The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-12-02

| EleVenth and Twelfth Wdfuo NNiS "o- sociation held yesterday will be founl in another column.
 At the Grand Avenue Congregational church last evening the quartette rem dered the Thanksgiving cantata entit- led The Harvest is Ripe" It was well given and was listened to with [ attentive interest. At the morning service the pastor, Rev pr. Isaiah W. Sheath, preached an interesting ser [ mon on, Changes in Congregational ,, ism" He spoke in part as follows: Changes of vital import are taking 1 place to-day In all religious denomiin ations and ours is no exception. These changes are along the lines of theology poltty and constituency. The Congre- gationalists are not to-day the literal descendants of the Pilgrims; nor do they longer live only in New England. , Only one-fourth of Congregationalism Is ill the New England states. The two working principles of our denom- ination, independence and fellowship, can no longer be held to so strenuous ly. Cooperation is the moving spirit, and place must be made to a certain { extent for some outside control. There is church of another de- nomination in this city where frequent ly services are held with but one per- son in the audience. This may be lawful but 1t does not seem the wise way. A union of churches for worship and work is far better. The important changes in the denomina- ation being pressed to-day are church ecclesiastical society," uniformity in methods of polity throughout the whole country an official superintend- ency in each state; not with the abso- lute powers of a bishop, but with tact in inspiring, aiding and guiding weak CT churches; closed control of the mis- sionary and philanthropic work of the denomination; and positive, aggressive measures in the direction of church union with other denominations.
 Further there are specific move ments in new directions, as for exam pie, national committees on the labor movement; evangelism and lay broth erhoods
 Tn connection with the local church there may be mentioned two features. First @ limited membership, or mem bershlp conditioned on interest. This interest will manifest itself in church attendance and financtal support. Where they are not given, membership ceases, second limited ofice-holding, No individual shall hold the same of- fee longer than three. successive years. He shall not be eligible to re-electicnl until year shall have lapsed. All of these and other changes are looking in the direction of greater efficiency. Some of them are already in active operation in many churches. Others are yet to be tried The whole move nent is one of legitimate cooperation and wise cpntrol| l@H1
 Announcement was made yesterday In the local churches, of the union prayer meetings beginning this week which are to be heldin preparation for the mission that begins in this city January under the direction of Dr. Chapman the evangelist, These union meetings which begin at 73o P nj. are to be held as follows: Tuesday, Dec 3, at Pilgrim church; Tuesday, Deeem- Der 10, Grand Avenue Congregational church; Monday, December 2S, East Pearl Street M. F. church; Friday, De- cember 1S St. Andrews M. D. church. Following these meetings, the meetings In the Grand Avenue Congregational church in the mission series, begin January 5.
 The New Haven Baptist Ministers conference will be held in the Mcnto- wose church. this morning. It is ex- pected that about twenty-five of the clergy will attend, Rev. Robert Asn-' worth of Meriden, will read paper on The Atonement' Tie ladies of the church will serve luncheon at ?. m.
 There were two members added to the East Pearl Street N. F. church, at the communion service yesterday morning.
 Last evening at o'clock at the East Pearl Street M, E, church, Personal Evangelism, the supreme need of the church. was the subject of an address by the Rev Rennetts c. Miller. MT, Miller has had wide experience in per- sonal work. His address included number of stirring incidents from his own experience showing the simplicity, l Of sonal evangelism, Mir Miller sang Will there be any stars in my crown" and ct 7:3O he condueted an Evange is- tic service,
 Charles Darby of Ferry street, who went to Brooklyn to act as best man at the Barrington-Pett wedding, has returned home.
 Miss Nellie Nottingham of Blotchleg avenue, who went down to New Yoik to stop over Thanksgiving with friends has returned home
 Mrs, Abigail Jane Barnett, willow of George A. Denison died at her ho ne on Exchange street, Saturday, at h9 aeg of seventy years. Mrs. Leaiscn leaves two children George Denison and Mrs, Carrie Chlpman.
 A quartette from the East Pearl Street M. E. church will assist in the Methodist fair at Town hall, West Fla Haven Thursday evening and will rem der two selections.