The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-05-25
Meeting OF the CONGREGATIONAL General As
ISOLATION of Illinois.

Rockford, IL, May 10
Neses Osnar--The general association of II.
lnois held their annual meeting at this place com.
meucinS or Thursday evening the 10th inst. A.
bon: forty ministers from various parts Of the
state were present, and, III point OF talent and Of
influence, may be considered fair representation
Of the congregational clergy of Illinois The
whole number Of associated ministers Of that or
der in this state ia no, far from seventy For the
most part they are working men. dcvutmS them.
selves EoUly and entirely to ministerial labUrs
and II consequence. constitute real, effective
force whose influence Is a, once most decidedly
conservative and rcIOrma,cry.
The matter OF chief interest in these annual as.
semblies Is the narrative Of libors successes and
trial. during the year There never f,il to occur
some most thrilling accounts Of affairs that come
within the observation Of some OF these worthy
men
In q ncra prosperous state Of religious mat.
ter. was reported; nearly all the churches wer.
enlarged b. additions, and about 400 conversions
were spoken Of III connection witlfb or churches
that had enjoyed special religious influences.
The subject Of more general interest that came
incidentally under consideration was secret sOcle
ties Notwithstanding the almost universal ties.
tmOny ~ to the usefulness AMI practical success
ofthe order uf the Sons OF Temperance, from the.
f,ct tina. thu, order va. basel on the saClc broad
principle with the others, 1t was subject to the
same reprubitinn The discussion on hi, subject
terminated in The adoption OF Resolutions dIsap-
proving OF ministers AMI church mcnlb,rs connect.
Ins themselves with such organizations. as being
autlrepublican in nature. and IN tendency. sub.
yersive Of the .e!htsiian system.
/. is not probable that the common sense If
the community will wholly justify this action. 1t
was based on very broad INJUNCTION ui f,cts, rs
well as on general principles thoroughly s.fel in
discussion.
The association passed new AMI more decided
resolutions respecting the rghteous attitude
which some churches maintain towards slaveholi.
ers They desire 10 he found lending 40 sanction
whatever 10 the oppression at mankind. II i, not
probable that any body Of men Of such influence
can be found in the northwest, maintaining, more
decided opposition to those conyentiunalitics
Which in any unrighteous manner tend to infringe
upon equality Of rights and privileges The love
oi ireedonl-frcedon for all, Is strong in their
hearts Indeed the night Of private Judgment
and unrestricted action, (unre-tliced save as
controlled by night reason aud the divine Wurd)
ia fundamental element in cOngresa,iCnali.m
Asa system making denomination 1t asks Of
other scc,s, only hearing and right If way.
The next meeting Of his body was appointed
to be held at Galcsburg.
forgot to mention tina. the president of Be
lott College made some statements respecting the
institutions for education there. which much in.
terested the Association The facts brough to
view, deserve a separate consideration. At a
convenient time you may hear from, me again on
,bis subject Youis. DC,