The New York herald., 1868-05-15
THE COSGREGATIosALIsTs.

Asuual Social Reunion-Reception 10 senator
Wilson, Of Massachusetts,.
The American Congregational Union held their NJ
teenth annual social reunion last evening at the
Academy Of Music Brooklyn. There was avery large
attendance principally Of ladies' the building being
lled In every part auditorium, stalls, galleries ana
proscenium boxes The Elite of the City Of Churches,
in fact was present in full force inducements 10
eject this having been put forth by the able mana
gers Of the AFFAIR, who announced In the programme
that the doors OF th reception rooms OF the
seven O'Clock and levee held therein, "a, at
which one OF the radical members o. tne
High Court Of Impeachment at Washington, senator
Wilson was to be the lion OF the moment. Enough
to say that the reception was duly held; that large
number OF ladies and gentlemen entered, eowea, s,
had friendly shake with the Senator ana snen
passed into the theatre. The played out ceremony
OF Introduction lasted but few moments, ana con-
sequenty before the hour named for Ssat y
the theatre was occupied.
THE ORDER OF EXERCISES
for the evening, tn addition to that which had peen
observed at the matinee meeting held at halI-pass
three O'Clock lat which the usual business was ans-
actedthe reading Of the reports, the financial state
ment for the past year and the appointment OF ON
GERS for the coming year, consisted as laid a0w9 @ IN
the programme, Of an "opening address by sen, en-.
ator wilson, Of Massachusets' (whO presided on the
Occasion) "four hymns, prayer i've other addresses
instrumental and vocal musicnA DodwOrths band not
being the least attractive item on the bill the mana,
reunion the more recherche than any OF the previous
fourteen that have been cOmmem0rated by the society
since its inauguration and In respect to the large audi
ence they brought together their effort was great
At the close Of the invitation to the public 10
attend the managers say-This, 1t Ia thought, VIII
be one Of the most attractive Of the anniversary con-
ventions."
Notwithstanding, however, the attractlveness Of
the programme there Is little doubt but that large
portion of the audience attended In the hope that
the great question OF 'fmpeachment' would be
treated on by the radical member Of the "high
court" who was to preside upon the occasion and
who was down on the bill for the opening address.
Not note was heard on the subject not the slightest
allusion made to politics in any shape Mr.. Wilson
not even referring to the sarcastic castgaton dealt
him by the irTepressible Wendell Phillips on the pre-.
vious evening at Steinwsy Hall The churches and
church matters were the burden Of all the speeches
Even Mr.. Beecher studiously avoided breaking 0tner
ground, and so those Of the audience who expected
something racy from Wilson and Beecher on their
peculiar line OF politics must have been sadly disap-
pointed.
The proceedings were opened by Rev. RAY PALMER,
who called the meeting 70 order and introduces MI.
the occasion.
Mr.. WILSON, on presenting himself was warmly
greeted: He spoke most unctu0usly Of things eter-
nal, and had he been on the rOstrum in Plymouth
church instead of where he Stood he would no doubt
have been deemed by his hearers more appropriately
present there than Mr. Beecher himself.
Rev Il. NJ Storrs followed, and was succeeded by
@. H. Malcolm, Of Newport, r. l., the Rev. Leon Pr
latte OF Nice France concluding the list Of speakers
The exercises concluded with music by DOdworth's
band and vocal music by the congregation. SO ended
the fifteenth anniversary commemorative of the
American Congregational Annual Social Reunion.