Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-07-07
S.50,l29.S74
S5o3.S3S


An account of the Annual Meeting Of the
Congregational Union Of Canada, held in
Montreal, states that nearly all the ministers
and churches Of that order in Canada are in
the Union, ministers, as such, without re-
ference to pastordte, being personal members,
and the churches sending two,delcgatos each.
The following are the statistics Of Canadian
Congrcgationalism for the year, May T. 1858,
to May :. 1854. OF course, they only op-
prorimote toward perfection, but they are un-
usually complete; churches, 90 stations.
12S hearers. 1000. Total membership at
present. 2742 Church-cdifccs SO. having ac-
commodations for l7,2l5 persons. Total
value. SAP, 100 Debts on church property,
S2l ,634, over three lourths Of which are in
Quebec and Montreal Raised during the
year. for pastoral support Sll,75o; other
expenses of worship. $1,000 building, debts
etc, SO, 236 missions, $4,000 Theological
Institute, 5000 other objects. cl2Il Total
S34,7j2. Sabbath schools 60, with 800
teachers and 2ol6 scholars.
There were present at this meeting forty
five ministers and fourteen delegates They
We're happy to receive Rev Willard Child,
D. D., of Lowell, delegate from Mlssachu-
sets and Rev a. d. Barber, Of Williston,
Vt.
Resolutions were passed in favor Of Sab
bath observance and the Maine Law, and
against slavery and the clergy reserves.
One Of the most interesting services of the
Union Meeting, was the narrative of the state
of religion in each church, five minutes being
allowed to each pastor to give it verbally
Revivals have been numerous and extensive.
Never has there appeared to he a more eiicc-
tive ministry than now. Incidentally. came
out such evidence of great and constant sac
rifces made for Christ as showed that all the
heroism Of the missionary spirit is not spent
among the heather.
At the goth Anniversary of the Newton
Theological Institution. held on the 27th
inst, an able address was given by Rev. Alvah
Hovey, recently elected Professor of Church
History in the Institution.
The Committee appointed by the clergymen
in Boston during anniversary week. to confer
with clergymen of all denominations in re-
gard to calling a Convention of the New Eng
land clergy in the present crisis Of freedom
in our country, have decided that it is mex
pedient to hold such convention. From
the replies to their circulars they find that
it is extensively the opinion in which they
concur, that the mode of action most power
full, and least open to DEMONSTRATION. Is,
that the ministry exert their influence in the
pulpit, by the press, and in their respective
ecclesiastical bodies and then as American
citizens, unite with their fellow citizens in
such general conventions as may be called,
for elaboration and actions in view of the
present crisis.
The Bill of Excommunication Illuminated
by John. Hishop of Buffalo, against the
Trustees of St. Louis Church. in that place,
will excite notice. It has a strange sound IN
tins country to see sentence Of formal ex-
communication uttered against men for no
breach Of christian faith or good morals but
simply because they willnot plssn civil trusl
of great importance which they hold under
the law Of the land, out Of their charge into
the hands Of a person in his o6c'al capacity.
That is the main point, let it be noted If
- made over to the B,shop as
the Irus, 10 WV shall
SUCH the intention ia that the rrogo..y
be completely under the control Of whoever
may he the Bisbop. And the B,slop is APP
pointed by the Pope, and holds himself COM
rletely subject to his authority,
All, John Bishop of Buililo will find out
if he lives long, that the yoke which gals the
neck of the Roman Catholic Laity in Europe
is very much weakened by the influence Of AN
Ameri AN atmosphere. 1t will grow weaker
from year to year, in spite Of all the Pope,
the Jesuits, and all the Leopold SJcicti., in
Austria can effect. The bill j. a curiosity,
aud with the remarks Of the Commercial will
be found worth reading TSee first roge.l