Litchfield enquirer., 1862-11-06
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
ION InE LNVC IN11Is' CHURCH AT GOSHEN.

place, since the fifth LoruS day or June iast past
 About one year since, a religious interest manifested itself in the School of Rev. J. Q. Rice, two young men becoming hopefully pious. At the communion in January, these youth uni ted with our Church. Immediately upon this event, special effort was made by the Church to awaken general religious interest throughout the parish. Committees were chosen to visit all the families in the Society, to converse with all they might find at home, and pray in every house. The result, as might be anticipated, was most salutary and cheering. While many were found who were indulging hope,' others were induced to seek to secure the salvation of their souls.
 The number of religious meetings was in creased. For several weeks, there was preach ing by some neighboring clergyman, every Tues day evening, in the Church. A young peoples s meeting was also held every Friday evening. Meanwhile the usual Wednesday afternoon meet interest.
 Between thirty and forty are indulsing hope in Christ, having, as they trust, experienced a change of heart during the revival of last fall and winter.
 At every communion this year, ore CT more persons have united with the Church on profes sion of their faith in the Saviour; in all, twen- ty-three. Among the number, person, (Mrs. Mary Ives,) eighty years of age.
 Although there has been commendable de- gree of religious fervor in the Church during the summer and fall, still the public mind, inclu- ding that of the Church, has been intensely ex- cited by the war-news of the day, and on account of the volunteering of friends to prosecute the war. The flower of our youth are now in camp, So also are there many of our patriot citizens in middle life. After them all, look many a parent, wife, sister and child with fearful inter- est. To-day, religion is with us, second to the safety of our beloved friends and the integrity of our Union. This may be wrong, but such is the fact.
 Our stated religious exercises occur every Lords day evening, Wednesday afternoon and Friday evening. Tine first Lords day evening is devoted to prayers for missions, the third for our country. A maternal association meet for conference and prayer the first Wednesday of each month, at o'clock, P M. Also, five fam flies, by mutual agreement, convene at one ot their houses for prayer, every Wednesday even ing.
 At each and all of the weekly meetings nan.- ed, there are always present, brethren both competent and prompt to take part in the exer- cises of the hour. Several young men who were habitually at these conferences, and who by their prayers and exhortatons contributed largely to the interest oi these meetings, are now absent from us, pledged to give their lives if need be, for our defence and that of our Ma tional Government Not prayer meeting is now had by us, but that some vacant seat re minds us of them, and stimulates us to com mend them, with the greatest fervor, to Almighty God for protection.
 SUNDAY SCHOOL.
 Under the superintcndency of gentleman (N. B. Hart) alike intelligent and efficient, ou Sunday School is in an exceedingly fourishine condition. That the School is so fourishing, k owing in large part to the fact that the Super intendent is surrounded by co-oficials of spirit: kindred to his own, and by teachers consecratet to their work. The pupils comprise all ages the young and old, children and their parents Yho uhoIa ,hor ;no1u1;nfr ,Hi tooo ob. and scholars, is two hundred and forty three The School is discontinued annually through the months of March and April
 The Sunday School concert-more properly the children's meeting-has been held in place of the regular Sunday School session., on the first Lords day of each month, during the in termission of public divine worship. On these occasions, variety of means has been success fully employed to awaken interest. At the more recent concerts, each teacher with each Of his class, has been called upon by the Superintend ent, to repeat passage of Scripture, now in reference to some topic previously announced and now such an one as they may respectively have chosen. These exercises have been most interesting and profitable.
 No pains or expense is spared to make the Juvenile singing as attractive as possible. The School is trained, and the singing conducted 1T the use of a melodeon, by Q skillful musician Henry Wooster) The Sunday School officers and teachers propose to have Sunday Schoo Concert for the future, in the afternoon of the second Lords day of each month preaching te be dispensed with, the clergyman and members of the Church to address the pupils, and the latter in turn, to perform the part assig gnec them. The expedency of making the change proposed is now being considered by the Church
 YOUNG MEN's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
 Such a body, composed in great part O Church members, exists in this community, anc is effecting much good. The number of its membership is thirty-eisht. Their regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Mon day of each month. At every such meeting, the President of the Association, lat this time Fred erick Lyman, Esq J presides, and record o what is done, is kept by the Secretary, (Willard E. GaylOrd.) Essays are read, also various nor. al and religious subjects are extemporaneously discussed. A part of the exercises consists of singing and prayer. Of course, items of busi- ness occupy portion of the time of every ses- sion. The grand objects of these bi-monthly