The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-06
JUDGE BALDWIN DISCUSSES.
Article on Matters Before Congress at
 Worcester.

The following extracts are from an article by Judge Simeon E. Baldwin, recently printed in the Congregation alist, calling attention to certain mat ters and ideas which he wished to bring before the Congregational con- gress which was held at Worcester this week. Judge Simeon F, Baldwin ex- presses himself upon the two ques- tions. "Why do you value Congrega tionalism ?" How can it be made more efficient in New England?"
 1. Because it subjects the individual to no authority except the particular church to which he may belong, and that church to no authority except that which is divine, and as to this leaves it to be it's own interpreter.
 9 By taking on more warmth and color and by closer association between the different churches of its order, through a greater centralization of ad- visory right Gowns for the minister, responses in Scripture reading by the
 
 larly if vested, give warmth and color, Substituting local associations for councils. as recommended by the Na- tional Council gives more centraliza- ton Universal recognition that a weekly prayer meeting, while helpful to some, is uncongenial to others, and that each church member in this is his own judge of what best suits his character and temperament, would re- move a stumbling block in the way of many, and shut door which has talk en many into the Episcopal church who really prefer the Congregational order, with it's greater freedom of faith and simplicity of worship,
 Rev pr Isaiah w. Sheath, pastor of the Grand Avenue Congregational church gives an article upon the stat us and outlook of the denomination in New Haven He says:
 The elm trees are threatened with extinction in the City of Films, and the wiceacres are prophesying the disap- pearance of Congregationalism in short time. A pastor recently en- deavored to show mathematically that in twenty-five years the seventeen Congregational churches within our city limits will have passed out of ex- istence. With membership of seven thousand, which is two thousand more than twenty years ago; with a Sunday school roll of five thousand, which Is five hundred more than the number twenty years ago, the prophecy does not rest upon sure foundations.
 New Haven has seventeen churches of our order within the city bounda- ries. Of these, three hold services in foreign languages. Thirteen are entire- ly self-supporting, and under quick ened spiritual condition ought to live and do a great work for Christianity.
 Certain facts must, however, be clearly recognized There is a rapidly changing constituency with it's inevita- ble change of environment. The native New Englander is passing away, and his successor is of different type. The union of few churches may there fore become necessity But there are sufficient number of families of in- fluence, wealth and ability in the city, with no danger of exodus to the sub urbs; they are not only qualified to sustain our present status, but also to improve 1t vastly.
 The problem is no easy one. The na- tive sons of Connecticut are not SO re- sponsive to the church's call as grati- tude and personal welfare should prompt them to be The foreigner is coming among us in great numbers each year Further, the Presbyterian and English Lutheran denominations have come to take care of their off, spring from elsewhere. But with the consecration of the influence. wealth and ability of the present member | ship and a larger use of the Congre- | gational contingent in the University. i aggressive measures, wisely carried out. win unquestionably result in in- creasing and strengthening the ranks of our denomination The incorporated church, the free pew and the evening evangelistic service must form a part of the program. The foreigner has been largely reared on the spectacu- | lar, and We must in some measure sat- isfy the demand Dignifed methods of \ the more popular character must be substituted in place of the plain even l ing preaching service.
 i Of much greater importance. and with a larger assurance of permanent results. will be the work with the chill dren and growing youth. Definite and 1 thorough instruction should be given | in such an enthusiastic and consecrat- ed way as to reach every child in all l the parishes. The Christian life in all i of it's significance. the fundamental doctrines of our faith and the church | in its purpose and value should be thoroughly presented, covering three | or four years of the child's life. If should be as systematic, as complete, and leading up to as definite conclu- sions as that of the public school sys- tenn. And it would seem to be wisdom that the movement should be union. denominational movement of the city, with the superintendency. board of | control, free textbooks, rewards, grad uation and all other advantages of the public school system. under the direc- tion of the churches In this way a new generation cf young men and wo-
 men, with definite purpose and zeal will be secured, who will keep the Con-
 gresational standard at the front in
 the City of Films.
 It is . sound philosophy to meet changing conditions with change oi | methods