The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-04-18
Carbonda1e Department.

local organization. But this original system
was destroyed y the consolidated system which
government and other influences contributed to.
But there came a time when the church began
tn emerge from obscmiiy. lis hrth.tiuoc was
in the Reformation. Many ,u'orlncrs cndeav.
ored to secure return to primitive govcrnment,
but persecution attended their efforts. IN london.
England, in the year 1,o2 u church completely
and personally organized was established and
gave rise to many others.
The church in Srrouy, England gathered in
1906. The established form of worship by the
National church was insisted upon, which amount
ed to tyranny. II demanded dissenting Assem-.
bies TO give up their purpose. and without
consent Of the people it imposed ministers and
parishes upon congregations. Many prosecutions
were suffered, and to escape them and to wor'
ship God according to the dictates of their con
science in the FOLLOWING year they hcd to llol.
land.
In Lcyt,en they spent eleven years in love.
peace and holiness. rejoicing in their religious
liberty. In 1920 a portion ut that little church
community set sail for the Western continent,
landing at Plymouth. Mass, Dec. 2l, ana no.
tween 162s and loo more thln 20,0J portions
,migratcd from the British Isles, SO that thirty
Congregational churches were organized within
that period Now there are Congregational
churches in every state in the union.
factor in the growth and expansion OF this great
republic. Congregationalists have always believed
in education. They lave laboriousl, and with
large measure of ideiiiy held with parallel M
portanCc the education Of the people with their
spiritual etihcation and entire salvation. They
originated the common school system OF ol'r
country. also colleges like Harvard, Yale, Dart.
mouth. Williams. Bowdon. Middlobury, amherst
and scores of the smaller colleges OF the West
are her heritage.
And again, her missionary work stands proil'-
intntly before the world Her six societies have
made their mark in the cvangclzation ot the
world. \ very unique work. With such his
tory it demands our attention by transmitting
t, posterity all that belongs to it and all tFat
is claimed for It. 1t is important. then. to teach
the rising generation these facts 10y frequent
and various mcthcas.
Then. again, without any doubt hanging around
o,r minds by the many claims made from num-
berlcss quarters. proudly wave "'T ''an
ner above its policy government. 1t was the
church of the New Testament and the principles
OF government embodied in the Scripttlral teach
ings and in the practice ot the Apostolic times
are clear The visible church universal is COM
posed OF all those who publicly confess their
faith in Christ Us their Lord and Saviour.
All Christians being equally related TO the
Head OF the church are equal in all rights aud
another. Self government OF the local church and
fellowship of the churches at large NJ pope
or bishop. but simply plain men who are set
apart to the service pastor and teacher. This
is another important feature of why we should
teach Congrcgationalism in our Sunday schools.
lis history, work and unquen"ss of govern
ment call loudly Tor to irnpart il TO cur boys
and girls And we need 10 remind all persons
that the idea of Sclf.govcrnlncnt Of the church
has perlncatcd very thoroughly our people, and
this is readily seen when compare notes with
the great division of the great church. The
plpal division has 1l.'il churches, with s,5,N,
600 members; EpiscopaIs have 65,2f0 churches,
with 6JO0.OOU members; the Prcsbytcria.ls, 2i,sii
churches and 3,500,no0 members, and Congrcga-
tionasts q. ,6so churches and $500, 900 members.
We are told that the Congregational churches
of the United States have several times of late,
through their national councils. emphasized the
Importance of more systematic instruction "f
Youth in the doctrines and policy of the Binlr.
And row the question remains To be answered
by laying down some plan that would be feasible
and e'Tcctual, and do net know OF any plan
more profitable and practical than the little
wo,k of \. lIhstings Ross, called the "Chmcn
of Cod" and published by the Congregational
Sunday School and Publishing society.
When shall teach it? \ class could hc
fcrncd out ot the Sunday school scholars and
~
but rs possibly this would not be proper reply
to the n,ics; ion Implied in the subject, would
say that five minutes Of the time allotted Tor
the study OF the lesson, either each Sunday or
every other sunday. l'ur example, let the su
rc,ntendent ring the bell hNc or seven mnutrs
before the close OF the lesson This would be
understood ly each teacher to give a lesson
uu Cougrcgationalis'n Then ! would have a
portion OF the time on lew sunday sct apart
for the review ui the lessons on Con%rc@atipn
asm. lhis would awaken new interest in our
denomination and make them perceive that Con-
g"cgationalisIn is not only a name hut a factor
that stands tor power progress and influence.
This bright spirit is growing upace. II is in
other denominations being sown Churches w'Er
to select thcr own pastors. individuals express
themselves. Then let arise to the measure
oi opportunity and hope and nocculatc into tho
very fibre of tie youth the principles OF Com
Grcgationn'iSm and give what Cromwell gave
10 the world-nrcdom!
After this address, Mr.. Evans was
again called for To read his paper
but he was not present. \ call for i'm
promptu speeches on his subject, The
Place of Music, Vocal and Instrument
tai, in the Sunday school, was an
swcred by short addresses Rev. NJ G.
Elliott. of this city, said that this was
an age of music. He looked upon mu-
sic as congregations looked upon pub
lie speakers, that they must come up
to the standard, Music is u portion OF
worship. 1t had been his experience
To hear super!ntendents of Sunday
schools announce the same hymns
sunday after Sunday, until the pupils
got heartily tired Of them. Music has
its proper place in the Sunday schools
~ much as the teachers. Rev. H. j.
Morris, of Wil''es-B Barre: Rev. ID. H.
Devis, Of Mount Carmel. and others
spoke briefly on the subject.
The committee on resolutions pre-
sented hearty offering of thanks for
the hospitality, good will and kindness
shown By the people OF Carbondale
to the delegates, after which the sas-
sicn adjourned, The majority of the
delegates Went to their respective
homes atiHr this session.
Last evening the Rev. T.. q. Heal
of West Pittston, and the Rev. j. T.
Reese, of Scranton, delivered adj
dresses.