The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-07-25
For the Grand Haven News.
Grand River Association,


ly meeting in the township Of Dor, Ale
gan county, on Tuesday, the 10th inst.
Dorr is located some seventeen miles from
Grand Rapids, west some two miles,
Of the plank road. The land is good.
The farmers are blest with rich crops, and
the stock of cattle, so far as we noticed, is
of superior quality. AT one farm
house, where some of us stayed, VIC no
ticed forty-two bee-hives, and in an up
per chamber forty-six large chooses; and
yet the house is Of the most primitive
construction, while the large convenient
barn tells he thrift and improving con-
dition Of tho owner, and predicts more
convenient dwelling house in tho not re-
mote future. The inhabitants are all
Eastern men, and consequently know tho
value Of religious institutions. Accord
ingly about two years ago some Of them
applied 10 this Association to organize a
Congregational Church in the township,
which was accordingly done. The church
at the time consisted of about fourteen
members-it now numbers upwards of
forty. Their minister is Mr.. MCKAY,
n young man of good abilities and much
energy, who breaches to the church of
Dorr and that of Wayland, some six
miles further on the plank road.
The Association convened at p. NJ,
when the roll was called and there were
present:
Ministers, Rcv'ds ST.. CLAIR, GREELEY,
BALLARD, STRONG, HESS, WnEELocK,
MCKAY, and ANDERSON, together with
several delegates from the churches. The
Association then organized by the choice
of Rev. G.. o. STRONG, Moderator, and
Rev. Mr.. WHEELoCK, temporary Scribe
The Association sermon was preached by
Rev. A. ST. CLAIR. The subject by ap-
pointment was, "The perseverance Of the
Saints" 1t was well written, well di-
gested rsiid sffsagOao-is. -.:ss. "a s;ac7;iiPS
that aid credit to the head and heart Of
the Trpchcr. After sermon the Associa-
ton 4 Adjourned TO tho following morning.
ADJ o'clock A. M. Association met,
sessidn opened with prayer. The unfn-
ishedEbusiness of last meeting was taken
up, kmong which was the application
from Rev. Mr.. EvARrs, of the Free Will
Bapt,sl denomination, for admission into
the body. Mr.. E. had undergone a
searching theological examination at last
meeting with credit. Some of the mem
bersl however, demurred, as his views of
the Abrahamic covenant were not, in their
opinian. Sufficiently explicit. He was,
however, received, three ministers dissent
ing.
While il is one design of the Associa-
ton 10 make their visit useful TO the
church where they meet, yet their espe-
cial object is the general good of all the
churches associated, and tho mental and
religious improvement of the members.
Hence, sermons, sketches, essays and exc
gescs of passages of scripture, upon diff
cult and important subjects, are given to
each, subject TO general criticism on the
style, manner, theology, or orthoepy of
the author.
This formed the exercise of Wednesday
afternoon and Thursday forenoon. The
evening of Wednesday Rev. Mr.. EvARTs
preached, and the sacrament was admin
isterel 70 the church, brothers WHEEL
ocK and HESS presiding. Thursday noon
the Association adjourned to meet in the
township Of Easton, Ionia county, on tho
first Tuesday in October next.
These meetings of Association arc
very pleasant and instructive. After the
labors Of every three months to meet our
brethren, to interchange our congratula.
lions, hear of each others success or diff
ficulties, as the case may be, listen tc
each others productions, read, delivered,
and criticized, and notice the gradual ex-
pansion of mind, and tho clearer pcrcep-
ton and utterance of truth, arc adyanta-
ges and blessings which far ovcrbalance
the little labor and expense of travel at
tendant upon our meetings. We regret
that several Of our churches are indifier-
cnt about sending delegates, and we feel
sure the loss is their own. J. A.
n