New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-01
CONGREGATIONAL CONVENTION.

corrcsp spondence of Tbe N. T. Tribune.
CHICAGO, Oct. %, 1853.
Amid ali the whirl and hustle of business and politics.
the strife between Douglas and Lincoln, Convention
has been quietly assembled here this week, which is
likely to be among the memorable gatherings Of the
country. The Convention was composed of ministers
and delegates from the Congregational churches of the
to-called Northwest, embracing Michigan, Indiana,
Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota and about to include
Ohio Kansas and Nebraska. There within these
limits nearly If not quite, 200 churches
The proxnlate occasion of the assembling of this
Convention was the opening of new Seminary for
the education Of students for the ministry which has
just commenced operation here, and with very encour
aging auspices, having upward Of twenty students
already in attendance, large number for the begin
ring of such institution The renOter occasion of
.hs Convention, however, wac the general growth of
the important denomination Of Christians represented
by ii. thin the ast few years its increase in
| bers has been very rapid Formerly unfortunate
impression prevailed that the Congregational Polity
Though it had been Of the chief forces, in making
New England what il IL, was not adapted to the re-
Isions west Of the Hudson. II was argued that
Lire West and New-lork was west within the
Imemory Of many now living was made up of rough
luncultivated and lawlessly inclined materials for
whose proper restraint and guidance IN religious mat
kcis something more rigid and peremeptory than the
fsinple Democratic Republican organization OF COngre-
ltonsIsm was requisite. Ii argued that the regu-
ntcDs Of their religious affairs could not be safely
ntrusted to the whole body of each church. as the
affairs OF TOWN. are NHOic
citizens but that certain few of their number must be
clothed for the time being, with arbitrary and con-
elusive power from which there lay no appeal, unless,
1erchance, TO bench Of bishops, or other high
court difficult and slow Of This impression
was of course willingly engendered by those already
embraced in more rigid organizations but 1t was too
willingly accepted by Congregaonahsts themselves.
The suit that, for long time, those who emf
grated from New England TO the regions of
country readily gave up their preferences and habits
in regard to church organization and threw them,
selves into the arms OF other denominations to swell
their numbers and strength. Gradually, however, 1t
came to be believed that the democratic principle IN
religious organization could well bear transplanting
ss the democratic principle In civil arrangements.
Ihc Albany Convention, assembled SIX years ago,
ybrought together Congregationaliss from the East
vsrd the West and in their mutual conferences and
Histories they found elements of confidence and
strength. A fund was gathered for the purpose OF
hiding the feeble churches Of the West in the erection
lof houses Of worship, and other influences were
bet in operation which, cooperating with those
naturally springing into being here IN oonnec'
lion with the, growth OF the country, nave
HE congregational denomination throughout this
Iregion. So that now in the influence belonging to
|combined numbers and liberal culture, it holds the
foremost place among us.
I The Convention just held in this city was pro-
bounced by one Of the Oldest and most honOrcd of our
West rn men, to be the most unjust assembly he had
ever in the West. suppose am safe IN saying
that il was the largest denOmnatlonal body ever con-
yenesl this side OF York comprising, as 1t did
nore than three hundred members, and these largely
men Of mark and force. Among them might be men
toned President Stultevant Of Illinois College, Presl-
don't Blanchard lately OF Knox College President Ma
hon. formerly Of Oberin, Dr. Edward Beecher formerly
President of Illinois College Dr. kitchel of Detroit,
DR.. Post of st. LOUIS and others, well known at the
/, East az we'll as at the West.
You will not expect minute report OF the dongs OF
the Convention Let Ine then sketch them IN general
The first business in order was to receive report OF
their doings from the directors of the Seminary, who,
lv of tha Inaf ttffA
BE to Convention, called like this, once in three
years The report read, was referred to appropriate
Committees; and upon their reports IN turn very IN
fercsting and animated debates arose.
II appeared from the account OF their stewardship
rendered by the Directors. that they have gath
cred fund.- all of IT raised at the West, amounting
now to upward of 4l6O 900; that they have secured
three professors and numerous additional lecturers Tor
the institution and that 1t starts into operation WIN
the h CHEST promise OF success. ,
Two of the Professors were inaugurated during tho
sessions Of tho Convention. The Rev. Joseph Haven,
.ately Professor in Amherst College, was placeu IN
he Chair of Theology and the Rev. 5. g. Bartlett oi
his city formerly Professor in Western Reserve Coi-
ege, was inauguraed Proiess9roi Dl1cai ie'au;o ;
Quoted into his office Professor OF Sacred Rhetoric
a. the close of the present Term.
The Inaugural Addresses, which will soon be pup
hshed with the proceedings of the Convention, Were
very able and appropriate and adapted to give cont
dnce Ia the constituency of the Seminary III the htness
pf the instructors for their places.
Discussions arose IRON Time 10 tlne upon topics VI
Interest to the Seminary and to religion in general
New Directors were chosen in place of those whose
tenn OF office was about to expire. Measures were
taken to assist needy students in deirsyng the
sary expenses of procuring an education, and to aid
feeble congregations in building houses OF worship.
The Convention adjourned on Thursday evening, nav
ing been in session two days.
The officers of the Seminary are as follows;
Prs.iSsat Of tAs Board @ Direetors-Rey H. D. hIfeHEL
d. d.. Of Detroit ,, -, r,
Sayetars-Rey n. X. EeGLKsroN, Madison, WIS
Troa.uyS,-I. ID. OLasrsD, ESQ, Chiesgo.