Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1863-06-20
Congregational Conference.

The Ohio Congregational State Conference
held its annual meeting in Cleveland, Plymouth
Church, commencing Thursday evening, June
IL. 1t was duly organized by the appoint.
ment of Rev. r. II. Conklin, of this place,
Moderator, Rev. E. NJ. Cravath, of Berlin
Heights, Scribe and Rev. j. E. Twitcbell, of
Dayton, Assista mt Scribe. The Ohio State
Conference embraces ten local conferences.
These local conferences include but part of
the Congregational churches within our State,
some not being connected with conferences,
prefering independency, and many still retain
ing their connections with Presbyteries on the
Accommodation Plan The Report of the
State Conference, therefore. does not give the
numerical strength Of Congregationalism in
our State, but only that part represented in
conference. We have within our borders.
over one hundred and Fifty congregational min
sters and between two and three hundred con-
gregationaf churches. The exact mem bership
we are unable to give just now, not having by
US the authorized reports necessary to furnish
the precise figures. 1t will be seen, however,
from the details given, that this ecclesiastical
organization must exert an immense moral
power in our State, as well as upon the nation
and world. OF the moral character, intelligence,
talent and enterprise Of tie Ministry, we need
not speak; the history Of the denomination is
too prominent to make it necessary. The de
nomination may safely claim to have .exerted
its full share of influence in elevuting the intel
lectual and moral character of our State.
The conference. at its meeting in Cleveland
among many other excellent things, passed. az
ter discussion, resolutions on the state of our
country, which we commend to the considera.
tion of our patriotic citizens. The Cleveland
papers not only speak very highly Of the con-
ference as on ecclesiastical body, but especiall
commend the patriotism of the ministry, as ex.
pressed 10 their speeches and in these resolu.
tions.
We are informed that the conference
throughout, was characterized by q fraternal
spirit and unity of desire and design W orthy o.
such an occasion, and which must exert ben
efcial influence upon ministers, delegates aDd
churches. Visiting members and delegates
from foreign b,dies were quite numerous, and
all seemed greatly to enjoy the occasion, as ont
OF uncommon interest. Next year the Stat,
Conference will meet at Springfield Ohio.
RESOLUTIONS.
The Rev. Mr. WIcKs, Chairman Of the com
mittee on resolutions, presented the foil owing
which were adopted
The Congregational Conference Of Ohio
assembled again 10 annual convocation a
Cleveland in the midst still of raging rebel
lion and war, cannot forebear to give ex
preston to their thoughts and feelings il
words Of encouragement and cheer to thei
churches as well as to those placed by tn
Providence of God at the helm of our na
tion, and who bear in their hands the swor
OF Justice.
/. We, as Christian men and Minister.
have been taught by our holy religion t
pray for our rulers; to submit to all rigb
I eous authority and law, and TO recogni2
civil government as of Divine institution
{ for the protection of society against all ev
: doers. We feel it, therefore, to be OF
especial duty and privilege, and part
: religion TO stand by our government 10 q
t its struggles with wickedness and Grim
D aud give our lawfully appointed rulers Il
. whole weight of our Christian influence
upholding the majesty of violated law, 81
assure them that they may, beyond pc
0 adventure, rely upon us in the employ
d all the means which God has put in the
J. hands for the mainte euance of those chs
b tered rights and principles, in the peaeei
i possession of which we have been so en-
nently blessed hitherto.
n 2. While we do not deem it necessa
y to reiterate sentiments heretofore express
by us, 10 regard to the Righteousness of Il
., war on the part of oar government, a
DC our adherence to that wicked system
nr oppression out OF which il has grown,
oil do desire at this time Of rebuke and blsspl
10 my. and our couutry's peril, as minist,
D. and churches OF the Lord Jesus Christ,
x utter our solemn condemnation Of that 4
70 ..ous spirit of insubordiaation and oppe
al ton 10 all the measures of the Governm,
T. in the. conduct Of the war and suppress
OF the rebellion, which grows out Of q d