Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1894-05-31
AN INTERESTING SESSION.
rwenty-fOurth Annual Convention Of tn
Congregational Church.

twenty IOurth AnnuHt convention u inc
Congregational Church.
The twenty-fourth annual convention
of the Congregational Churches, held
at Radfield, was an interesting one
throughout the three days session.
Most of the delegates returned to their
homes pleased with what had been ac-
complisned and delighted with the en-
tertainment SO generously provided
for them by the people OF ltedtield.
Altogether the meeting was ono Of the
best in the history OF the association.
Prominent features OF Thursday MORN
ing's session we're papers by Rev. l..
T., Garfield on ''Our farming popula-
ton and how to reach them with the
gospel by Rev. r. G.. Walton, on the
use of the stereopticOn in Christ
work: by Rev. Philo Hitchcock, as to
what extent is UNCONVENTIONAL comfy
practical. All these papers were spir-
tied and we're followed by discussion.
Reports from churches all over the
field were given by delegates and pas
tors, and indicated that great progress
in all departments of church work
and the outlook for larger success the
present year is very encouraging. The
following resolution, offered by DR..
Riggs. engendered spirited discussion,
ana it was finally decided to postpone
action on it till the next annual meet
ing:
Resolved. That as many of our churches Go
rot have the services OF oraaihe1 ministers ana
baptism and the Loid's supper, or are put TO
great trouble to secure theni; therefore we
local church has fn | authority over the sacra-
ments W ithnut external ecclesiastical author
ity, and that ediication is the only limitatd .
or any arrangement that the church may see
lit to make for the admins t,ation OF baptism
and the Lords supper by the hand OF any ,n-
MT to lfai acceptabiy IN worship.
In the afternoon A. T. Free, presi-
dent of Yankton College, spoke in be-
halt Of that institution: Mrs. II. b.
Hassell in behalf of Iankton College.
anu Rev. c. l.. Garfield in behalf Of
Ward Academy. Six hundred dollars
were pledged for the ladies' hall fund
OF Redfield College, and SlI0 for Ward
Academy.
What Place Ought Our Western
Colleges to Occupy in Training for the
Gospel Ministry, : was the subject.
Rev. r. G.. Langdale of Clark spoke
in behalf of foreign missions, and Rev.
Geo. w. Rexford Of Piankinton dis
cussed at length the evangelistic pas
torate. The committee on resolutions
presented report, which was adopted,
and among others included the follow.
ing:
Fledging unalterable opposition TO result
hitting To popular vote the prohibition clause
OF the state constitution. and standing for the
vigorous Enforcement OF the prohibitory law.
Any attempted violation or evasion OF the
prohibitory law by municipal authorities by
adopting q system of license or fines Is ron
trnry to good government and those who par
ticipate in 1t snonld be prosecuted.
Appealing to the next Legislature lor the en-
actment OF u law defining the ofense OF adult
cry and fornication and providing a penalty
therefor.
Declaring that the divorce law of the state
should be SO amended AS to require that no de,
gree of dlvort e can be granted IN cases which
personal service of process within the state has
not been made, unless the plaintiff has been an
actual resideLt of this state for one year next
preceding the commencement of tine action and
until a decree is granted: also providing for
all possible safeguards against obtaining de
crees of divorce IN cases where service OF pro
cess Is by publication, and no defense has been
i~aterposed. by false test rlony ether as to
residence of the plaintiff or the grounds for the
divorce.
A resolution ofrespect to the memory
Of the late w. G. Dickinson and Lewis
Bridgman was adopted by a rising
vote. The following pledge was signed
by a dozen or more resident pastors:
We. the undersigned resident pastors in the
Congregations work in South Dakota, in order
10 encourage our superintendent and board of
directors OF the South Dakosa Home Mission
airy Society, and to give to tbs work for the
next few years. which we regard as critical
years in determining the influence of Christ in
our state for time to come do hereby agree to
| remain In this state work for the next five
| years unless prevented flom so doing by some
thing We nay conscientiously give to our Lord
and Master as sufficient reason.
Rev. w. II. Thrall of Huron and Dr..
A. l.. Riggs of Santec We're chosen
delegates to the national council of
Congregational Churches at San Fran
cisco.
Yankton was chosen as the next
place of meeting: Rev. Lewis T.. Can
field was named to deliver the sermon
with L. G. Langdale as alternate:
In the evening u song service was cor.
Quoted by Rev. ID. X. Tomlin, followed
by the reading of a memorial address
by Rev. ID. X. Tomlin, prepared by
Rev. J. II. Dixon OF Chamberlain, on
the death of Rev. W. G. Dickinson.
This was followed with addresses by
Miss Henry. evangelist, and Mrs.
Caswell Of New York. Rev. B. II.
Burt as moderator gave a few parting
words to the association. to which
Ray 7. RevnOllS Of Radfield resnonl.