The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-24
Religious Intelllas nee.


DiScassioa-Na0 Church in Hartford
The Presby terry Of Connecticut met in the Pres
byterian church, in this village, last evening
metaphysical sermon on sin, and redemption by
atonement, was preached by the Rev. Mr.. Dumont,
OF Newport, Rhode Island Immediately after the
benediction had been pronounced, the meeting OF
the Presbytery was opened, with prayer, by the
Rev, Or. Harvey, of this village The roll was
called, and the following Presbytery answered to
their names Rev Joseph Harvey, D. d Thomp-
sonville, Conn; Rev, James Ely, do; Rev A.
Robert ]. Thompson, Tariffville, Conn Rev.
Alexander Leadbetter, New Hartford, Conn;
Rev. Chauncey G.. Lee, Windsor, Conn; The
ret, agent Of the Prison Discipline Society; and Rev.
A. B. l.. Myers, of New Haven, Conn
The Presbytery appointed Rev. Mr. Dumont,
Moderator, and Rev. Mr.. Ely, Clerk; and then
adjourned to meet at 5 o'clock this morning, in
At the appointed hour they me. pursuant to ad-
journmsnt. Prayer was offered by the Moderator.
Reports on the state of religion were called for
Rev. DIR. HARVEY, of ThOmpsonville, spoke, in
ton to the subject of religion amongst US. Our
meetings are pretty well attended, considering all
existing circumstances. The most encouraging
fact amongst us is that our Sabbath school is we'll
attended. There has been one member added to
the church since the last meeting of the Presbyte.
ny; and several within the year, principally from
the Sabbath school, and consider that fourishing
But there is no particular attention to religion
amongst US.
Elder ANDERSON, who appeared as a lay member,
from DR.. Harvey's Society, remarked that for the
last twelve months the in :eres. in the Sabbath
sch DOL had been more int nse than ever before.
Rev CHAUscEY G. LEE, of Windsor, was next
called upon. He remarked that he had no
church he hardly knew what the call required of
him. His situation had been peculiar. All his at
tention had been occupied during the past summer
in fitting out his son for California and now be had
debts to collect and pay for him. and other business
to attend.
reverend brother here interrupted Mr.. Lee
with the remark that the state of religion was the
subject on which he was desired to report.
Mr.. LEE replied, that if permitted to 90 on in
his course he would presently arrive at that He
then expressed his interest in this Presbytery and
the generally satisfactory state of his own religious
feein gs His health, he said, was poor, and he had
only occasionally preached He considered that
there was a great deterioration in tn, churches Of
Connecticut, in doctrine and disci pline, from the
standard of former times, and, he added, it was
never too high.
Rev. Mr.. ELY, of New Hartford, next spoke He
had been laboring missionary at Hartford; he
had established Sabbath school, and had taken
initatory steps for the organization of a church.
Rev. Mr.. DUMoNT, Of Newport r. l., said that
his time for several years past had been mainly de-
voted to the cause OF public education in his own
town. He generally preached every Sabbath; help
ing the lame and the lasy wherever he was needed.
Sometimes he supplied a pulpit for the Baptists;
sometimes for the Unitarians, and he considered it
prvile ge to be offered opportunity to preach
what be considered the truth to the different demo-
limitations.
Rev. Mr. THOMPSON, of Tarifville, Conn q, stated
that since last October twenty-one members had
been added to his church. The prayer meetings
since last November, had been so large that they
were obliged to hold them in the church. The
effect of the religious services, he said, have been
prin ,ipaly upon the young people. Most of the
cases Of hopeful conversion have been from the Sab
bath school Oflate, he continued, since the trou-
bles in business have commenced in village,
there has been considerable falling of. This is
owing entirely to the condition Of the manufacturing
business, on which most Of our people depend This
is so entirely uncertain, that they are ainly any
ious to know how they will be fed and wherewithal
they shall be clothed We are also in trouble about
the title to our church While on this subject, Mr..
I. paid handsome tribute to Mr.. Thompson, the
carpet manufacturer, both for his past lberality,
and the interest which he continued to manifest in
behalf Of the church.
Rev Mr.. LEADBETTER, Of New Hartford, Conn,
said that he had preached some in the new church,
in the town where he sides; but, ne said, had
stated place OF preaching.
The report on the narrative came next in order.
Considerable discussion took place in regard to the
Book Of Records of the Tanfyille church, in conse-
quence Of An entry contained therein, to the effect
that person had been admitted on the strength Of
a certificate that be was a member of the Methodist
Church, in regular standing-it not appearing that
previous to his admission he was examined as TO his
religious views.
10 this the Rev. DR.. HARVEY took exception.
Rev Mr.. THOMPSON said that the TanffyiLle
church regarded the church Of Christ as the school
OF Christ They did not require from members
absolute adherence to the articles Of faith. They
draw the cords on the ministers, but not on the
members. In one sense, said Mr. l., We examine
all applicants. We REQUIRE pledge, that If they
hold any doctrine at variance with ours. they shall
make no disturbance about it in our churcn; and
We admit them on that condition. ], for one,
said he enter my decided protest against this exclu
siyeness and bigotry, in the nineteenth century,
which would exclude fro felo wship every private
member who differs from US on some point of doc
trine. 20 for holding ministers strictly to the
mark, because they are teachers Mr.. Thompson
was understood TO state that in point OF fact there
ton, ich resulted satisfactorily.
Rev. Mr. ELY ooncurTed. substantially, In opinion,
with his brother Thompson.
Rev. DR.. HARVEY said.-I do not object to the
method Of obtaining knowledge of a candidate for
do but come at it. But j hold that the views
should be sound. The case under discussion is
that Of person admitted on certificate Of member
.hip Of the Methodist Church, without any state
ment Of an examination. Their creed is entirely at
variance with ours. II is said you must be very
strict with the ministere-you must cord them up
TO the ring-but IL Is not so much matter about the
members Now, am a minister, and should be
sorry TO have church to deal with who were all
admitted the ground Of belief in the tenets of the
Methodist Church. My brother Thompson gives
some relief to the matter by explaining the eoaver-
sstion with the member, but that should be upon
the record.
This discussion was kept up for some time, when
IL was finally voted-"Ihat the records Of Tariff
vile Church be approved, with the exception TO
page sixty. frst where il appears that individual
was received by the session without any examina-
ton of bis doctrinal views"
Rev. Mr.. Ely presented the Treasurer's report,
showing small amour. Of funds on hand.
Iarifville agreed on as the place for the nert
stated meeting Of the Presbytery which takes place
The fourth Tuesday Of April next. Rev. Mr. Du.
mont was appointed to preach the sermon on mis-
Mons on that occasion.
The Presbytery here took a recess; during vhi,b
! meeting was organized for the purpose Of de-
vising some plan for mutual improvement.
Rev. MIR. Dumont WIS appointed chairman, and
Rev. Mr.. Thompson secretary.
The following plan was proposed by the chair
man, and unsDim ously adopted
l.-Eacb member shall give q synopsis Of his
reading during the interval Of the Pres5yery, with
my rema ks he may think proper.
1.-Two members shall read each sermon for