Morning journal and courier., 1880-10-30

DdldQC6 1TOm 10IJ, 1lz GOI.tOs
 Amount disbursed this year, including sur plus forwarded to American Missionary so- ciety, $11 ,52S.09.
 Amount on hand Oct 24th, $1, 229.31.
 Of course it will be understood that many contributions do not pass through the treas ury of the Connecticut Home Missionary so- ciety but 90 directly to the American Home Missionary society at New York. The entire amount given to the cause, as represented by both these societies, from Congregational churches in the State of Connecticut, IS $74,- SOS 13 This amount,it should be added, 1n- cludes not only contributions raised by col lections in the churches, but also legacies, boxes, &c, and is somewhat less than has been given in any year since 1873. Valuable statistical tables accompanied the report, and were ordered to be printed for distribution.
 According to action taken in pursuance of resolutions last year adopted, the organ1za- ton known as the Connecticut Missionary Society" is now merged in a similar one known as the Missionary Society of Con- necticut," and the latter administers hereaf- ter the funds and income of both. Rev. G. L. Walker, D. D., chairman of a committee appointed to cooperate with similar one from the General Association, reported that the requisite changes in charters had been se- cured, subject to the approval of the confer
 both has now been secured, and therefore the
 change and transfer is finally effected. The
 affairs of the consolidated society are to be
 conducted by board of fifteen directors, to
 be elected by ballot, under rules to be agreed
 on by them and the executive committee of
 the American Home Missionary society. Rev. s. R. Dennen read clear and forci-
 ble address on the right use of creeds and catechisms, taking ground in favor of their
 being taught in the home and the Sunday
 school, but protesting against trying to com
 pei any one to subscribe to creed he did not honestly believe. This subject is one that
 has been before the public for a long while, with great divergence of opinions; but 1t IS evident that the people have right to know definitely what our churches believe and our pastors teach, and the readiest way to set forth our faith is to state formally what it is- But there must be no coercion, and If one who changes his opinions wishes to withdraw the consent he once gave to a creed he should be allowed to do so.
 A ringing appeal was made by Rev. Dr. | Brown, of New York, in behalf of the Ameri- can Congregational Union, a charitable or ganization to aid feeble churches in building houses of worship. It may be added that | this society is now administered economically and in a manner to deserve the fullest conh- dence of our churches.
 | The report on fellowship and work, while admitting that there was none too much fel- lowship, and too little work, there had been | here and there a revival. Sunday school eff fort had gone on vigorously, the temperance | cause had won some triumphs. Yet it is ap- prehended that through the State at large we have done little more this year than to hold l our own.
 Resolutions of radical and characteristic nature were introduced by Rev. L. W. Ba- ! con- D. D., embodying some very sensible | ideas on the methods of temperance reform, and referred to special committee to re- port next year, but motion to print them was voted down.
 l carefully digested and thorough essay was next read by Rev. James B. Bonar, of ! New Milford on the question: s'Is the local ] church sufficient for the spiritual culture ot \ its field ?'' The grand duty of the church is I to teach righteousness, and not to get up ex- l elements. Everything is subsidiary to ! righteousness. This is what God seeks even
 through the mystery of redemption. God | does not lay on the local church a heavier l burden than 1t can bear, nor require local pastors to ''make brick without straw" The ! right method is the thorough organization of each church for duty. Of this Spurgeon's E l church is an eminent example.
 The success of Pastor Hurms, in Germa | ny, is another striking illustration showing | that the local church IS amply endowed for | it's appointed work-such churches as are l actively, inteIligently at work are harmoni | ous, respected and prosperous
 The other method is to send fer an evan | | to make up the deficiency due to apathy and ] to gather men, women and children into the church. often by novel and extreme meas. | ures. The speaker took the ground that 1 this method dishonors the church, robs the pastor of his prestige and power for good, | and teaches the community that religion de bends on impulses from without. Our great | danger is distrust of our own first principles. l Emotion must not be exalted above charac l ter. Revivals are invaluable, extra meetings are at times necessary, and there IS work fol evangelists but the church must do it's duty. Rev. Dr. Anderson, of Waterbury, fol | lowed with telling array of statistics, show | ing that in six churches in Connecticut, with | an aggregate congregational membership of l over IA, 900, there has been instead of an in l crease during the year actual loss of one. | This is explained, partly at least, by reac- | tion from former revival excitement-''a 'an
 explanation that needs explaining.n Are ou1
 churches bands of working Christians, o1 | merely associations for edlhcatlon and amuse
 ment l? The local church should cultivate the | field around it. Evangelists make winning
 souls business, so should individual church
 members. Sinners should expect to be
 talked to at any time on the subject of relig
 ion. Christian nurture should gain daily
 converts
 As is manifest, the papers of Revs. Bonar and l Anderson were both on one side, and that in
 a sense unfriendly to efforts like those made
 by Moody, Pentecost and Hammond. Such
 a desire was exhibited to have the other side
 also presented that it will probably be ar.
 ranged for tomorrow. Every one must see
 the vital importance of the topic and the ne.
 cessity of looking fairly at both sides of it.
 The evening was occupied by missionary
 addresses. Rev. MT. Woodruff, of Boston,
 spoke in behalf of missions among the freed
 men. Dr. Gage, of Hartford, who has just
 returned from an extensive tour to Dakota
 1fa1f flo aIa of
 retary Hayden, of New York, then spoke fol
 foreign missions, followed by Rev. MT. Bar
 rows, missionary recently from Turkey. 1 H. c. H.