New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-24
WRATA PASTOR SEES AND HEARS
INCIDENTS OF THE AMERICAN BOARD MhLl-
ING AT PITTSFIELD.

A
The meeting Of the American Board at Pi't7ueiu'
Mass, last week like the lull after inc
H. Is what every one expects and yet wonders that IL
reaIlv occurs Troubles and rumOrs Of troubles nave
disturbed the peace of the Congregational Chhrch III
recent wears: this year harmony was promised, ana
while every one braced 10 meet the shOch' many
feared that the preliminary calm was merely wod'ier
breeder. The prophets were correct. Inc haFin"ny
came Peace is the final result, though 1t ia" Deeii
reached through conflict. All the iactlons' "hss'
parties branches-whatever chooses to call them
are conciiated and united. The American Board has
renewed its youth In the county OF It's birth, THANKS
largely TO It's matchess president Dr. storrS'
The good people of the town. members Of the
Church NJ God in Pittsfeld as the genial OF
Dr. John Todd delights to speak of the several evan
gelcal churches in that youngest OF American cueS'
felt that an neaceabe impression lor good would DO
received by the meeting OF the Board. Their hope mas
been realized Not only in the churches where inc
meetings were held, but in the homes where tie Wis
itOrs entertained and on the Streets ana III tie
stores and shops where they seen good has been
done. An elevator boy remarked to a friend that lie
had not seen intoxicated person among them which
is saying good deal when the strength OF BERKSHIRE
cider is considered. Another wOrhngmah dld not
Know the object of the Board but he imagined it was
branch of the Knights Of Labor. This conclusion no
reached after seeing what welbehayed people they
been made. In the pulpts on Sunday there were
numerous references to President sOrrss eloquent ad
dress and to the irresistible appeals which the heather
world is making.
careful observer says that there not a single
negative vote cast II this be true, it is due largely
TO the busnesslike Business Committee, headed by Dr.
Berends of Brooklyn to whom nearly every paper was
referred before final action taken The house was
always ready to approve everything that this committee
recommended. The temperance resolution, based upon
a memorial sent by the WOmen's Christian Temperance
Union asking the Board indOrse its petition to
the rulers of the earth shows the work done in the
committee-room. The memorial seemed harmless one
but apparently some farsghted man read between the
lines and found an attempt to commit che Board In
favor of prohibition, for the resolution recommended
and adopted unanimously recognizes the great
hIndrance Of intemperance TO the Of morality
and religion the world over" That was wise recog
milton, and the statement which followed equally
safe: ave shall gratefully hail the day when all the
evfs caused by IL shall be banished from the face Of
the EARTH; TO this every Christian, whatever bis
politics, will say: Hasten the day. The conclusion
OF the recommendation had in IL the harmlessness OF
the dove, least. We have fraterna feeling toward
all wise and legitimate movements wbch look In that
direction" II the aims of the society which sent the
memorial :" wise and legitimate" and look In
the direction OF ultimate prohibition, they have the
fraterna feeling" of the Board
Had DR.. Storrs persisted In his determination to
leave the ofnce which he has honOred for four years,
there is every pessibt" thai old issues would have
been revived and Old scenes renewed 1t Is idle to
conjecture who would have been chosen president IL
seems reasonably certain that conservative would
have been selected but at what cost. The Prudential
Committee would have been changed; 1t is probable
that besides losing members OF that committee the
liberals would not have gained, they did Of
the fifteen corporate members. The concession
which the majority made to their brethren in giving
them nearly half of the new members as possible
has strengthened both sides greatly. Tho
tves still have control OF the Board but they have
added their number several of the strongest In
the denomination, Including some Of those who have
not always voted AYE"
Dr. Virgin, Of New-Yogk and DR.. Bradford, OF
Montclair, among those who emphasized the
papers Of the secretaries with brief addresses and
their practical cOmmon-sense, el0quenty presented,
won many compliments. Either Of these men would
make good presidential timber when Dr. Storrs says
the word which IS 10 be final which AL, including
those who heard him last week hope viii be until
the Board meets again In the beautiful city In the
heart Of the BeIbshires.