The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-24
NAMING The Officials
Will Have Charge of the Departments
Of Congregational Work.
MANY ABLE ADDRESSES HEARD
Greater Assistance Asked for the Aincri
can Board OF Missions-Re Reports of the
Condition of the Churches Paper
Read by Rev. David Jones.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

| association was brought to a close TINS
evening when the delegates We're unani-
| nous in their appreciation of the hos
| pitality received at West PittstOn,
| This morning the session of the
State Congregational association
was opened by devotional SER
vices conducted by Rev. +. Tilo Ev-
ans, of Lansford. after which Il bus-
ness session was held. when the COM
mittee on nominations submitted the
| following report, which was ratified:
American Board of Congregational For
| cign Missionary commissioner, Rev. Il. G.
| Edwards, ID. D., of Kingston.
Congregational Home Missionary soci-
ETY. commissioner, Rev. II. 5. Jones, of
| Ebensburg.
| CONGREGATIONAL Education society com
missioner. Rev. E. j. Morris, of Wilkes
Barre.
American Missionary association COM
missioner Rev. Il. a. Humphreys OF
| Johnstown.
Sunday School and Publishing society
| commissioner. Rev. ID. l.. Davies, Ed
| wardsdale.
| congregational Church Building society
| commissioner, Rev. David Jones, Scran-
ton.
Committee on Ministerial Relef-Rev
| William Smith, Nanticoke, chairman; W.
Il. Osterhout. Ridgeway: Rev Il. j. Nor
ris. Wilkes Barre; Thomas Addenbrook
Braddock; Daniel Howell Kane.
| Registrar-Mrs. c. w. Ward. Ridgeway.
| Committee on Narrative of State Re
| ligion-R. n. Harris. Coaldale; j. q.
| Evans: Nandling; Rev. d. NJ. George,
Pittston: Mrs. c. w. Ward, Ridgeway;
| Rev n. F.. Edwards, Kingston.
Committee on Finance-Rev. J. S. Up
| ! ,,,,n
Home Missionary '-Secutive Commit
tee-W. II. Osterhaut Ridgeway; Thomas
| Addenbrook. Braddock; Rev. r. S. Jones,
d. D., Scranton.
lookout Committec-Rev. II. NJ. Bow
| den. Braddock; Rev. y. II. Clatlin, Allie
gheny; Rev. Il. S. Newton, Plymouth;
Rev Thomas Bell, Scranton; Rev. T. r.
| Davies. Meadville.
| The spirit of Giving.
At 1915 o'clock Rev. T. a. Humphrey,
of Johnstown, delivered a powerful ad-
dress on the Spirit of Giving" which
contained many practical thoughts on
the subject. Rev A. Fl. Clafiin, of
| Allegheny, delivered an address full of
interest to church workers. and among
other features which he discussed the
reverend gentleman deprecated the un-
| seemly sectarian strife which exists
| in church life. He condemned the
| workers puffed up with pride at the
| work accomplished, when, probably,
that work had prevented the develop
ment Of other churches. This unseemy
competition was not for the conversion
of souls, but the extension of church
work, and he was confident that it was
a more powerful factor for evil, than
| 4
| portion of his address he dwelt on the
| certainty of the inspiration of the Bible.
| Rev Z. J. Morris, of Wilkes-Barre,
presented the report of the American
| board of missions, which he said was in
| a special emergency owing to the great
| extent Of it's work, and the consequent
| expense entailed.' None of the churches
had done their share IN supporting the
| board, which made a special request
| that every Congregational church, and
every member, should assist them in
their present difficulties. Large
churches, well known in the district
had not contributed a single penny to
the funds of the board for some years.
Reports on Churches.
Rev. r. s. Jones, d. D., of Providence,
presented the report of the committee
on the state Of religion. The following
reports were made as to the local
churches:
Hyde Park First church, Rev. d.
Jones, pastor-No improvements, nor
debts. The church in all its branches
is fourishing and in a good condition,
doing it's work faithfully to the Master.
Providence Welsh Congregational
church-No special Improvements of
late, nor debts. The church in all it's
business is doing well. Quite a number
of persons have been added since the
commencement of the year:
First Congregational church, Pittston
Our house Of worship has been reno
waited outside since the last association
meeting. 1t was papered painted,
vanished and the electric light intro
duced. All the old debt was paid be-
fore We began improvements, and we
expect to pay the present debt in the
near future. The church received a
blessing from Evangelist Schiyerea's
visit to our city. The church has been
revived and twenty-slx converted, and
the influence of that awaking is con-
tinuing, the fire then kindled is still
burning, and our hope and prayer is
that his visit this summer will be fol-
lowed with similar results. The Sum
day school has increased in number. in
terest and efficiency. The Christian
Endeavor is progressing very favor
ably. The members felt an interest in
the work, and therefore they must pros
per. A new church was organized at
Duryea, Jan. 10, 1895. by members that
were dismissed from this church for
that purpose.
After the devotional services at the
afternoon session, the meeting consd-
cred the place of next years meeting.
and 1t was decided that Ridgeway be
selected.
Rev. David Jones' Paper.
In reading his paper on "The Dacon-
ate,' Rev David Jones, of Lincoln ave-
nue., said: II was taught when q child
to honor the brethren that fill this i'm
portant office, and / have not changed
my views to the present. 1t seems to
me, however, that those worthy people
are not receiving their dues in our
churches in the present day. They are
among the best people of the churches.
yet as officers they are almost totally
ignored, and am here to speak a word
In their behalf. My first proposition
Is that this office is not what it used to
be, in power. efficiency or respect 1t
is not on the same plane as 1t was
originally placed. nor does 1t enjoy the
reputation of years gone by. In order
to verify this statement we must hur-
riedly see what the position of the Of
flee was in the apostolic church, and
compare with it the power, authority
and eminence we give the diaconate In
our day.
1T is the boast of every true Congre-