Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-11-02


with the tasteful floral display about the altar
that the cloudiness and rain which prevailed
outside were hardly TO be regretted. As the
bridal pair entered the church strain of the
march from 1.-The Prophet" was given by Mr.
Schuster, who presided at the organ during
the ceremony, which was performed by Mr..
jenkins in a simple and impressive manner,
the quiet notes of a theme from Beethoven, n
special favorite of the bride, sounded through
the church, andatits conclusion Mendelssohns
wedding march was played. From the
church the bridal party repaired to the resi-
dcnce of the brides father ON Green street,
where Mr.. and Mrs. Goodell received the
hearty congratulations of large numbers Of
friends and acquaintance until their depart
ure for the West by the afternoon train. Cake
and coffee were served on the occasion, and
all the arrangements were marked by excel
lent taste and quiet and informal simplicity
which left nothing to be desired Although
very large number Of elegant and useful we'd
ding gifts were received by the bride from
friends both at home and abroad, none were
displayed at thereception, as "A large portionof
them had already been shipped in special car
containing household goods and other effects
which Mr. Goodell chartered to go through TO
Cheyenne After spending the present month
in visiting friends at various points in the
Western States Mr.. and Mrs. Goodell will be
joined at Chicago by the mother and sister of
the groom, who are to go with them to live in
their new home in Cheyenne, where Mr. Good
ell has, during the past season. constructed
en-. .ptJ tl,a lutt g
his family. We are glad to know that he has
found his venture in stock raising ON his RANCH
in Wyoming during the past two years, very
successful and profitable. and We hardly need
TO add that the best wishes Of multitude Of
friends will go with him and his wife to their
western home. Especially is this true Of the
bride. who leaves Il wide circle of friends in
Brattleboro. as she thus cheerfully and cour-
ageously turns her face toward her new life
upon the frontier.
DIR. WALKERS SUNDAY EVENING ADDRESS on
THE RECENT CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL.
The address of Rev. DIR. Walker, on Sun
day evening, included a brief statement of the
rise and history of Congregational Councils
in this country. In 1857 the Puritan Fathers
called together the first Of such bodies ever
assembled here. II met ut Cambridge, Mass.
and was composed of delegates from the
Massachusetts Bay Colony, from Plymouth
and Connecticut. The object of this council
was to consider the evidence of Antinomian-
ism. or the idea of perfect sanctifcation at
tanned instantaneously, or sanctification at one
leap. These doctrines were disseminated by
| al, An H,tN.
son. The second Synod convened also at
Cambridge in lGlG, its object being to set
forth a confession Of faith. The Westminster
| Assembly's Catechism had just been framed,
and its doctrines were ratified by this Synod
though the Congregational churches never lit
orally accepted all its doctrines This assem-
| bly, also set forth "A church platform, two par
| ticulars Of which were first, the absolute in
| dependence of the churches forming the or
der, TO govern esch its own members; and
second the obligation of church fellowship to
| have communion one with another No gen.
oral assembly Of the Congregational order
again convened until 1Sj2-a period Of over
two hundred years The place of meeting
was at Albany, \. Y. One prominent object
was the aiding of feeble churches OH the west
eIn frontier. which object was 30 successfully
attained that the impulse then given is felt to
| this day. In 1901 the General Association of
| Connecticut formed n compact with the Pres
| byterians to aid in the formation of union
churches, not of one of these orders, but of
| both. But in 1888 the Old Style body re-
tired from the plan, which was found not to
work fairly TO the interests of the Congrega-
tional body, and IT withdrew organizing its
| own churches. At the close of the war coun-
| Gil Of five hundred members met, June H.
| 1865, and addressed itself TO the result of the
war, and recognized the responsibility of the
| order to which the body belonged to advance
the gospel through the now opened South. 1t
was thought best that system of regular
councils be established, whose meetings should
recur at stated periods Accordingly in 1871
the frs, of the Triennia Councils met at
Oberlin, Ohio. This body provided for its
own continuance by adopting n charter and
constitution. II diselaimed all intention of
! legislating in behalf of the church, il being n
fundamental principle of Congregational
| Church Councils that they have no authority
to bind the conscience of churches or of indi-
yiduals, each being free TO accept or reject
| for itself any advice or proposition of the
| Council. The next meeting of the Council
took place at New Haven. The unanimity
and usefulness of this body was somewhat
married by jealousies on the part of some of
the benevolent societies connected with the
denomination, and by apathy ON the part of
the committee. On this account it was ques-
toned by some whether il would not be well
to suspend these Councils. But on the 18th
OF October the Triennial Council again con-
vened at Detroit, numbering in all 29S men,
bers, from all places where Congregational
churches exist. Never was more capable
set of men brought together, never business
carried on more rapidly than there. Ex-Gov.
Wushburne of Massachusetts was appointed
president of the Council The sermon was
by Dr. Eddy, formerly of Northampton. Its
topic, The Dew of God-the Rain of Revi-
walls" A paper by Rev. Mr. Herrick, of Bos-
ton, on the recent reviyals was presented.
Extracts from both sermon and paper were
read by DIR. Walker. Another interesting pa
per was that of Dr. Goodell, of st. Louis, ON
"Woman's Work in the Church" DIR. Alden
appeared in behalf of the American Board. of
which organization he is secretary. The
American Home Missionary Society was also
represented. 1t has been felt by many that
too large proportion of the funds contribu-
ted to it was consumed by the agency of the
society. But its management is not as eXpen-
sive as was supposed, its three secretaries do
ing all the work that in other kindred socie-
ties is divided among larger number of Off
GERS. A paper was presented on Temperance,