The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-04-16
Gbt @ranh Yabtn gfns.
Michigan.
GRAND RIVER ASSOCIATION.

lio AAooONiotlOn liiOb ~ lldulOuN, WI
Tuesday, the 9th inst. There were present,
Ministers st. Clair Ballard, Strong, Lu-
cas-, Writ, and Anderson; and Delegates,
Matthews and Tracy. This was the
smallest number which We remember to
have seen in attendance at any previous
meeting.
The meeting was opened by sermon
from Rev. A. st. Clair, on the subject Of
Home Missions, which was iavorably re-
ceived by the body. After which the
meeting was called TO order by Rev D..
Writ. Rev. j. Ballard was chosen Mod
orator, and Rev. A. St. Clair, Scribe of
the Association, and brother Matthews
temporary Scribe.
An essay, on the subject of Ordination,
by Rev. A. ST. Clair, was read at the last
meeting in Newaygo, and, as there was
no time for criticism, it was laid over to
this meeting. 1t was read again, and elic-
tied considerable discussion. The writer
took the ground that only regular ordain-
ed ministers could ordain other ministers,
but admitted that the vote of the church
choosing a pastor was necessary before
ordination could proceed. Rev. ]. An
derson argued that if ministers only by a
divine right could ordain, then we must
maintain the doctrine Of apostolic success
ion, and so be driven back to take refuge
in Episcopacy or Popery. He maintain
ed that each church had the power of or
dination in its own hands, and that the
calling of council of ministers on the &C.
casion was not of necessity, but as mat
ter of order. He argued this from the
scriptures, from the opinions of the indie
pendents in the Westminster Assembly,
and from the best writer's among the Con-
gregationalists and others. He illustrated
it by the fact that it is the people of the
United States who make the President,
and who appoint the proper officer to adj
minister the oath of Office, but it would
be manifestly absurd to suppose that the
mere ceremonies of Inauguration are what
gives him his power rather than the free
suffrages of the people.
In the midst of the discussion there
was handed to the writer, on Thursday
forenoon, the extra of the Grand Haven
News" giving us the first intelligence we
had received of our glorious success at
Island No. 10, and at Pittsburgh Land
inc. Immediately business was suspend
ed, and "the Meas" was read amidst
rejoicings and thanksgiving. To reside
in a place where there is no daily mail is
like placing us a century behind the times.
The preamble and resolutions on the
subject of slavery, which were presented,
but not passed, at the last meeting of the
Association, and which appeared in the
Grand Rapids Eagle, were brought under
discussion again, and were postponed an
definitely. So, Mr.. Editor, you will please
give us q card of merit for once-for on
this subject | suppose you think that we
but very seldom deserve it.
The essays, exegeses, and sermons, pre-
scented for discussion and criticism, in this
Association, are very important and inter
csting, and tend largely to mental i'm,
provement. The next meeting takes
place in Saranac, in July. 4
FURTHER ELECTION RETURNs-OTTA-
WA CoUNTY,-By letter from Mr.. LU-
MAN JENNIsoN we learn the result in
Georgetown, viz:
"Messrs. BARNS; Georgetown is re-
deemed! The enclosed ticket, democrat
icy was elected, excepting Highway Com
missioner, by majorities ranging from one
to fifteen. Last spring the republican
majority ranged from five to thirty-seven.'
Hon. HIRAM JENNIsoN headed the
ticket, for Supervisor.
ZEELAND.--Supervisor, j. G. Van
HeeS, reelected.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, John Blake,
reelected.
Chester, Jamestown, Blendon and o.
i've, not yet officially heard from.
We reiterate what we stated in our last
issue, that, although probably the new
Board of Supervisors will stand politically
republican, in this county, yet they were
elected by marked diminished majorities,
4.