Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-06-29
H-a-4#-a-
nclirinns Intelligence.

Religions Intelligence.
The General Convention Of Congrcga tional
churches and ministers in Vermont met in
Brattloboro on Tuesday the 10Th inst
Between forty and fifty ministers and dele
gates from the various associations with the |
delegates from the Prcsb. CHI n. 5. and the |
General Associations of n. IL. Iowa, Mass.
and Conn. were enrolled as members
Reports were made by Rev. c. c. Parker
Delegate to Pres. CHI IN. SD Rev. n.
Bishop, Delegate to Gen. Conference OF
Maine Rev. Mcssrs Hyde and Lcayitt, Del
cgatcs to Congregational Union of Canada.
Rev. Mr.. Alvord, Agent of the American
Tract Society, made an able address. He
stated that 2S per cent. of the population OF
Maine, are not under any religious influence
that in a single school district in Northern
Vermont. he found families out Of ID non
attendants upon church and that there are
within the limits of the state, 100000 non
church going persons. In view of this state
of things in Vermont, the board have deter
mined, Mr.. A. said, to send out colportcurs
in this state if they can be sustained
Rev. Mr.. Cobb, of Iowa, and Rev. MIR,
IIoycv, of Mass. Agent of the American and
Foreign Christian Union made addresses.
Tho Committee to prepare minute on the
death of Rev DR.. Merrill, presented rcso-
luton Of vcncration for the memory oil DIR.
Morrill,. who was for As years Register OF the
convention, which was unanimously adopted
Rev. G. {. Bcckwith. d. D., Of Boston,
Secretary of the American Peace Society
addressed the Convention, briefly, on the
life and character of DIR. Merrill, and ON the
claims of the Peace Society
The Chittcndcn county conference OF Con-
rrcgational churches was held at South Hero
ON the 10Th and 18th. The representation
of churches was better than usual, and good
attendance was from the community in which
the conference was held. Half ofthc seventeen
churches which compose the body have cXpc-
renced moro or less of the special presence
of the Holy spirit during the year and four,
Burlington Charlotte, Jericho and Under
hill reported REVEALS. Others which report
ed no revival reported an increase in the
congregation and Sabbath school, and more
than usual prosperity. Several Sabbath
schools reported conversions numbering from
. to 10 when there had been no special inter
est in the churches with which they are con-
ncctcd. The hopeful conversions in the Sab
bath schools of the conference for the year
are about sercnty.
The annual Narrative of the Old School
Prcsbytcrians reports that in more than thir-
ty prosbytcrios, REVEALS nave been enjoyed in
not Il few of their congregations. The Mar
rative Of the New School Prcsbytcrians spcci-
fcs one hundred and twenty four churches
which have enjoyed REVEALS. The CONVEX
sions mentioned number ! $50 and how many
more it is impossible to say. as many churches
gave no figures
a series Of very interesting meetings was
held last week in the Episcopal Church in
NerGcnnes, in which Bishop Hopkins and
some thirteen or fourteen clcrgymcn took
Vt. The rite of confirmation was performed
~ wo,n. day Evening.
g. ahro non,. 'as been published, inviting
all British Christians :. ~.
prayer for the descent of the l.. INV fi''''
The reasons assigned for the proposal ''''
the disturbed state of the Continent, the
prospect of protractel war, the spread Of
Tractarianism in England, and the religious
necessities of Australia, China and India. 1t
is intended that the period for special prayer
shall be extended for at least year, and that
PRAYER in general shall be offered in secret,
in the closet of Christians rather than in
public assemblies,
The first Methodist Episcopal Church in
Germany, has been completed, dedicated, and
occupied to the great joy Of the preachers
and people in aud about Bremen
The Quakcrs Of New York, have COM
mcnced vigorous crusade against music.
The seductive hcrcsy has been gradually
creeping in, until at least 40 pianos, some of
them upright Srands, have found their way
into the parlors Of leading members, and
their unsanctifcd noise is not merely tolc-
rated but enjoyed One member has been
expelled for chcrshng piano, and the other
so will also be dealt with, unless they re
pont. The expelled member appealed in turn
to the quarterly and yearly meetings, but the
decision of the monthly meeting was sus-
tanned, and the owner of the piano is now
cast out into the world. The opposition Of
the Quakcrs to music is one of the things We
could never comprehend. But it is argued
by them that music is no more scriptural,
nor sustained by higher examples, than
dancing, and that those who condemn the
latter recreation may not rcbuke them for de-
nouncing the former.