Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-12
THE CONGREGATION
Triennial Council of the Church Opened at
Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINI. Oct. l2-The triennial
congregational council meets in this city today
and promises to be the largest ever known. The
New England contingent will be very heavy,
viii the interior and western states send dele
gates in numerous numbers. The membership
III the south is now large and increasing, and
among the delegates to the council will be quite
a number of colored men.
One Of the reports to be considered is that of
the secretary. 1t shows that the number of
churches ia now 5000, with net gain of All. The
membership of the church is now 525. 900. Hi
nois gained most 4 1872 members There we're
%, $40 infant baptisms. There are now 1884
Young peoples societies with las, 100 members
The benevolent contributions in the three years
were S7,1l5,073, an average per member per
annum of $3.50. Ii wae an increase over the
previous triennium of 81 .l3S, 800. The home
expenditures have reached total of $751;
9.790.
The American Home Missionary Society
report shows that in 1891 the whole number of
Congregational churches in states and terri
tories was 3,202. The receipts last year were
S635, 1879, against twenty years ago Of $40, 623.
The membership of the Sunday schools in connec-
ton with these churches il l54, 1872. The average
annual expense of the society per missionary is
s3il. There are 961 missionaries, of which 19l
are foreign-speaking.
The report has a special section on the re-
sponsibility of the Home Missionary Society
for the undue multiplication of feeble churches.
The society has rule never to plant church
or mission on the ground which, in the proper
sense of the word, is cared for by other evangel-
ical denominations.
FRATERNITY AMONG BELIEVERS.
The Roman Catholic body is recognized as a
branch of the Church of Christ and the report
welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with
ffs lait and oil in, he &c
truth and morals. The attitude Of the episco-
pal church in coming forward in England and
America bearing an olive branch is heartily
commended.
The following resolution Is recommended:
Resolved, That the national council deems
1t OF paramount importance that all who con-
fess and call themselves Christians. whatever
their ecclesiastical relations may be, should bear
in mind the new commandment which Christ
gave to his disciples that we hail with devout
satisfaction the progress of the spirit Of frater
nal union among Christian people of every
acknowledge the obligation to avoi1 lie magni-
flying Of minor points Of difference, thereby
losing sight Of essential principles Of Christian
faith and conduct, and that we regard with
earnest sympathy and approval the increasing
tendency OF Christians CT different branches Of
the church to join hands in efforts to diffuse
the blessings OF the gospel"
NoN-oBsERvANoE OF THE SABBATH.
The fact Of an increasing disregard for any
proper observance Of the Sabbath is noted Ex-
cursions, theaters, concert halls, the freak ex-
hibitions, base ball. passenger traffic. the drink
ing saloon and the Sunday newspapers all are
classed together and come in for their share of
criticism. The closing Of the worlds fair on
Sabbath was considered at length. The report
of the committee on the Improvement of wor-
ship is made through Rev. Lyman Abbott, edi-
tor Of the Christian Union. The report Of the
Congregational publishing house shows that the
income for three years was Sl7S, 435. So, an in
crease over the former three years of $50, 1893 60
During the last three years 1851 new Sunday
schools have been organized The total sales Of
the business department we're $3.50, ZOO. The
working capital has been increased from
csc, 900 to Sll7,OOO.