Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-11-17
CONGREGATIONALISM.
Closing Proceedings of the CeunciI--A Bus
Day-Action of the Ministry Recommend
on the Increasing Prevalence of Divorce,



Day-Action of the Ministry Recommend
on the Increasing Prevalence of Divorce,
Etc.
ST. LOUIS, Nov. T5.-The first business in
the Congregational council this morning
was the presentation of the report of the
committee on creeds, which recommended
that the whole matter be referred to com
mittee of twenty-five; that committee to
publish their conclusions. The report was
adopted, and seven members were appointed
to select the committee of twenty five.
DR.. Edward Beacher read report recon-
mending that the present Congressional rep
reseptRtive from Utah be not admitted to his
seat in Congress. and that the Territory of
Utah be refused admission to the Union
until polygamy is abolished there. The re-
port received repeated applause, but was not
adopted, for the reason that it was not clear
that the congress had the right to exclude the
Utah delegate. 1t was ordered printed, how
ever.
DR.. Geo. L. Walker, of Hartford, read a
report from the committee to which had
been referred memorials from the
Congregational associations of New York
and New Jersey, concerning the functions
of the national council. The memorial
from New Jersey had been specially severe
in its criticisms of the council and intimated
it had usurped power not belonging to it..
DR.. Walker, as representative of the ma
ority of the committee, recommended tax
ing no action on the subjtct, but suggested
the adoption of resolution declaring that
the national council was always ready to
hear the complaints of State associations
and individual churches.
DIR. Lyman Abbott, editor of the Chris
tsssa Union. poode minority report, he
alons,beIng>the minority. He made q strong
appeal to the council to give a patient hear
! ing to the associations of New York and
New Jersey, and recommended the adoption
of resolutions calling committee of five to
| correspond with those associations and learn
| the exact nature of their objections to and
| apprehensions of the national council. A
very spirited debate followed, after which
| both the majority and minority reports were
| adopted.
The committee on nominations presented
| the names of DR.. Griddall, st. Louis, aud
j w. Studervant, Illinois, for delegates to the
| General Assembly of the Presbyterian church
South, and Edward Davis, New York, dele
| care to Congregational Union of England
| and Wales.
TIE report of the publication committee
| was adopted.
Communications from several theological
seminaries rendering congratulations to the
! council upon its successful work were read
| and a vote of thanks to them adopted.
! A motion to reconsider the vote BY which
the Sunday school work had been transferred
| from the home missionary society to the
| Congregational Publishing society, at the
| last meeting of the council, was carried, and
| the Niatter referred to committee to report
| as soon as possible.
| The report of the committee on Indian
affairs in Dakota was presented, and COM
mittee of seven appointed to consult with
| the government regarding missionary work
| in that Territory.
| The business committee submitted res
olution that the council place itself on re-
| cord as deploring the alarming increase of
divorces throughout the land, calIing upon
| the ministry to use their earnest efforts to
| protect the sacrednsss of family relations and
! labor to prevent divorce, except on the
| ground sanctioned by the church. Adopted.
The committee to whom was referred the
transfer of Sunday school matters from the
home missionary society to the publishing
society reported resolution approving the
transfer and recommending the appointment
| of Sunday school secretary, which, after
considerable discussion, was tabled, and q
resolution offered by DR.. Abbott requesting
the two societies to hold conferences and ar
range their difficulties, was adopted.
Several other reports of no special public
| interest were submitted and disposed of,
when after passage of number of compli-
mentary reSoiasionc tho council adjournrd,
apparently we'll satisfied with the result of
their work.
About $50 members of the council left
tonight on an excursion to Indian Ter
ritory and Kaasas, provided for them by the
st. Louis 81 San Francisco Railroad Com
pany.