Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-09-14

should bind the churches more closely togetll-
er. The Massachusetts churches have always
had very pure form of Congregationalism,
being in this respect unlike the Congregational
churches in Connecticut, which, from the early
times, have been "consocia;ed" in districts
according to the Saybrook platform. AT
Springfield an organization for the state has
been completed, with a constitution and by
laws. The following is the constitution that
has been adopted =
CONSTITUTIONS.
l. This body shall be called the General
Conference of the Congregational Churches in
Massachusetts.
9 The object of this conference is to secure
christian union, fellowship, and intercourse,
among the churches to promote spirituality {.
incite to a more elevated piety, and stimulate
christians to greater activity and efficiency i'll
advancing the Redeemer's kingdom.
3. This conference shall, under no circum-
stances, exercise ecclesiastical authority, or
interfere with the government or discipline of
the churches, or consent TO hear appeals, or
give advice in ecclesiastical causes, of any
kind.
4. Each local conference, composed of evan
gelical congregational churches within the
state, may appoint five delegates to attend tho
annual meeting OF the conference, two of
whom shall be pastors of churches, and three
lay members
5. The officers of the conference shall be a
moderator, a recording secretary, statistical
secretary, and treasurer.
g. The moderator shall be chosen by ballot
from among the delegates present, and shall
preside during the meeting Tor which he is
chosen
7. The secretary and treasurer shall be cho-
sen by ballot and continue in office three
years
8. The secretary shall keep fair record
OF the doings Of each meeting, in a book to be
kept for that purpose, which shall be transmit
ted to his successor in office.
9. The statistical secretary shall collect and
arrange such statistics as the conference may
order; shall distribute all documents received
for The use of the conference, or printed by
them, and shall preserve copy OF all the
publications of the conference.
10. The treasurer shall receive all money
raised tor lie use of the conference disburse
the same as directed, and present an annual
report, audited as the conference may direct.
IL. Any ordained pastor or member of a
Congregational church within the bounds of
tue state, shall be eligible to the offices of sec
rotary, statistical secretary, and treasurer.
II. The conference may receive delegates
from other state evangelical religious bodies,
representing Congregational churches, who
shall be considered honorary members, and be
admitted to the privilege of participating in the
deliberations OF the meeting, but shall not be
allowed 10 vote and the conference may re-
eiprocate the courtesy by appointing delegates
to such bodies.
10, Twenty five regularly appointed dele
gates shall constitute a quorum.
IA. The conference shall hold an annual
meeting on the second Tuesday in September,
at such place as shall be designated, to com
mence at four o'clock, or other more conven-
lent hour, in the afternoon, and 10 close at four
O'Clock in the afternoon OF the Thursday fol-
lowing.
10 a sermon shall be preached on the eve
ming Of the first day OF the meeting, and anoth-
err adapted TO the occasion, on the afternoon of
the last day, to be followed by the Lords Sup
per, to be administered generally without
remarks.
10. Brief narratives OF the state of religion
within the bounds of local conferences, shall
be presented in writing TO committee APP
pointed to receive them, winch shall be en-
bodied in report and read by the committee,
at such time as the conference may appoint.
II. Other services OF the conference shall
consist OF devotional exercises, addresses, and
discussions upon subjects Of practical religious
interest, together with the objects OF benevo-
lent enterprise, sustained by the churches, to
be provided for, and arranged as shall be laid
down in the bylaws.
Is. The conference shall establish by laws
and rules Of order tor the regulation of its
business, which shall be adopted by vote of
two-thirds of the members present at any an
nual meeting.
IL. Any proposition to alter or amend by
1oN4e lnli hf ID
yious to the one at which it is acted upon.
20. Any article OF the constitution may be
altered or amended by two.third vote, at any
annual meeting, provided that the proposition
is made at any previous annual meeting, ex-
cepting that article third shall be held unaltera.
BILE.
1t was suggested that such an organization
might finally subvert congregationalism, and
become an ecclesiastical despotism, but this
suggestion had no weight. Ecclesiastical des-
potism does not find our time friendly to its
development, and it is the very last thing likely
to be created by community of congregation
alists In Connecticut the Saybrook platform
was probably intended to limit the authority Of
individual churches and make it easy for a
few leading men to govern the whole denomi
nation but it never became dangerous, mol
was the organization which its originator.
seem to have contemplated ever fully com
pleted. The old Puritaus were the last mel
in the world TO be plant to any influence
which assailed the independence of theil
churches. The purpose of this new organiza
ton was discussed at Springfield. Here is al
extract from the Republicans report of this
discussion =
Rev Daniel Tenney, of Lawrence, rose tc
say that he wished to thank God for the priv
ilege Of witnessing this meeting and listening
to this essay For three years he had beer
associated with the ministry in this state, bu
until now he had felt the want of this sym
pathy and fellowship He had formerly beer
located in Ohio, where the churches by theil
early weakness and struggles for existence
had been bound together He had not realized
that he should not find the same thing here
For the first two years he had felt like stran
ger in strange land, until a local conference
was mentioned, which arose like beautiful stal
on the lonely night. And now the star fades
away and the beautiful sun arises, bringing
cheering day. A brother had remarked that
the rope holding the Congregational churches
OF Massachusetts together is a rope Of sand
but the rope Of sand has been transformed
INTO chain-not into an ecclesiastical chain
but golden chain of love, binding heart to
heart. We shall now know each other, and as
union is TO constitute an element of the bliss Of
heaven, shall we not have a foretaste of it here
below
Hon. r. A Chapman of Springfield spoke Of
the fellowship Of the churches as a means OF
developing their energies 1t was a part Of
the original plan OF the Congregational
churches The idea will be found in that old
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