; and a female prayer-meeting, held weekly through the year, has also seemed to do much good. In South Wellfleet, there have been a number of hopeful conversions. Intemperance is scarcely known in the vicinity.
The chnrch in Yarmouth has completed its new meeting-house, at a cost of ^18,000, all paid. The two out-districts have been cared for, as in past years ; but untoward influences from abroad have interfered with their pro- gress. A general improvement, however, is visible; and the labor ex- pended has by no means been lost.
The church at Hijannis invites special attention not only from its sister churches of the neighborhood, but from all Congregational churches in the State. Since last Fall it has had no minister. It is at such a distance from the nearest Congregational churches, that the people are practically out of their reach. The congregation have become discouraged ; and the church, organized seventeen years ago, and upon which a large amount of mission- ary funds has been expended, is in danger of becoming extinct. Planted in the midst of an active population, its present condition may well give rise to a question of some difliculty and of great importance.
In Frovincetown, also, the ancient church, founded in 1714, and reorgan- ized in 1774, which ought long ago, it would seem, to have been eminent for numbers and every kind of strength, has actually fewer members than it had in 1860. Surrounded by a population of five thousand souls, its congregation embraces but forty-one families, and its house of worship is of "very unattractive appearance," while those of other denominations are "large and beautiful." It is without a pastor. The Chairman of the Committee well adds : " This spot, first pressed by Pilgrim feet, should not be abandoned by their sons." The harbor where theii' compact was signed ought never to want a witness to their principles. The church polity which they have bequeathed us, "is peculiarly adapted to the vigorous population of this place," and only needs an earnest and determined spirit in those who hold to it, in order to secure its proper position and useful- ness in this its ancient home.
The Committee of this Conference close their report with " a few sug- gestions." " It is very evident," they observe, " that while in most of the towns of this county we have the advantage of numbers and a preponder- ating influence," we suffer for lack of "systematic plans of action, as churches." We need "more enterprise"; such as will "lead to a general reconnoitring of the ground and a discovery of the elements of our weak-
IS
ness as well as the points of .our strength." While " each church must understand its own field and its peculiar work, there are certain particu- lars deserving the attention of all."
" First. There is a call for special doctrinal instruction in the pulpit and the Sabbath-school, adapted to counteract Universalism, Spiritualism, and current scepticism."
" There are masses of unbelievers in various localities between our churches whose influence is more or less felt." " A part of the inefficiency of the churches is owing to the feebleness of the hold that even many- Christians have upon their faith."
Second. Greater spirituality is called for in the Sabbath-school.
" Our opportunities for reaching our young men are confined, in great measure, to the first twelve or fourteen years of their life." "It is evi- dently our duty, not merely to sow the good seed, but to seek the regener- ation of the heart, before they so early embark upon their perilous voyage of life." The teachers in our Sunday-schools need to be " more spiritual and personal in their application of truth, and more watchful for souls."
Third. We would suggest the need of a more thorough training of teachers for their work. Their power is in proportion to their fitness.
Fourth. " The value of the assistance rendered by Christian women in the prayer-meeting, is matter of demonstration in this county." " What- ever may be said of the duty of women to keep silence in the churches, in ordinary cases, the fact that so large a portion of the brethren are most of the time absent, renders it expedient for them to take a large share in the meetings here. It is the uniform testimony, that they have added in- terest and efficiency wherever they have spoken freely."
Finally, " We close with the suggestion, that special effbrt be made throughout the Conference for some concert of action in church work, in all parts of the county."
BERKSHIRK NORTH CONFERENCE.
(No Eeport.)
BERKSHIRE SOUTH CONFERENCE.
This Conference embraces sixteen churches. The earnest efi'orts that have been made to supply these with pastors have been successful ; and their condition is much better than in foi'mer years, ten churches now hav- ing pastors, and six, ministers employed for the year, while none are vacant. Very naturally, this has been attended by an increase in the congregations. A new church has been organized at Mill-river, a large congregation gath- ered, a meeting-house built and paid for, and a pastor installed.
The out-districts have generally been cared for. In many of them branch Sunday-schools and preaching services are regularly held, with encourag- ing results. South Lee, which a few vears ago was but an outpost of a
19
neigliboring church, now enjoys the services of a Congregational minister, sustained by the people. Glendale, also, now has regular preaching as well as a Sabbath-school. It may well be inferred, say the Committee, in view of the particulars which they give, that we have not abandoned " Home Evangelization, but have pursued it with as much vigor as in any for- mer year. We believe in the work as important and practicable." " In com- paring the efforts now made for the out-stations with what was done for them before our Home Evangelization movement began, it is manifest that a decided gain has been made. We have only to renew our strength by waiting upon the Lord and to practise the blessed doctrine of the Perse- verance of the Saints, and we shall reap in due season."
The general moral condition of the people remaius without material change. Secret organizations for the promotion of Temperance have gen- erally been given up, as not adapted to interest the members permanently.
BKOOKFIELD ASSOCIATIONAL CONFERENCE.
Of the twenty-one churches of this Conference, only fourteen have set- tled pastors ; and yet this is a little better than their record of last year. Three others have stated preachers ; and the remaining four are supplied with transient preachers.
" Usual outward prosperity has been granted to the churches, and the Master has given them many very precious testimonials of his goodness." "Large numbers," however, " in all these towns habitually neglect the sanc- tuary, and many of the children and youth are not brought into the Sab- bath-school. It is to be feared that they receive very little religious in- struction anywhere." "In some of the churches there appears a laxity of discipline that indicates a lack of love for our holy cause." " It is writ- ten, Thou Shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him."
" We are happy to note a commendable abiding by the principles of Tem- perance ; and, as we believe, a growing conviction that the traffic in ardent spirits should be wholly suppressed."
Houses of worship have been repaired and beautified, and a new one has been dedicated at West Warren.
Several churches make grateful mention of refreshings from on high ; and have received considerable additions.
Out-districts are generally looked after with a good degree of care,
ESSEX NOKTH CONFERENCE,
(No Beport.)
20
ESSEX SOUTH CONFERENCE.
"The Committee have tabulated and printed such portions of the annual returns of the churches as seem most desirable, to be circulated among the membership at large, who cannot be expected to be present at the semi- annual meetings. From the narratives of several pastors the following additional notes are extracted."
North Beverly speaks of a great lack of union — union of sentiment and affection — and many obstacles in the way of the success of the gospel. Dane Street Church, Beverly, reports energy in all that pertains to Christian work in the spirit of union. Washington Street Church, Beverly, reports a slowness on the part of persons hopefully converted to unite themselves with the church. Quite a number of such, however, have joined during the past year. The Sabbath-school flourishes as never before. Boxford finds only about one stranger a year to be looked after, little poverty and no criminals, and but few habitual liquor drinkers in town. Much is done in visiting the sick and in thoughtful sympathy with all who are distressed. Christ's kingdom seems to have gained in the hearts of the people. The First Church, Danvers, reports fewer additions than in any of the eight years past. The meeting-house has been further improved since last year, Georgetown testifies to a decided gain in Temperance. Wtst Gloucester men^ tions an increase of religious interest in the Winter and Spring of 1870, which did not result, however, in any decided conversions at the time. Lynn has been the scene of considerable excitement on controversies relat- ing to the Moral Perils of Shoe Factories, and there have been some promising movements in regard to the City Missionary work — yet waiting to be commenced, — and in regard to Temperance, as a concern for the churches to take united hold of. A series of meetings has also been held in several churches under the direction of a committee of pastors of Evangelical denominations, to discuss the interests of workingmen from a moral and Christian point of view. The conviction of impartial observers seems to be, that after the excitement generated by personal conflicts shall have had time to subside, permanent good will be found to have resulted, in an in- creased watchfulness for the moral and religious welfare of our operatives. The out-post at Tower Hill, which has been under the care of the First Church in Lynn for some fourteen years, aiid where a great deal of labor and money have been expended, is not, at present, in an encouraging con- dition. The neighborhood is increasing in population, and able to do much toward sustaining a church ; but the incomers are not Congregation- alists. A Congregational enterprise can hardly be built up there without outside help — and it is a question whether it is wise to grant this, under all the circumstances.
Manchester reports several hundred Eomanists who hold no public Avor- ship, and for whom little is done ; other foreigners also, whom it is hoped to reach this summer by a Branch school. Marblehead, Third Church, re- ports that lectures by the pastor on Spiritism have led to the disband-
21
iug of a progressive lyceum, and the giving up the Spiritist meetings. Intemperance increases. Neglecters are sought after by pastoral visita- tion. Middleton reports that during the Spring and Summer, unusual relig- ious interest prevailed, which, besides twelve or fourteen conversions, resulted in deepening the religious sentiment of the whole community. Attempts are made to reach neglecters by pastoral visitation, and social meetings in different parts of the town. " Those who love the Lord Jesus have much occasion for gratitude in reviewing the year." Bockport con- tinues to carry on work in her two out-districts. Neglecters of worship are reached to some extent by visiting.
The revival in the South Church, Salem, occurred in connection with a union effort of four churches, and the labors of Rev. Mr. Earle, at the commencement. Some hundred souls, in all, obtained hope — thirty in the South church, mostly heads of families and young men, who are now, without exception, earnest, efficient workers. One of the week-day meet- ings (the other being occupied with a lecture by the pastor) is mentioned as "the Brethren's Meeting," conducted by members of the church in alphabetical order, thirty of whom have pledged themselves to share in the work. The topic chosen by the leader is announced beforehand, and there is speaking to the point.
The Tabernacle Church, Salem, beside the meetings ordinarily sustained in the other churches, holds two afternoon meetings of young ladies, with the pastor's wife ; also a monthly mothers' meeting. We " keep trying to improve on our social meetings," the report continues — " do not let them get into ruts." " In this and other respects we make as little discrimination as possible between church-members and non-church-members, thinking that an artificial gulf often exists, which it is better to bridge over. While in our view the church must be the nucleus of all organized Christian ac- tivity, it is best to have all enlisted that can be, whether they belong to the church or not. The state of religion has been, for the most part, very healthful and encouraging, especially among the young men and young women."
Saugus, and also Topsfield, report the general state of Eeligion as low, and intemperance as troublesome.
Of nineteen churches reporting their charities, not one gave to Theologi- cal Seminaries, or to the Congregational Union ; only seven to the Bible Society, and only nine to the Education Society. The committee believe that a thoughtful comparative analysis of the table of charities in this year's report might result in a decided and well apportioned increase of the sacrifices of benevolence, with which, it is written, God is well pleased.
FRANKLIN CONFERENCE.
Most of the twenty-eight churches of this Conference remain in the same condition as last year, One, however, in Heath, has had preaching for but
22
few Sabbaths ; and two or three others for only a part of the time. A number are without settled pastors ; but some of these have enjoyed the services of the same preacher for a number of years.
The church in Gharlemont has adopted the principle of free seats. The Second Church in Greenfield has dedicated its new and beautiful house of worship (costing, all told, about f 60,000,) and has received considerable additions to its membership. In Montague, there has been a most inter- esting and powerful work of grace. Seventy-five hopeful conversions are reported ; forty-five additions already to the church — some of whom have been Roman Catholics. In Orange, also, it has been found necessary to add sixty pews to their meeting-house. Shelbume has received a new pas- tor. A work of grace has been enjoyed at Shelbume, South Deerfield and Shelbume Falls. At Miller's Falls, where a manufacturing village is springing up, a new enterprise is on foot, which is expected to grow into a church ; and the same result is looked for at Montague City. The Sab- bath-schools in Buckland and in Shelbume are worthy of special mention as embracing nearly the whole congregation.
The pastors of this Conference now "no more think of neglecting the out-districts under their care " than their Sunday-schools ; and in this they have the cooperation of their churches. " Our out-districts are all in- districts."
On the whole, the churches have enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity. "What is lost in one locality, by the changes of population, is gained in another." The Temperance cause holds its ground. •
HAMPDEN CONFERENCE.
The reports of this Conference are made out in the Eall. The Commit- tee open their last regular narrative with the following preface :
According to the programme of exercises for the Conference, " Written Eeports " were requested of the churches in conformity with the prime objects of the Conference ; viz., our better mutual acquaintance as churches, through the knowledge of each other's welfare and mutual consultation with regard to the common interests and Christian work belonging to our Redeemer's kingdom. It is desired that these reports shall furnish the basis of our church history from year to year, something as the gospel of the "Acts of the Apostles " recorded the church history of the primitive times.
It is desirable that our church members, who cannot attend the annual meetings of the Conference, should be informed of any facts that concern the general welfare and fellowship of the churches, that " whether one member sufier all the members may sufier with it, or one member be honored, all the members may rejoice with it"; that we may learn how "to bear one another's burdens," and to cooperate more heartily and ef- ficiently in our Christian work throughout the country, " considering one another to provoke unto love and good works."
23
Sucli reports, carefully prepared and digested, will also be valuable for future reference and comparison. As these objects were not fully under- stood, the reports from the churches for this year were incomplete. Sev- eral were made orally, and while containing facts of interest and impor- tance, it was impossible to preserve them with accuracy as thus reported.
Of the thirty-six churches belonging to the Conference, twenty-one made written reports.
"We have room here for but brief extracts from these statements :
The Second Church in CMco'pee reports a revival. " From about the time of our last Conference meeting, an increasing activity in our church work was apparent, which continued steadily through the "Winter and Spring. It showed itself in our social meetings, in general Christian labors, and in conversions to Christ.
*' Our social meetings became more familiar and earnest, and their exer- cises were shared by a larger number of the attendants, of both sexes. A young people's weekly meeting, conducted by themselves, was soon estab- lished, which is still in vigorous life. A deeper and broader feeling of Christian responsibility is rooting itself in the church." " We have a band of young Christian workers coming on with excellent promise. The church has received twelve additions, of whom one was by letter and eleven on profession. Of those thus received on profession, six were heads of fami^ lies, and two only were youths."
'■'■Bible Service'" abandoned. — "After trying for a year and a half the plan of an afternoon Bible service, attended by the pastor, the experiment was not regarded as a success, and the congregation has returned to the former custom, of the afternoon sermon. The numbers attending public worship under these different arrangements, are about the same, with us. The attendance on the Sunday-school is less of late, than formerly. But so is the number of our families, on account of the removal of an unusual portion of them, within the last year and a half, from the village."
Change in Mode of Admission. — " The church, by a unanimous vote, has modified its form of admitting members on profession, retaining its former articles of faith, in the new Manual, as showing our doctrinal basis unchanged, but no longer requiring an unqualified acceptance of it on the part of candidates ; a briefer and more devotional form of confession hav- ing been substituted for public use and acknowledgment."
The following narrative is worthy of thoughtful perusal. It is full of suggestion and encouragement. If all our pastors could but settle down to their work with a feeling of permanence, steadfast in one well consid- ered system of methods, year upon year, fully proving what virtue there is in a continuance in well doing, what could hinder like results in most of the parishes now so enfeebled by emigration?
A Bural Parish. — The church in Longmeadow report: " Our church has held its own under the disadvantages of emigration and depletion it has
24
suffered in common with many country churches. The increasing distaste for agriculture has of late years led our young men to forsake the old home- steads, and the rising prosperity and attractiveness of Springfield have almost wholly absorbed our manufacturing interests, taking away the youthful and enterprising element that once contributed so much of vigor and hope. As the fathers pass away, new occupants seldom take the posi- tion and interest in church affairs that characterized the old inhabitants who were ' to the manner born.' But notwithstanding our losses by death and emigration, we still have a remarkably homogeneous and united people. Our field is small and definite and left wholly to our care.
" As a church we are learning how to cultivate it better. More care is given to the early religious training of children, than in former years. They are oftener brought into the full membership of the church. Our young people's meeting has greatly advanced during the past year in num- bers, interest and efficiency.
" Our household prayer-meetings have become established as a practical and delightful means of Christian acquaintance and fellowship and of reach- ing some who keep aloof from the stated forms of worship. We have been gaining upon the old stiffness and formality in the weekly prayer-meeting. Our- Sabbath-school is becoming more thorough in instruction.
" Our Christian work is becoming recognized as steady work rather than the occasional blazing up of short-lived and spasmodic feeling. There is still a great lack of real Christian acquaintance and mutual love — but we are gaining on it. Still a lack, also, of personal searching of the Scriptures, especially among the adult members, few of whom come into the Sabbath- school. But we hope to gain on this.
" Our Benevolent Association is going on as it has for thirty years, gathering in our charitable contributions by male and female collectors who go their monthly rounds. It has much more than held its own, considering the number who have left us. "We have just dispatched a valuable box to a Home Missionary, and its preparation has blessed us as a work of sympa- thy and love.
"A fine piano has been purchased for our Chapel. The parsonage has been thoroughly repaired. Our church music has been revived and im- proved. We have inaugurated praise-meetings and Congregational sing- ing, in part. We observe the week of Prayer, and have our Sabbath-school Concert in connection with a Bible Service on Sabbath afternoon, once a month, in place of the usual service. We have in our Parish 137 families, of whom 104 are American and 33 foreign. Of the American families 90 per cent, are represented by more or less of their members at the public worship on the Sabbath. During the past year there have been eight ad- mitted to the church, six by profession, five dismissed, and three baptized."
WeeJcly Contributions. — The Pirst Church in Springfield report: "The grace of giving has received new attention, and the change of our method has shown a new field for its growth. The fact that giving is so little done on Scriptural principles, led the church to vote, in the beginning
25
of the year, to take a collection in the congregation every Lord's Day morning as a part of the service. This vote went into effect February 1st. The open collection was ordered to be divided pro rata among differ- ent objects approved by the church, and every inclosed contribution ap- plied according to its direction. The result has been very satisfactory, as showing its agi'eement with the principles of grace. The enlargement of this idea into apart of the regular service of worship — the universal invi- tation, by an act to remember the Lord Jesus — the connection of this act with His offering of Himself for us, have been happy results upon the minds and hearts of many in the congregation. It is salutary too in train- ing the young to daily and personal remembrance of their obligation to the Lord for all temporal blessings."
Comparison of the Systems. — ' ' The report for the year now made, from October to October, enables us to compare fairly the old and the new system. The whole amount given, excluding the Bible service collection, is $2,501.09. Our former method was, to take up for a specific object, every third Sabbath in the month, and for extra objects at other times. And so there would often be a collection every Sabbath for some distinct object. Our present method, is a collection, of the nature of a thank-offer- ing to God, every Sabbath morning. Erom October 1, 1869, to February 1, 1870, the first third of the year, the amount was $636.85. The second third, from February 1st to June 1st, $1,079.35. June 1st to October 1st,
" These figures are strong facts, when we consider that the action was not unanimous in the church, and that some of the congregation have had no share in the offering, upon principle.
" Another way in which we have found peculiar blessing, has been in the Home Concert of prayer."
Neighborly Fellowship of CMirches. — " During a portion of the year, we have sent brethren to visit sister churches, and report what God is doing among them. The cultivation of this fellowship has been profita- ble to them and to us. In laige part the general success of the Kingdom of Christ in our county will be increased by fulfilling this duty of the churches, their fellowship and mutual growth. It is a principle of our polity which has been widely neglected, and yet contains the secret of our strength."
"Hope Chapel." — The South Church in Springfield report: "With us the most important Christian enterprise of the year has been the erection of " Hope Chapel." Five years ago, two of our young men started a Sab- bath-school in a private house, and finding themselves no longer accommo- dated, they purchased a barn, knocked out the stalls, put it in a decent con- dition, and put their school in there. Here it prospered, and proving a blessing to the neighborhood, which is remote from any church, the funds were readily raised for the erection of this ChapeL It has a convenient and tasteful interior, being handsomely frescoed, with considerable letter-
26
ing, and cost tMrty-flve hundred dollars. The Sabbath-school is flourish- ing, with a regular attendance already of one hundred and twenty-five. Eeligious services of some kind are held there every Sabbath evening, and it promises to be a great blessing to that part of the city, if not to become the germ of another church."
Bevival. — The Olivet Church, Springfield, report: "The year has been one of many blessings, and of some progress. The attendance in the sanctuary and in the social prayer-meetings has been good ; the church has grown stronger, ' built up in the most holy faith,' and led by the Holy Ghost.
" During the "Winter and Spring the church was greatly revived, and souls were converted. In one Sabbath-school class, five young men ; in another class, three young ladies ; and other classes, some one or more. Some of them have united with the church ; others are intending to unite in due time.
Vigor. — " The Bible service has been of increasing interest and profit. The ladies of the church have been earnest and faithful. They have sus- tained their prayer-meeting well. They began the temperance movement ; secitred one hundred and seventeen names to a call and pledge, laying both before the church. In response, the Springfield Temperance Union was formed, which has held several meetings of increasing interest and power.. Some noble men have been reclaimed, and now stand firm in the grace and strength of Christ.
" In benevolence, the church and congregation have increased nearly fourfold in three years — 1867, P37.40; 1868, #835.13; 1869, $1,139.12. Besides, the people have procured a new bell, at an expense of between five and six hundred dollars, and a new organ costing $3,700. The Monthly Concert and the Home Concert have been sustained fully by the brethren, — some twenty or more reporting from the various missions and missionary stations."
Bevival. — The Chui'ch in South Wilhraham report: "At the com- munion service in December, a lady who had been restored from a danger- ous illness united with the church on profession of faith, and her two children were baptized. Soon after this, indications of unusual religious interest appeared among the members of the Sabbath-school. Apparently there was not much increase of fervor among the members of the church at large. A few, however, seemed earnest for a revival, and were unusually animated and encouraged by the tokens of the Holy Spii'it's presence among the young, and were very punctual in attending the usual social meetings.
" A young people's prayer and inquiry meeting was commenced at the parsonage, at which five persons were at first present. The number in- creased to some forty. Thirty-five of them requested prayers. Their con- viction of sin was generally pungent, their feelings tender, and the interest
27
of a quiet, undemoustrative, abiding kind. There was a marked punctu- ality and persistency in attending tliese meetings, lield for a period twice a week, and frequently the nights were dark and stormy. Freedom in speak- ing and readiness in taking part in meetings, among some very young people, was a pleasing characteristic. Those who were the most punctual and took the most pains to be present, soon found peace, and appeared cheerful, feeling that they had been forgiven and had found acceptance with the Saviour. At a Sabbath-school Concert about this time, some twenty-five persons rose at once to express their desire to become Chris- tians, and to solicit the prayers of God's people. About twenty gave pleas- ing evidence of having met with a change of heart, among them some members of the Academy having homes in other places. The readiness of such as resided among us to express their desire for union with the church and the privileges of the Lord's table, was very gratifying.
"Since the beginning of this interest, a young people's prayer-meeting has been sustained, once a week, and the perseverance and punctuality of those who have attended, has been very encouraging. Tlieir views have been enlarged, and those who have exei'cised their gifts have evidently grown in grace and obtained a growing facility in the power of expression."
The Home Evangelization Committee, which acts under instructions from the " Benevolent Association," (a kind of County Home Missionary Society,) appropriated $940 in aid of six feeble churches. This plan meets with cordial approval.
General Condition of the Churches. — " The rest of our churches are not only self-supporting, but as a whole, are gaining in numbers, and strength, and benevolence. We have now thirty-six in all, and alnaost all of them have pastors, or stated supplies. Within twenty years, their membership has increased more than one quarter — their annual additions more than one third — the members of their Sabbath-schools more than doubled, while their charities have increased in a still greater proportion."
Wisdom of Home Missionary J.i(^. — " Churches which once received aid from the Home Missionary Society, like North Wilbraham, South Wil- braham, East Longmeadow, Indian Orchard, Chicopee Ealls, Huntington, Chester Factories, and Feeding Hills, are not only sustaining their own religious institutions, but they are helping sustain others, and engaged with us in all home and foreign work. This is the fruit of wise sow- ing in former years. The wisdom and Christian kindness of our churches in looking after their struggling brethren, repays them thus. They have so many more to aid them, and so much more ability with which to aid, in carrying forward all Christian work. It is the plainest dictate of wisdom, as well as the prompting of Christian love, to sustain and encourage all such feeble churches."
Need of Fi-aternal Encouragement. — "And they sometimes need encour- agement, quite as much as they need pecuniary aid. A church is small, finds it difficult to sustain a minister and has no great ability with which to
28
do anything. The population of the town is diminishing, and the young people are leaving, and the loss of a single member, by removal or death, is felt to be a great calamity. The few who remain, and who have long borne a heavy burden, now that it is to be increased, lose heart and hope. And if they lose their minister and are obliged to find another, and especially if they are obliged to pay him a somewhat larger salary, as is very likely to be the case, and if, moreover, the church must be repaired, and perhaps the par- sonage also, they are in utter despair. But let a little aid be furnished them about their repairs, or towards the minister's salary; let them be aided in finding a minister, and encouraged to give him a better support ; let them be shown the capabilities of their parish, and urged to a better cultivation of the field ; let them see that their condition is not a peculiar one, but only the counterpart of so many others, that have been blessed of God, and built up ; and especially let them be assured of the sympathy of their brethren, and of their readiness to help them bear their burden ; and we may have saved that church. Those good but dispirited souls take courage, and assume a heavier burden, and undertake more Christian work, and God re- wards them for it, and builds them up, until they are not only self-support- ing, but able to return the kindness to others, and to help about all Christian work. This is the history of so many churches, that our feeble churches do well to remember it, and take encouragement from it, while the rest of us would be foolish indeed, not to sympathize with and help every such strug- gling church."
HAMPSHIRE CONFERENCE.
To the churces of the Hampshire Conference, (embracing all of Hampshire County, west of the Connecticut Kiver, except Hatfield and Middlefield,) the past year has been a year of blessing.
Early in November, at a Christian Convention held in Williamsburg, there were manifest tokens of the Holy Spirit's presence. A revival was then reported in progress at WortJiington, and the work went on until fifty or more were hopefully converted ; and thus one of the larger churches among the hill towns has been greatly strengthened. Many who attended the Convention carried home the spirit of the meeting with them, and al- most immediately in several other parishes there began to be conversions.
In Florence, a large village in the town of Northampton, where a few years ago the " Free Religionists " held almost entire control, there was in the course of two or three months, a quiet yet powerful work of grace, which has reached young and old, and has brought even scoffers upon their knees. Not less than fifty or sixty have indulged the Christian hope. The Second Church in Huntington has also experienced a precious revival, which has brought in many heads of families and made the Gospel a new power in that community. The First Church in Williamsburg has been greatly re- freshed, and about thirty, mostly among the young, have been hopefully converted. In the Haydenville church, the religious interest has been quiet
29
and deep. All through the Winter and Spring the meetings have been well attended) and scarcely a week has passed without one or more conversions. In the village of Leeds, — connected with the Haydenville Parish, though having a Chapel of their own, — a few faithful workers have been reaping a rich harvest. In the two villages last named, there have been not less than sixty or seventy hopeful conversions, of whom forty have already joined the church. The young men of! Northampton have been busy at the " Bay State " and at Hospital Hill, where abeautiful Chapel has just been completed, and in those union efforts many have found the Saviour. Other towns have received some measure of blessing, and the feeling has many times found expression, that this is one of the years of the right hand of the Most High. The churches, with hardly an exception, are supplied with ministers, and in genei'al are more than maintaining their ground. The Edwards church, in Northampton, whose house was destroyed by fire, are bringing towards completion a beautiful edifice which will be an appropriate home for them. The Conference, which has been sleeping for the past four years, has just been revived, and an excellent meeting was lately held with the church in Southampton.
HAMPSHIRE EAST CONFERENCE.
Keturns have been received from fourteen of the nineteen churches of this Conference. Some of them report unusual efforts for the promotion of church fellowship, and also a marked advance in the amount of church ac- tivity; though in the majority there has been no change. Many church members " are still neglectful and unbelieving as respects the duty of the baptismal consecration of their children." Sunday Schools are almost uni- versally prosperous : in one church the afternoon is given up to it. No general or powerful revivals are reported for the year 1870, but churches were quickened and refreshed and souls converted.
The churches have been mindful of their duty to out-districts. From one, we hear, " the pastor preaches there a great deal ; prayer meetings are held, and tracts systematically distributed." In another, " all the families re- ceive pastoral calls ; several persons have recently indulged a hope, others are coming to church." In a third, a meeting is regularly held every Sab- bath evening ; two persons have recently expressed a hope, though the mass remain uninterested. A region is reported, however, as demanding a measure and kind of work that the neighboring pastors are unable to give. This is one of the instances in which the aid of a lay-helper, or of a " County Assistant," would be most appropriate. Without some such instrumental- ity, it is hard to see how the district in question is to be eflectually reached.
Intemperance prevails in some places to a considerable extent, and there is little activity anywhere for its removal.
MENDON CONFERENCE.
(The reports from this Conference indicate no important changes, and we omit, for this year, to give them room here.)
30
MIDDLESEX SOUTH CONFERENCE.
(No report.)
BIIDDLESEX UNION CONFERENCE.
(No report.)
NORFOLK CONFERENCE.
Reports have been received from twenty-two of the twenty -nine churches of this Conference. From these and the statement of the Local Committee we make the following extracts :
Abington, First Church. An addition has been made to the house of wor- ship. All pew-rents have been abolished, and the Treasury is mostly sup- plied by weekly collections. One Sabbath evening in a month is devoted to the cause of Temperance.
Two Roman Catholic missionaries have been securing Temperance pledges among the population of their own faith, and are reported to have obtained five hundred ; as a consequence Thanksgiving day and Christmas passed off with unwonted stillness. Abington, Second Church. Infant baptism practically ignored. Nothing done in out-districts. The state of religion low. No pastor. East Abington, also, is still without a pastor. North Abington. " Mixed up with Second Adventists, Annihilationists, Spiritists, Nothingists." The Sabbath desecrated. Infant baptism neglected. The church in a cold state. The present Temperance law works badly.
From Beechwood — recently an out-district — we hear good accounts. Debts have been paid ; the church is gaining, and the general aspect is hopeful. The pastor reports, however, that a more stringent Temperance law is needed. The church in Easton has been holding meetings in out-districts with good results. A similar report comes from the Porter church, North Sridgewater, from Campello, South Weymouth, and Sharon.
Hyde Park. Special pains are taken to interest the young people, to pro- mote social intercourse, to pay suitable courtesy to strangers and new comers, and to engage and assist Sunday School teachers in their work. " By the Rules of the Church and Sabbath School, the school is accounted an organization of the church for the promotion of the study of the "Word of God, and not a body separate from the church. The recognition of this re- lation has proved highly beneficial. The school is prosperous and increasing. "
" It is believed that the Prohibitory law would be better than the present."
The church has raised about $9,500 — nearly the whole as a "jubilee con- tribution " — for paying off a debt.
Campello. " The first week of the year was observed, in concert with churches in different parts of the world, as a season of special religious ser- vice. Sermons were preached by neighboring clergymen four evenings in the week, and a union meeting, in which the different churches in the town
31
were represented,' was lield one afternoon. These meetings were very well attended, were deeply interesting at the time, and it is believed were not wholly unprofitable in their results. Our Tellowship meetings have been held in the week following the communion. They have been pleasant seasons of Christian intercourse, and, as we believe, have been blessed spiritually to those who have attended. During the warm season our Superintendent, and a few others, have maintained a Sabbath-school within the limits of an adjoining town, in a neighborhood where very few persons are attendants upon the worship of the sanctuary. The labors of these brethren were very cordially received, and from thirty to fifty persons became members of this school. Although four miles away from us, the school was held every Sabbath until the approach of cold weather, when it was thought best to close for the Winter. The school was started at the request of an unknown individual who did not himself attend, and it is hoped that through his instrumentality a good work was done.
Stoughton. This church is now making trial of the " Bible Service," which seems to give general satisfaction — though not universal, fellow- ship meetings are held in connection with the Preparatory lecture. A Neigh- borhood meeting has been recently established about two and a half miles from the centre of the town, and has secured a good attendance. The weekly prayer meeting has, for the time, gained new interest from the adoption of the following method :
" The pastor previously designates two brethren, who are to select a topic or passage of scripture for the next week, and prepare themselves to speak on it at the opening of the meeting. They notify the pastor, on or before the next Sabbath, what the topic or text is, and he mentions it from the pul- pit. The people are thus informed of the subject, and can prepare them- selves accordingly, if they wish to take part in the meeting. The pastor occupies the close rather than the opening of the meeting ; and thus the brethren feel that they have a chance to say something before the pastor has gone over all the ground. As a temporary change in the way of conduct- ing our prayer meetings, it seems to work very satisfactorily."
"There has been but one case of infant baptism, though the duty, as well as the privilege, of Christian parents to consecrate their children to the Lord in the Abrahamic covenant is urged.
" The substitution of a ' Bible Service ' in the afternoon allows more variety and interest in the exercises of the Sunday School. The members, old and young, all unite in ofiering the Lord's Prayer, and in responsive reading of the scriptures, making use of Mrs. Perry's ' Bible Manual,' which we find very admirably arranged for this purpose. The pastor has a class in the Sunday School, and also occupies ten minutes or more in addressing the whole school on some topic connected with the lesson. We are using ' The Mimpriss System ' of graded lessons on the Life of Christ, harmon- ized from the four Evangelists, and find it an excellent text book.
"Intemperance has prevailed to a great and alarming extent among us during the past year. There is no active Temperance organization in the
32
place. The existing law is not useful in suppressing the dram-shops which are such a curse to any community. Three murders have been committed during the past year, one by negroes, and two by Irishmen."
" Little gain has been manifest in the cause of morals or the kingdom of Christ for the last year. The call of God, ' Go work in my vineyard,' is urgent, but the response is feeble. The work is great, but the laborers are few. The direction of Christ to his disciples is still applicable : ' Pray ye > the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.' '
Weymouth. The Second Church has enjoyed a quiet work of Divine grace. The Union Church has raised about $30,000 for a new house of wor- ship. The church at East Weymouth is reaping the reward of the devoted efforts of its recent pastor, at Lovell's Corner, in witnessing an organized and succesful effort among the people of that vicinity to supply themselves with regular preaching.
The Committee of the Conference observe in conclusion : " From the reports and statistics which have been sent in, it appears that the outward prosperity of our churches has not differed much from that of last year. The charitable contributions have been somewhat larger. The attendance on public worship is about the same. Interest in and labor for our Sab- bath-schools seem to be on the increase. A little more attention has been given to Christian fellowship. There is but little encouraging in the cause of Temperance and public morals. Few additions have been made to our church membership. The number of converts reported is very small."
OLD COLONY COKFEEENCE.
Keports have been received from nine of the fourteen churches of this Conference. From these the statistical returns are nearly complete. The number of neglecting families in the several parishes varies from five to forty-nine ; and the number of individual neglecters, from fifteen to one hundred and seventy-four. The number of neglecters brought to church, from ten to fifteen; and the number brought to Sunday-school falls between the same limits, though the extremes are in difi'erent churches. The reports of expenses and charities are full.
For two months, union meetings, for preaching and for conference, were held in the different churches of the city of New Bedford, and did much good in strengthening the feeling of brotherhood among Evangelical Christians of different denominations.
In fhe Facific cMirch, JVeto ^ed/ori^, the " Jubilee effort" was turned to- wards the establishment of a building fund for a new meeting-house, in a locality where more may be done toward the evangelization of the city. The church holds a "Bible service" on Sabbath morning, which has increased in interest and value.
In connection with the Union meetings above mentioned, a deep and pre- vailing religious interest was developed among the young people. The church was a good deal awakened, and numbers who for years had kept
33
away from the prayer meetings began again to attend. The Ladies' prayer meeting was greatly blessed, and became a power in the church. Christian women were alive for every good work, and especially for prayer. In the judgment of the committee more good was done in this Ladies' meeting, than by all the public speaking and praying by women — and there was considerable — in the Union meetings.
The Pacific church has held the Fellowship meeting once a quarter ; and has, by rule, established this as one of its permanent institutions. A " Com- mittee on strangers," consisting of four men and three women, have done good service in welcoming new-comers to church and visiting them at their homes.
The church in Fairhaven is in an encouraging condition — its prayer meetings full, and a gratifying religious interest at its outpost, Naska- tucJcet, where there were about twelve hopeful conversions. There is no dram shop in the place. The general moral condition is good. There has been a gain in all directions.
Erom the church at Acushnet — of twenty-six members — we hear that " church fellowship has been promoted by a monthly Christian sociable." There has been more giving and better attendance.
In connection with the Branch Sunday School, evening meetings have been occasionally held, and a decided gain, in every respect, is visible in the community.
The church in Westport — thirty-one members — has been stirred up by its pastor to rebuild the steeple of the meeting house. The observance of the week of prayer, was followed by good results. Services have been held in out-districts ; but the difficulty of eflfectually impressing them is very great. In certain localities morals are at a low ebb ; hundreds pursue their accustomed work on the Sabbath ; parents unblushingly defy the laws of God and of the State, and the wonder is, that things being so bad they are not much worse.
From South Dartmouth, we hear that the children have nearly all been gathered into the Sunday School — which now takes the place of the fore- noon service — the preaching coming in the afternoon and evening. In the evening ail seats are free, and many attend then who are rarely, if ever, seen at other times. The pastor regards the substitution of the Sunday School for the morning service a success. There have been six hopeful con- versions.
At Marion the church, few in numbers, is earnestly striving, not without encouragements. The Fellowship meeting has been greatly enjoyed. On the whole, there has been some progress.
At North Eochester, the church, which is very feeble, reports a small gain in membership, and an increased respect for public worship. The people are scattered, and the church does not sustain a prayer meeting. The young people come out in good numbers on Sunday evenings, but only one voice, besides those of the pastor and the singers, is heard in any of the meetings. The pastor preaches twice on the Sabbath, and holds a Bible class during
u
the week — when any attend. The Communion is celebrated, in accordance with long established custom, four times a year. The law prevents the the sale of drink. There is little intemperance or crime, and little religious life or growth.
In New Bedford, the " open sale of liquor has been completely stopped. As a consequence, crime has much diminished, and the morals of the city improved."
" On the whole, the churches of this Conference are on a better footing than they have been for several years. Nine out of the fourteen churches have now settled pastors, and two of the remaining five have stated preach- ers. There is promise of more aggressive work hereafter, and so, of a brighter day for Zion."
PILGEIM CONFERENCE.
Of the fifteen churches in this Conference, ten have furnished reports. It embraces one church more than last year. The majority are small and weak; most of the territory which they occupy suffering from emigration. -Four churches only have pastors ; six, acting pastors ; leaving five without a resident ministry. Six report small gains, and six, losses ; leaving the membership almost exactly the same. Three make mention of seven hope- ful conversions.
The following brief notes respecting a portion of the churches, may be taken as indicative of the general condition of others also :
In Carver, (North,') " the people are, to quite an extent, a church going people " ; are " stable, and love the gospel." District meetings have been useful. The general condition is hopeful. Three neglecters have been induced to attend church, and four, the Sunday School.
In Duxbury, the church, originally organized in the Wesleyan Methodist connection, having for a number of years been upon most friendly terms of intercourse with the neighboring Congregational churches, has within the past year, by unanimous vote, formally joined their communion. The best state of feeling prevails. Evening meetings have been crowded with young people. A few have, it is believed, entered upon the Christian life. The cause of Temperance is receiving fresh attention, with prospects of good. The parsonage has been improved. A new hymn book is promoting Congregational singing. The general aspect is encouraging.
From Marshfield, First church, we learn that the pastor's salary has been slightly increased ; the Neighborhood meetings keep up their interest and usefulness, and some successful efforts have been directed toward the mul- titude of visitors that fiock in the Summer to the shore.
In the North Parish " meetings are held as often as possible in an out- district, and the attendance is good — few of the families thus reached being members of the principal congregation." Intemperance is a crying sin.
The Church of the Pilgrimage, in Plymouth, holds a Fellowship meeting
35
once a month ; reports a good degree of activity, with some special interest ; the general state of religion good, and an apparent improvement in the moral and religious interests of the commnhity. An effort is in progress " to place things in the church on a better basis." Erom another church we liear, " Nothing done to promote Christian acquaintance. Not a working church. No revival — though three hopeful conversions. Eeligion low. Out-districts in a most deplorable condition ; yet little intemperance, unless among the colored people and the Irish. No pastor."
The towns within the borders of this Conference have a poor soil, and most of them suffer from emigration. Many years ago, the churches were reduced in pecuniary strength by the Unitarian separation, and most are financially feeble. Naturally, there has often been a lack of enterprise and of hope ; ministerial salaries have not increased as elsewhere ; churches have been without settled pastors; the borders have not always been carefully tended ; in some places the moral tone has not been fully main- tained, and unbelief and superstition have helped each other, so that law- yers and judges note a difference in the character of juries which they sometimes find in their courts. There is need of an effort to counteract the causes that have been working so unfavorably ; and in this, the churches of the Conference have a right to count upon the cordial cooperation of brethren beyond their bounds.
SUFFOLK NORTH CONFERENCE.
(No Eeport.)
SUFFOLK SOUTH CONFERENCE.
All the churches connected with this Conference have reported. We can make room for only brief extracts from the long and interesting summary of the Committee.
Farlc Street Church has an " auxiliary " Sunday School in Eliot street, occu- pying a field having a population of about 4,000, among whom are many Germans. A Chapel has been newly fitted up. Five hopeful conversions have occurred during the year. Prayer meetings are held there on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. A sewing school gathers eighty or a hundred children. Mothers' meetings are held — including some of German mothers ; and a systematic visitation of their classes is encouraged on the part of the teachei'S.
Union Church. A junior pastor was installed in December, 1870. The congregation is now worshiping in its new sanctuary. Changes have also been introduced into the Sabbath services. A "Bible Service " is now held on Sunday afternoon, and the evening meetings are designed to interest the church in the following objects — an evening in a month being assigned to each — "Missions, the Sunday-school, Christian Praise, and the convert sion of their own people."
36
Berkeley Street Church. "This church has gained thirty-one members during the year. A system of visitation has been adopted, which promises excellent results. A Superintendent is appointed, by the church, to have charge of the work. Under his guidance the Sunday-school teachers and others call on neglecting families whose children have been added to the school. They also aim, in a systematic way, to become acquainted with new families taking seats in the church. The division of this labor is so minute that no one can worship many Sabbaths with them and remain a stranger. Under the same direction, also, a popular course of lectures, at very low rates of admission, is arranged for next season. Some of the leading lecturers of the country are engaged."
Central Church. This church supports an auxiliary, the Old Colony Sun- day-school, on Tyler street. It is an old enterprise, having been established forty-five years, and now has twenty-six teachers ; an average attendance of 170 scholars, and a total of 240. Several hopeful conversions have taken place during the year. The exercises of the school are followed immediate- ly by a children's service, when the Superintendent and his assistants explain the truth of God to the children in the most familiar ways. A regular preach- ing service is held in the evening. A Wednesday evening prayer-meeting, a Mothers' prayer-meeting, a Sewing-school, a Teachers' meeting, fort- nightly, and a Mothers' Temperance Society, quarterly, are among the many means of good employed. The Superintendent reports a gradual but con- stant improvement in the spirit and conduct of the children and a growing interest on the part of parents.
Shawmut Church. The total gain in the membership of this church has been forty. " At the May Communion," says the pastor, " as the result of a precious revival, in which the pastor and church were most efiectually and sympathizingly aided by Eev. Mr. Plumb, of Chelsea, and Eev. Mr. Means, of Boston Highlands, thirty-four persons were received into the church on confession of their faith." In the Mission Chapel, on the Sab- bath, we have a Sunday-school, and a prayer-meeting ; and during the week, prayer-meetings, a singing-school, and sewing-school. The " Fellowship meeting " has been a means of acquaintance and comfort to us all. The number of persons that know nobody, in a city congregation, is very large, and the obstacles to social intercourse which such persons encounter, are numerous and forbidding. The Fellowship meeting removes the barriers and opens the way. Children of the same Father, disciples of the same Saviour, come together and clasp hands, exchange Christian salutations, and join in common conversation, and go away strengthened and cheered.
E. Street Church, {South Boston.} The church has gained nineteen mem- bers. The parish includes sixty-five neglecting families, which embrace two hundred and fifty souls. Endeavors are made to develop the activity of the entire membership of the church, both male and female. The church hold a monthly social gathering and a bi-monthly church conference ; the former for social, the latter, for spiritual acquaintance. Says the pastor, '« We sustain a Neighborhood prayer-meeting, and have a Mission Band to
37
invite childreu to tlie Sabbath-school. We have organized a young people's Working Association. It holds a prayer-meeting every Thursday, save the last one of the month. We then have literary or musical exercises, or a social gathering. The present Temperance law operates badly for us, and there is no particular activity in this reform. We need a more stringent law."
Uliot Church, (Boston Highlands.) The pastor of this church has been compelled by sickness to seek a brief rest from his labors. " Ninety of its members have been dismissed ; nearly all of them having united to form another church in the neighborhood. This is the third church that has gone out from the Eliot church within fourteen or fifteen years. The Su- perintendent, librarian, and eighteen teachers of the Sabbath-school, with sixty or more scholars, left our school among the ninety. Nevertheless, through the energy of a new Superintendent and others acting with him, scholars were brought in, so that the average attendance for the three months following the departure of this large number, was equal to the av- erage of the school for the nine months preceding."
Dorchester, Second Church. This church has sustained, with some aid from other churches, a Sabbath-school and preaching services at Mattapan. The Neighborhood meetings have been more numerous and better sustained.
Trinity Church, Neponset, < Boston. Sixty persons have been brought to church and fifty to Sabbath-school, during the year. There has been five hopeful conversions. The church has gained sixteen members — eight by profession of faith. The Sabbath-school has increased about fifty per cent, and is still growing. Plans are on foot for a systematic efibrt to reach the whole community, by districting the parish and appointing a sub -pastoral committee. " The beer clause of the liquor law," says the pastor, " is hav- ing a very injurious efl"ect on the laboring population. They stay away from the sanctuary to guzzle their drinks all the day long."
Evangelical Church, Brighton. The parish has been divided between twelve visitors, who have called on all the families. General good feeling was increased, if nothing more. Intemperance is widespread, and there are no good results from the existing law.
Harvard Church, Broolcline. Notwithstanding the removal of their pastor, the year has been one of activity and success. Pledges to the amount of $60,000 have been secured toward a new church building. Much interest in Congregational singing has been developed, and the experiment of adopt- ing this style of service is entirely successful. The monthly sociables and the church Fellowship meetings have been infiuential in holding the people together, and developing neighborly and Christian sympathy. " The general state of religion," says an officer of the church, " has improved."
South Church, Dedham. The usual Fellowship meetings are held ; also, a Neighborhood prayer-meeting in an outlying district on Saturday evening. Efl"orts for reaching neglecters are made by holding prayer-meetings, preach- ing services, and, in the Summer, by open air meetings. Intemperance has greatly increased, and the present law is thought to be the cause. The
38
church lias been recently refreshed with some conversions. Seventy-five neglecters are reported, living in twenty families.
Grantville. " This church has had to contend, from its very birth, with a strong and positive spirit of unbelief, intensely antagonistic to Evangelical doctrines." Among the encouraging signs are an evident growth of church fellowship and a disappearance of old sources of discord. Says the pastor, " We have the material for a grand working church. Not a department of Christian labor but might be well filled. There is to be found in our mem- bers the energy and fire of youth and the experience of age. The field is fairly ours."
Second Church, Newton. Occasional Fellowship meetings are held after the communion. The Young Men's Christian Association sustains a course of lectures and social gatherings. There is no special interest in temper- ance, and the law is void. A youths' temperance organization, under the care of the pastor, flourishes.
Eliot Church, Newton. This church reports twenty-three hopeful con- versions and a gain of fifteen members. Occasional Fellowship meetings are held. This church still aids in supporting the church at the " North Village," both pecuniarily and by furnishing Sabbath-school teachers. The results are good, every way. The children of believers are generally bap- tized, and the pastor meets the children occasionally by themselves. Seven individuals have been brought to church, and forty-five into the Sabbath- school during the year.
North Evangelical Church, Newton. The pastor reports that ninety were brought into the Sunday-school ; but that this is no criterion of success, as nearly the whole population changes in the course of the year. Seven • conversions are reported. One evil which this church has to fight is intem- perance ; and reform is thought to be much hindered by the existing law.
Central Church, Newtonville. This church has made a gain of twenty- nine members during the year. There have been six hopeful conversions. Teachers' meetings have been sustained with considerable vigor; and the plan of a uniform lesson has met with great success. Four Sabbaths in the year are called Children's Sabbaths, and the exercises of the day are wholly devoted to them.
The naratives of the churches omitted from the foregoing extracts are in general of a gratifying character.
The committee conclude their report with the following statistical sum- mary.
1. The salaries paid in twenty-nine churches, amount to $75,025. — Aver- age, f2,587.
2. The Expenditures, additional to salaries, amount to $62,660.79. — Aver- age, $2,160.70.
3. The Charities of twenty-seven churches were, $80,333.04. —Average, $2,975.29.
4. In eighteen churches reporting gains and losses, we find a gain of 167 members over all losses.
39
5. Ten churches report aia aggregate of 65 hopeful conversions during the year. Five churches report having brought 138 neglecters into the sanctuary. Nine churches report bringing 425 children into the Sunday-school.
TAUNTON CONFERENCE.
Eleven of the twenty churches in this Conference have sent reports. The number of neglecting families recognized as under their care, varies from five to seventy — of individuals, from thirty to two hundred and fifty, and the number of neglecters brought to church, varies from two to twenty — to Sunday-school, from three to thirty.
The church in Dighton reports a revival, and twenty-one additions on profession of faith. The Second Church in Attlehorough, counts one hundred and seven neglecters in its parish — some of them Americans, clinging to the remembrance of an old quarrel ; some, Irish. Two out-districts are supplied with Sunday-schools, and with regular preaching by ministers of various denominations. The young men of the church reach several others, sustaining prayer-meetings wherever there is an opening.
The pastor of the Winslow Church in Taunton, reports a branch Sunday- school at Prattville, a small village on the borders of Eaynham, maintained, in good part, by teachers from the two principal churches of the city, who " usually walk three miles and back again " ; and who also sustain a monthly prayer-meeting. A Sunday evening meeting at the Almshouse has been at- tended by persons living in the neighborhood, who have filled the room, stairways, and entries, making the number, all told, from two hundred to three hundred and fifty. Several hopeful conversions have taken place. A movement is on foot to secure a chapel. Still another prayer-meeting, a mile and a half further ofi", has also been maintained the past Winter.
At a manufacturing center on the outskirts, a costly Episcopal meeting* house has been built ; but the people prefer the free outflow of the heart iu a prayer-meeting, held on Sabbath evenings in a hall.
Much of this Christian activity is led by members of the churches working in a Young Men's Christian Association. The pastor is, however, strongly of the opinion, that " the evangelic work possible and pressing here, will not be done thoroughly until the churches, as such, take hold of it as their own bounden duty. Then it will be systematized, harmoniously directed, and fully reported."
"I see," he adds, " the work to be done in our own church, and plans which should be discussed, adopted, and thoroughly carried out ; but I have not yet seen the way clear to begin. It is a great and grave problem how the church, as a Christian body, under Christ its head, is to get hold of the world, and hold it still enough and long enough to hear the gospel message and think upon it."
Certain districts within the limits of this Conference have long been no- torious for ignorance and moral degradation. A layman, in response to in-
40
quiries, states, that in one of these districts, a small church (not of our name) was established some time ago, but its influence is feeble- Copies of the Bible and the New Testament were distributed by a neighboring Congre- gational church, two years ago, to every family. Assistance has been ren- dered by Christian people in New Bedford and other towns ; and within the last ten years, a decided improvement, both intellectual and moral, has taken place.
Of another region, he remarks, " It can hardly be called a ' district ' now ; for the school house is rotting down, the inhabitants have died or moved away, and the forest is rapidly covering their cleared lands. "What was once the rendezvous of the dissipated from New Bedford, Fall Eiver, and Taunton, is so no longer; for the finger of God has wiped out the dark spots, and left in the place the greenness of Spring."
" You can count the families, now, on the fingers of one hand ; and the only scholar there attends, in good weather, the Sunday-school in a neigh- boring town."
WOBUKN CONFERENCE.
■ The report of the Committee of this Conference is as follows :
" The religious work of the "Woburn Conference has been prosecuted With a good degree of success. There have been no general revivals ; but some of the churches have received quite numerous additions. Two of the societies have completed new houses of worship, and others have signalized the memorial year by reducing their parish debts. The amount of money raised for parish expenses, church building, debts, &c., was not far from 1104,229. The sum contributed to the regular objects of benevolence, was not far from $12,000 — the amount given to foreign objects sustaining to that given for home objects the ratio of one to five. The largest sum given to any single society, was that given to the American Board. Three pas- tors Were settled during the year, and but one dismissed. Out of eighteen churches, twelve have no settled pastors.
" This Conference, some years since, took upon itself the task of assist- ing the feeble churches within its bounds to sustain pastors. For a time, the object was partly secured through the agency of a Conference Committee annually appointed for the purpose ; but, difficulties arising, the plan of ope- rations was changed. A Conference Home Mission Society was established ; and, during the four years of its existence, it has accomplished, in a quiet and effective manner, the object sought in its formation. The fear that formed the chief obstacle to this method of action was, lest funds that would other- wise find their way to the treasury of the general society should be absorbed in supporting our own churches ; and thus a work dear to all the churches would suffer. It became, therefore, an object of primary importance to stimu- late the benevolence of our churches to such a degree that the flow of money to the general society should be kept undiminished. Different measures for this purpose were devised ; one being, the appoinment of one of the breth- ren, each year, who should bring the cause to the attention of all the
41
churches, either by letter or by preaching on exchange with the pastors ; and another being, the holding of anniversary exercises, in connection with the Spring meeting of the Conference.
" The result of this action of the Conference has fully equalled our ex- pectations. The receipts of the society have been for two years past, viore than double the sum contributed by our churches in many former years to the general society. Four churches have received aid, in sums varying from one hundred and fifty to three hundred dollars annually. During most of the time, for four years, they have all had settled pastors ; and it may well be doubted whether one of them could, without this aid, have sustained a pastor. In all these churches there has been a good degree of prosperity, and in two of them revivals have occurred. The Conference itself has re- ceived a marked advantage from this work of self-girding. The churches have been drawn together, and a new interest enkindled in each other. So far, therefore, as this experiment has now gone, it is believed to be the sen- timent of all the churches, that it is highly successful, and worthy of the attention of our brethren in other Conferences."
WORCESTER CENTRAL CONFERENCE.
" The Home Evangelization movement was early seconded in this body. In some towns, the work has been relaxed. In others it has been prose- cuted more energetically. Pastors have generally failed to make the an- nual returns by schedule. It is not for want of interest in the home work. In several of the towns, a radius of a mile and a half would take in nine tenths of the population. There can hardly be an " out-district" in such a town. One half of the towns, however, have out-districts. The church in Oxford maintained, a while, successful eflTorts. The last year, with no pas- tor, less has been done. In Leicester^ the several out-districts are supplied with preaching or Sabbath-schools, or both. The Young Men's Christian Association of Holden cares for the several districts in that town quite efli- ciently. The church in Butland has enjoyed a work of grace which has ad- ded to their number some twenty converts, from the age of twelve to seven- ty years. The out-district of North Butland, where a prayer-meeting has been held weekly, for twenty-five years, shared richly in the work. Clin- ton, of some three thousand inhabitants, though small in territory, has several out-districts, which the Young Men's Christian Association cares for attentively. Out-of-door preaching has been maintained also, and their labors extend into villages of some adjoining towns. The Union Church in Worcester holds a Sabbath evening meeting in one of the school districts. The Young Men's Christian Association holds meetings in six or eight of the villages and neighborhoods. The Plymouth Church, of Worcester, has not yet secured a pastor, but has purchased a site for a church edifice. The church in Paxton, though without a settled pastor, has enjoyed a quick- ening revival, adding numbers to the church.
"The churches report general prosperity, but a low spiritual condition.**
42
WORCESTER NORTH CONFERENCE.
Statistical returns have been received from fourteen of the fifteen churches of this Conference — most of them quite full. But the churches appear to have omitted the usual narratives of church V7ork. We are accordingly- obliged to make entry at this place of, No report.
WORCESTER SOUTH CONFERENCE.
(No Keport.)
CONCLUSION.
In taking a general view of the condition of the churches, various en- couraging signs appear. It is clear, in the first place, that new efibrts are on foot in many of them for the promotion of acquaintance and affection among the members ; and also for stimulating activity, and organizing for constant work. Erom the nature of the case, however, improvement in these things must be gradjial, if it is to be permanent. Bodies of people do not readily adopt new habits of life. A sudden advance would be spas- modic and transitory. But there is not a county in the State — upon the main land — in which indications do not appear of the working of new con- ceptions respecting the duty of churches. The out-districts also have been cared for with a good degree of fidelity. Eevivals have been enjoyed in many churches : and others have been greatly strengthened and cheered by the presence of the Comforter.
The recent series of discourses, known as "Boston Lectures," and which are viewed by this Committee as a part of the Home Evangelization work of the State — having originated in action taken by them — were marked, in general, by a high order of ability, and listened to by large and attentive audi- ences. It is evident that the influence of the first series was both wide and deep ; and a similar usefulness is hoped for the second. Would it not be well if in other important centres also the forces of unbelief were met by a solid assault?
Your Committee has also been cheered by signs of progress in other States and denominations ; and are glad to know that in some instances, at least, the example of the Congregational churches of Massachusetts has been an encouragement to brethren in regions remote. The most extended and the most hearty " notice " which the System for " Church Work," that we are trying to carry out, has received in any religious newspaper, was given by one of the organs of the Presbyterian church, in New York. This attracted attention in the Middle States and at the West.
In Pennsylvania, the Presbytery of Lackawanna has commissioned a Secretary of Home Evangelization, a man of intelligence and manifest en- thusiasm, who has thrown himself with an admirable zeal into the work of
43
strengthening the feeble churches, stirring up the sleepy ones, and organ- izing systems of charities and labor. A little book, the counterpart of the one issued by our Publishing Society, but adapted to Presbyterian names and usages, has very recently been published, and is scattered broadcast among their churches. A little newspaper also, has been started at Scran- ton, specially devoted to the work of stimulating the churches and their members to all manner of labor for the Lord.
The several Christian denominations are to be viewed as so many army corps in one mighty host. The enterprise or constancy of any one is a help to all the rest. We feel admonished to zeal and persistence.
In Connecticut, also, our Congregational brethren appear to be quite up to the line which we occupy, if they are not ahead of us. The churches of that noble State — so great, though small — maintain two vigorous and en^ thusiastic ministers, who devote most of their time to what is at present known among us as, specifically, the work of "Home Evangelization." " Our aim," says Eev. Mr. Moore, "is to bring up the churches of Connect-r icut, — aided and self-supporting, — to a higher efiiciency in the culture of their own parishes and in their relation to the cause of Christ in the world. We spend very little time in trying to raise money for Home Mis- sions." He adds, " I have had the feeling for years, that there ought to be at least four State Missionaries laboring among the five hundred churches of Massachusetts."
While we have no reason to believe the religious condition of our own State to be inferior to the average of past years, certain of our defects and faults now come out into a prominence, which may well occasion serious reflection.
1. In the first place, your Committee can hardly be mistaken in their be-, lief — which, however, they do not propose to support by proof in detail—, that many of the churches do not know their own members — where they are, who they are.
We do not affirm that, in this respect, we have been more careless than others ; but it is our conviction, that church lists are altogether too loosely kept, and that the covenant of " watch and care " is not faithfully observed. This neglect is an injury to those members of our churches who are called in Providence to change their residence. Many of them, it is to be feared, are doing dishonor to their Master, which a seasonable reminder from the church that they have left would have prevented. But this neglect reacts with equal injury upon the church itself. It is a trifling with sacred vows ; it enfeebles the spiritual tone of the church, and lowers the general estimate of its value. People are not thus careless of membership in money making corporations. Tiiey value very highly their right to the dividends. If they put a low estimate upon membership in Christ's body, what does that signify ? And what kind of results may this feeling be expected to produce? Of one thing we may be sure, that while it lasts, churches will not, generally, organize for work.
44
2. But still more largely and sadly is it true that churches do not know what families are properly embraced in their parishes. Many of them are understood to acknowledge this.
But if so, how do they know but that some of these families are suffering from a poverty which will drive them forever from the sanctuary and from God, when timely aid might have bound them to both? How do they know but that some are visited by sickness, and are in sorest need of material or of spiritual help ? And how can they be sure that this indiffer- ence on the part of the church, will not be the occasion of a permanent alienation from it, both in this world and in the next? And how do they know but that there are children in these families growing up without God, and that some of the families themselves are not hot-beds of error or iniquity ? If they do even know the households, for whose religious care they are 'responsible before God, how can they be sure that his judgment does not impend over themselves for this their neglect ?
It is matter of sad notoriety that multitudes of poor people have come to be separated from God's house, and alienated in feeling from the church, because in their affliction they were not visited ; that other multitudes of unbelievers have came to be haters and scoffers, because the real warmth of the heart of the church did not reach them in their homes ; and that neg- lected children are daily becoming a peril to the State, as well as a grief to all the good, by reason of a similar lack of timely care. And do we not all of us feel that God's judgment is on us, today, because of our neglect of known duty — and that heavier condemnations must descend, if the churches do not awake in earnest?
If there has been, occasionally, a seeming unwillingness, on the part of churches, to take pains to ascertain the families under their care, let ►no one imagine that this is real. No church has formed any resolution to be ignorant of its proper work; nor are any to be accounted as un- willing to communicate information concerning the progress or methods of this work, to sister churches throughout the State, desiring and request- ing their cooperation. The too frequent omission to furnish information so complete as we could wish, can be otherwise explained.
3. In too many churches the members are not yet acquainted as they ought to be, and their intercourse is lacking in the appropriate warmth of Christian fellowship.
4. In many, again, there is still but little individual activity, and no sat- isfactory study of their work or cooperation in it.
6. While most of our large towns contain clearly marked classes of neglect- ers, it is by no means true that in all of these towns energetic measures are taken to reach them.
These classes are sometimes defined by occupation, sometimes by forms of unbelief. They are often the victims of the absurdest errors or preju- dices, which would be sure to yield to wise and kind approaches, made in boldness of faith ; and it is painful to think how little the churches are di- rectly doing, and how little they are counseling, in their behalf.
45
6. Many ciurclies are without pastors, and realize but feebly the impor- tance of permanency in the office ; while many are unable to secure pastors without more help than the Home Misssonary Society can now aflford to give.
7. Numbers even of our strong churches have, as yet, but very inade- quate views and feelings concerning the church; very unworthy concep- tions of the power of a church that is really in earnest and organized for work, and very poor habits of church life and labor. The conception of what an American church in this nineteenth century should become, as a household and a working society, has not begun to dawn upon them ; and when it does will find heavy mists of prejudice and indolence to disperse, before it can do much to make anything grow.
8. Many Sunday-schools are conducted loosely and feebly, without a suf- ficiently definite purpose, on the part of Superintendent, teachers, or parents.
9. Churches are by no means making such use as they might of Sacred Song, either as a means of attracting people, or of impressing the truth on their hearts.
10. Nor have our churches more than begun to avail themselves of the sagacity, the tact and zeal of Christian women, who constitute so large a proportion of their membership.
11. Intemperance rests, like a curse, upon the State. Congregational churches are not doing their duty for removing it.
12. There is a vast amount of poverty, sickness, and orphanage, which can best be relieved by the churches ; and the churches are doing but little in regard to it.
13. Eomanism, growing by continual immigration, is debasing the land. The churches seem apathetic.
14. There are considerable districts financially or spiritually so weak that they cannot be expected to work up into a satisfactory religious state, without help, and which need assistance suited to their particular circum- stances.
Finally : Many of our ministers, in view of these enormous tasks and the inertness of churches, ask, almost in despair. What can we do ?
Your Committee would answer, we can pray and we can also work ; and — what seems to them quite essential to success — we can pray and work together, — the members of every individual church, together in their own parish ; the churches of every Conference, shoulder to shoulder among the populations which it covers ; and all the churches of the State heart to heart and hand In hand, in this Association and among our fifteen hundred thousand people.
Your Committee would further answer, that this is no time for looking back, for taking the hand from the plough, or for relaxing our efi'orts to rouse and instruct the people. "We need more laborers for this purpose, not fewer ; and must have them before we shall see the religious interests of the State in a condition of satisfactory improvement.
But what, then, you have a right to ask, do we propose ? We propose a united, widely diversified movement aimed, definitely at the Christianiza-
46
tion of the people ; a system not to be set in operation all at once, but to be worked out, as with God's help, we are able ; slowly, without doubt, but yet surely ; and we venture to do this in implicit faith in the words of our Lord, " Lo ! I am with you."
Any rational proposition looking to an end so vast, must rest on prin- ciples that lie deep ; and must make its beginnings thorough, if it would build for permanence. It must be based upon scriptural views of the church — its material, structure, end, and methods; and must carry them out. The order of steps will, of course, vary in different communities, and churches must begin as they think best ; but the system which we would outline for the approval of the Association includes, among others, the fol- lowing points :
1. That the churches, under a sense of covenant vows and a proper ap- preciation of church membership, should clear their lists, and make them true; also that they should each make such permanent provision as it judges best for keeping them true, and insuring a better fulfilment of the vow of " watch and care."
2. That the churches, solemnly conscious of the responsibility which rests on them, for carrying the Gospel, each to a certain people, should also de- fine their parishes — territorially, if they judge best, btit always by a list of families and individuals annually corrected and made conscientiously com- plete.
3. That every church provide — and enter, if they please, among their by-laws — some permanent method for keeping up Christian acquaintance and a spiritual fellowship — the "Fellowship meeting" and " Church Cir- cle," or something better.
4. That the churches provide — in their by-laws, if judged best — stated occasions for a review of their work and for prayer and counsel in regard to it — the "Home Concert," or its equivalent.
It is as really necessary that churches have permanent provision for the promotion of fellowship and activity, as of orthodoxy and piety.
5. That churches in large towns where there are distinct classes of neg- lecters, indifferent or inimical to religion, enter upon such special meas- ures as may seem wise, for winning back their confidence and communi- cating the power of the Gospel — by no means assuming this to be impos- sible. Amony such measures may be counted. Protracted (or Kevival) meetings. Praise meetings, City Missions, Lectures on historical and other themes, Public meetings, for the discussion from a Christian point of view of the particular subjects which at the moment may be most deeply en- gaging the thoughts of the classes in question. If they will not come to us, we should gladly go to them.
6. That the Conferences adopt effectual measures — after the example of the Wolmrn Conference, briefly described on page 40 of this report, or in some better way — to enable the feeble churches among their number to secure pastors.
7. That the pastors in the several Conferences make such arrangements
47
as they can cordially agree upon, for calling the attention of their people to the subject of church work for popular Coristianization, and for having sermons preached to every congregation upon the " Doctrine of the Church,' and upon the present duty of the churches, and of each church in particular.
8. The improvement of our Sunday-schools, and the securing greater definiteness and energy of purpose in their administration, is a matter of unspeakable importance; but your Committee can only, at the present time, urgently call attention to the subject, not venturing on particular suggestions.
9. That churches enlist companies of singers for Sunday-schools, Branch Sunday-schools, the Weekly prayer-meetings and Neighborhood meetings; and that they make use of the Praise meetings (or "Even Song") both in the sanctuary and in private houses — connecting with the reading of hymns brief expositions of the tvuth which they convey.
10. That the women in our churches be assisted to engage more largely in works of mercy and other Christian labors ; and that meetings be held of such a character that they shall feel disposed to take part in them freely, so that the church shall not continue to lose, so largely as now, the benefit of their knowledge of Scripture, their sympathy with Christ and their prac- tical wisdom.
11. Churches, if earnestly resolved, can find appropriate ways of doing more for the education of the young in habits of temperance, for the reform of the intemperate, and the removal of the various conditions that promote the habitual use of intoxicating drink. They can do this through Sabbath-schools, Temperance Committees, and measures for the general social and intellectual improvement of the intemperate classes.
12. We see no reason why the churches should not immediately proceed to organize, whenever practicable, among their own members, and especial- ly among Christian women, companies of visitors, for the relief of the poor, the sick, unprotected children, and all others who may be accessible to neighborly benevolence — such companies, designed for both a temporal and a spiritual ministry, to bear the name of Thk Christian Neighbors — ^ every one who joins them taking this one secret vow, to prove herself, or himself, a true Christian neighbor in some way to somebody.
13. The Congregational Churches ought to enter as soon as practicable upon a Christian work among Komanists. This is strictly a home, as well as a foreign work.
Einally : With respect to the regions requiring special help, as well as in view of the whole work before us, do we not all agree, that in a spirit of brotherly love, the churches should strive earnestly to work together — to assist each other with information respecting the condition of their parishes, their modes of labor, successes and failures, to encourage the weak and desponding, to revive the lukewarm, and, in every possible way, espe- cially in their Conferences and this Association, with abounding warmth of affection, to help and incite one another, — proving to the world, as well as to themselves and to Christendom, that it is possible to have a great,
4a
harmonious sisterhood of churches, made one by their love, and neither needing nor tolerating authority ? And let us all exhort and pray for one another, that we may not be faithless but believing, and may move on, shoulder to shoulder, one embattled army of the Lord God Almighty.
In conclusion, your Committee do not ask that the General Association formally adopt the suggestions made in this report, but they propose for its consideration the following resolution :
Resolved, That this General Association, without entering upon a careful examination of all details included in the suggestions of the State Committee on Home Evangelization, cordially approves of their tenor, and recommends them to the attention of the churches.
By vote of the State Committee on Home Evangelization.
DANIEL P. NOYES, Secretary.
49
APPENDIX.
STATE COMMITTEE ON HOME EVANGELIZATION.
CHAIRMEN AND OTHER APPOINTEES OF LOCAL CONFERENCES.
Andover Conference, Barnstable " Berkshire North Conference,
Berkshire Soutli " Brookfielcl
Essex North "
Essex South "
Franklin "
(( <<
Hampden "
Hampshire "
Hampshire East "
(( (( ((
Mendon "
Middlesex South "
Middlesex Union "
Norfolk "
Old Colony "
Pilgrim "
Suffolk North "
Suffolk South "
Taunton "
Woburn "
Worcester Central "
Worcester North "
Worcester South, "
Mr. James G. Buttrick. Eev. John W. Dodge. (Chairman not reported.) Rev. Nahum Gale, d. d. Rev. A. E. P. Perkins, d. d. Rev. Samuel J. Spalding, d. d. Rev. James M. Whiton. Rev. Charles Lord. Hon. WiLLiABi B. Washburn. Rev. S. G. Buciqngham, d. d. O. W. Wilcox, Esq. Rev. William W. Parker. * Rev. George E. Eisher. Dea. L. Sweetzer. (Chairman not reported.) Rev. Edmund Dowse. Rev, Horace Parker. Rev. Charles W. Wood. Rev. John C. Labaree. Rev. Hartford P, Leonard. Rev. Ebenezer Aldbn. Rev. Albert H. Plumb. Dea. LoRiNG Lothrop. Rev. Joseph B. Clark. Dea. J. Russell Bradford. Rev. William W. Adams. Rev. Charles R. Bliss. Rev. William A. Houghton. Eev. Amos H. Coolidge. Rev, Walter Rice, Dea. William C. Capron.*
* Appointed by the Committee, to fill vacancy. G
50
MEMBERS OE* THE EXECUTIYE COMMITTEE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
S. T. Farwell, Esq. Ezra Earnsworth, Esq. Eev. Henry B. Hooker, d. d. Kev. James H. Means. Eev. Edmund K. Alden, d. d. Kev. Daniel E. Cady. Eev. Daniel L. Furber. Eev. Nahum Gale, d. d.
Eev. S. G. Buckingham, d. d. Eev. Mortimer Blake, d. d. Eev. Charles Lord. Dea. William Thurston. Hon. William Hyde. Eev. John W. Harding. O. W. Wilcox, Esq.
BIEMBERS at LARGE,
Eev. George N. Anthony. Eev. William Barrows, d. d. Eev. Joshua Coit. Eev. Henry M. Dexter, d. d. Eev. John W. Harding. Eev. Stephen Knowlton. Eev. George E. Leavitt. Eev. James T. McCollum. Eev. Daniel P. Noyes. Eev. Daniel W. Waldron. Eev. Edwin B. Webb, d. d.
Eev. Joshua W. Wbllman, d. d. Eev. John H. Windsor. Hon. Eeuben a. Chapman. Hon. S. Angier Chace. Joseph S. Eopes, Esq. Marshall S. ScuddEb, Esq. Mr. Charles Washburne.
Sx- Officio. Eev. Alonzo H. Quint, d. d. Eev. James P. Kimball.
[The Committee have elected Hon. William B. Washburn, Chairman; Eev. Edwin B. Webb, d. d., Vice Chairmam ; Eev. Daniel P. Noyes, Sec- retary ; and Eev. Daniel W. Waldron, Eecording Secretary.]
PAEISH STATISTICS.
The leading object in seeking these returns is, to keep prominently be- fore the churches the principle which lies at the foundation of the Home Evangelization movement in this State, that every church is responsible for a definite parish. This principle, recognized so clearly by Dr. Chalmers, and the secret of his success, is of universal application. Upon no other basis is it possible to prosecute Christian work by means of churches. Departing from it, we necessarily fall back upon the clergy, acting as mere preachers, or on the voluntary societies.
But these returns, if complete, would also have a statistical value, hardly inferior to that of any that the churches make — showing as they would, from year to year, their progress in getting at the people. Until more com- plete, however, the Committee propose to publish only enough of them to show their practicability and their significance. We have selected such as are well filled out, and such as illustrate the condition of a considerable variety of churches and communities.
51
.T-tCOi-tC0<MCOi-l{MiOClG^Wr
COOiNCOOt^OlM
O lO C? O (MO
CD O lO OO -^ O
W,5
S^
Mo
t-O QOO
r3t^O"+noooeoooowoooo
Q Sf'.a coooioci'-iQOO'-imiocoo
Hi
3C5
'^r-i»owoiOTHr>-ci^«oc4CiO
O 60
rtCC^
O-^a
OC
P-i 5 I
o o :-! G^ p^OJ '
H f^ . |
||||||||||||||||
O |
^ |
|||||||||||||||
'A |
iSoioooiooomoooomo |
o |
||||||||||||||
H . |
"lOt^lOMl^COOt^COOOCItOO- |
|||||||||||||||
j_^COCC»-'C^t-HrHr-*|— Ir^CQCOrlt-ICC |
o |
|||||||||||||||
Q |
'S |
|||||||||||||||
ti |
fe |
|||||||||||||||
< |
||||||||||||||||
^ |
||||||||||||||||
^ . |
||||||||||||||||
ai g -t^ N o r-i "-I o (N o |
||||||||||||||||
o |
||||||||||||||||
|"£ |
||||||||||||||||
' |
||||||||||||||||
H |
=s joo o-^o |
iO |
||||||||||||||
o <^ CC |
CO |
|||||||||||||||
D |
H |
|||||||||||||||
^<^ W J |
ir'CO lOO TtKMIs |
00 |
||||||||||||||
^ |
Pa""' ^ |
CO |
||||||||||||||
H |
||||||||||||||||
P^ |
7^ |
2-a i^ S oo tow-* |
SJ |
|||||||||||||
OS'-' r- My |
CO |
|||||||||||||||
' |
||||||||||||||||
SoocoM<^"ooloa)I-^r^loococ |
o |
|||||||||||||||
en |
||||||||||||||||
0 |
CO o |
|||||||||||||||
0 |
CO |
|||||||||||||||
Z |
. *'■' |
|||||||||||||||
M |
O |
5f .9 oo— iooi^M«oo-*mOTf |
o |
|||||||||||||
O^^JiolOWlOOr-HOlOMCC-II^INfN <13 |
CO |
|||||||||||||||
0 |
p-l |
|||||||||||||||
j3 • ? yo 00*iOrHr-OCDO-*OOC |
||||||||||||||||
o |
||||||||||||||||
fH |
2 aoio — r^oicoes— •lO'MMoooc |
o |
||||||||||||||
|2'gOlOCl-*IC^(N>-<mT-l-*^04(Mi> |
lO |
|||||||||||||||
P^ |
iO-3 |
|||||||||||||||
r |
||||||||||||||||
0 |
^ |
|||||||||||||||
^ |
^oo^ooi«inco-*r^ot~woc |
o |
||||||||||||||
VM— lOiOCXIOllOOOWSOtOOO)-* |
I--. |
|||||||||||||||
CD |
||||||||||||||||
^ |
1— ( |
, 60 |
||||||||||||||
0 |
iJ 1 ^^B OOC^OOCCOOOCs.-^COcO'C |
p |
||||||||||||||
aJ-JJOOCO coco rH— t— i CJCi cr Z O |
CI |
|||||||||||||||
t |
||||||||||||||||
b' |
||||||||||||||||
Zj |
■3 .• |
|||||||||||||||
r" |
o M |
|||||||||||||||
0 |
h noioc<oo<Noa)a30iN-*HMc> |
s |
||||||||||||||
S'-ot^cooj«50!cooa3co^coosr- J2 O C4 r-t rH rH r-l C^ |
§ |
|||||||||||||||
H |
3c5 |
'"' |
||||||||||||||
H |
||||||||||||||||
P^ |
||||||||||||||||
0 |
||||||||||||||||
^ |
c |
- |
i |
|||||||||||||
< |
CO 3 |
?0 |
Pi s |
|||||||||||||
s |
||||||||||||||||
:^ |
K |
ci |
*■ |
p |
||||||||||||
tn |
> |
O o |
0)1/ |
o |
||||||||||||
^O.gcO^ |
_^ |
j^Mr-i |
^-^ |
o E-t |
||||||||||||
ngton, ton, D in tree asset, |
gham, ;on, Is th Brii idolph |
|||||||||||||||
■;- cBc3;3mfl;:5-i<HcSaj |
||||||||||||||||
,^ O tJ O CS — — ! O C! -C^ |
||||||||||||||||
I < |
H |
p |
:iP |
5c |
y^ |
^S |
^f^ |
5 |
^ |
^f |
55 |
- |
52
0 0
q ^"
0 H
P
[^ 0
0
H
H P^ 0
<1
P
r-<00 00001ffl010
'CO (NO O'-l'-l t^O
S^
S^otooo-*<oooo
oOOOOOriHOOOCOO ricO00r-(t-rH(MCOl-ICO
it-0000«»-100 >OO^OCO-<t*^COO
ri CoocDOOf-Hcooo
3oS§-"
30
■* t-( C-< 01 T - "
ScONl^OOOOOOiO
MS
'."int^-ooONOoinur
1^"
b.SoO'-OOOQOOOOJOO
Hfe
» ^_,-£'3 a 2 )=l
H
0
P^
0 0
0
h^
0 0
0 0
;^ 0
H
H P^ 0 Ph
<^
yOUSOOlOOOO
, o< (N .H o< c^ c5
■gr^cooci <-( r
O IN M rHT-l
-^ o
ir'cOiyKN oloooN
Mo
;cOlOTflrH«l(Ni-i'*
SP.S tflO'UCJOlOOOO
;c^TH10fMI^^-ICO»-l
^l—OOC-lCit-lNOCO OO-^'-l'^OOOCOiO
t-1 ■{ Sf .3 MQ0005010000
j-t<ocoor^ts.ooo
50
f" !l3 t7 -J — ■ T5 'Tli
1:^ §1
53
PAEISH STATISTICS.
PAYMENTS AND CHARITIES.
Again, iu this department, we give only a very few returns, enougii to prove tlie practicability of making them, and partially to exemplify their use.
Complaint is justly made of the insufficient salary of many pastors. But how can we create a healthy public sentiment on this matter, unless we "keep .the facts before the people"? And how can any of us really know what the facts are, unless the churches furnish them to us ?
The orderly classification of Charities, again, and their publication, are needed, that the churches may see clearly what causes any of them are neg- lecting, and may know whether they are apportioning their money wisely.
M |
||
H |
||
P^ |
||
0 |
bo c3 |
|
^ |
||
P^ |
=3 |
|
H |
||
H |
02 |
|
H H |
||
0 |
, |
o |
P^ |
w |
3 |
0 |
(J |
a |
^ |
^ H |
o |
M |
p^ P4 |
03 <u -a u o 1 |
\^ |
0 |
|
0 |
0 |
r/) |
% |
(5 P-i |
|
0 |
M |
|
M |
W |
|
H |
a |
|
P^ 0 |
<1 |
|
(^ |
Ph |
<1
3
O tH
1^^
o CO o ^ o o o r-- o G3
O^ O '^i O O l^ CO O -^ GO
CO CO^O^O^O Tfl O £^ '^^
■^COC-r^ rH~ r-Tr-T
CJ CO «5 O O owes O ?^
Gof^'-^oodraooto
OOi O lO
OOOOO COOJWCOOOOOOOO
10C0OO10r-10C0.~<O-tl(>(THC0 0f
oooooc?I^^(^3ooooooooo
O^OOt— ('^'-HOOOOOOOO
ocDooooicoc^woiooiooo
iOOOOOlOtN.lOCO.-'O^tM-t'COt^ O O O 1-1 "-1 C^ IM O C^ -H C^
ooooooooooooooo
OiOOOOOOOOOOOOOlO
! 00 00 05 O CO
54
MO^ |
,_, |
Q |
to |
■* |
||||||||||
(M-+I-* m |
o |
CO |
^5 |
|||||||||||
o IN GJ d o o o o |
do |
CO |
._ |
|||||||||||
to Oi w o |
s |
c. |
||||||||||||
H |
O fl |
S |
m |
|||||||||||
H |
o |
oooooooo |
oo |
o |
||||||||||
oocoo o |
~^ |
|||||||||||||
H |
1 |
O lO »o t^ o o wi c> M o r^ o |
oo |
o |
00 10 |
|||||||||
0 |
«. |
-* m |
||||||||||||
% ^ |
^ |
OOCO o o |
oo |
o |
i~»-^ |
|||||||||
OJ |
1-H I-H O tH |
O CXI |
o_ |
Oj |
||||||||||
3 |
d |
d |
||||||||||||
^ |
^ o |
S 8 ^ooooooo o^ |
o |
|||||||||||
H |
Cm CO |
«■ |
(M |
« |
||||||||||
25 |
03 |
O O |
8 |
|||||||||||
0 |
O |
oooooooo OC3 |
o |
d to |
||||||||||
0 |
rt o |
o o |
"0" 0 |
|||||||||||
0 |
<5 |
o o Oco |
oooooooo o^ |
o |
■I© |
|||||||||
s |
0 |
|||||||||||||
M |
1' |
oooooooo oo |
S |
d |
||||||||||
p-l |
<lJCO |
w ^ |
w «& |
|||||||||||
H |
33 S |
oooooooo oo |
o |
|||||||||||
0 |
EH 02 |
|||||||||||||
CO gWa2 |
00-* lO |
o |
o |
0 |
||||||||||
O r-l CO 00 O O^^OoOO^ O rH |
0 0 |
|||||||||||||
7^ |
^ |
|||||||||||||
M |
s |
|||||||||||||
(/5 |
03 |
o o |
~o' 0 |
|||||||||||
^ |
1— ( H |
S5 O 1— I cc M - |
o |
OOOOOOOO o\ei |
o |
10 |
||||||||
op |
OOOOOOOO OO |
o |
||||||||||||
OWOO IM lO Ot^ 1— I rt o CO »^ CO o io |
»o |
05 |
||||||||||||
o |
d |
.'6 < o |
(M OQ0<M C5 COlO |
s |
d |
|||||||||
0 P^ |
o M |
o |
^CJCO .-• |
s |
||||||||||
•A 03 3 |
ooooooooo oo |
o |
^1 00 |
|||||||||||
0 |
f^ |
M p. |
O |
|||||||||||
og |
00 |
s |
||||||||||||
t>- |
Ooooooooo oo |
o |
'-0 |
|||||||||||
t> |
HI |
«& |
CO |
|||||||||||
o |
o |
|||||||||||||
W |
S ^ |
oooooooo od CO |
o |
0 CO |
||||||||||
M |
«5 O M CO CO |
o |
■» |
^ |
||||||||||
oooooooo oo |
o |
|||||||||||||
0 |
03 03 |
oooooooo oo |
8 |
"0 p |
||||||||||
loooo o lo oo |
t- r^ 1 |
|||||||||||||
a |
HH |
C-JCOOO Oi>. ot^ |
o) |
ro |
||||||||||
g |
'^r/^ |
-d< to -< CO o o -^ d d^ |
d |
iC |
||||||||||
FH |
.CO |
•-ICO^OJ 1-1^ I>-Tt< |
00 |
0 |
||||||||||
^ |
O |
<1 |
^rHlN |
"" |
||||||||||
C^Tti OOOOOCO O O |
»o |
In. |
||||||||||||
0 |
S'aj |
Ci-^ o o (sio CO oco |
CO |
|||||||||||
00 r^ ^ d w th ei c<i loco |
d |
CO |
||||||||||||
^2 «5 r-lr-l rl 1:^ t~ UJ |
CI |
CO |
||||||||||||
H H |
- |
<^S |
rH |
OJ |
I^ m |
|||||||||
: |
; |
_r |
||||||||||||
P^ 0 |
CO |
a |
OS -^3 |
to 13" |
tS .S |
|||||||||
Pk |
o o |
03 ^ ^p2 0. |
Is |
c |
a" 0 |
i |
||||||||
< |
J3 |
C |
d 0 a |
2 |
||||||||||
< |
< |
o3£ OS: |
a !2 |
C |
a P- |
t^ |
o |
03 |
^ |
^ |
.a 0 |
55
O 0
B
P 0 cc
M
0
fr" |
<u |
,q |
|
(/J 1— 1 |
^ |
p:3 |
OJ ,; |
<l |
'^ ?n |
Ph |
IT * |
fH t!
HS
OOOGOOi— I'-HOCOWOOOOOO (>f O ^-HCOOOCOr^Tjio-^OTHCO
i(?^»-i»-t r-i Oir-i
o^ ciTfH ooo o (>? coo oo rs-rs-o <N CO lo o tN. O'^oo
CS rH COQOO C
■^iOOi— 'OOr-HOOOOCCCO-^tilN-
Or^OO.OOOOOOOOCDOOOO-^i-H oooto
OiOOOOOOOOOOOrHOOOOt~»f— I OOOrH
o o 00 o cJ o o w o o o o -^ o o M o r^ lo oooo
oi-HT-HCirs-ooc^ooooi-HOOc^ocir^ Oiooos
S^^^CO 0_0^-^0 01^':0_0_':1H^G>^0 lOlOOiOi>-t^GO W^-hcOCO
Ol>-000000000000000-+i OOOOOOOOOOOOrHOOOOt--
i-HQ oo OCO
— = ■=:'-' ^lOGOOOOOcMOOOO-rHOOOOOrs.
OOOO OCOi-*Ci|N.oO<NOOOOT-ioOC^OC:i^ . ■^. ^ ^ ^.
■^O^iO^CJ^ O^O^-^O^Ci^O^r-- i-^CD -^O^O^lO t-;^0^0_t-^r^ 00 T-t O Ol 00 00
1-^lOcToO O C^COCOr-TlO cirH
i i>. lO C35 O O Oi
dCOCO ^i-lC-jT^O r-T*
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ooooooiiioooooooooooooooooooooo
OOOOOOOiOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
>^
j^lliSigs^S
fco
if
«3^'
3-a s:
■CJ .i3 O' -^ S O Q
SST
"o-a
fe X o o..
MW
^^
Mcqp K
'-lC!CO-m.'5«OrN.QOCSO'-IC!M^lOO!N.COOOi-ie>)CO-+HOOt^OOO
56
0 ^ .
0 s
0 ^ ^^
0
o |
o o •+( w o o o |
05 O OiHOlOCJlO |
,_, |
oco |
c-i |
|||
t 03 |
So |
O O O C5 o o o |
CO q OT-jiqcocQCv; |
00 |
qco |
o |
||
cu S |
Jsl |
<S i^i^^ o^i ci ci |
-^ CO d 00 d -^ c-i c-i |
OD |
d d |
d |
||
<y o |
O W CO 0( Wf -Ttl w |
r^ c-i oa20cQ-*oo |
■^ |
r^o |
CO |
|||
TO QJ |
iO |
CO r-l lO r-1 1-.. |
■* ^-t tH tH COOJ CO |
00 |
lO CM |
q |
||
M rt |
■e& |
d |
||||||
H^ |
<B |
|||||||
r s |
o |
"o |
||||||
t^ |
,g |
O |
id |
d |
||||
1^ t3 |
o |
S |
_s |
|||||
O |
||||||||
O |
d |
d |
||||||
od |
CO |
Tti |
||||||
P-l |
^ |
M |
C-( |
|||||
fH |
«& |
« |
||||||
o |
CO o |
i^ tN. C-. |
Ci |
|||||
a5 |
00 M |
03 «5 O! |
c-i |
|||||
■^ |
r^ -^H |
CO id 00 |
d |
|||||
.g |
O lO |
00 |
||||||
n |
Ol |
o |
||||||
r/3 M |
■Of |
«© |
||||||
CO CJ |
O O E-^ lO lO |
|||||||
3 O |
« tH |
00 Ot-i lO-* |
tH |
|||||
ffl o |
O 00 00 |
tA 10.-H d-fi |
d |
|||||
CO (MtH I^lO |
o |
|||||||
(M |
||||||||
«. |
« |
|||||||
o |
o o |
T-i O |
o |
|||||
^' |
tn |
o |
o o |
to o |
q |
q |
||
5 |
o |
d -« |
r-C C-! |
d |
CO |
|||
c M |
O Ci |
(N O |
CO |
o |
||||
o |
■te- |
|||||||
O 0 |
lO |
rt O O O |
o |
|||||
, ' |
CO |
CO q "^ '^ |
o |
|||||
od |
T-H d to a |
00 |
||||||
CO |
a CO CO lo |
^ «■ |
||||||
s. ^ |
||||||||
o |
rt o cooo |
t^OO OOOOO |
C-i |
o o |
||||
-a . |
o |
(NiO tOOOl |
qqq qqooqq |
q |
loiq |
Oi |
||
d |
th tC r4dco |
d-HrC d«c6dio |
J^ |
dd |
d |
|||
C-l |
o |
00^ O O ':t^ |
o CO 00 CO t^ r^ >-i oi |
iO |
■*< CO |
Ci |
||
«■ |
(Mi-( ..-H |
r-t tH rtl lO |
Ci |
|||||
M |
. m- |
|||||||
hH |
o |
O) |
o |
00 |
||||
« |
d rt a; S |
IC |
q |
q |
||||
w |
tH |
o |
d |
rC |
r^^ |
|||
-C3 Oj |
IM. |
T-( |
tH |
o |
||||
<^ |
H«^ |
W «. |
c-i |
|||||
o |
o o |
O o o |
tM |
-H |
||||
1 .? |
o |
00 o |
oo o c-l |
o |
«3 |
|||
ci ; |
i^i |
«5 |
d rtH |
d t^ d |
d |
CO |
||
^ 0 |
Is. |
00 S |
CO CO 00 |
00 |
r^ |
|||
m c |
CO |
OD |
||||||
i |
«■ |
O |
||||||
r .- o |
o |
o o |
o o o |
OO |
||||
o |
o o |
q o q |
oo |
O |
||||
CO |
d |
d la |
lo d c-i |
<Sd |
C-i |
|||
Iz; |
o |
O CO |
O ii o |
oo |
o |
|||
^ |
«F |
o |
Ci |
|||||
o |
o |
^ |
||||||
<!» |
||||||||
o |
O lO o |
o o Cl |
o |
Ci |
||||
00 |
o^. q |
tc q q |
r>; |
q |
||||
ci |
S^ 00 |
00 cC d |
t^ |
d |
||||
s |
o |
O Oi lO |
CI t^ ■* |
5^ |
||||
s |
Qfl |
m |
mcs( |
i-l Ci |
1^ |
|||
!Z5 |
t^ |
■aif |
9 |
|||||
rH |
o |
C-) lo o ro o r^ o |
CJOO^ lO-HCOOO |
tHO |
||||
a rt |
O |
o |
lO 00 q 2-^ C3 00 q |
cotHOio qqqqq |
CO q |
CO |
||
.•13 |
inI |
d |
r^l d ^ d 00 'tH CO O CO C! '-no Cl o |
ddood io-*r-(THco |
d d |
c^ |
||
as |
00 |
r- |
ooor^oo ioi^-Hcor^ |
OilO |
CO |
|||
o |
Ol |
N |
c-l O O c: CO w |
CO OO^rH 0^ CO O i-H q_ |
iOO |
|||
-a< o |
t |
COvh" rt r-T |
t-T r-iof |
Ci |
||||
JO OlO o o o |
o o |
o |
||||||
d |
J3 |
(N 00 o^ q ^,^, |
q q |
o |
CJ |
|||
lo cod d ic d |
c-i d |
c-i |
T-^ |
|||||
O |
(M0-*0 CItP |
IN, o |
CO |
»o |
||||
O |
r-i rH Oi |
|||||||
«■ |
■» |
|||||||
GO |
rH |
-H O <-l |
o |
|||||
d§ |
q |
q °o ^ |
00 |
|||||
W |
d |
d |
o ci -H rC |
tc |
||||
<M |
t^ |
^CO iO CO |
In. |
|||||
w |
l^' |
C! >-l OJ |
^ |
|||||
o |
CO |
|||||||
o |
o coo |
-H O O O lO O lO |
o |
o |
||||
,' |
o |
^ 'P^ |
CO Ot O i>. C-( IN. C^ |
Ci |
q |
1—1 |
||
O |
CO |
d -HO |
o ^ d 00 d CO --I |
d |
d |
^ |
||
"S |
o |
.-1 -h 00 |
O ■*! -*l rh O lO oa |
CO |
||||
■ a lyt-ti |
CO t-( CO CO |
o |
||||||
6 |
s |
ci ¥3 |
||||||
"co |
o |
lO O O 00 o o |
coo o |
oo |
o |
|||
• |
o |
o |
tHt1< O !>. OO |
GOO q |
o o |
o |
||
oj |
^ |
d |
dcor-i-ti dd |
-H d d |
c^d |
00 |
||
o M |
CO |
o |
* o O O O O! |
c; CO o |
r-llO |
o |
||
O |
"^ |
o^ |
CiCO lO |
od |
||||
s |
<» |
|||||||
oo |
O |
o |
||||||
Oj 0) |
o |
Tfl o |
O |
•* ^ |
||||
S |
ga |
CO |
||||||
o |
COCi o |
-+1 00 ICl ^ o o o |
=•2 |
"^ |
||||
S |
CO |
o |
q q q |
q o t-. -* 00 q q |
■^■^ |
o |
||
O |
d |
oi d d |
di^ d d rH 00 d |
CO rC |
d |
|||
W |
M |
o |
t^-CO C! |
Ci Ci Tti C? ^ CO o |
00 tH |
CO |
||
s |
^ i-l O |
r-ICJ tH Tj< r-H Csl CO |
■*!-( |
>o |
||||
*^ |
of |
|||||||
N |
JC |
o |
iO w o o o o o |
oiooioQQr^-^oo cjqqcoqqqiocjq |
o |
O o |
oo |
|
o |
o |
lOOOOOO oo |
O! |
C-iO |
-*< |
|||
00 |
d |
§?3S8^ §§ |
dd'-^Tinddd-^HrHd |
d |
cid |
CO |
||
HqcO |
CO |
o |
caooioo>H«ooc^o!io |
o» |
"S^ |
|||
r^ |
N |
r^j_q^ o w o |
»-llOr-t T-1 COrHlN.CO |
coco |
o |
|||
T-V |
r-Tr-T |
d"' |
||||||
.^ |
«» |
|||||||
O rHC<lC0«+tl0Or^C0OOi-H(Nc0-4liOOt^-0DOOi-HC'JC0'-HiOC0ts.00C^ |
||||||||
1^ |
1-1 T-1 1-1 rH rt Ci 0( C-! CJ C-( C-i CM O) C-i O! |
57
REMAEKS UPON THE TABLES.
Prom the foregoing retui'ns it appears that thirteen parishes of Suffolk South Conference — embracing, however, few of the larger churches — aver- age 104 church going families, 20 neglecting, total 124. la. fourteen parishes of the Norfolk Conference, the same averages are 107, 19, 126.
Again, nine parishes of the Taunton Conference, average 78 church going families, 22 neglecting, total, 100. "While in eight parishes of the Old Colony Conference, the same averages are 71, 22, 93.
These families include, on an average, in the portion of the Suffolk South Conference, 361 church-goers, 91 neglecters, total 452. The same averages in the portion of the Norfolk Conference are, 364, 100, 464 ; in the portion of the Taunton Conference, 257, 106, 363 ; and in the portion of the Old Colony Conference, 259, 71, 330. About 19 or 20 per cent, of the families, and of the persons, recognized by these churches as distinctly under their care, they consider neglecters.
Thus these parishes, in the judgment of their pastors, stand today. But so they will not remain for another year, if the churches engage vigorously in their work. It is to be hoped, that they will be interested in scrutinizing their own progress, so that, when the year comes round, they will know how much they have seemed to make ; and can give to each other and to affiliated churches, the benefit of their experience.
It is not at all improbable, that they will find, upon more careful exam- ination, that some families have been omitted who fall properly under their care ; and, especially, that there are some neglecting households and indi- viduals who have been overlooked. The parishes are probably somewhat larger than the returns indicate. The " neglect " may also be larger. Churches are but beginning to look narrowly into their responsibility, and it is possible that some of them may find it broader than they have supposed.
The neglecters brought to church or Sunday-school, average, in the sevei'al church groups above given, 16, 7, 13, and 10.
The Fair-day Audiences, average — in the same order — 252, 220, 170, and 171 ; and embrace, respectively, 70 per cent., 60 per cent,, 66 per cent., and 66 per cent, of the church going people.
The hopeful conversions reported, were, for each church, in the same groups, 4, 3-7, 2|, and 5 — certainly not a very gratifying story.
EXPENDITURES AND CHARITIES.
A single glance at the returns from a portion of the Worcester North Con- ference, gives rise to some important questions — among them the follow- ing : Is it right that a minister should be asked, in these days, to live upon .$400 or $500 ? — why ought not the strong to make up the lack of the weak ? Our answers must be given in view of all the circumstances. Again, how happens it, that only two of these eleven churches contributed to the cause of Christian education — as represented by our Theological Seminaries, Educa-
58
tion Society, College Society, and all other ways of promoting it? Again, only two contributed to our own Publication Society, and only one to the Congregational Union, for church building. Similar hints may be gathered from the other tables ; which, however, we leave our readers to obtain at their pleasure.
WAYS OF ORGANIZING- CHURCHES FOR WORK.
ENLISTMENT CAEDS.
The following is offered as a general form, which can be modified, as may be necessary, to suit the circumstances of any particular parish.
The undersigned engages to take part in those forms of usefulness enumerated below, against which has set a mark.
I. DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN TEACHING.
1. In the family, at home.
2. In the Sunday-school.
3. In the Branch Sunday-school.
II. DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS MEETINGS.
1. In meetings for lay preaching and exhortation.
2. In meetings for prayer and conference.
3. In meetings for Bible reading and conversation.
(a.) The Church Circle.
(b.) The Neighborhood Meeting — among neglecters.
III. DEPARTMENT OP SACRED SONG.
1. In the church choir.
2. In the Sunday-school.
3. In the Weekly prayer-meeting.
4. In the Neighborhood meetings.
5. In the Praise meetings.
IV. DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORHOOD.
1. In hospitality, —
(a.) To members of the parish.
(b.) To strangers coming to live in the neighborhood.
(c.) To strangers happening to visit the church.
2. In charitable comfort and relief, —
(a.) In the systematic District visitation.
(b.) In the Band of Christian Neighbors, for reaching neglecters
and for the succor of the suffering and the criminal, (c.) In an independent visitation of the poor, (d.) In an independent visitation of the sick, (e.) In an independent visitation of the neglecters of the sanctuary.
59
(f.) In an iudependeut visitation of the intemperate, (g.) In an independent visitation of prisoners. 3. In charitable work, —
(aO In the Sewing Circle.
(b.) In the committee for providing worlv for persons out of employ.
V. DEPARTMENT OF THE HIDDEN SERVICE.
1. Labors wholly private.
2. Labors communicated to the pastor, in confidence.
VI. MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.
1. Membership on committees, on collections, statistics, etc.
2. Young People's Association.
3. Church Temperance Committee, etc.
On the reverse of the card may be printed appropriate texts of scripture, a hymn, or brief suggestions or exhortations.
One card should be handed to the pastor, and another kept by each church member, as a memorandum of this his covenant and promise.
METHODS IN ACTUAL USE.
The first two of the following schemes are used in Congregational churches, and the third in an Episcopal church.
CONSTITUTION OF THE LADIES' ASSOCIATION OF THE TABERNACLE
PARISH.
Art. 1. The name of this Association shall be the Ladies' Association op the Tabernacle Parish.
Art. 2. The object of this Association shall be the promotion of the mutual acquaint- ance of the members, of organized effort of Christian Benevolence, and of whatever else pertains to the welfare and prosperity of the parish.
Art. 3. Every lady habitually attending divine service at the Tabernacle, shall be of right, a full member of this Association, — no invitation or election or initiation being prerequisite; and no annual dues shall be exacted of the members for any pui'pose whatever.
Art. 4. The oflcers of this Association shall be a President, a Chief Manager, four- teen Assistant Managers, and a Secretary and Treasurer. These officers shall be chosen annually by ballot, at a meeting called by notice from the pulpit, on the second Wednes- day in January, or as soon thereafter as is convenient.
Art. 5. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at the Annual Meeting, and at other meetings of the Association for the transaction of business, and she shall be ex- offlcio a corresponding member of the Board of Managers. In her absence, the Chief Manager shall have the power of a Vice-President.
Art. 6. The "government and direction of the affairs of the Association shall rest chiefly in the Board of Managers, and of this Board the Chief Manager shall be the presiding officer, and as such she shall be the officer deemed primarily responsible to the Association for the carrying out of such measures as may be resolved upon, in the fulfilment of its general object.
Art. 7. It shall be the duty of the Secretary and Treasurer to keep the Records of the
60
Association and of the Board of Managers, of which she shall be ex-officio Clerk; to notify all appointees of their appointment and duties; to take charge of whatever funds shall be in any way raised or received by the Association, and to invest or disburse them as tlie Association or the Board of Managers shall direct.
Art. 8. The Standing Committees of the Board of Managers shall include a Commit- tee on Benevolence, who shall act in cooperation with the deacons of the church in the relief of the poor ; a Committee on the Sabbath-school, who shall act in cooperation with the Superintendent of the Sabbath-school in furnishing aid to needy children; a Visiting Committee, who shall labor to interest every member, and especially new- comers in the parish, in the work and objects of the Association; and such other com- mittees as may from time to time be found needful; and these committees shall be appointed by the Board within one week after the Annual Meeting of the Association.
Art. 9. The Standing Committee may associate with themselves any members of the Association as their assistants, and the Managers may delegate any work for which they are responsible to assistants whom they may select, whenever the interests of the Association seem to require it.
Art. 10. Besides the Annual Meeting of the Association, occasional meetings may be held on call of the President, and a meeting shall be called whenever the Board 'ot Managers shall deem it desirable. Meetings of the Board of Managers shall be held on call of the Chief Manager, or at such times as they themselves shall appoint.
Art. 11. The funds needful for the objects of this Association may be solicited by appeal to the congregation or to the deacons, or to the Sabbath-school, or raised by such enterprises as the Board of Managers may initiate or approve, but never by assessment upon the members.
AliT. 12. This Constitution may be amended at any Annual Meetmg of the Associa« tion, by a vote of three fourths of the members present and voting.
A PASTORAL LETTEE.
The Pastor of the Orange Valley Church to the Members of the Church and Congregation .•
I take this method of calling the attention of my people to a planfor systematic Church work, which has been prepared by the Standing Committee, after prolonged and careful consideration.
I know that the best way in which any of us can serve our Lord is in the hearty and loving performance of the duties of the home and of our various callings. And I know that the faithful performance of these duties leaves some of us but little time for the particular work which the Church, as an oi-ganization, is trying to accomplish. But while we should do, first of all, the former duties, we should not leave the latter undone. To many of us the fact that we can do so little in the Church, is a difficulty in the way of our doing anything. More still are hindered by the fact that they do not know pre- cisely what modes of work the Church is using, nor how the little time and experience and ability which they can offer can be made available. This plan shows what the Church is trying to do ; and gives to the whole congregation a chance to say in which of these ways they may be willing or able to help. 1 invite all to read it carefully, to see where help is most required, and to volunteer their personal service, whether it be much or little.
I am sure that many will be glad of the suggestions which are thus made. Some are at work already in one or more of these departments. In all of them there is room for more assistance. In some of them there is urgent need of help. There is hardly any- body who is not doing, or can not do, something to help in one or more of the ways now pointed out.
We all of us recognize our responsibility to do what we can for Christ and for the Church of which we are members. Let us avail ourselves of this opening year to put new energy into our work, choosing, each one of us, what we will try to do, not only as Christians, but as members of this local church. I ask for no formal response to this
61
letter; except that those who are willing to help will signify such willingness to the per- son in charge of the particular department in which they desire to labor. But I earnestly invite every church member to have an active part in the cliurch work, and to lose no time in entering upon it. Delay in such a matter is unwise. Each one of us ought to know wliat he or she intends to do. And the various superintendents should know upon whom they have a riglit to call.
I do not restrict this invitation to church members, but to all who love our common Lord Jesus Christ, and desire to work for him. The Church was never in better con- dition. The week of prayer through which we have just passed has kindled our devotion and increased our fellowship. The effort to pay our debt has tested our fidelity and encouraged us by Its results. But let us not be content with past achievements. Let us not be weary in well doing. Let us press toward the mark 1
Affectionately, your pastor,
GEORGE B. BACON. Okange Valley, January, 1871.
ORANGE VALLEY CHURCH. — A PLAN FOR SYSTEMATIC CHURCH WORK.
The work of this church divides itself, naturally, into six general departments, each one under the supervision of one or more church members. In each general department there are various kinds of work to be done, which are indicated in the subdivisions of the plan. Persons who are willing and able to work in any of these ways are earnestly invited to give their names to the proper superintendent, who will thus know upon whom to rely for help, and will call for it when it is needed.
I. THE 8DNDAY SCHOOL WOEK.
, St., Sujperintendent.
a. Teachers in the Church Sunday-school.
b. Teachers for other Sunday-schools in need of help. (Assistance in the Second Val- ley School would be especially welcome.)
c. Reserve corps of teachers; (to supply occasional absences and temporary wants.)
d. Bible class ; (which will be organized if a sufficient number of adults desire it.) 6. Aid in the selection of Library books.
II. TfiE PEAYEE-SIEETING W^OEK.
, St., Superintendent.
In this work some may be willing to help only by their attendance ; others may he willing to lead in prayer or in remark, or to take charge of and conduct the meetings. Let it be remembered that to attend is to assist, if one can do nothing more.
a. Friday evening meeting, including Monthly Concert.
b. Neighborhood prayer meetings ; (which it is proposed to establish immediately in the Valley, and in which help is earnestly requested.)
c. Sunday evening meetings; (which will be established if a suflcient number of per- sons shall request and promise to support them.)
d. A Mothers' meeting; (which will be organized if desired by a sufficient number.)
III. THE INDUSTEIAL AVOEK.
In charge of Ladies of the Church.
This department of work is already in very efficient operation; but the ladies will welcome an increased attendance and interest. Offers of assistance may be made through the pastor, or any of the deacons, or Standing Committee.
a. Sewing Society and Home Mission work. (The Society meets usually every other Wednesday at the school-house, and upon notice from the pulpit.)
b. Women's Foreign Missionary work : the Zenana Band.
c. Industrial school; (Saturdays) in the school-house.
62
IV. THE CHAKITABLE WOEK.
, St., Superintendent.
a. Occasional visitation of the poor and sick. (Tliere is very urgent need of help in tliis work. It is very burdensome if left to a few. But if many engage in it it becomes easy and eflcient. The superintendent earnestly requests the names of men and women who are willing to give a little time, when called for, to examine into the applications for aid and to see that the charities are wisely and usefully expended. It is preemi- nently a Christian work, and one for which Christian women are peculiarly fitted.)
h. Assistance in collecting contributions.
c. Distribution of religious literature.
d. Cooperation in organizing charities of the community, such as the Orphan Socieiy, relief of destitute children, etc.
v. THE SOCIAL WORK.
, St., Superintendent.
a. Courtesies to strangers on Sundays.
b. Hospitalities to new families joining the congregation.
c. Social meetings of the congregation. Trom the nature of the case, this social work, which is exceedingly important, must be done by the thoughtful and ready attention of individual members of the congregation. And the families of a particular neighborhood should feel a special responsibility of courtesy to other families attending the church whose residence is in the same neighborhood. When a new face is seen in the prayer meeting, or a new household in church on Sunday, let it be the business of every one to find out the new comers and assure them of a welcome. The business of the committee having The Social Wokk in charge will be to furnish information as to what new com- ers there may be who ought to be called on J and from time to time, to provide social meetings Avhere the congregation may become better acquainted. Faithful attention to such courtesies ought to be regarded as work done for Christ and for his Church.
Vr. MISCELLAJSTEOTJS.
, St., Superintendent.
a. Eiforts in aid of temperance and moral reform.
b. Young Men's Christian Association work. Suggestion, as well as labor, is invited for the promotion of this and other Christian work.
ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, WORCESTER, 1870-1.
Every regular worshipper is invited to enlist in one or more of the Departments named in the following schedule.
DEPARTMENT I. — VISITATION OF THE POOR.
This is a work in which both men and women can engage to advantage. In order to help the destitute and the sick, we must find them, for it is commonly only the least worthy who come to our knowledge unsought. Those among our recently arrived for- eign population who were brought up at home in the Church of England, or, if Germans, as Lutherans, have a peculiarly strong claim upon our hospitable attention. Our Church is their natural refuge. To search out such families; to show a kind interest in their welfare; to invite them to Church, and their children to the Sunday-school and the Sewing School ; to bring to the attention of the appropriate Departments cases of sick- ness and poverty among them ; this is what the visitors will be expected to undertake and do.
03
bEPAKTMENT II. — CLOTHING THE DJESTITUTIi.
This Department is intended to enlist the services of all the women of the Parish who are willing to make a conscientious duty of sewing for the poor. Efficiency will he the first and only aim. It is thought that a compact body of real workers, pledged to do systematically what they have undertaken to do, will he likely to accomplish more than usually results from the labors of a loosely organized and intermittent " Sewing Circle." A Depository of Clothing under the care of this Department will be kept in the Chapel, from which needy applicants recommended by the District Visitors, by Sunday-school Teachers, or by the Kector, can be supplied. Contributions of worn garments, as well as gifts of cotton and woollen cloth, not made up, will be welcome at the Depository.
DEPAKTMENT III. — CAKING FOE THE SICK.
The duties of this Department require for their thorough discharge special gifts, a ripe experience, and a considerable command of leisure. Yet we must not leave a good Avork unattempted on account of its difficulty. By degrees we may hope to educate a skill which does not now exist, and perhaps by and by maintain a cottage hospital of our own. There is no reason why any who feel an attraction to this kind of work should not make a beginning. Such simple acts of kindness as watching with the sick, prepar- ing delicacies for their use, joining with them in the Holy Communion, reading to them,, and praying with them, are possible for those who lack the qualifications of trained nurses; and yet they are acts which hallow and bless the life of a Church in the per- formance.
DEPAKTMENT IV. — INDUSTRIAL INSTKUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT.
A Seaving School for the instruction of girls is held in the Chapel on Satui-day after- noons, from November to May. Faithful and constant teachers are much needed.
A WOMENS' Meeting is held at the same place on Tuesday evenings, at which em- ployment in needlework is furnished to those who desire it, on favorable terms. Read- ing aloud, Bible instruction, and a Lending Library, are features of this branch of the work of the Department.
DEPAKTMENT V. — THE VOLUNTARY CHOIR.
This organization has become, during the few years of its existence, almost a necessity' in our Church life. On occasions of week-day worship, Avhen the regvilar choir of the Church cannot be in attendance, it is a great advantage not to haA'e the service of song left dependent upon chance impulse.
The Voluntary Choir is moreover an admirable school of congregational singing, for its members distributed over the church on Sundays can do much to encourage by ex- ample that general participation in the choral portions of our Avorship which is so much to be desired. In view of the increased labors that will fall to this Department during the coming year, there is need that its members be strongly reenforced.
DEPARTMENT VI. —HOSPITALITY.
Calling on new parishioners to enlist them in the charitable activities of the church; providing for the entertainment of clerical and other delegates to Conventions held in this city ; showing courtesy to strangers at times of public worship ; assisting at the social assemblies of the parish ; and in general doing all that is possible to promote a kindly and cordial feeling of brotherhood among all the members of the congregation, these are the varied but important duties of the Department of Hospitality.
64
jB®" If you are willing to give your help in any of these Departments, please fill out one or other, or both of the annexed forms, and inclose this page detached to the Rector.
The undersigned will render personal service in Deparments. during the year ending Nov. 1st, 1871.
Signed,
OK this: The undersigned subscribes $ to the funds of Department *.
for one year.
Signed,,
* The Departments that require aid of this sort are those numbered II, III, IV.
FREE SEATS. MODE OF SECUKING THE PLEDGES.
In one of our "free" churclies, the following blank is used for this purpose.
I'INANCE DEPARTMENT OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN .
For the, year commencing in April, 1871, we wish to raise $8,005.
" Every Little Helps."
On and after the first Sabbath in April, 1871, until further notice, I will contribute WEEKLY the sum or sums which I underscore by the mark x for the service of Christ, in the support of the Gospel, and the various benevolent works of the Congrega- tional Church in .
- .^„ .^„ ^^ $2 $1 75c. 50c. 40c. 30c. 25o. 20c. 15c. 10c. 5c. 3c. Ic.
<u
Ph
Name,
Residence,
Please drop this paper, when subscribed, in the Collection Plate. Those who do not wish to contribute iveekly will please signify it by crossing out that word.
$10 |
$5 |
$3 |
$2 |
$1 |
75c. |
50c. |
40c. |
30c. |
25o. |
20c. |
15c. |
10c. |
5c. |
3c. |
RULES or THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION.
I. Name. — This body shall be called The General Association of the Congregational Churches of Massachusetts.
II. Object.— Its object is to secure Christian union, fellowship, and intercourse among the ministers and churches; promote spirituality ; and to cooperate with one another and with other ecclesiastical bodies in ad- vancing the Kedeemer's kingdom.
III. Doctrinal Basis. — This Association agrees to the Declaration of Faith adopted by the National Council of Congregational Churches in the year 1865 ; the doctrines therein set forth being understood by us to be dis- tinctly those which, from the beginning, have been embraced by the churches of New England as the doctrines of the gospel.
IV. Denominational Basis. — Being based exclusively upon Congrega- tional principles, this Association shall, under no circumstances, exercise ecclesiastical authority over churches or individuals, or interfere with the government or discipline of the churches, or consent to hear appeals, or give advice in ecclesiastical causes of any kind.
V. Members. — Each District Association of ministers consenting to the principles above stated, may appoint, annually, two delegates ; and each District Conference of churches, also so consenting, may appoint, annually, three delegates, who shall be laymen; which delegates, with the Secretary, Eegistrar, Treasurer, and the pastor of the church with which the annual session is held, shall compose the General Association. Delegates from corresponding bodies, ministers appointed to preach sermons, and chair- men of committees attending to present reports, shall be honorary mem- bers, together with such other persons as the Association may vote to admit.
VI. Officers. — 1. A Secretary, a Eegistrar, and a Treasurer, shall be chosen by ballot, each to serve three years from the close of the session at which the choice was made ; to these offices any member of any Congrega- tional church connected with this body shall be eligible.
2. A Moderator, and an Assistant Eegistrar, shall be chosen by ballot from the members at each session, to serve during that session.
3. The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Association, collect the statistics of the ministers and churches, and have charge of the printing thereof, distribute the publications of the Association, and preserve for the permanent use of the Association, copies of all its publications.
4. The Eegistrar shall make the records of each meeting, and preserve them as the permanent property of the Association ; to whom the Assistant
B6
Eegistrar shall render his aid. He shall seasonably notify the time and place of each annual session.
5. The Treasurer shall receive all money raised for the use of the Asso- ciation, disburse the same as directed, and present an annual report, to be audited as the Association may direct.
6. The Secretary, Eegistrar, and Treasurer, shall be ex-officio members of the Association, and be the Committee of Publication unless another be chosen. Their travelling expenses in attending the several sessions shall be paid by the Association.
VII. Quorum. — Twenty-five delegates shall constitute a quorum.
VIII. Annual Meeting The annual meeting shall be held on the third
Tuesday of June, at four o'clock p. m., (or at some other more convenient hour,) at such place as shall have been duly designated.
IX. Home Missionaet Society. — The Massachusetts Home Missionary Society may annually elect two delegates, to be members of this body, while it consents that this body may nominate two persons for membership in the Executive Committee of that Society.
X. CORKESPONDENCE. — 1. Our principles of fraternal intercourse with air ecclesiastical bodies in correspondence with us are, that this Association, and each body so connected with it, shall annually appoint delegates to the other, who shall be admitted to the privilege of sitting and deliberating upon all matters which may come under consideration.
2. The Delegates shall, as far as jiracticable, be selected, one from the District Associations, and one from the District Conferences, in rotation. Brethren chosen substitutes in the delegations to the bodies in our connec- tion, shall, at our next session, be considered as Delegates to the respective bodies, if they shall not previously have taken their seats there through the failure of their principals.
3. The printed Minutes of the Association shall be sufficient testimonials of the appointment of Delegates to Corresponding Bodies.
4. It shall be the duty of those Delegates who attend the meetings of Corresponding Bodies, whether they be primaries or substitutes, to certify the Secretary in writing, on or before the opening of the annual meeting next after their appointment.
[The tenth article is suspended by action at the session of 1871, but the Rule was not formally amended.]
XI. Organization. — The pastor of the church of the place of meeting, or the Secretary, may call the Association to order, and preside in the meet- ing until it be properly organized. The certificates of the delegates present shall be presented, — only the names of members being read by the Eegis- trar. The Association shall then be organized by the choice of a Moder- ator and an Assistant Eegistrar, and the Moderator shall open the session with prayer. A Committee on Credentials shall then be appointed, to whom all certificates shall be referred.
67
XII. Sermons. — A sermon shall be preached ou the evening of the first day of the session, and another, adapted to the occasion, before the Lord's supper. [Modified, but not formally amended, by change in Article SV.]
XIII. Committees — 1. The Committees for the session are these : (I.) A Committee on Credentials, who shall be appointed by the Modern
ator immediately after the opening of the session.
(2.) A Committee on Nominations, to nominate the following, and any other committees referred to them.
(3.) A Committee of Arrangements, consisting of three, of which the pastor, or some member of the church shall be one, to prepare the business of the session ; and no business shall be introduced during the session, but through the hands, and with the approbation of the Committee. But if said Committee decline presenting any item of business proposed by any member, he shall have the privilege of appeal to the Association.
(4.) A Committee to audit the accounts, who shall report the state of the treasury, and the sum in their opinion necessary to be paid the nest year by the churches of the several Conferences connected with this body,
(5.) A Committee to nominate delegates to Corresponding Bodies,
2. To act after the adjournment :
(1.) A Provisional Committee of five, to arrange the schedule for the next annual meeting ; to select a preacher for a sermon on Wednesday, and persons to prepare such written papers as they shall deem desirable.
(2.) A Committee on Home Evangelization, who shall make an annual report to this body, upon the Work of the Churches and State of Eeligion, unless otherwise ordered at any session.
XIV. Exercises. — The time of the annual session shall be occupied by devotional services, the consideration of the state of religion, the wants and methods of Home Evangelization, addresses and discussions of prac- tical religious interest, the reception of delegates from corresponding bodies, and attention to the objects of benevolent enterprise sustained by the churches.
XV. Special Orders. — 1. At the opening of the session, on the morn- ing of Wednesday and Thursday, the Moderator shall take the chair at the hour to which the Association stands adjourned ; shall immediately call the members to order; shall direct the roll to be called; shall open the naeeting with prayer ; and cause the minutes of the preceding day to be read ; and the session of each day shall be closed with prayer.
2. The associational sermon and Lord's supper may be assigned to Tuesday evening, at the option of the Provisional Committee. Salutations of delegates from corresponding bodies (which are expected to be confined to ten minutes each,) and reports of delegates to such bodies, shall be heard on Wednesday morning. Wednesday evening shall be devoted to exercises having special reference to the people of the place of meeting, or a sermon may be preached, the preacher to be selected by the PrpYisional Committee,
68
3. Each, annual meeting shall be closed with a psalm or hymn, and prayer. One session of the Association shall be devoted to the cause of Home Mis- sions and Home Evangelization.
XVI. Place of Meeting. — Previously to the close of each meeting, the General Association shall specify a place for meeting the next year, and designate the Association (in alphabetical order,) to appoint a preacher for the sermon before the Lord's supper. And the church of the place of meet- ing selected, is requested to make preparation to celebrate the Lord's sup- per in the course of the service. The Lord's supper shall be administered, generally, vpithout remarks.
XVII. EuLES OP Order. — 1. Every motion, on being seconded, shall, if requested by the Moderator, or any two members, be reduced to writing ; and no motion shall be opened to discussion until it be seconded.
2. The Moderator may speak to points of order in preference to other members, rising from his seat for that purpose ; and shall decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the house by any two members. But he may not speak to the merits of the question without leaving the chair, and placing some other member in it, to preside while he speaks.
3. No member shall speak more than twice on the same question, with- out leave of the Association.
4. When a question is under dabate, no motion shall be received, except for adjournment, laying on the table, amendment, postponement, commit- ment, or the previous question. The previous question is this : Shall the main question be now put ? And the efltect of adopting it shall be to put an end to debate, and to bring the Association to a direct vote upon the amendments, if any are pending, and then upon the main question proper.
6. If a question under debate contain several parts, any member may have it divided, and a question taken on each part.
6. Every member, when speaking, shall address himself to the chair; and shall be subject to no needless interruption; if he act disorderly, it shall be the duty of the Moderator, and the privilege of other members, to call him to order.
7. No member shall leave the Association before the session is closed, except with the consent of the body ; nor shall any one leave the house during a sitting, without the consent of the Moderator.
XVIII. Amendments. -^1. Any of the above Kules, except the first five, may be amended at any annual session by a two-thirds vote, the pro- posed amendment having been submitted in writing on the day previous to that of action.
2. Amendments to either of the first five articles shall not be made ex- cept upon their proposal at the annual meeting next prior to that of action ; and after notice has been sent to the several Associations and Conferences ; ^qd by a two-thirds vote.
THE DISTRICT CONEEEENCES OE CHURCHES.
The names of ministers officiating with the churches will be found in the tabular reports of the churches, in the several counties referred to in each Conference.
I. Andover, Oeganized June 8, 1859.
Churches .-
Andover, South Church, Essex Co.,
" West church, " "
" Free Christian church, " " " Ballardvale, Union eh., " " " Theolog. Seminary ch., " "
Chelmsford, 2d church, Middlesex Co.,
Dracut, 1st church, " "
" West church, " "
" Central church, " "
Lawrence, Lawrence St. Cong, ch., Essex Co., " Central Cong, ch., " "
Lawrence, Eliot Cong, church, Essex Co., " South Cong, church, " "
" Free Cong, church, " "
Lowell, 1st church, Middlesex Co.,
" Appleton Street ch., " "
" John Street church, " "
" Kirk Street church, " "
" High Street church, " «
Methuen, 1st church,
JNorth Andover,
Tewksbury, Middlesex Co.-
Essex Co.,
Conference meets on the second Tuesday in April, and the second Tuesday in October. . James G. Buttrick, Lowell, Secretary and Treasurer for three years. A Moderator is chosen at each meeting.
II. Barnstable, Organized October 28, 1828.
Churches, — all the churches in Barnstable and Nantucket counties. — 23. Conference meets on the second Tuesday of June, and third Tuesday of December. Kev. Henry C. Fay, Harwich Port, Scribe.
III. Bbekshirb North, Organized December 3, 1867.
Churches, — all in Berkshire County, except Middlefleld : Adams, North, Pittsfleld, 2d church,
« South, Becket, North, Dalton, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Middlefleld, Hampshire Co., Peru, Pittsfleld, 1st church.
The Union church at White Oaks, in Williamstown, also belongs to the Conference.
Conference meets on the Second Wednesday in May and November.
Dea. H. M. Peirson, W^illiamstown, President; Rev. H, W. Gilbert, Peru, Secretary.
" South church,
Richmond,
Washington,
WUliamstown, 1st church,
" College church,
" 2d church, South,
Windsor. — 17.
70
IV. Berkshire South, Organized Sbptemrer 4, 1860.
Churches, — All in Berkshire County :
Becket, Centre, Egremont, South, Great Barrington,
" " Housatonic,
Lee, Lenox, Monterey, New Marlborough, 1st church,
" " Southfield,
Conference holds its annual meeting on the second Wednesday in November; its other meetings quarterly.
Eev. Charles F. Bradley, West Stockbridge, Moderator; Marshall S. Bidwell, Jr., Shef- field, Scribe; the Moderator, Eev. Elias C. Hooker, of Stockbridge, and William Kniffln, West Stockbridge, are Committee of Arrangements.
New Marlborough, Mill River,
Otis,
Sandisfleld,
Sheffield,
Stockbridge,
" Curtisville,
West Stockbridge, " " Centre. — 17.
V. Beookfield Associational, Organized June 13, 1821.
Churches, — all in Worcester County, except those noted otherwise :
Barre, North Brookfleld, 2d church,
Brimfleld, Hampden Co., Oakham,
Brookfleld,
Charlton,
Dana,
Dudley,
Hardwick,
" Gilbertville,
Holland, Hampden Co., New Braintree, North Brookfleld, 1st church.
Conference meets annually on the second Tuesday in June, at 10 a. m. Kev. William G. Tuttle, Ware, Scribe.
Southbridge,
Spencer,
Sturbridge,
Ware, 1st church, Hampshire Co.,
" East, " "
Warren,
« West, West Brookfleld. —21.
VI. Essex North, Organized April 30, 1828.
Churches, — all in Essex County :
Amesbury, West, " MUls,
" and Salisbury,
Boxford, West, Bradford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, West Parish,
" East Parish,
" Centre,
" North church,
Ipswich, First church.
Conference meets on the second Tuesday (and Wednesday) in October Rev. John D. Kingsbury, Bradford, Scribe,
Ipswich and Rowley, Linebrook,
Newbury, 1st church, " Byfleld,
Newburyport, North church, " Fourth church,
" Belleville,
" Whitefield church,
Rowley,
Salisbury, Rocky Hill,
West Newbury, First church, " " Second church. — 23.
71
Vll. Essex Sotith, Organized Mat S, 1827.
Clmrches, — all in Essex County :
Beverly, Dane Street church,
" Washington Street church, " North, Boxford, Danvers, Centre,
" Maple Street church, Essex,
Georgetown, Memorial church, Gloucester, Harbor, '" Lanes ville,
" West,
Hamilton,
Ipswich, South church, Lynn, First Church, " Central church, " Chestnut Street church,
Conference meets on the third Wednesday in May, and second Wednesday in Octobef. Eev. J. M. Whiton, ph. d., Lynn, Clerk.
VIIL Franklin, Organized October 10, 1843.
Churches, — all the churches in Franklin County, except Leverett, New Salem, North Orange, and Whately. — 25.
Conference meets annually, on the third Tuesday in September.
William Elliot, Greenfield, President; Kev. David Peck, Sunderland, Vice-President; Kev. Eobert Crawford, d. d., Deerfield, Recording Secretary and Treasurer; Kev. William A. Thompson, Conway, Statistical Secretary,
Lynn, North Congregational church, Lynnfleld, Centre,
" Second church,
Manchester, Orthodox church, Marblehead, First church, " Third church,
Middleton, Peabody,
Rockport, First church, Salem, Tabernacle church,
" South church, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfleld, Wenham. — 31.
IX. Hampden, Organized December 4, 1850.
Churches, — all in Hampden County, except as mentioned
Agawam, Feeding Hills,
" Congregational church, Blandford, Chester, Centre,
" Depot, Chicopee, First church,
" Second church,
" Third church, Granville, East,
" West,
Holyoke, Fu-st church,
" Second church, Longmeadow,
" East,
Ludlow, Monson, Palmer, First church,
The following "Union" churches also belong to the Conference: North Blandford, Jenksville, and Memorial ch., Springfield. Conference meets on the last Tuesday in October. Rev. John L. R. Trask, Holyoke, Moderator ; Rev. J. W. Harding, Longmeadow, Scribe.
Palmer, Second church,
South Hadley, First church, Hampshu-e Co.,
Southwick,
Springfield, First church,
'' Olivet church,
" South church,
" North church,
" Indian Orchard,
" Sanford Street church,
Tolland, Westfleld, First church,
" Second church. West Springfield,
" " Mittineaque,
Wilbraham,
" South. — 33.
n
X. Hampshire, Oeganized Eebktjakt , 186S.
Churches, — all in Hampsliire County :
Chesterfield, Cummington, East,
" West,
Easthampton, First church,
" Payson church,
Goshen, ,
Huntington, First church,
" Second church,
Northampton, First church,
Conference meets " in the Spring and Fall," time not settled. Key. James P. Kimball, Haydenville, Scribe.
XI. Hampshiee East, Organized November 13, 1860. Churches, — all in Hampshire County, except as below :
Northampton, Edwards church, " Florence church,
Plainfleld,
Southampton,
Westhampton,
Williamsburg, First church, " Haydenville,
Worthington. — 17.
Hadley, Second church, " Kussell church, Hatfield,
Leverett, Franklin County, Pelham, Packardville, Union church, Prescott, South Hadley,
" " Falls,
Whately, Franklin County. — 19.
Amherst, First church,
" Second church, East street,
" Church of South,
" College church,
" North church. North, Belchertown, Enfield, Granby, Greenwich, Hadley, First church.
Conference meets on the last Tuesday in April, and on the third Tuesday in October. George Montague, Amherst, Permanent Clerk.
XII. Mendon, Organized April 27, 1858. Churches .•
Foxborough, Norfolk County, Franklin, North, " "
" South, " "
Mansfield, Bristol County, Medfleld, Norfolk County,
Medway, First church, East, " "
Conference meets on the third Wednesday of April and October Anson Daniels, West Medway, Scribe and Treasurer.
Medway, Second ch.. West, Norfolk County,
" Village church, " "
Milford, Worcester County, Norfolk, Norfolk County,
Walpole, " "
Wrentham, " " —12.
XIII. Middlesex South, Organized Adgust 20, 1828. Churches -. Ashland, Middlesex County,
Concord, " "
Dover, Norfolk County, Framihgham, Plymouth ch., Middlesex Co.,
" Saxonville, "
Holliston, "
Hopkinton, "
Lincoln, "
Marlborough, "
Conference meets on the third Tuesday in April and October.
Rev. George G. Phipps, Wellesley, Secretary and Treasurer.
Middlesex County,
Maynard,
Natick, " "
" South, " "
Needham, Wellesley, Norfolk County, Sherborn, Middlesex County, Southborough, Worcester County,
" Southville, " "
Sudbury, Middlesex County, Wayland, " " —18.
io
XIV. Middlesex Union, Organized Mat 8, 1833.
Churches ■.
Middlesex Co
inty,
Acton,
Ashby,
Ayer,
Uoxborough,
Dunstable,
Fitchburg, Calvinisticrh., Worcester Co.,
" Rollstone ch., " "
Groton, Middlesex County, Harvard, Worcester County,
Conference meets in the Spring (time not determined); and at Harvard October 18 and 19, 1S71. Rev. Horace Parker, Pepperell, Moderator; Kev. William J. Batt, Leominster, Secretary.
Lancaster, Worcester County, Leominster, '■ "
Littleton, Middlesex County, Lunenburg, Worcester County, Pepperell, Middlesex County, Shirley, '' "
Townsend, " "
Westford, " " —17.
XV. Norfolk, Organized June 14, 1827.
Churches .•
Abington, First church, Plymouth Co.,
'• Second ch.. South, " "
" Thu-d ch.. East, " "
" Fourth ch.. North, " "
Braintree, First ch., Norfolk County,
" South church, " "
Bridgewater, Central Square ch., —
Plymouth County,
Canton, Norfolk County,
Cohasset, Evan, church, " "
" Beechwood, " "
East Bridgewater, Plymouth County,
Easton, Bristol County,
Hiugham, Plymouth County,
Milton, First church, Norfolk County,
" Second ch., Railway, " •'
North Bridgewater, First ch., Plymouth Co.,
No. Bridgewater, South ch., Campello, —
Plymouth Co., " '• Porter Ev. church, " ''
Quincy, Norfolk County,
Randolph, First church, " "
" Second ch.. East, " "
" Winthrop ch.. East., " "
Sharon, " "
Stoughton, " "
Weymouth, First church, " "
" Second ch.. South, " "
" Landing, " "
" Union ch., South, " "
" Pilgrim ch., North, " "
" East, " "
— 30.
Conference meets on the first Tuesday in May, and last Tuesday in September. Rev. John C. Labaree, Randolph, Scribe.
XVI. Old Colony, Organized September 23, 1856.
Churches ••
Dartmouth, South, Bristol County, Fairhaven, " "
Marion, Plymouth County,
Mattapoisett, " "
Middleborough, First ch., " "
" Central ch., " "
New Bedford, First church, Bristol County,
New Bedford, North ch., Bristol County, " " Trin. church, " "
" " Pacific church, " "
Rochester, Centre, Plymouth County, " North, " "
Wareham, " "
Westport, Bristol County. — 14.
Conference meets on the third Tuesday in April and October. Rev. Hartford P. Leonard, Westport, Scribe.
74
XVII. PiLGEiM, Organized April 27, 1830.
Churches, — all in Plymouth County :
Carver, North,
Halifax,
Hanover, First church,
" Second church. Four Corners, Hanson, Kingston, Marshfleld, First church,
Marshfield, Second church, East,
Plymouth, Second church, South, *' Church of the Pilgrimage,
" Fourth church, Chiltonville,
" Fifth church, "
Plympton,
Scituate, North. — 14.
Conference meets on the second Tuesday (and Wednesday) in April and October. Rev. S. W. Cozzens, D. D., South Plymouth, Moderator; Rev. A.Parke Burgess, Duxbury, Scribe and Treasurer.
XVIII. Suffolk North, Organized Mat 23, 1861. >
C/iM»-c7ies, — Boston, Chelsea, and Revere, in Suffolk County; the others in Middlesex County :
Arlington,
Boston, Old South church,
" Salem and Mariners' church, " Maverick church, East, " Mount Vernon church, " Chambers Street church, Cambridge, First church,
" Port, First church,
■" East,
" North Avenue,
Cambridgeport, Stearns chapel, Charlestown, First church,
" Winthrop church,
Chelsea, Winnisimmet church,
" Central church, Everett, Revere,
Somerville, First church. East, " Winter Hill, North,
Waltham. — 20.
Conference meets on the second Wednesday in April and October.
Charles G. Nazro, Boston, Moderator; Rev. Isaac P. Langveorthy, Chelsea, Secretary and Treasurer.
XIX. Suffolk South, Organized Mat 23, 1861.
Churches .-
Norfolk Co.,
Middlesex Co.,
Belmont, Waverley, Middlesex County, Boston, Dorchester, Second ch., Suffolk Co.,
" Park Street church, " "
" Union church, " "
" South, Phillips church, " "
" Berkeley Street church, " "
" Dorchester, Village church, " "
" Highlands, Eliot church, " "
" Central church, " "
" Shavrmut church, " "
" Highlands, Vine Street ch., " "
" Neponset, Trin. church, " "
" South, E Street church, "■ "
" Dorchester, Cottage St. ch., " "
" Highland church, " "
" Highlands, Walnut Av. ch., " "
Conference meets on the third Wednesday in April and October.
Rev. Henry J. Patrick, West Newton, Secretary; J. Russell Bradford, Boston, Treasurer.
Brighton, Middlesex County, Brookline, Harvard ch., Dedham, First church,
" South, Hyde Park, Needham, Grantville, Newton, First church, " Second church, " Eliot church, " Auburndale, " North church, " Central church, Watertown,
W. Roxbury, South Ev. ch., " " Jamaica Plain,
Norfolk Co.,
— 31.
75
XX. Taunton and Vicinity, Organized October 2, 1849.
Churches, — all in Bristol County except as below :
Attleborough, East, " West,
Berkley, First church,
" Trin. Congregational church, Bridgewater, Scotland parish, Plymouth Co., Dighton, Fall Elver, First church,
" Central church,
Freetown, Assonet, Middleborough, North, Plymouth County,
Norton,
Raynham,
Kehoboth,
Seekonk,
Somerset,
Taunton, East,
" Trin. Cong, church,
" West,
" Winslow church,
" Union ch., Whittenton. -
■20.
Conference meets annually on the Tuesday (and Wednesday) following the Bristol County Cattle Show. Kev. Isaac Dunham, Taunton, Chairman; Rev. Mortimer Blake, d. d., Taunton, Scribe.
XXI. WoBURN, Organized December 5, 1849.
No report has been received. Last year, it comprised the following churches : Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Lexington, Maiden, the two in Medford, Melrose, North Reading, the two in Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Wilmington, Winchester, and the two in Woburn. — 18.
XXII. "Worcester Central, Organized April 28, 1852.
Chiirches, — all in Worcester County :
Auburn,
Berlin,
Boylston,
Clinton,
Holden,
Leicester,
Northborough,
Oxford,
Paxton,
Princeton,
Rutland,
Shrewsbury,
Sterling,
West Boylston,
Worcester, First church,
" Calvinist church,
" Union church,
" Salem Street church,
" Mission Chapel church,
" Plymouth church. — 20.
Conference meets on the Wednesday following the second Monday in May, and on the Wednesday following the third Monday in October. Rev. Amos H. Coolidge, Leicester, Scribe.
XXIII, "Worcester North, Organized November 24, 1827. Churches, — all in Worcester County, except as below :
Ashburnham, First church,
" Second church,
Athol, Gardner, Hubbardston,
New Salem, Franklin County, Orange, North, "■ "
Petersham,
Conference meets on the second Tuesday in June.
Rev. Daniel Wight, North Ashburnham, Moderator ; Rev. Temple Cutler, Athol, Clerk,
Phillipston, Royalston, First church,
" Second church,
Templeton, Westminster,
Winchendon, First church, " North. — 15.
76
XXIV. Worcester South, Organized June 17, 1828.
Northbridge,
Churches, — all in Worcester County- Blacks tone, Douglas,
" East, Grafton,
" Saundersville, Millbury, First church, " Second church,
" Whitinsville,
Sutton, Upton, Uxbridge, Webster, Westborough. — 14.
Conference meets on the fourth Tuesday in April and October.
Key. William T. Briggs, Douglas, Secretary; Dea. William C. Capron, Uxbridge, Treas- urer.
THE MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATIONS.
I. Andover, Organized July 5, 1763.
Members. Speucer F. Beard, Joseph Boardman, Benjamin F. Clark, Leonard Z. Ferris, Caleb E. Fisher, Eden B. Foster, d. d., Thomas G. Grassie, Henry S. Greene, John M. Greene, B. Franklin Hamilton, Charles M. Mead, James H. Merrill, David Oliphant, William E. Park, Moses Patten, Austin Phelps, D. D., George Pierce, Jr., Charles Smith, Owen Street, John L. Taylor, d. d., Eichard Tolman, Rufus S. UnderATOod, Albert Watson, George N. Webber, d.d,
Licentiates. Benjamin S. Adams, Henry T. Arnold, George W. Barber, Thomas R. Beeber, John K. Browne, Almon T. Clarke, William H. Cobb, Charles T. Collins, Joseph Cook, Charles E. Coolidge, Samuel H. Dana, Charles F. Dole, Archibald Duff, James D. Eaton, James H. Ecob, Joseph E. Fiske,
Date of |
Date of |
||
Ordination. |
Membership. |
Residence. |
Employment. |
1829, Jan. 14. |
1859, Jan. |
Andover. |
Retired. |
1861. |
1870, Oct. 18. |
West Dracut. |
A. P. |
1839, Aug. 1. |
1840, June 13. |
N. Chelmsford. |
W. C. |
1865, Nov. 30. |
1870, June 7. |
Lawrence. |
A. P. |
1843, Aug. 23. |
1855, Dec. 11. |
Lawrence. |
Pastor. |
1841, Aug. 11. |
1853, Feb. |
Lowell. |
" |
1863, Mar. 31. |
1868, Feb. 11. |
Methuen. |
" |
1837, Dec. 27. |
1855, Dec. 11. |
Ballardvale. |
" |
1871, June 28. |
Lowell. |
A. P. |
|
1865, June 28. |
1866, Apr. 10. |
North Andover. |
, Pastor. |
1866, Aug. 10. |
1867, Oct. 9. |
Andover. |
Prof. Sem. |
1839, Nov. 26. |
1856, June 9. |
Andover. |
Pastor. |
1815, May 15. |
1855, Dec. 11. |
Retii-ed. |
|
1867, Nov. 13. |
1867, Dec. 10. |
Lawrence. |
Pastor. |
1860, June 7. |
1869, Apr. 28. |
Carlisle. |
W.C. |
1842, Mar. 30. |
1866, Apr. 10. |
Andover. |
Prof. Sem. |
1863, Oct. 14. |
1863, Dec. 8. |
Paterson, N. J, |
Pastor. |
1847, Oct. 10. |
1862, Apr. 8. |
Andover. |
« |
1843, Feb. 3. |
1857, Dec. 8. |
Lowell. |
" |
1839, July 18. |
1839, Oct. 1. |
Andover. |
Prof. Sem. |
1845, Sept. 17. |
1852, Oct. 12. |
Hampton, Va. |
|
1867, Nov. 19. |
1869, Apr. 28. |
Evangel't. |
|
1871, June 27. |
1871, June 28. |
Lawrence. |
Pastor. |
,, 1855, Dec. 5. |
1862, Oct. 14. |
Middlehury, Vt |
. Prof. Coll. |
Approbated. |
Licentiates. |
Approbated. |
|
1870, July 5. |
Rufus C. |
Flagg, |
1871, June 6. |
" " |
Omar W. |
Folsom, |
" " |
1868, Dec. 8. |
George H |
. French, |
1867, Dec. 10. |
1871, June 6. |
Austin S. |
Garver, |
1870, July 5. |
U 11 |
James T. |
Graves, |
1869, Oct. 19. |
« « |
Perley M |
. Griffin, |
1871, June 6. |
" " |
Frederick A. Hand, |
1870, July 5. |
|
1870, July 5. |
Henry KetcMim, |
1871, June 6. |
|
1867, Dec. 10. |
James R. |
Kilbourn, |
« u |
1869, Oct. 19. |
George W. Banne, |
1870, July 5. |
|
1S71, June 6. |
Burke F. |
Leavitt, |
" " |
1871, June 28. |
Thomas M. May, |
1871, June 6. |
|
1871, June 6. |
Lucian D |
. Mears, |
1869, Oct. 19. |
i< (( |
Charles L. Mitchell, |
U .( |
|
" " |
Albert W |
. Moore, |
1871, June 6. |
18G6, Dec. 11. |
George L |
. Nims, |
1869, Oct. 19. |
78
Licentiates. Samuel Ollerenshaw, Frederick Palmer, John W. Partridge, M. Stuart Phelps, Henry D. Porter, Edward K. Rawson, Levi Rodgers, Andrew J. Rogers, Frederick A. Schauffler,
Times of Meeting. - Rev. Caleb E. Fisher,
Approbated. 1871, June 6. 1871, June 28. 1869, Oct. 19. 1871, June 6.
1869, Oct. 19. 1871, June 6.
1870, July 5. 1869, Oct. 19.
, 1870, July 5.
- First Tuesday in Pebi
Lawrence, Scribe.
Licentiates. Darius B. Scott, George H. Scott, Anson P. Tinker, James A. Towle, Louis B. Voorhees, Thomas R. Willard, Henry C. Woodruff, Robert M. Woods, William H. Woodwell, " '«
uary, June, October, and December.
Approbated. 1871, June (
1868, Dec. 8. 1870, July 5.
1869, Oct. 19.'
1870, July 5.
1871, June 6.
II. Berkshire North, Organized October 14, 1852.
Date of |
Date of |
|||
Members. |
Ordination. |
Membersliip. |
Residence. |
Emploj-ment, |
John Bascom, |
1859, Dec. |
1861. |
Williamstown. |
Prof. Coll. |
J. Jay Dana, |
1835, Sept. 9. |
1867. |
Becket. |
A. P. |
Calvin Durfee, D. D., |
1828, Apr. 23. |
1855. |
Williamstown. |
|
Ephraim Flint, Jr., |
1867, Sept. 19. |
1867. |
Hinsdale. |
Pastor. |
Hiram W. Gilbert, |
1841, Oct. 20. |
1870. |
Peru. |
" |
Nathaniel H. Griffin, |
1839, June. |
1853. |
Williamstown. |
Teacher. |
M'. Hopkins, D. c, ll. d. |
, 1836, Sept. 15. |
1853. |
Williamstown. |
Pres. Coll. |
Sardis B. Morley, |
1851, July 9. |
1869. |
Pittsfleld. |
|
Charles M. Pierce, |
1863, Sept. 2. |
1869. |
Middlefleld. |
Pastor. |
Charles V. Spear, |
1852, Oct. |
1859. |
Pittsfleld. |
Teacher. |
Charles E. Stebbins, |
1859, Dec. 14. |
1870. |
South Adams. |
A. P. |
Edward Strong, d. d.. |
1842, Dec. 14. |
1865. |
Pittsfleld. |
Pastor. |
John Tatlock, ll. d., |
1852, Oct. |
1852. |
Pittsfleld. |
Attorney. |
John Todd, D. D., |
1827, Jan. 1. |
1852. |
Pittsfleld. |
Pastor. |
Licentiates — None. |
Times of Meeting. — First Monday in March, June, September, and December. Rev. Ephraim Flint, Jr., Hinsdale, Scribe and Treasurer.
III. Berkshire South, Organized October 14, 1852.
Members. Charles F. Bradley, Josiah Brewer, Thomas Crowther, George T. Dole, Nathl. H. Eggleston, Nahum Gale, D. D., Sullivan F. Gale, Edward J. Giddings, Thomas A. Hall, John Hartwell, Timothy A. Hazen, Elias C. Hooker, Amos E. Lawrence, Mason Noble, Jr.,
Date of Ordination. 1869, Aug. 18. 1826, May 10. 1867, Aug. 6. 1842, Oct. 6. 1845, Feb. 19. 1842, June 22. 1869, June 23. 1857, Oct. 19. 1841, June 16.
1859, Sept. 29. 1854, Oct. 11.
1860, Dec. 11. 1848, June 25. 1869, Dec. 29.
Date of Membership. 1868, Aug. 3. 1863, Jan. 27. 1868, Jan. 28.
1865, Oct. 31. 1861, Apr. 30. 1854, Apr. 17. 1870, May 2. 1863, Jan. 27. 1852, Oct. 14.
1866, Jan. 30. 1863, July 28. 1870, Oct. 31. 1868, Apr. 27. 1870, July 25.
Residence. Employment.
W. Stockbridge. Pastor.
Stockbridge. Unemp'd.
Mill River. Pastor.
Curtisville. A. P.
Lee.
New Marlboro',
Housatonic.
Monterey.
Becket.
Housatonic.
Stockbridge.
Stockbridge.
Sheflield.
Pastor.
W. C.
A. P.
Pastor.
W.C.
Pastor.
79
Members. Charles C. C. Painter, Lewis Pennell,
Winthrop H. Phelps, Bvarts Scudder, Horace S. Shapleigh, George M. Smith, George T. Washhurn,
Licentiate. BeDJamin F. Parsons,
Times op Meeting. - Rev. Mason Nohle, Jr.
Date of Date of
Ordination. Membership.
1863, Sept. 22. 1863, Oct. 27.
1833, Sept. 17. 1855, Jan. 28.
1848, Feh. 9. 1852, Oct. 14.
1859, June 1. 1869, Apr. 26.
1869, Dec. 8. 1870, Jan. 31.
1859, Oct. 19. 1868, Aug. 3. 1859, Mar. 22. 1859, July 25.
Approbated. 1868, Oct. 26, for four years.
■Last Tuesday in January, April, Sheffield, Scribe and Treasurer.
Kesidenee. Emploj-ment.
Naugatuck, Ct. W. Stockbridge
Centre. Pastor,Em.
South Egi-emont. W. C. Gt. Barrington. Pastor. South Egremont. " Lenox. A. P.
Madura, India, Mission'y.
July, and October.
IV. Beookfield, Okganized June 22, 1757.
Date of |
Date of |
|||
Members. |
Ordination. |
Membership. |
Residence. |
Employment |
Samuel J. Austin, |
1857, Feb. 25. |
1869, Jan. 12. |
Warren. |
Pastor. |
Daniel J, Bliss, |
1868, Deo. 9. |
1869, Jan. 12. |
Holland. |
|
M. Bradford Boardman, |
1863, Oct. 1. |
1871, July 6. |
Brimfleld. |
|
Willard D. Brown, |
1870, Dec. 6. |
1871, Apr. 11. |
Gilbertville. |
|
Eichard B. Bull, |
1854, Nov. |
1871, July 6. |
W. Brookfleld. |
|
Joshua Coit, |
1860, Nov. 13. |
1861, Oct. 1. |
Brookfleld. |
|
James Cruickshanks, |
1858, Sept. 8. |
1864, Jan. 6. |
Spencer. |
W. C. |
Gabriel H. De Bevoise. |
1865, July 26. |
1868, Oct. 13. |
N. Brookfleld. |
Pastor. |
John Dodge, |
1842, June 13. |
1868, Jan. 14. |
New Braintree. |
|
John Haven, |
1836, Dec. 4, |
1851, June 10. |
Charlton. |
|
Edwin L. Jaggar, |
1862, Mar-. 17. |
1869, Oct. 13. |
Southbridge. |
|
A!riel E. P. Perkins, d.d. |
, 1844, Sept. 18. |
1856, Jan. 1. |
Ware. |
|
Martin L. Richardson, |
1860, Mar. 7. |
1863, Sept. 13. |
Sturbridge. |
|
Edwin Smith, |
1865, Jan. 11. |
1869, Oct. 13. |
Barre. |
|
William G. Tuttle, |
1851, Apr. 16. |
1862, Sept. 30, |
Ware. |
|
Licentiate. |
Approbated. |
|||
George S. Dodge, Apr. 12, 1871, for three years. |
Times of Meeting. — Second Tuesday in Jamiary, April, June, July and October. Rev. William G. Tuttle, Ware, Scribe, Statistical Scribe, and Treasurer.
V. Cape Cod, Organized October 16, 1866.
Date of |
Date of |
|||
Members. |
|