Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-06-13
The Congregatlonailsts at Blooming
ton-Report of Mineral Point
Convention.

Seventeen years ago the members
Of the Blake's Prairie Congregational
Church welcomed to their homes the
Mineral Point Convention.
This church edifice was located in
the prairie, away from any village and
the near residents were so few that
fears were entertained lest both clergy
and delegates could hardly be accom-
modated, but if the houses were small
the hearts were large, and that meet
ing was fraught with so much of in
terest it is still remembered.
Time hath wrought changes and
like Jacob who crossed the Jordan
with staff only In hand, and returned
with two bands, that little band of
prayerful men and women hath be-
come two distinct organizations, each
having its place of worship, and with
the church in Bloomington this Con-
vention again met on Tuesday and
Wednesday of last week.
Notwithstanding the state of the
roads and the destruction of bridges
caused by the late storm, eighteen
churches were represented by pastor
and delegate, three of them, Blake's
Prairie, Mill Greek, Adamsville and
its pastor were received into the
Convention.
On Tuesday evening Deacon Will
lans extended the greeting of the
church in appropriate remarks, to
which Rev. Mr.. Eaton responded in
behalf of the convention.
The opening sermon by Rev. Mr..
Pinkerton breathed the spirit of
Christian love and harmony which
characterized the entire sessions. It
would be pleasure to review at
length each essay and exercise, but
time and space forbiGs more than to
refer to the paper read by Mr.. Eaton
church finances, which,
with the spirited discussion that fol
lowed we trust will be productive of
much practical good to our churches.
Indeed sthe laborer is worthy Of his
hire" and it was forcibly demonstra
ted that the machinery of the church
cannot be kept in good running order
without the "three Graces''-
Grace and Greenbacks. A subscrip-
ton list should be worth as much to
pastor as so many promissory
notes "for value. received" and on
demand.
When the finances of the church
receive as much thought and atten-
ton as those of State, government of
ficials will not be the only persons
receiving their stipulated salaries, nor
will persons continue to seek any 9TH
err profession rather than the work of
the gospel ministry.
Wednesday afternoon the Woman's
Board of Mission met in the Baptist
church. Verbal reports were given
of the work in different parts Of the
field, while the carefully prepared es-
says of Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Worden
added much to the interest of this
meeting, which is now being a part
of the convention, and the women of
our churches are thus becoming in
terested in an object of which few
years ago we knew comparatively
nothing.
The reports OF the churches were
exceedingly interesting, many report
ing additions, one recently organized,
and all making marked progress in
the kingdom of our Lord and of his
Christ.
Rev. Mr.. Cristman, though reared
in Presbyterian church where for
merly women were not allowed to
speak, wrought an inn ovatiou in hav-
ing for his delegate Mrs. Gates, who
reported his church in Prairie du
Chen as clearly and forcibly as any
layman, showing conc.usively, that
what man has done women can do.
Before the close Of the afternoon
session, the sacrament was admins
tered by Rev. MFR. Cristman, who,
though stranger to many in the con-
vention, found his way into all hearts
by his words of tender love for Him
whom we delight to remember in this
rite of the Christian church.
Wednesday evening was devoted
to temperance. Rev. Mr.. Johnson
not beng able to address the meeting
as by previous appointment, he pre-.
pared ga paper" which was read by
Rev. Mr.. Biscoe. There are chords
in the human heart which might ever
remain silent did they not vibr ate in
response to expressions Of love t.