Morning journal and courier., 1880-10-29

General Congregational Conference.
 The thirteenth annual meeting of the gene ral conference of Congregational churches in Connecticut was convened at Rockville at Il a. m. on Tuesday, in the First church. Rockville is a thriving and beautiful village of about 5000 inhabitants, having a pictur- esque location and numerous fine factories, business houses and private residences. The conference was organized by the choice of Hon. George M. Woodruff, of Litchfeld, as moderator, and Revs J. W. Cooper and H. c. Hovey as scribes. Twelve conferences and four consociations were entitled to repre- sentation. More than seventy delegates and members er-o6icio were present, besides considerable number of visitors. The devo- tional meetings and special addresses drew out large audiences of the citizens.
 The treasurer's report had cheerful tone, showing contributions to be in excess of ex- penses and every debt fully paid. It was looked on as remarkable fact that during the past fiscal year the percentage of the sum raised was 62 per cent. of the sum asked for and that for the preceding three years it had been 81 per cent, which is considered a better showing than any other similar body in the United States has been able to make. Reports were next made by the annalist, and by special committees on the Memorial Hall at Hartford and on denominational County. This latter subject is one of vital importance, especially in the case of some of the smaller communities, where several fec | ble churches pull apart, which might make | one strong organization if they should unite thnir AT1o T11o Hya 1 these little churches should combine on terms satisfactory to those most concerned. Yet | it was conceded that the committee could be | of service to such churches only in rare l instances, when the way is well pre- pared. The Methodists have worked very harmoniously with us, and other denomina- | tions also may with patient effort be brought l to cooperate both in uniting feeble churches and in preventing by moral suasion the or ganizing of new ones where the community | is not able to keep more than one alive. The suggestion met with favor that the matter | should be left with the Home Missionary so- ciety with an expression of our decided opin- | ion as to its importance
 A letter was read from Rev. J. w. Backus, pastor of the church with which the confer ence meets, who at this time is travelling in | Europe. Especial prayer for him was of | fered by Rev. Dr. Walker.
 A communication was read by Rev. w. w. Woodworth on the alleged diminishing distinction between the Church and the | World. It most able and | discriminating discussion of topic too often looked at either in a Respondent censori- ous spirit. Without loss of solemnity or dignity, the speaker took a cheerful and 1 hopeful view of the better elements of pre- vailing types of piety. The way was thus prepared for various practical and useful 1 lessons. Religion is not such @ gloomy thing that it's professors need to go out into | the world to find their pleasures. The fruit l of the spirit is love, joy and peace. The great body of the Church has not gone back ward but forward in it's teachings and expe- rience.
 At the close of Rev. MT. Woodworths pa- per several points in it were discussed the chief interest centering in the vivid reminis cences of Father Shipman of seventy years ago. By some process not wholly clear, the good old man switched off from revivals and prayer and kindred themes to @ fervid de nunciation of the ''solid South' and cor rupt Democracy, which, strange to say, die not apparently disturb anyone very greatly not even the urbane and self possessed chairman who might have perhaps taker umbrage at such political fire from less ven erable patriarch. A spirited debate on pay ing expenses of the delegates to the Nationa | Council at St. Louis terminated by a strong vote, though not with entire unanimity for the following resolution, which is new depar ture
 That the churches be invited to contrib ute at the rate of such a sum for each mem
 Der as may be named by the standing com mittee at an early day to defray the expenses of the conference the ensuing year, including the travelling expenses of it's delegates to th' National Council to the amount of thirty dol
 lars to each delegate Also that the expense
 of our State and local delegates to futur
 National Councils be referred to a committe
 to report at the next meeting of this body
 The annual sermon by Prof. c. D. Hart ranft of Hartford, after which was the cele bration of the Lords Supper, was fitting close for an interesting days session.
 H. c. H.