Morning journal and courier., 1883-10-10
1OnruxI saO Goarisr
Wednesday. October 10. 1883.
Congregational Interests.


 New Haven West Conference = AIssttng
 at the East Church, Humphrey Street
 A meeting of the New Haven West Con- ference was held at the East church, Humph- rev street, yesterday, opening at 9.sO o'clock. The exercises of the day included reports from the churches, following which came the first topic for discussion, viz: tsrhe Infu- ence of the Christian Citizen in the Govern ment of the State," which was opened by the Rev. N. J. Squires, of West Haven. Chris. tians, he held, should not abstain from par ticipation in politics. He cited the argument advanced frequently that politics are so mixed with evil associations and influences that 1t is Wisest for a Christian to keep out of them, and argued that if the government ot the country is to be pure and wholesome good men must take hand in the Work. Christian influence should purify politics. One reason for the impurity of politics was the absence of the influence of the Christian voter at the primaries and the polls. Politics in their place are as necessary as schools or churches. The State must be governed. The Christian should help to have 1t governed rightly. Morality should overcome corruption Religion should eradicate evil. If good men will not govern bad men will. The speaker advocated civil service reform, the suppression of the drink traffic, woman suffrage and the introduction into the public schools of the study of the science Of govern. ment He thought that the ministers of God should attend the primaries and work for the publication of politics. He exhorted all to be bound by no ties when the party ties and the dictates of conscience clashed- Our politics are what we make them. Our parties are neither better nor worse than the men who compose them. Our government IS what ve make it." Rev. MT. oqu!res was applauded at the conclusion of the address.
 Rev. MT. Griffin, of Milford, followed with remarks vigorous and thoughtful, advocat- ing further the necessity of good men talk ing an interest in politics
 Reg E. O. Baldwin, of Cheshire, followed. He held that cliques and rings are too often controlling influences in the churches and it's conventions. Continuing the speaker said Therefore say it behooves us who are afraid or unable to defeat the machln- atious of the ring or clique that rules us to speak carefully about the cowardlce shown by Christians in not attending the polls. Oh, we see the same cowardice to oppose empow- cred injustice, The pulpit is afraid, the press is afraid, and therefore ln- justice triumphs. For an outside instance to the point, look at the cruelty un- just system of your public schools 1n NeW Haven You are proud of your schools, you willingly pay your taxes to them. you point out the beauties of your school build ings but look no further You hear Wh1s- perings of a ring" some trials, but you dare not investigate; you do not dare remark to yourself New Haven approprlates $200 GOO early for school expenses. and thirteen favored persons. who in reallts are or no use in the echGol system, who gre mere figureheads, received one third of |, it,s .Io~i and tha of poor starving workers are kept on starva- tion wages This is patent to every New Ha- vener, yet where do ~ @ hear 1t complained Of in press or pulpit? We lack spirit ourselves We want ease and comfort, and for them Will allow justice to be sacrificed With what contemptuous feelings must then ourWords of political exhortation be received by the h. telligent of our congregation? They see the scheming in our midst They see our clutch ing after rich pulpits and they see that ways that are dark and tricks that are vain" have often more to do with our appointments than merit attachments. say we should be chary of political reproof to our congregs- tions.
 After silence of some moments following Mir. Baldwins remarks Rev, Mir. Griffin arose and expressed dissent from the views of Brother Baldwin and thought that true Christian spirit generally actuated the con- ventions and the work done. Mir. Baldwin replied fnaC ne QaQ SpOk6n 1rOIn SeuSo OA duty and briefly defended his remarks. The delegates present were: New Haven North church, George Sherman; Third church, Dr. S. R. Dennen; College street, H. ". Weld, Rev. H. s. Kelsey, Deacon k. r. Cowles; Redeemer, Dr. J. E. Todd; Daven- port, Rev. I Q, Meaerve, Brother Rev. 0. W. Park, Brother J. W. Townsend; Humphrey street, Rev. s. H. Bray, William Atwater, H. P. Shares; West Haven, G. H. Hubbard and Rev. N. l. Squires; Cheshire, Rev. E. c. Baldwin, Brother Joseph Rogers, Alfred Dicksrmap; Mt. Carmel Rev. l.. H. Higgins, l.. A. Dick erman; Whitneyville, Rev. Elias Dicksrman; Milford, 1st, Brother Edw. B. Clark, Samuel N. Oyiatt. Plymouth of Milford, Rev. G. H. Griffin.
 Mir. K. N. Cowles was chosen modera- tor and Mir. s. H. Keeler secretary. The registrar of the conference and the two other officers named shared in the discussions with much interest and ability.
 Between 12:3O, after most ferVent and excellent prayer meeting conducted by the Rev MT. Meserve, fine dinner. In the af- ternoon the topic. ''The best methods of Christian fellowship among the churcaesp was was to have opened the dis topic embraced churches both in and out of the Congregational denomination. goodly number of delegates were chosen for the State conference soon to assemble in the city of Norwich, but none for the national to meet in Concord, N. H., on the 11th inst, al- though this by the programme was to be part of the business of this conference. The committee for the occasion were Rev. MT. Keeler, Rev. Dr. Dennen and Major Cowles.