Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-04-27

tlon has Its peculiar disadvantages, and
measuring life by something better than
dollars, [ cannot conceive of more lone
some, barren experience than farm life
in one of those prairie shanties-mis-
called houses unless it might befall
one in the abode of sordid, stingy,
pinching eastern farmer, such as is un-
fortunately to be found in almost every
community, as libel upon an honorable
avocation.
In October, our n. Y Association of
Congregational ministers and churches
met with my church in this place. We
had about $50 pastors and delegates to
entertain, and the meeting was one of
great interest. The opening sermon was
preached by DIR. VIM. Taylor of Broad
way Tabernacle, N. Y. city,-a sermon
of masterly power which will long be re-
membered by those who heard it. In
the early winter State Christian Con-
vention was held in the neighboring city
of Syracuse, which drew together some
of the leading men of all evangelical de-
nominations, and which, in the charac-
ter of the papers presented, and in the
spirit of union for practical work mani
tested, was gathering of great import
ance and promise. 1t was followed by
revival of great power in Syracuse,
whose influence also extended into ada
cent towns. Rev. A. B. Earle, the Evan
gelist, assisted the pastors there for three
weeks, and several hundreds were en-
rolled as converts. The Interest," still
continues in some parts of the city, and
somewhat similar results are being real
lied in Auburn, Canandaigua, and other
cities and towns.
The late Brooklyn Council has receiv-
ed already good deal of notice pro and
con in the papers. I note that the COM
ments of secular papers remote from the
immediate scene of interest, are upon
the whole much more intelligent and
candid than those of such papers as the
Brooklyn Eagle, the New York Herald
and the San.
As one who enjoyed the opportunities
of an inside view of the matters submit
ted to the Council, and ofjudging of the
tone and tenor of discussions, private as
we'll as public, feel that the matters at
issue were of far more Importance to the
church and the world, than the standing
of any single church or minister and l
know that upon those two great subjects,
ssDiseiplino'' and --Fellowship," there
was almost an absolute unanimity Of
sentiment in the Council. 1t has been
said that .'Mr. Beecher and Plymouth
church are the significant figures in the
Congregational denomination which give
meaning to the great army of ciphers be-
hind them | think one looking over
the array of eminent names enrolled in
that Council, or listening to that mag.
nifcent three hours speech of Dr. R. S.
Storrs, would have thought the term sci
piers misapplled Better far that all
our churches in Brooklyn, noble as they
are, should be lost to the denomination,
than that We should seem to endorse a
theory and practice that makes church
covenant frangible at the pleasure of the
individual, and every church irresponsi.
bic to all others, though it still holds
them to a nominal fellowship. 1t is &
cause of gratitude that the result of the
council declares so clearly this same sen
timent, and a still further occasion o.
qualification that the voice of the Wes
was even more clear and pronounced
than that Of the East, in affirming thest
fundamental principles.
] have been greatly interested in mark
ing the records of increasing life ant
business enterprise in Barton, and es
pecially iii learning of the progress to
ward completion of the new church
That Is most timely and promising
improvement. l hope that with it, anti,
in counsels, earnestness in christian la
Dor, ard above all, the rich effusions o
Gods Spirit may be enjoyed by tina
people of my love and by your who'll
community. Yours very sincerely,
VIM. "A ROBINSON.
HOMER, n. Y, April IA, 1874.