The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-05-31
AN INTERESTING SESSION..
Twenty-fourth Annual Convention of The
congregational Church.

Tive nt!- fourth -Annuat convention OF tHe
congregational Church.
The twenty-fourth annual convention
of the congregational Churches, held
at Redtield. was an Interesting one
throughout the three days session.
Most of the delegates returned to their
homes pleased with what had been ac-
cOmplisncd ana delighted with h en-
tertainment so generously provided
for them by the people OF ltedfield.
Altogether the meeting was one OF the
best IN the history of the association.
Prominent features of Thursday morn
ing's session were papers by Rev. l..
F.. Garfield on "Our farming popula-
tion and how to reach them with the
gospel by Rev. II. Z. Walton. on the
use of the stereOpticon in Christ's
work: by Kew. Philo Hitchcock. AS to
what extent is de~nOminational comfy
practical. All these papers were splr-
tied and were followed by discussion.
Reports from churches all oven the
field were given by delegates and pas
tors. ami indicated thai 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:
Received. That as many of our churches do
not have the services OF ordained ministers and
thus are often deprived of the ordinances OF
baptism ana the LOlds supper, or are put to
great trouble to secure them: therefore we
ueem it timely to make declaration that the
local church has IN ! authority over the sacra-
rpanfS ~ 7 hn1l 49, fAlIl It.rlnSt1Nf lnll p11fhny-
lty. and that editication II the only limitatlo..
or any arrangement that the church may see
lit 10 make for the admins t,ttion OF baptism
and the Lord supper by the hand OF any one
tit TO lea l acceptabiy IN worship.
In the afternoon a. Il. Free. presi-
dent of Iankton College, spoke in be-
halt of that institution: Mrs. X. b.
Hassell in behalf of Iankton College.
and Rev. G. l.. Garfield in behalf of
Ward academy. Six hundred dollars
We're pledged for the ladies' hall fund
of Redtield College, and 500 for Ward
Academy.
What Place Ought Our Western
Colleges to Occupy in Training for the
Go.peI Ministry, was the subject.
Rev. I. G. Langdale of Clark spoke
in behalf of foreign missions. and Rev.
Geo. w. Rexford of Plankinton dis
AusGNd az III ~ NIS NoISCllStl pas
torate. The committee on resolutions
presented a report, which was adopted.
and among others included the follow
ing:
Pledging unalterable opposition to resub-
uniting 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
prohihitory law by municipal authorities by
adopting a system of license or fines is con
trary to good government and those who par
ticipate i'll 1t should be prosecuted.
Appealing 10 the next Legislature ior the en-
actment OF IA law defining the oIfense of adult
cry and iornication 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 divorce can be granted N cases which
personal service OF process within the state has
not been made. unless the plaintiff has been an
actual resident OF this state for one year next
preceding the commencement oftne action ana
until !: decree is granted: also providing for
all possible safeguards against obtaining de
crees OF divorce III cases where service OF pro
cess Is by publication, ana no defense has been
latcrpoSed. by false testimony either as to
residence of the plaintiff or the grounds for the
divorce.
\. resolution of respect to the memory
of the late w. q. Dickinson and Lewis
Bridgman was adopted by Il 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 anu board of
directors of the South Dako.a Home Mission
AIRY Society. and to give to the WORK for the
next few years. which we regard as critical
years III determining the influence of Christ i'm
our state for time to come, do hereby agree Ia
remain in this state work for the NEXT i've
years unless prevented nom so doing by some.
thing We may conscientiously give to our Lord
and Master as sufficient reason.
Rev. w. H. Thrall of Huron and DR..
y. l.. Riggs of Santee were chosen
delegates to the national council of
Congregational Churches at San Fran
cisco.
IanktOn was chosen as the next
place of meeting: Rev. Lewis f. Can
field was named to deliver the sermon.
with /. u. Langdale as alternate:
In the evening service was con.
Quoted 10y Rev. b. r. Tomlin. followed
by the reading Of memorial address
by Rev. ID. K. 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.
burtt a. moderator gave a few parting
words 10 the association. 10 which
Key. l.. Reynolds of Redfield respond
co ana the association adjourned.
bad River Range Roundup.
The annua! roundup for The Pad