Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-09-17

burglary; but prefer to act on the defen.
sive. Does he want the proof9
.a .. . JANE G. SwIssHELM.
st. Cloud, Sept. 9Th, 1859. ~
The Baptist Church In Minnesota.
The various Baptist Associations ofthis State
have been recently holding, or are about to,
their anniversary meetings. J. The Southern
Minnesota Baptist Association held theirs on
the 26th ult, at Winona; the Minnesota Bap.
fist Association convened at Hudson, Wis,
on the 7th instant, while the Central Mime.
sofa Association win meet at Wasioja, on the
23d, and the Minnesota Valley Association at
st. Peter, on the 10Th.
Just after the adjournment of the Southern
Minnesota Association on Monday, the goth,
at O'Clock, A. NJ, the State Convention met.
A preliminary organization had been made at
Hastings, on the 9th of September, last year,
and the officers then elected were appointed
a committee to procure charter, and to pro-
pare Constitution and By Laws. The Pres
ident chosen at the meeting was the Hon. G.
H. Keith, of Minneapolis, who now took the
Chair. Rev. H. G. Hazen, of Faribault, was
chosen temporary Secretary. 1t was voted
that all persons present, who are members in
good standing Of the Baptist Churches in Min
nesota, be considered entitled to act in the
proposed organization. The Chairman then
read the charter which had been procured
The Constitution and Bylaws submitted for
adoption were read by Rev. j. D. Pope.
Upon some of the articles of this Constitu-
ton there was a good deal of discussion. An
amendment was proposed by T. R. Cressy,
asserting in very decided terms the indepen-
dency of churches. Some debate arose, but
it was finally adopted. The article which
gave most occasion for debate, was that which
specifies the conditions of membership. As
finally adopted, this article stands thus:
This Convention shall consist of two dele
gates from each regularly constituted Baptist
Church in the State, and each Church NAV
send an additional delegate for every fifty
members. The officers and Board of Trustees
shall be members, during the term of Office
for which they were elected.
Pending the question that arose on this ar
ticle, the Convention suspended business for
sermon from T, R. Cressy. The subject
was contained in the question, What are
some of the elements of the strength of our
Zion?" drawn from the text in Isaiah 52:1.
" Awake, awake: put on thy strength, O,
Zion" The particulars named were the fol-
lowing:
l. A strict adherence to the old landmarks
of truth as taught by Christ and his Apostles.
2. Organized, individual church action.
8. A converted church membership.
4. Churches should be taught Christ-like,
self-sacrifcing spirit in all things.
B. The organization of State Convention.
6. A wise and adequate recognition of the
future, in all plans and measures.
Under the last head, the preacher gave
variety of interesting information with regard
to the relations, resources, and prospects of
that vast Northwestern region of which Min
nesota is so important part The sermon
as whole was thorough, forcible, and ex-
ceedingly fruitful in suggestions adapted for
usefulness to the western ministry.
In the afternoon, the Convention, having
adopted the Constitution and Bylaws, pro-
ceeded to the election of officers The follow
ing were chosen:
President-Hon. G. H. Keith.
Secretary-Rev. j. D. Pope.
wee Observation-Disclosures Association.
Hon. Samuel Dooley; Southern Minnesota,
DR.. j. D. Ford; Central Minnesota, j. B
Crooke; Minnesota Valley, DR.. Otis Aver.
In addition to these, Board of Trustees of
fifteen members was chosen. The officers of
the Convention are, &c e6icio, members of the
Board.
The following resolutions were adopted:
Resotued, That we recommend to every
family connected with our churches to take
the Home Mission Record and the Christian
Times, the latter of which we regard as our
accredited organ.
Resoloed, That every minister of our de-
nomination IN the State be requested to take,
before the next session, collection for the
general objects of the Convention.
1t was determined to raise, if possible. the
coming year, $500, and the Board have pro.
posed, already, the appointment of German
brother as missionary of the Convention.
Standing committees were appointed on edu-
cation, foreign. missions, home missions, and
on publications and sabbath schools.
The next session of the Convention is to be
held at Minneapolis, in 1860, in connection
with the anniversary of the Minnesota Asso-
citation in that year.
We learn from statistics presented at the
meeting that "there are 70 Baptist Churches
IN Minnesota. For the last two or three
months, the Baptists have been organizing
churches at the rate of about one per week,
and this will probably continue for some three
months longer. Among the Swedes there are
SIX Baptist Churches, with membership of
about two hundred. They have three ordain-
cd ministers and six licentiates. In the seven
ty Baptist Churches there are about two thou.
sand members, and some sixty Minister'S
Eight or ten more ministers are expected in
the State soon. Almost without exception,
the Baptist ministry of Minnesota are com.
posed OF educated men, or what is equivalent.
They harmonic well together in their work,
and very soon become westernized. OF the
Baptlsts in the State, it is estimated that
there are about one thousand who still hold
their membership in other States. They are
being gathered into churches, as fast as pos
sible, however"
Overland Telegraph Route to Califor.
mia.