The Newtown bee., 1894-06-29
AN ASSOCIATION WITH A HISTORY.

We attended the General Association of l the Congregational churches of Connec- ticut, which met in Hartford on Tues day, June l9. It's age is phenomenal, be- 1 ing enthusiastically the oldest body in the country. It was established in l109, the
 first meeting occurring in Hartford, May | IS of that year or lS5 years ago. Presi- dent Edwards was a lad of six years, liv- ing with his father, Rev Timothy Ed wards, a divine of eminence at South Windsor, where he was pastor 60 years. He married the daughter of Solomon Stoddard of Northampton. Ten daugh- terS and one son were born into the fam ily. The writings of the son rank him among the first geniuses and divines of that or any age. Benjamin Franklin was then a boy of three years, living in Bos- ton, the 18th of l7 children. Gurdon Sal stOnstall, Congregational minister from New London, was in the gubernatorial chair. He had been governor two years and filled the office for l5 following years or until 1724. His successor, Joseph Tal- colt, was governor for 17 years. Jona- than Trumbull, Sr., was governor l5 years and the second Trumbull II years. The state then had but 39 towns. New town was incorporated two years after, I'll. There were but 12 colonies, Geor
 gia was not settled until 1733. The char
 ter given to Winthrop by Charles II was the law of the state of Connecticut until ISIS and the Charter Oak which received it to it's bosom, in an hour of peril, was strong and vigorous, and had before it life of 147 years. Queen Anne was on the throne of England and had reigned sir ce TOP. Louis XIV was King of France, having assumed the government in 1851 or 58 years before. He died in 1715. Charles VI was Emperor of Spain,
 What change in Hartford since then Timothy Woodbridge was pastor of the Center church and had been for A years. Thomas Buckingham was pastor of the South Church and had been for l9 years. What change since then in Connecti- cut, New England, the country and the world! We come down lS5 years. Rev Joel 5. Ives of Stratford calls the meet ing to order, the retiring moderator. About 60 delegates were present. Rev J. w. Cooper, D. D., of New Britain was chosen moderator for the coming year, Rev Roscoe Nelson of Windsor scribe,
 Rev F. N. Waite of Talcottville assistant scribe and Rev William F. English of East Windsor scribe pro tenn. Rev H. Twichell of the Asylum Hill Congrega- tiOnal church made the address of well come and the retiring moderator his- torical review of the association. In the afternoon Rev George B. Stevens of | ale delivered an address on the union of the evangelical and scientific spirit in theolo- gy. In the evening Rev Dr Samuel Howe of Norwich spoke on the "Congregation- al idea of worship" On Wednesday the | closing day, Rev Charles k. Stowe spoke on ''The persistence of faith" All the papers presented were discussed. Drs Burr and Fisher, Rev Messrs Densmore, Williams, Avery, Bullard, Wilcox, Bur- | bank, Winslow, Goodenough and Prof
 Pratt of the theological seminary partici- pated in the discussions, some of them l largely on the errancy or inerrancy of
 the Scriptures; some taking positive po- ! sitions against the higher criticisms, and
 others some in sympathy with the work designed to be accomplished by them. | Upon the whole the discussions were | tempered with right spirit and can but | be heslthful and stimulating to all pres ent. The association goes to New Haven
 next year and Dr Smyth is chairman of
 the business committee. It will be very
 pertinent for THE BEE to insert these
 notes, inasmuch as Newtown, the home
 of THE BEE, is only two years younger | than the general association of Connecti cut, or 1S3 years old. It has attained to
 ripe and honorable age, and in it's in-
 dustries, it's educational efforts and it's
 wide awake news paper, is doing more
 for the present generation, and for the
 future, than ever before in it's history. | May increased prosperity attend itin the
 constant onflOw of time.-I Rev A. Gard
 ner, Warren, Ct.