The Somerset reporter., 1890-05-22

and When the church ~a- hot 10 !ylUg
working condition, II ii va not virtual
ly extinct. Ii seem. not ~ 1e Intended
a. q substitute for q church. Dut rather
to lead 70 the formation n one Oh az
improved basis. The necessity FOR some
movement Of the Kind is fully expressed
in the Preamble, but it may be proper u
explain some Of the causes leading -
that condition.
The examination and discussion Of
doctrines WAS very general 10 those years
and not a. Ways in the spirit Of charity.
Some idea Of the points In controversy
may be obtained from a mention " come
Of the books 10 my father library. a. !
ind them 10 the inventory Of his e-tze
Edwards on the VIII, Dickenspu'. Fine
Points, Cslyinistic: Wesiey'- Jpurns.
Fletcher's Works vols Fletcher wa
an able Methodist writer, an opponent
Of Calvin; Whitefeld- sermons Hemin-
ways Essays, TriDtarian, Pric-s ser.
mons, Unitarian; Hopkins System Of
Divinity, vols. Octave, compound Of
Calgini.t and Socinian. These books show
my fathers desire to study both sides Of
the question. These debates on doctrines
remind US Of Millions description Of the
fallen angels on one occasion, that they
Reasoned high of Providence, fore
knos ledge. Will and fate
Fixed fate free Will. foreknowle lge,
absolute
And found no end n wandering mszes
lost -
81 much were the minds of the PEG
pie occupied with these subjects, that
ten years later, when my mother had
elderly visitors the terms C4l9ini-t, Ar
mir ion D.. .I.F,
Antinonlsn, We're familiar in their
mouths a. household words
There were local questions too which
were fruitful cause OF discussion.
The settlement and dismi--tou of TWO
ministers, with the decision VI the form
OF church government, were not accom-
piished without vehement opposition.
| am not certain of the fact, ~. have
some reason to believe partisan feeling
was 50 strong that those who voted a.
gain-t Mr.. Calef aud the congregational
form, declined to connect themselves
with the new organization. Then came
the subject Of Baptism which provoked
sharp controversies and worse than that
some family differences. In l1HG nine
nen separated themselves a, Baptist- 10
sentiment, aud were excused from paving
minister tax, on proof that they Belprd
to support preacher Of their own de-
nomination
Those old pioneers were a sturdy and
earnest race; they did not handle matters
with Kid gloves, or search the dictionary
for smooth phrases. With 20 many csus-
is of d,tit renee, IL is not strange tnat q
degree of sntagonirm existed which Of
ten manifested Itself in hard speeches
and uncharitable judgements; in short
that condition which the "keligious So
ciety' was intended to counterfeit and re-
move. In his diary a year previous to
this. the writer lAments his disposition
to judge others with too much severity,
The remark was made by a member OF
one of the most conservative denomina-
tons, that this platform would make an
excellent creed, or covenant for church.
And in late number OF the Forum,
j. X. Fiske makes an appeal for church
organization based not on creed, but con-
duct. Here Is what would meet his want
! believe that this paper, or al least the
spirit which actua,es il, led to the reor-
ganizstion of the church in ! sol, the Con
gregational Church now existing in
Skowhegan.
EBEN WESTON
FOR A RELIGIOUS SOCIETY.
We the subscribers, inhabitants Of the
town of Canaan, beholding with deep
concern the present languishing state Of
religion in this place, and the dreadful
coldness that seems in some measure TO
cloud the minds of the dear children of 8
kind snd heavenly parent; humhly he
seeching the Father of mercies, gracious
ly TO lift upon Us the light of his counte-
nd i.tt NIT ha h.e & 81
vine love, and touch the tenderest feel
ing of our souls aud cause them 10 melt
with love, and overflow with gratitude
for the multiplied instances of grace
aud love manifested to US in times
past, as well as for the daily ex-
pressions Of his care and goodness
and under solemn sense of our unwor-
thiness Of the least mercy, and with the
deepest humiliation of soul for all our
ingratitude under the reception of so
many special favors, do humbly suppl
Gale the God of all grace 10 lead and d.
rect US in the pathway of duty, TO ban
ish from our minds every unhoiy, selfish
disposition. and bestow on Us q meek
humble, Christlke temper of mind, aud
dtfuse spirit of candor, mutual for
bearance and orotherly Kindness, and
Emit our hearts together with the silken
cords of love, and grsnt that We may
each experience that erdearing, sweet
and kindred affection of heart and soul
for ali the dear children of God. the dis
ciples of the same Lord and Master and
that he would graciously smile on every
| sincere though feeble endeavor to glorify
his great name, and pro mote the we'll
fare of the Redeemer's kingdom, sud the
union, peace and happiness of all the sin
cere friends of vital plety and goodness !:
that he would strengthen our hands by q
well cemented union that He would take
away every root of bitterness, preserve
us from every error, and lead US into all
necessary truth. unite our hearts in love
and everything necessary to build Us up
in faith, holiness and comfort unto sal
walton.
Therefore if we are not deceived
with sincere desire 10 obey the COM
mapds of God, and enjoy the comfort
and advantage of preached gospel, We
soemny declare that according t.
the light given us, it now appears to be
our present duty 10 cordially unite our
best endeavors to form ourselves into s
Christian Society for the following pur-
poses.
/. To endesvor to procure an able
catholic, and faithful minister of Jesus
Christ to dispense TO US the word of
truth and to be of that denomination
that We csn truly believe will unite these
two objects. the greatest union and the
most extensive usefulness
| >, As ii is our duty, 80 we desire God
by his grace to assist us to daily look by
humble snd fervent psryer TO the great
Head OF tue church for so rich gift.
), That as a faithful laborer is worthy
of his reward, 50 if a minister of the
gospel can be obtaiued, under whose
public ministry We can receive editcstion
and instruction, We will cheerfully agree
10 give him moderate, but decent and
comfortable reward for his ministerial
labor.
/. That until such time as a minister
| of the gospel can be obtained all christ
ans living in convenient vicinity aud
enjoying health. and not otherwise nee
essarily engaged. ought constantly on
all proper occasions, and particularly on
the Lords day, 10 meet for the purpose
of prayer aud praise, and for reading and
hearing the word Of God; and We pray
God 10 give us dispositions SO to do.
3, As we believe it to be duty, SO We
pray God TO dispose our hearts to dedi-
icate ourselves and families TO God by
solemn prayer morning and evening
and believing that secret and ferve ut
prayer is means by the blessing of God
for preserving the life and power of re-
ligion in the soul, we will endeavor to
set apart and improve certain stated sea
sons for that purpose, as well as on all
other proper occasions.
4, 1t shall be the duty of each member
Of this society to pray for, and endeavor
to maintain a holy, watchful jealousy
over his own thoughts, words and &C.
tions and faithfully, but with all gent
leness and meekness, to admonish and