Morris tribune., 1881-06-16
THE WESTERLY CONFERENCE.

e are lnuSDlcu lOf the lOliOWlNS syn
opsis of the proceedings of the conference,
to the Rev. J. l.. Fonda, who has kindly
furnished them for publication:
This is an ecclesiastical body embracing
the Congregational Churches of the coun-
ties reaching from Stevens, southeast to
Brown county. 1t had II churches and
10 ministers comprising its membership.
These were represented by only six minis
tiers and two delegates. The great distance
and bad roads is the reason of so small at
tendance. There are a few ''stalwarts'
who co not stop for mud or sloughs.
The opening sermon on Thursday even
ing, was by Rev. \. MADDEN, of Orion
vile, from Matt. xi, II, "flow much then
is man better than sheep" Showing
there is assumed all through the Old Tesla:
ment, and especially in Christ's teachings
the great worth of human being in Gods
estimation. On Friday morning ut nine
o'clock the conference was opened by
devotional meeting, and then organized by
electing Rev. Geo B. Nutting, of Hancock,
as Moderator.
The roll showed the following persons
present: Rev. o. P Champlin, Tracy,
Lyon Co Rev I'd G. Simmons, Walnut
Groye, Redwood Co.; Rev. c. A. Ruddock,
of Benson; Rev. A. MADDEN, Ortonville;
Rev. G. B. Nutting, Hancock, and Rev j.
L. Fonda, Norris with Messrs. d. T.
Wheaton and II. Il. Wolff as delegates of
Morris church.
Some routine business was done, when
the ministers related their experience dur
ing the past year. 1t was, much of it, in
regard to the severe winter. Mr.. Champlin,
of Tracy, said they held but one service in
February, the wood was so scarce in the
town no one dared to keep more than one
| fire; there was no kerosene, SO they run
candles, and many used rag in dish of
grease for light. At one time there was
little wood gotten for the chapel, but on
Saturday night it way stolen. The wood
has been returned within p few weeks
All services in that country were more or
less broken up by the weather.
! At II o'clock an essay was read by Rev
j. L. Fonda, on "Creeds and Liberty
reviewing the complaints of certain liberal
ministers, that there is no liberty of opin.
ion or thought in evangelical crecds.
In the afternoon, n very argumentative
and thoughtful paper was presented by
Rev. o. p. Champlin, on the Necessity of
the Atonement," showing the necessity
from natural grounds and not from script.
ural.
In the evening paper was read by Rev.
G. A. Ruddook, considering whether con.
versions can be expected from our ordinary
work. 1t was we'll received and discussed
briefly by the various brethren. 1t was
followed by a very able essay by Rev. Geo.
B. Nutting. of Hancock, on "The Bible
and Its Use"
On Saturday morning, after the devo-
/ tional exercises, the matter of division of
the conference was decided on and effected.
This leaves the Western Conference to take
tile southern churches, and the Minnesota
Valley" the churches on these two rail.
roads.
An interesting paper by Rev. A. Hadden,
OH Phillips Brooks, the great Episcopal
munster of Boston, was read and discussed.
Another PAPER. on the Gradual Unfolding
of Truth, was given by Rev. H. G. Sim.
mons.
In the afternoon, the suject of children
in the church, and also systematic instruc-
ton in Sunday schools, was considered,
aud the exercises were closed by an able
and practical essay by Rev. o. r. Cham
pin, on Redemption aud Pardon.
Rev. II. G. Simmons occupied the pulpit
in the forenoonof the Satboth, and Mr.. d
H. Mason, of the Am. s. s.. Union, spoke
tosthe children in the Sunday School.
! IS The addresses in the evening, on the Re
ihsised VERSION OF the New Testament. were
listened to with much interest. Rev,
Chainplin speaking Of the Revisors. and