Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-10-29
THE SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CON
EDUCATIONAL CHURCHES AT CHI
CAGo, OCT. 1920, 1886.
by Rev. NJ. c. Stebbins.l


CAGO, OCT. 1920, 1856.
By Rev. NJ. c. Stebbins.I
The national council of the Congrega-
tional churches of the United States was
organized at Oberlin, Ohio, Nov. Il,
1871. Its purposes, as set forth in the
constitution adopted at the above-named
date, are as follows: To express and
foster their substantial unity in doctrine,
polity and work and to consult upon
the common interests of all the churches,
their duties in the work of evangelical
ton, the united development of their re-
sources, and their relations to all parts
of the kingdom of Christ. The council
is constituted upon the following basis:
''The churches. assembled in their local
organizations, appoint one delegate for
every ten churches in their respective
organizations, and one for fraction of
ten greater than one-half. In addition
to the above, the churches united in State
organizations appoint by such body one
delegate, and one for each one thousand
communicates in their fellowship, and
one for a major fraction thereof: it be-
ing recommended that the number of
delegates be, in all cases, divided be-
tween ministers and laymen, as nearly
equal as is practicable. Such Congrega-
tiOnal general societies for Christian
work, and the faculties of such theologi
cal seminaries as may be recognized by
this council. may be represented by one
! delegate each, such representatives hay
ing the right of discussion only"
| The second session of this council was
held at New Haven, Conn, in October,
1874; the third at Detroit. Mich, in
/ 1877; the fourth at st. Louis in October,
tober, 1888; the sixth at Chicago, H., in
October, 1885; the seventh is to be held
| in Worcester. Mass. in October 1889.
The recent session at Chicago was the
most noted in the series, by reason of its
having the largest attendance (430 dele
gates, the longest duration, its whole
| time most crowded with business. its
| topics most varied and of vital practical
Importance to the churches, its determi-
nation to hold fast the essential princi-
pies of doctrine and polity. and an irenic
spirit inclined to yield non-essentials for
the sake of unity.
The time and place of meeting were
fortunately, or, rather, providentially
chosen, since by this means it became
the continuance of the great meeting of
the American Board AT Des Moines. The
great question. which, as regards the in
terest of the churches, dominated all
others, having been most fully dis
and settled so as to relieve the widely
prevalent anxiety of the churches, not
only the delegates who came from Des
Moines to Chicago, but all others as well,
came feeling that there was little occa-
sion to spend the precious time of the
council in dealing with the question of
post moHem) probation.
All the meetings were held in the ele-
Sdlt anu CollllnoulOuS tulllCe ol tllt l mon
Park Congregational church, Rev. f. a.
Noble, ID. D., pastor. Promptly ar 10 IA.
IN. on Wednesday. October IL, the coun-
ell was called to order by Mr.. Samuel
b. Capen of Boston, Mass. chairman of
the provisional committee. Rev. Smith
Baker of Lowell, Mass, read Scripture
and offered prayer. The address of well
come. eminently happy and eloquent,
was given by Rev. +. p. Goodwin, ID. D.,
pastor of the First congregational church
of Chicago. The permanent organiza-
ton of the council was effected by the
choice of Hon. l.. \. Cook of COnnecti-
cut as moderator; Rev. }. X. Mclean OF
Oakland. Cal, first assistant moderator,
and Rev. Benjamin A. lines (cOlorcd) OF
Memphis, Tenn, rs second. Rev. Henry
\. HaZen of Auburndale, Mass, was
chosen secretary; Rev. W. {. Moore OF
Hartford, Conn, registrar; Rev. \. W
Wild of Charlotte, VT, and Hon. Charles
\. Dewey of Lancaster, Mass, assistant
registrars Rev. Lavalette Perrin, ID. ID.
OF Iorrngton, Conn.,, treasurer, and Hon
ID. y. Camp of New Britain, Conn, audi
tor.
On Wednesday evening Professor Geo
p. Fisher, ID. D., of Yale Theological
seminary, delivered an able sermon upon
the text For other foundation can III
man lay than that is laid, which is jesus
Christi ! Cor. iii: >. The discours,
took a wide range, but may be briefly
characterized rs an earnest and eloquen
plea that the church of to-day SHOULD
maintain a catholic mean between thu
= bigotry of olden time and the laxness OF
broad progressiyeness or progressive
broadness. The sermon was FOLLOWED
/ by the administration of the Lords sup
= per, the services being conducted b!
Rev. Zachary Eddy, ID. D., of Atlanta
Ga, and Rev. \. l.. Chaplin, ID. D., pres
! ident of Belot college, Wis. The repor