Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-04-30

} 'hs time the community surrounding this place
was on tptOe in expectation Of a convention to
be held at this place, for the purpose Of forming
union between the Associate and the Associate
Reformed Churches By forming one church Of The
two, to be called the United Church. According
y at an early hour this morning the people began
to thFong The roads leading to the church. stand
) ing on the outskirts Of the village. Having p.egi-
ously determined to attend aad see and hear what.
ever was e be seen and heard, | went along
with the crowd, and on arriving At the church,
found quite number already assembled.
At 91 O'Clock, A. NJ. there was meeting Of
the members Of the scrogg.fsll Associate Church,
over which Mr.. Robt. George (brushy) presided.
Il appeared that the Synols Of the two churches
had, at some previous time, formed basis upon
which it is proposed to unite the two churches
This basis was read by Mr.. Thomas Smiley, and
after some remarks BY Mr.. James NJ. KEN, five
articles Of the basis we're re-read,-one On slavery,
one on secret societies, one on communion, one on
coeenanting and one on psalmoly. Mr. Smiley
then made short speech 10 favor Of tie whole
basis in general, the five articles last read il par
!icalar, and still more particularly tie one on
psalmody. He declared Lis faith in the psalms Of
David and bis opposition to any change or even
correotion Of the same; contauding that they ought
to be sung in worship (public aud private in their
present form, TO tue end Of time, TO the exclusion
of all other compositions Mr. Smiley aso sta
ted that the basis was formed by the synols ofthe
two churches, and handed down by them for tie
approval of the lay members Of the cbarches.-l
Mr.. ]. II, Kean then made motion to adopt OF
approve the whole basis, consisting of eghteen ar
tcIes, which was carried unanimously. Ills meet
ing then adjourned.
We then spent an hour aud half in chat,
which brought us to III O'Clock, at which time
the house was called to order by calling Lr, Wm.
Mclaughlin to the chair By motion OF Michel
Mclaughlin, J. NJ. Kean was chosen Secretary and
Thomas Smiley Vice President. Tie meeting
was then opened by singing the goth psalm from
the fourteenth verse to the close, AMI prayer bv !
Rev. J s. Easton, Mr. Samuel Smiley was then
chosen to assist the Secretary. The chair then
appointed a committee to prepare business for tie /
meeting, which committee consisted Of Rev E S
ton, Rev. Golden, Mr. j Crabs Hon. Thomas
George, of Yellow Creek, Mr.. David Van!cs.n.
Rev. John Donaldson and Mr. Duacaa. A mo-
ton was then made by Mr. III. Mclaughlin to
authorize the ladies to get the dinner ready, so5n
after which the meeting adjourned to one O'Clock.
We then received an invitation 20 repair to tae
lobby OF the church aud Get dinner IN The follow
ing order: First, the business committees, then
the strangers, (adies and gentlemen next tie Ia.
dies Of the Scroggsieli church. and then the men
and boys 10 general The dinner was speudl
and free to ali, AMI all took ho!l in a manner
that spoke well for the health Of the country. (
After we had spent an hour and halt in this
delightful exercise, were called to order by tue
chair. The report ofthe committed on business was
then read by Rev. Easton, recommending Il Tree u, 4
terchaugs of views upon the basis, its approval bv
the convention, and the passage Of resolutions anl
SO on. Rev. Easton. then made some remarks
urging the members to take hold without waiting
for TIE preachers but thev still were backward.
Rev. Donaldson then rose and made some remarks
all which failed TO hear, of which l am sorry
as he is an old man, and understand profound
Scholar and an able heoIogian; but from what |
did hear it appeared that he was in favor Of the
union, but not quite satisfied with the bass He
stated his objections winch were replied to by
Rev. Golden, IN a very respectful manner; he arose
again and appeared to be slightly excited, and
spoke louder this time. He said that
be had held the faithof the Associate church from
the beginning and was prepared to defaUd it, but
this basis introduced new faith on some points:
still he supposed that it was probably as good as
could be had therefore, he would waive his otac-
tons and vote for the approva! of the basis with
out amendment. Then followed remarks By va.
rious persons, among whom were Rev. Easton,
Rev. Simpson and Others, all in favor Of the ba-
sis. The vote was then taken aud the basis
adopted unanimously There were then resolu. :
lions offered BY the Rev. Easton, expressing
strong desire for harmony, brotherly love and
lnion, which passed without a dissenting voice. J.
A resolution was then offered by MitcLo Nc
Laughiu, Recommending the preachers Of the =
wo churches to exchange pulpts. This created
sensation in the convention. Up to this time
he greatest harmony had prevailed, but now it be-
anne evident that the meeting was composed Of
litferent and discordant elemern Theresolutiou 0
vas opposed by Messrs J. Nj. kean, Il, Walker e
nd Others, with great bitterness aud warmth oil t
ceiling, and supported with equal warmth by the Il
resenter, David MeBurny Samuel Smiley and
thers all of the class of men called the layty.-
he disputants became very sarcastic and even q
ersonal. After they had tried their strength toll q
rably well, there wSs a call made for the preach
rs present to express their views upon tho reso-
ution. Rev, Simpson then rose in the back part y
f the house and said something, but was very o
areful about committing himself on either side. 4
Rev, Golden said he was in favor of the resolution
nd was ready to exchange at any time that was !,
onvenient. Rev. Easton then rose and appeared
0 be on both sides alternately. Finally, after va
attor - - I..... q