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THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION

OF THE

Congregational Churches of Massachusetts.

1891.

IMIIlSrXJTES

EIGHTY-NINTH ANNUAL MEETING,

MARLBOEO, MAY 19-21,

■Vv^XI'IX l-XZE! ST'.A.I'ISI'ICS.

BOSTON: CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHING SOCIETY,

Congregational House. 1891.

THE BOARD OP^ MINISTERIAL AID.

This Board had its origin in action takeu by the G-eneral Associa- tion of the Congregational churches of Massachusetts in 1868, and was incorporated by an act of the Legislature in 1869.

The Hon. Charles T. Russell is now its president ; Arthur Gr. Stan- wood, Esq., 701 Sears Building, Boston, is treasurer, to whom all contributions should be sent.

Rev. J. W. Wellman, D. D., Rev. A. H. Quint, d.d., and Rev. Morton Dexter are the executive committee.

Applications for aid should be sent to Rev. J. "W. Wellman, 117 Summer Street, Maiden, Mass. A small contribution is greatly needed annually from each church. Donations are also solicited from individuals. Should any one desire to leave a legacy in afd of the benevolent work of this Board, the following form of bequest will be sufficient : —

I give and devise to the Board of Ministerial Aid, incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts, for the charitable uses and purposes of said Corpora- tion,

No officer of this Board receives any compensation for his services. No other board, society, or organization in this Commonwealth con- tributes anything for the support of needy Congregational ministers. Our country gives large pensions to her needy soldiers. Why should not our churches give something for "the aid, support, and comfort of their aged, disabled, superannuated, or needy ministers," and of "■ the widows and children of such ministers"?

THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION

OF THE

Congregational Churches of Massachusetts.

1891.

ZMmsriJTES

EIGHTY-NINTH ANNUAL MEETING,

MARLBORO, MAY 19-21,

"VTXTTZ "X-ITE! SI'.A.ariSTICS.

BOSTON : CONGREGATIONAL PUBLISHING SOCIETY,

CONQBEGATIONAL HOUSB.

1891.

. COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION, 1891-92.

Committee on Constitution (continued). — Revs. Ezra H. Byington, Boston; Oliver S. Dean, Holbrook; George E. Fisher, No. Amherst ; Deacons James Trefron, Lynn ; Benjamin Dewing, Boston.

Committee on Incorporation of Churches {continued). — Rev. Edwin H. Byington, William T. Forbes, Rev. Alonzo H. Quint.

Committee on Systematic Benevolence {continued). — Rev. Michael Burnham, Rev. Eldridge Mix, Samuel B. Capen, Rev. Elijah Horr, Hon. J. M. W. Hall.

Committee on Intemperance. — Revs. John D. Kingsbury, and Parris T. Far well, Hons. Geo. P. Ladd, Frederick Fosdick, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, Dr. John Blackmer.

Committee on Sunday-School Work. — Rev. Frank E. Clark, Charles F. Wyman, Rev. Albert W. Moore, Edward H. Baker, Rev. Rufus»B. Tobey, Henry M. Moore.

Publishing Committee. — Revs. Henry A. Hazen, Albert G. Bale, Alonzo H. Quint, Lucius R. Eastman, Jr., Bro. Wm. A. Paine.

Auditing Committee. — Thomas Chamberlain, George P. Smith, Frank Foxcroft.

Members of the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society. — Rev. DeWitt S. Clark, Dea. Gilbert E. Hood,

COMMITTEE ON THE WORK OF THE OHUKCHES.

Chairmen of 'Committees of Local Conferences. — Andover, Thomas A. McMaster ; Barnstable, Rev. John W. Dodge ; Berkshire North, Rev. George W. Andrews ; Berkshire South, Rev. Walter W. Curtis ; Brookfield, Rev. Joseph F. Gaylord ; Essex North, Rev. M. Perry Sargent ; Essex South, Rev. T. Frank Waters ; Franklin, Rev. Edward P. Butler; Hampden, Rev. Edwin H. Byington; Hampshire, Rev. Elisha S. Cobb; Hampshire East, Rev. George E. Fisher; Mendon, Rev. Rufus K. Harlow ; Middlesex South, Rev. Edward L. Chute ; Middlesex Union, Rev. Charles H. Rowley ; Norfolk, Rev. Edward Norton ; Old Colony, Rev. William W. Wood ; Pilgrim, Rev. Ebenezer Alden; Suffolk North, Rev. James H. Ross; Suffolk South, Rev. William H. Campbell ; Suffolk West, S. Brainard Pratt ; Taunton, Rev. George H. Reed ; Woburn, Rev. John G. Taylor ; Worcester Central, Rev. Ariel E. P. Perkins; Worcester North, Rev. Davis Foster; Worcester South, Rev John R. Thurston.

Members at large until 1892. — Revs. Samuel W. Dike, Walter Barton, Horace H. Leavitt, Payson W. Lyman, Lawrence Phelps, Dea. Henry M. Moore, Dea. W. B. Draper.

Until 1893. — Revs. Frank E. Clark, John P. Coyle, Walcott Fay, John D. Kingsbury, Frank A, Warfield, Augustus H. Fuller, and Bro. E. L. Pease.

f/n/!'/ 1894. — Revs. Joshua Coit, Frederick E. Sturgis, F. Barrows Makepeace, William E. Strong, George E. Lovejoy, Bro. Frank P. Shumway, Jr., and Dea. John E. Curtis.

Members ex officio. — Revs. Albert G. Bale and Henry A. Hazeu, and the members of the Sunday-School Committee.

TABLE OF CONTEXTS.

PAGE.

T. List of Committees of 1891-92 2

II. Notices for the Session of 1892 4

III. Minutes of the Session of 1891 5

IV. Report of the Committee on Intemperance .... 23 V. Report of the Committee on Systematic Benevolence . . 25

VI. Report of the Committee on Church Incorporation . . 33

VII. Paper on Infant Baptism 35

VIII. Report on Sunday Schools 44

IX. Paper on How may the Church reach the Men ... 49

X. Report of the Treasurer 57

XI. Rules of the General Association 59

XII. The Annual Statistics : —

1. The Associatious of Ministers . 63

2. The Conferences of Churches 86

3. The Statistics of the Churches, Sunday Schools, and Benevo-

lence, arranged alphabetically 92

4. Tables of Summaries: —

1. Church Statistics 122

2. Benevolence 123

3. Sunday Schools 124

4. Table of Annual Changes . . . ■ . . . . 125

5. Continued Table of Summaries 126

5. Ministerial Record: —

1. Pastors Ordained 127

2. Persons Ordained without Installation .... 127

3. Pastors Installed 127

4. Pastors Dismissed 128

5. Ministers Deceased 128

6. Alphabetical Index of Ministers, with post-office addresses . 129

7. Alphabetical Index of Licentiates 137

8. Alphabetical Index of Ministers of other Denominations sup-

plying Congregational Churches 137

XIII. General Index 138

NOTICES FOR 1892.

Meeting of 1892. — At North Congregational Church, Springfield, the third Tuesday of May.

Provisional Committee. — Rev. F. Barrows Makepeace, Springfield ; Prof. G. Stockton Burroughs, Amherst; Rev. Edward Gr. Selden, Springfield ; Rev. Albert G. Bale, Melrose ; Mr. Harlan P. Stone, Springfield.

Associational Preacher for 1892. — To be selected by the Provi- sional Committee.

Expenses. — The Treasurers of the Conferences are requested to ask the churches to contribute a sum equivalent to three cents for each member, at the autumnal meetings, based upon the total mem- bership of Jan. 1, 1891, and to forward the amount to William A. Paine, 52 Devonshire Street, Boston, Mass., to meet the annual expenses now incurred. These amounts are needed at once. The number of members in each church will be found in the statistics of the churches in this pamphlet.

OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION.

(Elected for Three Years Each.)

Rev. Henry A. Hazen, Auburndale, Secretary.

From 1888. Re-elected 1891.

Rev. Albert G. Bale, Melrose, Registrar.

From 1881. Re-elected 1891.

William A. Paine, Boston, Ti-easiirer.

Chosen ISei.

Alpbed Mudge & Son, Printers, Boston.

MINUTES.

The General Association of the Congregational Churches OF Massachusetts met for its eighty-ninth annual session with the Union Congregational Church, Marlboro, Tuesday, May 19, 1891.

Organization. — At 2 p. m. the Association was called to order and welcomed by Rev. A. F. Newton, pastor of the Union Church.

A brief devotional service was held, after which, a quorum being present, Dea. Gilbert E. Hood, of Lawrence, was elected moderator, and Rev. Francis J. Marsh, of Walpole, assistant registrar.

Committees. — The following committees were appointed : —

On Credentials. — Rev. Ezra H. Byington, Rev. Bernard Cop- ping, M. Perry Sargent.

On Nominations. — Rev. Wm. E. Merriman, Rev. Charles B. Rice, Rev. N. D. Herrick, Dea. G. S. Newhall, Dea. Benjamin F. Dewing.

ROLL OF THE ASSOCIATION.

Association Delegates : —

Andover, — Rev. Frederick W. Greene, Andover; Rev. Chas. H. 011- phant, Methueu; Rev. J. J. Blair, Andover.

Barnstable, — - Berkshire North,— Rev. J. V. Coyle, North Adams; Rev. T. C. Luce, Richmond; Rev. C. S. Sargent, Adams.

Berkshire South, — Rev. W. W. Curtis, West Stockbrldge.

Brookfield, — Rev. A. T. Perry, Hartford, Conn. ; Rev. M. L. Richardson, Brimfleld; Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, Spencer.

Cape Cod, — Rev. Wm. H. Woodwell, Sandwich; Rev. Daniel W. Clark, Wellfleet.

Essex North, — B,ev. Geo. H. Scott, Ipswich; Rev. John N. Lowell, Haverhill ; Rev. Bernard Copping, Groveland.

Ussex South and Salem, — Rev. Chas. B. Rice, Danvers; Rev. E. C. Ewlng, Danvers ; Rev. Edward G. Smith, Saugus.

Franklin, — Bev. H. C. Adams, Turner's Falls; Rev. Henry Hyde, Greenfield ; Rev. John tJowan, South Deerfield.

6 Minutes. [1891.

Hampden East, — Eev. B. W. Lockhart, Chicopee; Rev. H. M. Burr, Springfield; Rev. R. W. Brokaw, Springfield; Rev. E. H. Byington, Springfield.

Hampden West, — Rev. Geo. R. Hewitt, West Springfield; Rev. Henry J. Stone, "West Granville.

Hampshire, — Rev. Henry S. Snyder, Williamsburg.

Hampshire East, — Rev. Wm. D. Herrick, Amherst; Rev. John S. Bayne, Hadley ; Rev. E. P. Blodgett, Greenwich ; Rev. Geo. E. Fisher, North Amherst.

Mendon, — Rev. E. 0. Jameson, Millis; Rev. Edson J. Moore, Norfolk; Eev. Webster Woodbury, Milford; Rev. Francis J. Marsh, Walpole.

Middlesex South, — Rev. Edmund Dowse, Sherboru; Rev. Henry J. Richardson, Lincoln; Rev. J. F. Norton, Natick.

Middlesex Union, — Rev. F. P. Wood, Acton; Rev. B. H. Weston, Dunstable.

Norfolk, — Rev. Oliver S. Dean, Holbrook; Rev. E. S. Porter, Bridge- water.

Old Colony, — Rev. R. P. Gardner, Marion.

Plymouth, — Rev. Cyrus D. Harp, Duxbury ; Rev. Zenas Crowell, King- ston; Rev. John L. Sewall, Allston; Rev. Francis Moon, Manomet.

Suffolk North, — Rev. Wm. E. Merriman, Boston; Rev. L. S. Parker, Cambridge ; Rev. I. W . Sneath, Cambridgeport.

Suffolk South, —

Suffolk West, — Rev. Douglas C. Birnie, Allston; Rev. E. H. Byington, Boston; Rev. S. W. Dike, Auburndale; Rev. Geo. P. Gilman, Waverly.

Taunton, — Rev. J. W.Kingsbury, Middleboro ; Rev. P. W. Lyman, Fall River.

Wuhurn, — Rev. W. J. Batt, Concord; Rev. Frank S. Adams, Reading; Rev. R. B. Howard, Arlington; Rev. H. W. Stebbins, West Medford.

Worcester Central, — Rev. A. E. P. Perkins, Worcester; Rev. W. T. Sleeper, Worcester; Rev. C. M. Southgate, Worcester.

Worcester North, — Rev. Chas. Cutler, Hubbardston ; Rev. J. W. Hiid, Baldwinville ; Rev. M. H. Hitchcock, Worcester.

Worcester South, — Rev. Henry A.. Blake, Webster; Rev. Geo. A. Putnam, Millbury; Rev. B. A. Robie, Grafton.

Conference Delegates : —

Andover, — Dea. Gilbert E. Hood, Lawrence; Dea. S. G. Sargent, Methuen ; Dea. E. Francis Holt, Andover.

Barnstable, — Dea. Jonathan Higgins, Orleans.

Berkshire, —

Berkshire North, — Austin Stowell, Peru ; Franklin Carter, Williams- town.

Berkshire South, — Dea. N. B. Turner, Barrington.

Brookfield, —

Essex North, — M. Perry Sargent, Merrimac; Dea. Joseph Wheel- wright, Byfleld.

1 89 1.] Minutes. 7

Essex South and Salem, — Guilford S. Newhall, Lynn ; James Trefren, Lynn ; Dea. Joseph P. Lovering, Hamilton.

FranMin, — Dea. Richard Clapp, Montague ; Gustavus Hoyt, Shelburne Falls; Wm. Hillman, East Chai'lemont.

jHampde?!,— Ethan Brooks, West Springfield.

Hampshire, —

Hampshire East, — Dea. Stanley A. Phillips, Amherst.

Mendon, — Dea. Geo. W. Bacon, Franklin ; Dea. Sumner Robbins, "West Medway; Rev. E. S. Tingley, Milford; Dea. William Daniels, Millis.

Middlesex South, — B. T. Thompson, South Framingham ; Chas. Morse, HoUiston; Dea. Geo. Bigelow, Framingham ; Dea. Edwin Perry, Ashland; Dea. F. M. Harrington, Northboro.

Middlesex Union, — H. C. Rolfe, Concord.

Norfolk, — Dea. C. D. Brlgham, Brockton; Dea. W. D. Jackson^ Bridgewater.

Old Colony, — Geo. P. Morse, West Wareham.

Pilgrim, —

Suffolk North, — Dea. Peter Gray, West Somerville ; Dea. Edwin Mills,. Arlington; Dea. E. B. Hooper, Revere.

Suffolk South, —

Suffolk West, — Wm. O. Knapp, Newton Centre; Dea. Benjamin F, Dewing, Boston; E. M. Whittlesey, West Newton; E. E. Stiles, Newton- ville; Chas. E. Eddy, Newton.

Taunton, — John A. Williams, East Taunton; E. E. Richardson, Taun. ton.

Wohurn, — H. G. Tomlinson, Linden; Dea. J. W. White, Wakefield.

Worcester Central, — Dea. Lyman Walker, Boylston Centre ; Dea. Lewis E. Colton, Worcester.

Worcester North, —

Worcester South, —

Delegates from Massachusetts Home Missionary Society : —

Rev. DeWitt S. Clark, Salem; Rev. Joshua Colt, Winchester.

Members ex officio : —

Rev. Albert G. Bale, Eegistrar. Rev. Henry A. Hazen, Secretary. Chas. E. Eddy, Treasurer. Rev. A. F. Newton, Pastor of Church.

Repoets of Committees : —

The Committee oq Temperance, through its chairman, Rev. J. D. Kingsbuiy, of Bradford, presented a report with the following resolutions : —

I. That it is recommended to every church to hold temperance meet- inss, in which shall be reported the progress in the work, new methods and obstacles, and in which plans shall be laid for efficient action to re- deem men from ttie evil of drink.

8 Minutes. [1891.

II. That we rejoice in the educational work in the schools and the home and the church, the " Loyal Legion " and " Bands of Hope," and call on the churches to enlarge this work, and save the children and youth from all danger of falling.

III. That every minister of God be ui'ged to preach on this subject, and set before his people the duty, as from God, to use all efforts, and, at any cost, to rescue the drunkard, and destroy the drink traffic forever.

This committee also recommended that the Plan of Temperance Federation, suggested by the Massachusetts Total Abstinence So- ciety, be considered by a special committee, and reported upon.

Voted, That each of the reports of committees of the afternoon be re- ferred to a special committee of three, who shall consider and report thereon Wednesday morning.

Voted, That the committee on the first report be also instructed to bring in a resolution in the form of a petition to the United States Con- gress to confirm the act of the Brussels Convention.

Rev. Eldridge Mix, of Wellesley, then presented the report of the Committee on " Systematic Benevolence," with the following recommendations : —

I. That a determined effort be made by our churches during the year to raise, for the seven societies of our denomination, the sum of $800,000, to be distributed proportionally among them.

II. That we urge upon the churches the adoption of the pledge and envelope system of weekly offerings for this purpose.

III. That we earnestly request the Conferences to appoint standing committees to co-operate with your standing committee in securing the adoption of some one of the plans for systematic giving suggested in this report, and in awakening the enthusiasm of the churches within their bounds on this subject.

IV. That tnis body instructs and authorizes its standing committee to publish at its expense whatever printed matter may be needful in endeavoring to effect this object, and also to arrange for the holding of meetings for conference on this subject, as they may deem advisable, their necessary travelling expenses to be paid out of its treasury.

This report was supplemented by remarks by Rev. Elijah Horr, of East Boston, and Rev. John L. Sewall, of Allston. The following committees were then chosen : —

On Arrangements. — Rev. A. F. Newton, Marlboro ; Rev. O. S. Dean, Holbrook; Dea. B. T. Thompson, South Framingham.

On Temperance. — Rev. A. E. P. Perkins, Worcester; Dea. Samuel G. Sargent, Methuen ; Rev. M. L. Richardson, Brimfield.

On Benevolence.— B.ev. Clarence S. Sargent, Adams; Rev. L. S. Par- ker, North Cambridge ; Dea. Richard Clapp, Montague.

iSgi.] Minutes. 9

The Committee on ConstltutioQ presented its report through the chairman, Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, of Spencer. It was

Voted, That the Special Committee to whom this report is referred shall consist of five members.

Rev. Edwin H. Byington, of Springfield, presented the report of the Committee on Incorporation, with the following resolu- tions : —

I. That in connection with the church statistics which are published with the Minutes of the General Association shall be printed each year a list of the churches incorporated under the statute of 1887, and another of those incorporated under other statutes.

II. That the General Association urge each Conference and Associa- tion within the State to take, at an early date, church incorporation as a topic for discussion.

The Association voted to adopt these resolutions. It was also

Voted, That the following persons present be invited to sit g-s hono- rary members of the Association: Rev. Elijah Horr, East Boston ; Rev. John H. Lockwood, Westfleld : Rev. F. B. Makepeace, Spri.Qgfleld ; Rev. I. C. White, Scotland; Rev. Daniel E. Adams, Soufoborn; Rev. John Colby, So. Natick.

Voted, That the programme, as printed and distributed, be adopted as the order of service for the sessions of the Association.

Rev. E. G. Selden, of Springfield, addressed the Association upon " Sunday Traffic," and was followed by Rev. John H. Lock- wood, of Westfield, who presented from the Hampshire County Conference the following resolutions : —

Besolved, That, in the interests of the public and of the laboring men connected with our railroads, it is the duty of Christian men and of Christian churches, and of Christian bodies generally, to exert their influ- ence to the utmost to secure to such employees the rights and advan- tages of a holy rest day. In appointing a representative to bring this matter before the Massachusetts General Association at the next meeting, this Conference puts on record its earnest desire for such modification of Sunday traffic as may be secured by patient and reasonable efforts in the direction of a better recognition of the day on the part of all railroad corporations in our State.

Voted, To refer this resolution to a Special Committee.

Dea. Gilbert E. Hood, of Lawrence, presented a resolution from the Andover Conference, respecting the opening of the Columbian Exposition on the Sabbath.

10 Minutes. [1891.

Voted, Thai a committee be appointed to prepare a recommendation from tliis body that the Columbian Exposition be not opened on the Sabbath.

The Committee of Arrangements reported the programme for the evening service, and the Association took a recess until 7.30 p. M.

Evening Session.

At the hour appointed the Association reassembled. Tlie fol- lowing were chosen a Committee on the Constitution : Rev. Ezra H. Byington, Boston; Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, Spencer; Rev. George E. Fisher, North Amherst ; Dea. James Trefren, Ljmn ; Dea. Benjamin F. Dewing, Boston.

It was

Voted, That the report of the special committee on the Constitution be presented early on Wednesday morning.

Devotional services were conducted by Rev. Walcott Fay, of Westboro, and Rev. Henrj' A. Blake, of Webster.

The offering for the Board of Ministerial Aid was made, and a sermon wa,s preached by Rev. Edward G. Selden, of Springfield, from the text, Mark x. 45, after which the sacrament of the Loi'd's Supper was observed. Rev. Edward C. Ewing, of Danvers, and Rev. F. B. Makepeace, of Springfield, officiating.

After the benediction the Association adjourned, to meet at 8.30 o'clock Wednesday morning.

WEDNESDAY MORNING.

The Association met at 8.30 o'clock. Prayer was offered by Rev. Edward M. Williams, of Minnesota. The Minutes of Tues- day were read and approved. The Committee on Credentials reported the list of delegates present.

The Association

Voted, That the rules of the Association be so amended that all Con- gregational ministers of the State, who are present at the annual meeting of the Association, shall be honorary members of the body.

The following were appointed a Committee on the Observance of the Sabbath: Rev. F. S. Hatch, Monson ; Rev. J. H. Lockwood, Westfield; E. P. Dyer, Springfield.

iSqi-] Mimites. ii

Owing to the inability of Dea. B. T. Thompson to serve on the Committee of Arrangements, Dea. George W. Bigelow, of Fram- ingham, was substituted on that committee.

Voted, That the roll of the Association be called on Thurscla}'^ morning.

The Committee on the Constitution presented a majority report through its chairman, Rev. Ezra H. Byington, of Boston, with the following recommendations : —

I. That the second of the proposed amendments, as follows, be adopted :

"Each district Association may appoint, each year, one delegate for every ten members, the delegate to serve two years, and one such dele- gate for a major portion of ten members; and each district Conference of churches may appoint, each year, one delegate for every one thousand members connected with the churches of the Conference, the delegate to serve two years, and one such delegate for a major portion of one thousand members ; provided, that each association and each Conference shall be entitled to at least one delegate."

II. That Art. XII., Sect. 1, Parenthesis 3, of the Rules of the Associa- tion, be amended by omitting the words "to prepare the business of the session."

III. That Art XII., Sect. 2, Parenthesis 1, be amended by adding at the end these words : " The topics selected shall be, for the most part, such as relate most closely to the current religious life of the churches and to the various branches of their practical work."

A minority report was also presented, by Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, of Spencer, signed by two of the committee, recommending that the first of the proposed amendments be adopted, and that Art. V. of the Rules of the Association be amended as follows : omitting the paragraph beginning with '' Each district Association of minis- ters " and ending with " each to serve two years," and inserting in place thereof the following: " Each Congregational church in this State may appoint one delegate to this Association each year, but no person shall be delegate fi*om the same church for more than two years in succession." It was then

Voted, That in the discussion of the question each speaker shall be limited to three minutes.

Following the discussion, a motion to adopt the minority report was lost. It was then

Voted, That the question be laid over until the business hour of the afternoon session.

12 Minutes. [1891.

A devotional service, led by Rev. John P. Coyle, of North Adams, followed.

The Association then

Voted, That the afternoon session open at 1.15 o'clock, and that the question of the amendment to the Constitution be the first order of the session.

Owing to the necessary absence of Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, of the Committee on the Constitution, Rev. O. S. Dean, of Holbrook, was substituted. It was

Voted, That the Association be called together at the close of the Annual Meeting of the Home Missionary Society.

The report of the Committee on the Work of the Churches was given by Rev. Edwin H. Byington, of Springfield, with the follow- ing resolutions : —

Besolmd, I. — That the Association urge upon all churches a monthly missionary meeting for the diffusion of missionary information, the arousing of enthusiasm, and the offering of prayer; and that all our churches send a contribution to each of our benevolent societies, whether the amount be large or small.

Besolved, II. — That this Association views with pleasure the growth of the free-pew system, and trusts that it will be adopted as far as possible.

Resolved, III. — That this Association views with alarm the decadence of family religion ; that it calls upon the churches, pastors, and members alike, to consider this growing evil, and to take all possible steps to secure the erection of family altars, in impressing upon parents their duty, and in so training young Christians that, when they form homes of their own, religion shall have a prominent place and control the family life.

Besolved, IV. — That a committee of three be appointed to secure addi- tional information on the subject, both as to the needs and the remedies, to be presented at the next Association, and to agitate the subject during the year in every possible way.

These resolutions were adopted.

An address upon "Infant Baptism" was given by Rev. D. N. Beach, of Cambridge, after which the topic was discussed.

The Committee on Nominations presented the following as members of the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society: Rev. DeWitt S. Clark, of Salem, and Dea. Gilbert E. Hood, of Lawrence ; and they were elected.

Rev. Charles B. Rice, of Danvers, Rev. Ralph W. Brokaw, of Springfield, Dea. Sumner Robbins, of West Medway, were also

1 891.] Minutes. 13

elected as a committee to present a resolution upon the " Opening of the Columbian World's Fair on the Sabbath."

At this point the Association took a recess, to meet at 1.15 p. m.

Afternoon Session.

The Association reassembled at 1.15 o'clock. After singing, the question of the "Amendment to the Constitution" was taken up, and it was

Voted, That the subject of amending the Rules of the Association be referred back to the Committee, with instructions to report a form of amendment in the line of the proposals of the church in Andover and of the Franklin and Woburn Conferences ; this form to lie over under the Rules, and be duly referred by this Committee to the Associations and Conferences.

Rev. O. S. Dean, of Holbrook, submitted the following resolu- tion, to be considered at the next annual meeting of the Associa- tion : —

Besolved, That the Constitution be amended by omitting from Article V. the words beginning "Each district Association of ministers " and ending " each to serve two years," and inserting in place thereof the fol- lowing words: "Each evangelical Congregational churcB in this State may appoint one delegate to this Association each year, provided that, on the first year after this plan is adopted, each odd-numbered church, in the order in which the churches stand in the Minutes for the preceding year, shall be entitled to send its pastor, and each even-numbered church a lay- delegate ; and that no person shall be sent as delegate from the same church for more than two years in succession ; and that each Conference and Association in the State be entitled to send one delegate each year, who shall be eligible to re-election."

The Committee appointed on the Report of the Committee on Temperance recommended the adoption of the resolutions of that Committee, and also the following : —

The General Association of the Congregational churches of Massachu- setts, at their annual meeting in Marlboro :

Besolved, That we respectfully but earnestly petition the Senate of the United States to ratify the Brussels Convention, which, in addition to other matters, provides for the exclusion of ardent spirits and fire-arms from portions of the continent of Africa, thus relieving the United States from the odium and the guilt of being the only Christian nation which holds aloof from this great movement in behalf of suffering humanity.

14 Minutes. [1891.

This Committee also, while in sympathy with the main object of the Plan of Temperance Federation presented to them, do not feel ready to recommend any action in regard to it.

The report was adopted, with its recommendations.

At two o'clock the Association took a recess until the close of the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society.

At four o'clock the Association was called to order by the mod- erator, and, after singing, the Committee to whom was referred the paper on "Systematic Benevolence" reported through its chair- man, Rev. Clarence S. Sargent, of Adams, recommending the adoption of the resolutions presented in the paper, with the addi- tion of two members to the Committee, such members to be Rev. Elijah Horr, of East Boston, and Hon. James M. W. Hall, of Cambridge.

The report of the Committee was accepted, and the recommenda- tions adopted.

At fi\e o'clock the Association took a recess until 7.30 p. m.

Evening ' Session.

At 7.30 o'clock the Association reassembled. Devotional ser- vices were conducted by Rev. George H. Scott, of Ipswich, and Rev. Henry S. Snyder, of Williamsburg.

Rev. V. N. Yergin, of Fargo, No. Dak., addressed the Asso- ciation in behalf of the needs of the Congregational church of that place.

The general topic of the evening, "The Future of New Eng- land," was opened with an address by Rev. T. G. A. Cote, of Lowell, on "The French Evangelistic Work in Massachusetts."

Rev. Clarence S. Sargent, of Adams, followed with an address on " The Ministry of Our Small Churches."

The last theme of the evening, "Dangers and Remedies," was presented by Rev. Charles B. Rice, of Danvers.

After announcements b,y the Committee of Arrangements, prayer was offered by Rev. DeWitt S. Clark, of Salem, and the Associa- tion adjourned, to meet at 9.15 o'clock Thursday morning.

1 89 1.] Minutes. 15

THURSDAY MORNING.

The Association reassembled at 9.15 o'clock. After singing, the Minutes of Wednesday were read and approved. The roll was called.

The following resolution was presented by Rev. Henry A. Hazen, of Auburndale, and adopted by the Association: —

Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father to call to himself Dea. Edward I. Thomas, of Brookline, who for years has served this Associa- tion faithfully and- admirably as treasurer,

Besolved, That we hereby record our grateful sense of the value of these services, and of the modesty, worth, and high Christian character of our brother. He was a man who brought a large heart and patient earnestness to whatever work he undertook for the Master. He was a pillar in the church of his love, and wise and successful in Sunday- school labors. In distant Alaska his death is mourned by the ludian tribe for whom he toiled so zealously, and from the dark Italian quarter of Boston came a company of the most sincere mourners at his funeral. This Association has lost in him an officer who has served us well for the Master's sake, and we pray that his mantle of faithful consecration may rest upon us.

Mr. Charles E. Eddy, of Newton, presented the treasurer's re- port, and it was

Voted, That the report be accepted.

The following resolution, presented by the auditors, was also adopted : —

Besolved, That, in order to meet the expenses of the Association and the contributions to the jSTational Council, the undersigned auditors of your body recommend that the amount of the assessment upon the churches for the year ensuing be the same as last year, viz. : three cents per mem- ber, based upon the total membership of each chiu'ch, Jan. 1, 1891.

The Committee on the Constitution presented the following resolution : —

Besolved, That the following proposed amendment to the Rules be sent to the several Conferences and Associations, in accordance with Ai"t. XVII., Sect. 2, of the Rules.

AMENDMENT.

In place of Art. V. of the Rules substitute the following : —

1. Each district Conference of churches consenting to the principles above stated may appoint annually one delegate, who shall be a layman,

1 6 Minutes. [1891.

and serve two years, for every 1,000 members connected vpiththe churches of the Conference, and one such delegate for a major portion of 1,000 members ; and also one delegate, vrho shall be a Congregational minister residing within the bounds of the Conference, and who shall serve two years, for every 1,500 members of said churches, and one such delegate for a major portion of 1,500 members; provided that each Conference shall be entitled to appoint at least one ministerial and one lay delegate, each to serve two years; and provided, also, that, for the first year after this amendment shall go into effect, each Conference shall be entitled to appoint one additional lay delegate for each 1,000 members, and one addi- tional ministerial delegate for each 1,500 members, such additional dele- gate to serve for one year.

2. These delegates from the Conferences, together with the secretary, registrar, treasurer, and pastor of the church with which the annual session is held, shall comprise the General Association.

It is also proposed, as a separate amendment, that the following be inserted in Article V. of the Rules : —

Each district Association of ministers, consenting to the principles above stated, may appoint annually one delegate, who shall serve one year.

This resolution was adopted by the Association. It was then

Voted, That the Committee on the Constitution also refer the amend- ment presented by Rev. O. S. Dean, of Holbrook, to the several Confer- ences and Associations of the State.

On motion of Rev. Joshua Coit, of Winchester, it was

Voted, That the Committee on Incorporation of Churches be continued another year, with instructions to present to the churches the reasons for church incorporation, and the advantages accruing therefrom.

Rev. Charles B. Rice, of Danvers, for the Committee, presented the following resolution, which was adopted : —

To the Honorable Commissioners of the Columbian World's Fair :

The General Association of the Congregational Churches of Massachu- setts, being now in session and having in mind the public value of the recognition of a weekly day set apart for bodily rest and for mental and spiritual refreshment, hereby expresses to your honorable body its most earnest desire that the exhibition under your charge may not be opened to the public on Sundays during its continuance.

The Association

Voted, That the thanks of this Association be extended to Mr. Charles E. Eddy, for his efficient services as treasurer.

1891.] Minutes. 17

The Committee on Nominations presented the following list of committees for the ensuing year, who were elected : —

COMMITTEE ON THE WORK OF THE CHUItCHES.

Chairmen of Committees of Local Conferences. — Andover, Thomas A. McMaster ; Barnstable, Rev. John W. Dodge ; Berkshire North, Rev. George W. Andrews; Berkshu'e South, Rev. Walter W. Curtis; Brook- field, Rev. Joseph F. Gaylord; Essex North, M. Perry Sargent; Essex South, Rev. T. Frank Waters; Franklin, Rev. Edward P. Butler; Hamp- den, Rev. Edwin H. Byingtou ; Hampshire, Rev. Elisha G. Cobb ; Hamp- shire Ea^t, Rev. George E. Fisher; Mendon, Rev. Rufus K. Harlow; Middlesex South, Rev. Edward L. Chute; Middlesex Union, Rev. Charles H. Rowley ; Norfolk, Rev. Edward Norton ; Old Colony, William W. Wood; Pilgrim, Rev. Ebenezer Alden ; Suffolk North, Rev. James H. Hoss; Suffolk South, Rev. William H. Campbell; Suffolk West, b. Brain- ard Pratt; Taunton, Rev. George H. Reed; Woburn, Rev. John G. Tay- lor ; Worcester Central, Rev. Ariel E. P. Perkins ; Worcester North, Rev. Davis Foster ; Worcester South, Rev. John R. Thurston.

Members at Large until 1893. —Revs. Frank E. Clark, John P. Coyle, Walcott Fay, John D. Kingsbury, Frank A. Warfleld, Augustus H. Fuller, and Bro. E. L. Pease.

Until 1894. — Revs. Josiiua Coit, Frederick E. Sturgis, F. Barrows Makepeace, William E. Strong, George E. Lovejoy, Bro. Frank P. Shum- way, Jr., and Dea. John E. Curtis.

Committee on Systematic Benevolence (continued). — Rev. Michael Burn- ham, Rev. Eldridge Mix, Samuel B. Capen.

Committee on Literaperance. — Revs. John D. Kingsbury and Parris T. Farwell, Hons. George P. Ladd, Frederick Fosdick, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, Dr. John Blackmer.

Committee on Sunday- School Work. — Rev. Frank E. Clark, Charles F. Wyman, Rev. Albert W. Moore, Edward H. Baker, Rev. Rufus B. Tobey, Henry M. Moore.

Publishing Committee. — Revs. Henry A. Hazen, Albert G. Bale, Alonzo H. Quint, Lucius R. Eastman, Jr., Bro. Wm. A. Paine.

Auditing Committee. — Thomas Chamberlain, George P. Smith, Frank Foxcrofc.

The Association

Voted, That the next annual meeting be held with the North Congrega. tional Church, Springfield, and that the following be the

Provisional Committee. — Rev. F. Barrows Makepeace, Springfield; Prof. G. Stockton Burroughs, Amherst ; Rev. Edward G. Seldeu, Spring- field; B.Sv. Albert G. Bale, Melrose; Mr. Harlan P. Stone, Springfield.

The Association then proceeded to tlie election of secretary, treasurer, and registrar. The following were nominated, and

1 8 Minutes. [1891.

were elected unanimouslj^ by ballot : For secretary, Rev. Henrj' A. Hazen, of Auburndale ; for treasurer, William A. Paine, of Boston ; for registrar, Rev. Albert G-. Bale, of Melrose.

The theme of " Sunday-school Work " was then opened by Rev. Rufus B. Tobej', of Boston, who presented the "Report of the State Committee."

He V7as followed by Rev. H. C. Cronin, of Missouri, on " Work of the Sunday-school and Publishing Society in the South and West."

The general topic was closed by Mr. Arthur Gray, of Worces- ter, upon " What the Sunday School can learn from the Public School."

A paper on " How shall the Church reach the Men? " was given by Rev. Frank A. Warfield, of Brockton.

After discussion of this topic, the Association was addressed by Prof. A. T. Free, of Yankton College, South Dakota, on the needs of that institution; also by Rev. Wm. J. Batt, of Concord, upon " Prison Reform," who presented the following resolutions, which were adopted : —

Wherkas, During the past year earnest efforts have been made in the name of artisan labor against some present methods of prison reform with which our State lias been in a measure identified, therefore

Resolved, That we put on record the following : —

I. We see no reason why prisoners should be supported in idleness at the public expense.

II. We ought not to treat prisonei'S in such a way that they will be less qualified to earn an honest livelihood when they are discharged from the prisons than when they were first arrested.

III. That, with due regard to justice and to the rights of any persons with whom the prison may come into competition, we should earnestly seek to enlarge rather than to lessea his intelligence, to increase rather than to reduce his means of earning a living, and to stimulate rather than to discourage his ambition to become a good citizen.

Rev. T. G-. A. Cote, of Lowell, addressed the Association upon " Work among the French."

On motion of Rev. A. F. Newton, of Marlboro, the following resolution was adopted : —

Resolved, That the matter of the employment of Bible colporteurs among the French in Massachusetts be referred to the Executive Commit- tee of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society, with the hope that, if possible, one or more such colporteurs may be employed at once.

1 891.] Mimites. 19

At twelve o'clock the Association took a recess, to meet at 1.45

p. M.

Afternoon Session.

The Association reassembled at 1.45 o'clock. After singing, on motion of Rev. John W. Hird, of Baldwinville, it was

Voted, That we so amend the second resolution of the Special Com- mittee on Intemperance as to recognize the work of the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union.

The Minutes of the morning session were read and approved. At two o'clock a symposium was opened on " The Promotion of Spiritual Power."

1. Among Pastors. — Eev. DeWitt S. Clark, of Salem.

2. Among Officers. — Rev. W. V. W. Davis, of Worcester.

3. Among Laymen. — S. M. Sayford, of Newton.

The following resolution, presented by Rev. Henry A. Hazen, of Auburndale, was adopted : —

Besolved, That this Association renews its earnest appeal to the churches that the Board of Ministerial Aid receive at least one contribu- tion annually from every church.

On motion of Rev. Edward C. Ewing, of Danvers, the following resolution was adopted : —

Besolved, That the hearty thanks of this Association be extended to the Union Church of Marlboro, for the Christian generosity with which it has received and entertained us during the present meeting ; to the citi- zens of this place, who have contributed so freely and abundantly, in ways social and domestic, to our comfort and pleasure during our stay ; to the pastor of this church, whose careful forethouirht and active labors have served to such an extent to secure the success of this meeting ; to the choir, whose voices in the service of song have given us delight and inspiration in the musical portion of our gatherings ; to the several breth- ren whose admirable papers and addresses have served to render this meeting so delightful, stimulating, and every way helpful to the better prosecution of the work of the churches we represent ; to the special officers of the meeting, for the excellent manner in which they have con- ducted and recorded its business, and for the fidelity with which they have discharged the several duties assigned to them.

This resolution was supplemented by remarks by Rev. Albert G. Bale, of Melrose,

20 Minutes. [ 1 89 1 .

In response to the resolution and words of thanks, Rev. A. F. Newton, the pastor of the Union Church, addressed the Associa- tion.

The dosology was then sung, prayer was offered, and the benediction pronounced by Rev. Perley B. Davis, of Hyde Park, and the Association adjourned.

GILBERT E. HOOD, Moderator.

A. G. Bale, Registrar.

Francis J. Marsh, Assistant Registrar. .

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE WORK OF THE CHURCHES AOAINST INTEMPERANCE.

REV. JOHN D. KINGSBURY.

Your committee have not gathered up what the churches have done, but desire to present the importance of the work against intemperance, and to urge some of the methods whicli promise greatest efficiency against this great evil.

Importance of the Work.

We are confronted with an evil of great magnitude. The direct cost is nine hundred millions a year, a sum more than twice as large as the entire civic expenditures of the national government, six times greater than the total cost of public schools, and nearly equal to the entire sura expended in carrying on all the public schools and colleges and semi- naries in the land.

If invested in flour, at five dollars per barrel, these barrels of flour might gird the earth three times and have a surplus of sixteen million barrels.

Add to this the cost of sickness and death resulting from drink, and the cost of police, and courts, and jails, and asylums, and almshouses, and the loss of labor, — which is the prime factor in a nation's wealth, — and we reach an aggregate which is not easy to comprehend.

This immense cost is borne largely by the industrial classes, and is the greatest cause of the poverty and want of men.

The cost is of little consequence in comparison with the efiiects of the habit of drink on character and life.

It blunts the Instinct, depletes the energies, depraves the will.

It sears the conscience, hardens the heart, makes the body ulcerous, and destroys the image of God in man.

It destroys home, and love, and citizenship, and all the joy of earth and all hope of heaven.

These things are so true that it seems almost needless to say them. Everyone knows these things are true.

The gravity of the situation claims our attention because the traffic in rum is exalted to a national industry.

It pays taxes. It demands protection, and is defended by the hot ener- gies of millions of men.

It affiliates with parties; it is a factor in all elections; it holds sway in the place of wealth ; it rules with imperious power in the realm of pov- erty ; it leagues itself with every lust ; it has the key to every place of shame ; and it leads a mighty host in sad and terrible procession to infamy and death.

22 Report of Committee against Intemperance. [1891.

The subject assumes great impoi'tance when we remember that the national government alone controls the importation, and exportation, and transportation of liquors. Only national action can wipe out the shame of the sale under the dome of the Capitol, and in the District of Columbia, and in the territories; audit is national action wJiich allows our liquors to flood the Congo State of dark Africa; and it is our national shame that we alone, of all the governments of Christendom, refuse to join in the treaty forbidding the traffic in that continent rising out of blackness to the dawn of a new history.

There is an intimate relation between the drink evil and immigration.

A horde of ignorant and immoral people, slaves to drink, are weekly turned upon our shores. They swell the great throng on the down grade to the '■' BlacTc Valley," many of them intend to keep recruiting stations by the way.

Eead the lists of those applying for license. Notice the names of men and women of foreign birth.

The Attitude of the Church.

The church stands in unyielding hostility to the drink habit and the drink traffic. Its action must be unequivocal, outspoken, vigorous, and unceasing. This business of drinking and selling liquors is in direct and perpetual antagonism to the progress of the church, and to all there is in the gospel. It represents the "gates of hell." "What of that? Blessed be God ! Our Lord said, " The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church."

This is an evil which will not be destroyed by moral suasion alone, nor by pious resolutions, nor by regulations of high license, nor by anything short of that nobility of Christian action which is shown in the holy cru- sades, which they carry on in Somerville and Cambridge and Spencei with the unyielding motto, " The Saloon Must Go ! "

Christian citizenship must recognize its relation to this great evil.

That word vote is from the grand word, votuni. It means a holy vow before God. The vote of the citizen should be a solemn act, and never to be separated from religion.

Who does not know the power of the saloon in politics ?

It is difficult to believe, what is nevertheless true, that many caucuses are^held in saloons, and often the exercise of the highest franchise of American citizenship sanctions iniquity.

Now, these are the facts, and therefore the church must stand against the whole business; and the thing to do is not regulation, or high license, but onward movement against drinking rum and dealing in it, with the motto of the immortal Grant at Fort Donaldson, " No terms hut unconditional surrender I "

Duty to the Drinking Man.

"We are to remember that he is the victim, — sacrificed to an unholy appetite, — often the pitiable slave, against his better will.

iSqI-] Report of Committee against Intejnperance. 23

He should have help ; must be lifted out of that low-down place into freedom. He is a diseased man. He needs the reformatory, the asylum, the treatment his moral and physical weakness requires.

But he is also often a guilty man. He yields consciously when he ought to resist.

He ought to be made to feel the shame of his fall from manhood and virtue.

Hope.

We work along the line of Divine Will, in the interest of humanity, and in harmony with all who honor God and love the race. We are engaged in support of the only thing that shall endure throughout all generations, and that is truth and right. Therefore, there is hope.

We speak much about the antagonism of capital and labor, and there is some truth and some error in what we say.

But here is the antagonism between labor and rum. Nobody can have a doubt about it. Rum is the antagonist of personal thrift, and of home, and of manhood, and of the church, and of all good, and of heaven's Almighty King ; and the frown of God is on it; and there comes rolling down the ages the word He has spoken : " Woe to him that giveth his neigh- bor drink ! "

We take sides with the Almighty, and we know that we shall prevail.

Let the Christian church put its convictions into motion, let the church say with an earnest spirit of action, " This evil thing shall be destroyed," and the beginning of the end would be near.

We recommend these votes to be taken by this body : —

Hesolved, That it is recommended to every church to hold temperance meetings, in which shall be reported the progress in the work, new methods, and obstacles ; and in which plans shall be laid for efficient action to redeem men from the evil of drink.

Resolvtd, That we rejoice in the educational work in the schools and the home and the church, and the "Loyal Legion" and "Bands of Hope," and call on the churches to enlarge this work, and save the children and youth from all danger of falling.

Besolved, That every minister of God be urged to preach on this sub- ject, and set before his people the duty, as from God, to use all efforts, and, at any cost, to rescue the drunkard, and destroy the drink traffic forever.

Your Committee recommend the reference of the following " Plan of Temperance Federation" to a Committee, with instruction to consult and report : —

Boston, Jan. 14, 1891.

To the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Total Abstinence Society :

In presenting my last monthly report as your secretary, I desli-e to call your attention to the condition of the cause of temperance in comparison with the same thirty years ago. In my report to the Society, which I shall present to-day, I allude to the causes which have produced this change of sentiment. I offer for your consideration a plan of work which I believe

24 Report of Cotnviittee against Intemperance. [1891.

would greatly strengthen the movement, and be most helpful in changing- the trend of public opinion, and simplifying the work throughout the Com- monwealth. This plan will require a broad and tolerant spirit among all classes of temperance workers, and also enlists the co-operation and sup- port of the churches of all denominations.

First. The end to be sought for by every temperance organization, whether secret or open, is the acceptance by the people of the truth that the use of intoxicants as a beverage is harmful and pernicious, and that total abstinence from their use should be practised by every citizen, and that the traffic in intoxicating beverages should be suppressed.

Second. That each temperance organization should consider its work only as the means to secure this desired result.

Third. That the large number of temperance organizations in the State, many of them directing their efforts to the same departments of work, divides and weakens the support in behalf of the measures proposed.

Fourth. That the rental and office expenses of large rooms for head- quarters is expensive, and a more economical system should be introduced, which will give to temperance workers greater conveniences at less expense.

Fifth. That the benevolent who desire to aid the cause by annual con- tributions are undecided many times in what direction to bestow their benefaction, and, as a result of that .indecision, withhold their contribu- tions altogether.

Sixth. That the Christian churches of the Statehave no dii'ect and co- operative connection with the several temperance societies ; and the same danger that menaces the home, corrupts the legislation of the country, and undermines American institutions, also attempts to subvert our relig- ious instruction by an open desecration of the Sabbath, and counteracting the work of missions and all other means for the upbuilding of the Church of Christ.

My proposition to remove these several difficulties, and many others which are apparent to every student of this question, is as follows : —

That a Union State Committee be chosen from each of the temperance societies that co-operatedin the Constitutional Amendment Campaign, and also from each religious denomination tliat has a State convention, con- ference or association, who shall have the managing control of the tem- perance work in all departments throughout the State.

(a) That the Union Committee shall bring together the several tem- perance headquarters into one building, upon one floor, and in contiguous rooms, if possible, and shall also secure a room for committee meetings and private consultation upon temperance matters, to be used by all the organ- izations, also a salesroom for all temperance publications.

(6) That the Union Committee shall attempt to raise the sum of fifty thousand dollars annually for temperance work ; and that the agents col- lecting the same shall have an enumerator of the several departments of temperance work, and every contributor shall be assured that the money he shall contribute [shall be faithfully set apart and expended as he may

1 891.] Systematic Benevolence. 25

€lect, and that each towu and city shall be visited by one collecting agent only.

(c) That the Union Committee shall designate -what State temperance societies shall have charge of departments of work, and the officers of said societies shall be held responsible for the work intrusted to their special €are.

(JT) That all moneys that are not specifically appropriated by the contrib- utors shall be given to the several State societies, as the work that has been assigned to the societies shall require.

(e) That the Union Committee shall seek to secure the holding of union temperance meetings in all the cities and towns in the State, on the last Sabbath of every month, and, as far as possible, local open temperance societies be organized, composed of both sexes, auxiliary to such State society as they may elect.

The adoption of this plan would make the publication of a weekly tem- perance paper a necessity, and insure its financial success.

This imperfect outline I submit for your consideration.

BENJAMIN R. JEWELL,

Secretary, M. T. A. 8.

SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE.

Your Committee on Systematic Benevolence respectfully present the following report : —

In accordance with the action of this body at its last meeting, we sub- mitted the plan of Systematic Benevolence then adopted to the several conferences, and sought through them to carry it into eflect among the churches.

Many of the Conferences took no action upon it, except in some instances briefly to consider it, and lay it on the table, or defer it for want of time. Others appointed committees to consider and report upon it at the next meeting. Two adopted it, and brought it directly before the churches within their bounds, viz. : South Berkshire and Hampshire East; the former by circular, apportioning to each church the amount needed, with an earnest appeal that an effort be made to raise it ; the latter appointing a committee composed of one from each church, who should present the matter to the church he represented. What the result has been your committee have been unable to ascertain ; nor can it be fully known until the expiration of a year from the time when it was inau- gurated. Another Conference, the Pilgrim, while not adopting the plan proposed, nevertheless appointed a Working Committee to bring the sub- ject of Systematic Benevolence before the churches, who have held several informal meetings on the subject with the pastors and representa-

26 Systematic Benevolence. [1891.

tive members of the same, and have sought through them to inaugurate the system of weekly offerings by pledge and envelope. The immediate effect of this has been to awaken an unwonted interest, and lead to a more intelligent action, and in many instances to the adoption of the weekly- offering system. The hope of that committee is that there will be a large increase of offerings in that conference to all of the seven societies of our denomination, as well as a greater effort on the part of the weaker churches toward self-support.

It has become evident to your committee, from the experience of the year, that the plan proposed is not practicable as yet. The churches do not, as a whole, regard it with favor. This much, however, has been accomplished. The attention of the churches has been" called to the necessity of doing something to increase our benevolent contributions Some special effort in this direction has been put forth. So a beginning has been made. In the mean time your committee have had the time to study the whole question anew in the light of the facts they have been able to gather, the result of which they are prepared to lay before you at the present time.

We are more than ever convinced that something beyond what we have hitherto been doing must at once be attempted ; for there is an alarming decrease in the amount of our contributions. Though the sum given last year is nearly $17,000 more than the year before, yet it must be remem- bered that there was a great falling off that year. The amount contributed last year as compared with that of 1888 was a decrease of about $20,000 : and, as compared with that of 1887, was less by $50,000. We are there- fore retrograding instead of advancing. And we are doing this in face of the fact that these have been exceptionally prosperous years. Our churches have grown richer pecuniarily instead of poorer, while decreas- ing their benevolent contributions, thereby becoming poorer spiritually.

Then it is surprising and painful to note how many churches contribute nothing whatever to some of these seven societies, as the following list shows. The whole number of churches is 561. Of these,

100 contribute nothing to the American Board. 87 contribute nothing to the American Home Missionary Society. 155 contribute nothing to the American Missionary Association. 256 contribute nothing to the American Congregational Union. 330 contribute nothing to the American College and Education Society. 283 contribute nothing to the New West Education Commission. 258 contribute nothing to the Sunday-school and Publication Society.

Thirty churches contribute nothing whatever to any one of these societies.

Now, over against this state of things is the fact that the work of each one of these benevolent organizations which we have created, and for whose work and support we are responsible, is rapidly growing greater. They cannot begin to keep pace with it, simply for the lack of funds. Workers are ready, but money for their support is wanting. They are

1 89 1.] Systematic Benezwlence. 2/

some of them running far behind tlieir appropriations, wlaich were all too small in the outset, and are in danger of debt at the end of the fiscal year. One of them, the most honored and cherished of all, the American Board, has been obliged to issue orders of reflfenchraent to all its missionaries, thereby sadly crippling the work they have in hand, and disheartening them.

Then there are more than six thousand of the flower of oar youth, who are rising up all over the land from the midst of the churches, — their own children indeed, — of which our denomination has its fair proportion, who declare themselves ready to go wherever the Lord shall call them as reapers in the great harvest field, which was never so promising as now of an abundant ingathering. But if the present rate of contributing to the treasury of the Lord goes on, the churches will be found saying to these young people, its children in the Lord, we cannot, or more properly, we will not send you. They are beginning already to ofler themselves in increasing numbers as they finish their preparation for their chosen work, and this is the response which they are actually receiving. Surely the missionary spirit of the church should equal that of these youthful hearts. The readiness on our part to send ought to keep pace with their readiness to be sent. But this is not the fact. And it is one of the most dis- couraging and uncomfortable things that confronts us at the present time. It seems unreasonable and unnatural even. Is it possible that our churches are going to retrace their steps, retrench their work, abandon their fought-for fields, and give over the conquest of the world, just when the signs of the times are the signals of victory, and everything is con- spiring to hasten the coming of the kingdom of the Son of Man?

Your committee are not willing to believe that the churches of this ven- erable Commonwealth, which have hitherto been in the advance and at the forefront in the work of evangelizing our land and the world, are really losing their interest in this great work, or are disposed to lag be- hind others in doing it. "We are persuaded that it is only from lack of realizing how fast the Lord is moving in opening the way for the advance- ment ot his kingdom, and from the want of organization and system, that this state of things has come to pass. We firmly believe that it is only necessary for the pastors of our churches to bring each one of these several societies before their people, with due explanation of their work and of their present needs, and endeavor to secure some system of giving to them all, in order to awaken a growing interest in them, and a growing enlargement of contributions to their treasuries. But this can only be done by a full and frequent discussion of the subject in the several Con- ferences, and the appointment of working committees, who shall be charged with the duty of awakening interest in each one of the churches within their bounds, and the introduction, where possible, of some method of systematic giving. This has been done with marked success in the Pilgrim Conference, and can be done with like results in every one of our Conferences, if a like method be pursued.

We believe it would greatly aid in bringing about this result if the

28

Systematic Benevolence.

[1891.

committees of the several Conferences could come together from time to time for consultation as to the best methods to be adopted, so that there might be a concert of action all over the State in regard to this matter. Such meetings could be arranged bj your Standing Committee, who would in this way be able to give and receive information and suggestions which would be mutually helpful.

In order that we might present in this report a definite idea of what is to be done by the churches of this State, in the way of raising our fair proportion of the aggregate needed, your committee have written to the officials of these several societies, asking them to indicate the whole amount required by them to carry on their work efficiently and without ■embarrassment, and how much, in their judgment, is our proportion, esti- mating it from what we have given in the past. We have received prompt and courteous replies from each one of them, the substance of which we give in the figures which follow : —

A. B. C. F. M. . A. H. M. S. A. M. A. .

A. C. U. . A. C. and E. S. I^. W. E. C. . S. S. and P. S. .

Aggregate $1,000,000 00 800,000 00 400,000 00 400,000 00 150,000 00 125,000 00 100,000 00

$2,975,000 00

Mass. $350,000 00 200,000 OC 80,000 0(* 80,000 00 30,000 00 30,000 00 30,000 00

$800,000 00

Now the question arises. Can our churches raise this amount? And if so, How can it best be accomplished? We have about 94,000 resident mem- bers. The amount asked for would only necessitate the giving of $8.50 per member annually, or $0.65 monthly, or $0.16^ weekly, or a little more than $0.02 daily.

To illustrate the ease with which this amount can be secured, if all the churches would participate in it, let us take a church of a hundred mem- bers, and suppose them to give in the following proportion : —

Members	Daily	Weekly	Yearly	Total
50	$0 01	$0 07	$3 65	$182 50
30	02	14	7 30	219 00
15	05	35	18 25	273 75
5	10	70	36 50	182 50

$857 75

Let all the churches give in the same proportion, and the sum accruing will be $806,285.

Now you have only to divide these amounts among the seven societies on the basis of twenty-seven equal parts, apportioning them in the ratio of 11.7.3.3.1.1.1., and the division in round numbers will stand thus : —

1891] Systematic Benevolence. 29

Church of 100	Churches
$849 00	.$328,000 00
222 00	208,000 00
95 00	90,000 00
95 00	90,000 00
ety, 32 00	30,000 00
32 00	30,000 00
y, 32 00	30,000 00
$857 00	$806,000 00

Societies American Board,

American Home Missionary Society, American Missionary Association, American Congregational Union, American College and Education Society, New West Education Commission, Sunday-school and Publication Society,

That this need not interfere with the amount given for Church Support will be seen by reference to the Minutes, which tell us that the contribu- tions for Home Expenses are just about double the gifts for Benevolence. You have only to double that amount, therefore, to enable a church of one hundred members to raise $1,715.50 for church support, which would give a minister a salary of from $800 to $1,000, and leave enough besides to meet current expenses.

It would be a very simple thing to combine the two, and raise enough for both by Sabbath oflerings, as will be seen from the following table : —

Members	Daily	Weekly	Yearly	Total
50 ] + 2	$0 03	$0 21	$10 95	$547 50
30 2 + 4	06	42	21 90	657 00
15 5-flO	15	1 05	54 75	821 25
5 10+20	30	2 10	109 50	547 50

$2,573 25

Let one third of this amount be taken for benevolence, and you have r.75 to be divided among the seven societies, as before indicated, and $1,715.50 for church support.

Some of our churches have adopted the plan of making their pews practically free, and providing for church support by weekly oflFerings on the pledge and envelope system. We suggest to such churches, and to others who may be contemplating the same, the above plan as a feasible way of combining the two.

But it is very manifest that all cannot adopt this plan, and perhaps it is not desirable that they should. What will work well in one church may not in another. We venture to suggest, therefore, the three following methods for the consideration of the churches, as a help toward the solution of the problem of raising money for church support, and at the same time doing their part in the way of benevolent contributions, so that the two shall not interfere with each other, but be mutually helpful instead.

I. A plan of systematic giving for a church wishing to combine both church support and benevolence in one weekly offering by pledge and envelope.

30 Systematic Benevolence. [1891.

Eifty per cent of members pledging and contributing $0.20 weekly. Thirty per cent of members pledging and contributing $0.50 weekly. Fifteen per cent of members pledging and contributing $1.00 weekly. Eive per cent of members pledging and contributing $2.00 weekly.

II. In case a church raises money for meeting current expenses by pew rentals, then we recommend the following plan : —

Fifty per cent pledging and contributing $0.07 weekly. Thirty per cent pledging and contributing $0.14 weekly. Fifteen per cent pledging and contributing $0.35 weekly. Five per cent pledging and contributing $0.70 weekly.

III. If a church wishes to use both pew rents and weekly offerings for church support, then we suggest the following plan for benevolent offerings : —

Fifty per cent pledging and contributing $0.30 monthly. Thirty per cent pledging and contributing $0 60 monthly. Fifteen per cent pledging and contributing $1.50 monthly. Five per cent pledging and contributing $3.00 monthly.

We also suggest the preparation of three sets of pledge cards to cor- respond to these plans, so that the churches may have the opportunity to select that which is best suited to their need, to be headed and arranged as follows : —

i89i.]

Systematic Benevolence.

31

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32 Systematic Benevolence. [1891.

What we plan and plead for, in what we have now suggested, is the adoption of some system of stated offering, which shall offer the oppor- tunity to every one of the members of our churches to give something to all the societies which we, as a denomination, have created, and for which we are responsible; one that shall enable parents to train their children in habits of systematic giving ; one upon which all can unite and concentrate their whole interest and endeavor ; one that shall call out the full strength and prayerful co-operation of all the churches in the way of supporting the great woi of missions both at home and abroad. "We plead that this giving sh^ll be made a part of every Sabbath worship, with which our prayc s and praises shall ever be associated, as often as we go up to the Houg^ of the Lord.

The advantages of his method are many and great, some of which let us name : —

1. We shall theieby enable our missionary organizations to do their work without hindc " ance or anxiety.

2. We shall supi y them with the funds necessary in continual flow, so as to prevent the trouble and expense of borrowing.

3. We shall find it far easier to give in small amounts and regularly than in large amounts and infrequently.

4. We shall be interested to gain information of the work of these several societies to which we are regularly contributing.

5. We shall enable these societies to dispense with the labors of so many who are employed to raise money, and thus release for work in the field itself those who are peculiarly fitted for it.

Your committee would therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolutions : —

I. That a determined effort be made by our churches during the year to raise for the seven societies of our denomination the sum of f 800,000, to be distributed proportionally among them.

II. That we urge upon the churches the adoption of the pledge and envelope system of weekly offerings for this purpose.

III. That we earnestly request the conferences to appoint standing committees to co-operate with your standing committee in securing the adoption of some one of the plans for systematic giving suggested in this report, and in awakening the enthusiasm of the churches within their bounds on this subject.

IV. That this body instructs and authorizes its standing committee to publish at its expense whatever printed matter may be needful in en- deavoring to effect this object, and also to arrange for the holding of meetings for conference on this subject, as they may deem advisable, their necessary travelling expenses to be paid out of its treasury.

MICHAEL BURNHAM, ELDRIDGE MIX, J- Committee.

SAMUEL B. CAPEN,

1 89 1.] Report of Cofnmittee on Church Incorporation. 33

EEPOET or THE COMMITTEE ON CHUECH INCOEPOEATION^.

The Committee on Church Incorporation, apppic.ted by the last General Association, following the instructions given theiy have sent to each of our churches in the State a copy of the lavps touching., Church Incorporation, a statement of the steps that need to be taken, and s ?ch explanation of the process as seemed to be necessary. The same is now , resented to the Gen- eral Association as the report of the Committee.*

The Committee also recommends the adoption by thrtJeneral Association of the two following resolutions : — f -

Resolved, I., That in connection with the church statistics which are published with the Minutes of the General Association shall be printed each year a list of lh& churches incorporated under the statute of 1887, and another of those incorporated under other statutes.

Resolved, II., That the General Association urge each Conference and Associa- tion within the State to take, at an early date, Church Incorporation as a topic for disciission.

KespectfuUy submitted,

EDWIN H. BYINGTON. ALONZO H. QUINT.

WILLIAM T. FORBES.

Mat 19, 1891.

LIST OF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES INCORPORATED

Under Statute of 1887, Mass. Gen. Laws.

In accordance with Resolution I. of the report of the Committee on Church Incorporation, which was adopted by the Association, the Committee on Publication of the Minutes herewith presents the list of Congregational churches of Massachusetts incorporated under the statute of 1887: —

In 1887 twelve churches were incorporated under the provisions of this law; in 1888, 21 ; in 1889, 30; in 1890, 40; 1891 (nearly three months), 13,— a total of 116.

* Additional copies of this Manual of Church Incorporation can be obtained from Rev. Henry A. Hazen, Auburndale, Mass., at five cents per copy.

34

List of Congregational CJiiirches Incorporated. [1891.

On the other hand, those securing incorporation under general statutes ^nd by special acts numbered, inl887, 8 ; in 1888,4; inl889,5; in 1890,4,— a total of 21.

Of the 116 organized under the statute of 1887, 36 were Baptist, and the following were Congregational (only those are given which have a place in the Year-Book) : —

1887. Fall River, French. Oakham. Oxford.

Somerville, Prospect Hill. Southboro, Southville. Wilmington. — 6

1888. Boston, Dorchester, Harvard. Boston, Dorchester, Bethany. Buckland. Holden.

Millbury, First. Montague, Miller's Falls. Ware, French. Westboro. Worcester, Park. — 9

1889. Auburn. Boston, Olivet. Charlton.

Framingham, South. Grov eland. Middleboro, Central. Norfolk. Kockland. Rowley. Springfield, Eastern Avenue. — 10

1890.

Ashburnham, First.

Boston, Oharlestown, Winthrop.

Boston, Dorchester, Pilgrim.

Concord.

Danvers, First.

Dover.

Framingham, First.

Haverhill, Riverside.

Hawley.

Hyde Park, Clarendon Hills.

Lawrence, United.

Milton, First.

Newton, Highlands.

Plymouth, Pilgrimage.

Springfield, Sanford St.

(now called St. Jolm's). Springfield, Park. Sudbury. Wareham.

Worcester, Covenant. Worcester, Hope. Worcester, Belmont. — 21

1891 (nearly three months). Belchertown. Berkley.

Boston, Boslindale. Duxbury.

Longmeadow, East. Lunenburg. Millbury, Second. Plymouth, Fourth, Chiltonville. Wellesley. — 9

55

1891.] Infant Baptism. 35

INFANT BAPTISM.

BY REV. DAVID N. BEACH. [The address was spoken. This paper is what the address undertook to say.]

It has been stated by the statistician of our Congregational churches that during the year 1890 there was an increase in the number of infant baptisms and a decrease in adult baptisms, both facts seeming to imply a gain for infant baptism. This is gratifying. But it is really a wonder that we have infant baptism left to us at all. We hold about it a great variety of opinions. One opinion contradicts another. People grow tired of the contradiction. At length they greet the subject with incredulity, or with a smile. It is a drug on the programme of a public meeting I surmise, with considerable confidence, that the Committee which arranged this meeting had difficulty in finding a man to take the topic. On account of this contrariety of opinion, I shall lay more stress on the grounds for believing in the ordinance in this address than I otherwise should. There are chiefly four views on this subject.

The First View — A Universal Negative.

According to the first view : —

1. There is no New Testament command for the practice of infant oaptism.

2. There is no New Testament example of it, — the households men- tioned as having been baptized not necessarily having had infants in them, or, if having had them, the infants not necessarily having been included among those baptized.

3. There is no evidence of the practice of it in the early church prior to Irenseus, and perhaps not even iu him; if not, not prior, then, to Tertullian and Origen, the alleged traces of it in Clement of Rome, the Shepherd of Hermas, and Justin Martyr, being denied.

4. Not only so, but the meaning of baptism forbids its being applied to infants. One is to "believe and be baptized,"^ to "repent and be baptized," '^ etc., which an infant cannot do.

5. Finally, infant baptism was an upgrowth of the latter part of the second century, or of the early part of the third, due to a corresponding upgrowth of the mistaken opinion that baptism is in itself a saving ordi- nance, the benefits of which it was naturally desired should be extended to infants. Tertullian, accordingly, who recognizes it, advises that it be deferred till a maturer age. Moreover, not a few eminent Christians even of that period were not baptized in infancy. Again, the " Teaching of the Twelve Apostles " — "Didache" — makes no allusion to it, although

1 Murk xvi. 16. ^ Acts ii. 38.

36 Infant Baptism. [1891.

in treating of baptism there was an excellent opportunity for it to da so. Once more, the elaborate catechumenical sj^stem of the period implied training as a preliminary to baptism, which an infant could not receive. As, therefore, it was not a part of original Christian usage, but an incrustation upon it, when mistaken ideas of baptism came to prevail, it should cease to be practised.

This view is of stalwart quality. It makes no doubt that it can establish a universal negative.

The Second View — A Universal Affirmative.

The second view is equally stalwart. It asserts infant baptism from the first, partly on presumptive and partly on evidential grounds. I. Presumptive grounds : —

1. Baptism in the Christian Church is the lineal descendant of circum- cision in the Jewish Church. Both were initiatory rites. Both symbolized purification. The former was highly symbolic in an age of great licen- tiousness. The latter was more many-sided in its suggestiveness, and better suited therefore for the long ages of the Christian Church. But both meant the same thing, namely, acknowledgment of the need of puri- fication through divine grace, and a pledge of it. That males only were subjects of the initiatory Jewish rite, whereas the initiatory Christian rite applied to both sexes, was, indeed, an adaptation to the larger thought of the Christian ages ; but the distinction nowise militates against the latter's being the true successor of the former, inasmuch as, under the Jewish idea of the heads of families representing families, the former implied the inclusion of both sexes in the Jewish Church. As, then, the initiatory Jewish rite was applicable to infants, and implied all the infanta of a household, so the initiatory Christian rite is applicable to all the infants of Christian households.

2. The second presumptive ground is Jewish proselyte baptism. It constituted an analogy for Christian baptism, and it included the infanta of proselytes.

3. In view of these two usages, the one a predecessor and the other an analogy, not only are infants included ia Christian baptism by implica- tion, but had they not been included these things would have followed : —

(1) The Apostles — and none of them more so than St. Paul, " circum- cised the eighth day " ' — would have felt a lack in Christianity in this- respect, which they seem not to have felt.

(2) Jewish converts in general would have felt such a lack, of which,, however, no trace appears.

(3) Some Scripture allusion to the difierence in this respect between the Jewish and Christian initiatory rites, if such a difference existed,, must needs have been made, and the reason for the diflference explained, — and this the more since the two rites are compared in the New Testa- ment ; - but there is no such allusion or explanation.

iPhil.iii.5. = Col. ii. 11, 12.

1 89 1.] Infant Baptism. 37

(4) In the struggle between Christianity and Judaism and heathenism alike, which soon ensued, not only Jews but the heathen also, with their ideas of race solidarity, must have offered it as an objection to Chris- tianity, that only those more or less mature were admitted to it, if its initiatory rite was denied to infants; but no trace of such an objection ever having been offered appears.

II. Evidential grounds : —

-1. Baptism, therefore, so far from not being commanded, is com- manded. In the light of usage, the command involves it. Had the command not involved it, the exception must needs have been specified. Silence in such a case is implication. " Believe and be baptized," > " repent and be baptized,"^ etc., which occur, are not general but individual precepts, applying to those particular persons to whom the Gospel comes de novo, — a particular heathen, for example, or a particular Jew, who has heretofore rejected Christ. On the other hand, the precept in its more general terms — as in the commission " make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost " -^ — contemplates families as well as individuals ; and, if not, a specification to that effect would have been made.^ In fact, the conversion of the northern nations of Europe shows the advantage, under circumstances then existing, which inhered in interpretiog the precept in some degree in its application to peoples as Avell as to families.

2. With the New Testament command agrees the New Testament practice of baptizing households.^ If the contrary were the case, it would have been necessary, for the sake of exactness, to state that the adult or believing (and therefore non-infant) members of households were baptized.

3. Consistent with the New Testament practice are : —

(1) Allusions in Clement of Rome,^ the Shepherd of Hermas,^ and Justin Martyr.®

(2) The newly discovered " Didache," of perhaps 120 A. D., and of only say a quarter of a century later than the Apocalypse, in treat- ing of baptism, does not specify infants because they are understood, as in the New Testament itself.

(3) The elaborate catechumenical system of the early church grew up not because infant baptism was not a usage from the first, but because many were still entering the church out of heathenism, or out of Chris- tian families in which the children were no longer infants when the

1 Mark xvi. 16. 2 Acts ii. 38. s Matt, xxviii. 19.

■* The CoDgregationalChurchat "Wakefield, Mass. (the original church of Reading, Mass., founded in 1644 or 164.5), makes uo allusion to infant baptism in its early rules. Did silence, then, imply a negative? On the contrary, the records of that church show its constant practice. According to the argument here outlined, silence in the New Testament may as truly imply infant baptism as did silence in the early rules of the Wakefield church, the only difference being that the Wakefield church records have siyvived, and interpret the rules as having implied infant baptism, whereas the records of the New Testament churches (if such records were kept) are no longer extant to interpret the New Testament rules.

6 Acts X. 47, 48 (compare 24, 33, 44) ; xvi. 15; xvi. 33; xviii. 8; 1 Cor. i. 16.

[For ^, '', *, see next page, 1, -, 3, respectively.]

38 Infant Baptism. [1891.

parents espoused Christianity, and had therefore not been baptized until they did so of their own motion.

(4) Tertullian's advice to defer baptism to a maturer age is advice to defer not only until years of discretion, but in particular cases far beyond these, in order that baptism may be coincident with the period of life supposed to bejf reest from temptation. His advice thus proves too much ; namely, that it is grounded in dogma, rather than related to the question whether or not infants were baptized from the first. Moreover, he will only have baptism deferred where there is likelihood that life will be pro- longed; which shows that his counsel is prudential, rather than applicable to the present question.^

(5; The fact that not a few eminent Christians were not baptized in infancy, even in that part of this early period, when it is admitted by com- mon consent that infants were baptized, may have been due to many causes other than scruples about infant baptism ; for example, if they came out of heathenism ; or if their parents did when these persons were no longer infants, and so left them to be baptized of their own motion; or if they were actuated by the considerations which prompted Tertul- lian's advice ; etc.

(6) The mistaken opinion was, indeed, growing, late in the second cen-

1 (1) " Moreover, it is thus written of Job, ' Job was a righteous man, G-od-fearing, and one that kept himself from all evil' [Job i. 1]. But bringing an accusation against him- self he said, ' No man is free from defilement, even if his life be but of one day ' [Job xiv. 4, 5, following the LXX.]."^l.s< of Clement to the Corinthians, xvii.

(2) " Let us consider, then, brethren, of what matter we were made, — who and what manner of beings we came into the world, as it were out of a sepulchre, and from utter darkness. He who made us and fashioned us, having prepar ed his bountiful gifts for us before we were born, introduced us into his world." — \st of Clement to the Corinthians, XX xvii i.

Of these [V) shows Clement's idea of the unworthiness even of infants, — as does also the second; and (2) shows his thought of Grod's gracious provisions for such. Clement of Rome belongs within the first century.

2 (1) " Before a man bears the name of the Son of God he is dead; but when he receives the seal he lays aside his deadness, and obtains life. The seal, then, is the water : they descend into the water dead, and they arise alive." — Shepherd of Hermas, Book III., Similitude ix., Chapter xvi.

(2) "They who believed from the twelfth mountain, which was white, are the following : they are as infant children. . . . For all infants are honorable before God, and are the first persons with him." — The Same, Chapter xxix. Hermas claims to have been contemporary with Clement of Rome, and cannot be placed later than the first half of the second century.

3 Justin Martyr (not far from 150 A. D.) draws a parallel between baptism and circum- cision {Trypho, § 19); has Clement's idea of universal unworthiness {the Same, § 88); describes baptism as a being regenerated {\st Apology, § 61) ; and speaks of persons at that time sixty or seventy years old (born, that is, not far from 80 or 90 A. D.) " who were discipled to Christ in their childhood " {the Same, § 15).

The argument from these Fathers is : (1) They recognize the sinfulness of all, including infants; (2) They recognize the fulness of God's grace, and make tenderj allusions to children; (13) God's grace, to their minds, is associated with baptism, so that from (.3), with (1) and (2), infant baptism is assumed to be a corollary; (4) Certain hints are sup- posed to point in the same direction, as in the Inst citations from Hermas and Justin Martyr.

■• See note 3, next page.

189 1.] Infant Baptism. 39

tury and early in the third, that baptism was in itself a saving ordinance ; and the progress of this opinion would, indeed, on the one hand, add a new motive for baptism, and might even have operated to bring in infant baptism, as is alleged; but, on the other hand, it would operate toward TertuUian's attitude, and, from this point of view, would prove a sword cutting both ways. But, in point of fact, the conception of baptism as saving was not new at this time. There are traces of it almost from the first. It is doubtful how early, if ever, up to this time, the idea of saving grace was disassociated from baptismal water as the medium. With these conceptions, then, if infants were not baptized much earlier than toward 200 A. D., it is difficult to understand how the church bore the non- extension to their little ones of so great a boon ; whereas, if infants were baptized from the first, not only is this difiiculty removed, but it can readily be seen, on the one hand, how the baptism of infants accelerated the growth of a mistaken conception of baptism, and, on the other hand, how, toward the close of the second century, this mistaken conception of baptism led to that division of sentiment and of practice regarding infant baptism which, in point of fact, we find. In short, the phenomena of the period are such that they better explain a too literal conception of bap- tismal grace as an incrustation upon infant baptism, than infant baptism as the outgrowth of a too literal conception of baptismal grace.

4. Leaving, however, the chain of allusions and circumstantial con- siderations belonging to the obscure period between the Apostles and late in the second century, the following witnesses are adduced : —

(1) Ieenjeus (who lived, say from 130 to 202-3 A. D., and who had known Polycarp, a disciple of St. John the Apostle) : " He came to save all through means of himself — all, I say, who through him are born again to God \_renasGunter in Deum'] — infants [infantes'], and children \_parmdos'], and boys \_pueros'], and youths, and old men. He therefore passed through every age, becoming an infant for infants, thus sanctifying infants ; a child for children, thus sanctifying those who are of this age; " etc' To this testimony it is objected that the force of the passage lies in the direction of the incarnation rather than of baptism, and it is denied that " renascunter in Deum " refers to baptism. But the latter position, however incongru- ous baptism may seem to the passage, is contrary to the writer's usage, as, for example : " And again, giving to the disciples the power of regen- eration unto God [potestatem regenerationis in Deum'], he said to them, ' Go and teach all nations, baptizing them'," etc.^

(2) Tertullian (who lived, say from 150-60 to 220-40 A. D.) : "And so, according to the circumstances and disposition, and even age, of each individual, the delay of baptism is preferable ; principally, however, in the case of little children. . . . Why does the innocent period of life hasten to the ' remission of sins ' ? " ^ This passage and others, whatever one

1 Against Heresies, Book n., Chapter 22, § 4.

2 Against Heresies, Book III., Chapter 17, § 1.

2 On Baptism, Chapter 18. In the same chapter he suggests older persons, whom he would have defer baptism. His position, there and throughout, is, as I understand it, that which I have indicated in the paragraph, Second View, II., 3, (4).

40 Infant Baptism. [1891.

may think of TertuUian's own view, clearly show that infants were bap- tized in his time.

(3) Origen (who lived, say from 185-6 to 251-4 A. D.) : " The Church has received from the Apostles the tradition of granting baptism even to children [parvwKs]." ' The great learning of Origen should be borne in mind when he ascribes the practice to apostolic tradition.

"William Wall has characterized the testimony of this sort as follows : "And since the Apostles lived, some of them, to near the end of the first century . . . ; and had in their own time propagated the Christian faith and practice into so many countries ; it can never sink into the head of any considering man, but that such Christians as were ancient men about one hundred or one hundred and fifty years after that time of the Apostles' death, which is the year of Christ 200 or 250, must easily know whether infant baptism were in use at the time of the Apostles' death or not : because the fathers of some of them and grandfathers of most of them were born before that time, and were themselves infants in the Apostles' days, and so were baptized then in their infancy, if that were then the order : or their baptism deferred to adult age, if that were the use then. . . . We Englishmen [of 1705] cannot be ignorant whether infants were usually baptized in England or not, in Queen Elizabeth's days, which is the same distance. The man that thinks this possible, is one that is not used to consider." ^

The Third or High-church View.

There is a view which would deny the presuppositions underlying both of these arguments, the negative and the affirmative. This view is certain that baptismal water is a divinely appointed instrument of the new birth. It denies that the contrary view ever obtained any general acceptance prior to the Reformation. It considers that Scripture is committed to it. That this is a "mistaken opinion," as both of the foregoing views have assumed, it denies. Infants must, therefore, ordinarily have been included in baptism, or they missed the grace. The Church, too, was custodian of the tradition, and could not have gone astray in such a matter. This whole subject, in its general aspects, is expounded with impressive power by Dr. Pusey. ^ There are few of us but would be better for reading him. Few of us, however, could accept all of his conclusions.

Remarks on the First Two Views.

Returning, then, to the first two views, it is obvious that they are botli too positive. Neitlier of them can get a general assent, but are in a kind of dead-lock. Neander believes that infant baptism was not an apostolic

1 Epistle to the Romans, Book V., Chapter 6.

2 Preface to History of Infant Baptism, London, 1705.

3 Tracts for the Times (" Scriptural Views of Holy Baptism, with an Appendix"), Nos. 67, 68, and 69.

iSqi-] Infant Baptism. 41

usage ;^ Scliaff believes that it was. ^ The editor of the American edition of Smith's Bible Dictionary believes that it was not ; '' the writer of the article on Baptism in Smith's Dictionary of Christian Antiquities believes that it was.'' I have talked with two of the most eminent teachers of church history in New England within a few days ; one believes that it was not, the other that it was. A third discreetly observes : " Whether this early practice can be traced as far back as the Apostles themselves, is a point on which the evidence is not so decisive as to produce a settled opinion among scholars." ^ Now, a matter that is in such incertitude as this must place itself on a different and impregnable ground, or give up the field.

Between the two views, the causes which lead both to such lengths and to such absurdly diiferent conclusions are not only the almost entire absence of the critical faculty displayed by each, and an enormous amount of special pleading, but also assumptions which are liable to be erroneous in each case.

The first view assumes, for example, that baptism is of a certain nature. It being such, all the rest follows. Now, from what data is baptism assumed to be of such a nature? Who, from two or three texts, can affirm it? Who knows enough of the pedagogics of this race of ours to assign so limited a meaning to baptism? And who, after reading a few Greek sentences grammatically, can pass to the immense inference that a primary sacrament of the Christian church is individual only in its scope, and has not family and national applications?

The second view is prone to assume, with the first, that the practice must have been apostolic or devoid of authority. Starting from a certain assumption as to the nature of baptism, the first view demonstrates that the practice was not apostolic, and therefore devoid of authority. The second view, by reason of vague and mutually inconsistent idea.s as to the nature of baptism, unable to take a reciprocal point of departure, assumes itself right intuitively, or assumes that right goes in this matter by majori- ties, or has certain canons of what is historically credible, and thence dem- onstrates that the practice was apostolic, and therefore authoritative. But, if the practice was non-apostolic, does it therefore follow — and even

1 " Baptism was administered at first only to adults, as men were accustomed to conceive baptism and faith as strictly connected. We have all reason for not deriving infant baptism from apostolic institution." — General History of the Christian Religion and Church, Yo\. I., p. 311.

2 " It seems an almost certain fact, though by many disputed, that, with the baptism of converts, the optional baptism of the children of Christian parents in established congre- gations comes down from the apostolic age." — History of the Christian Church, Vol. II., p. 258. [In a note he adds :] " The fact is not capable of positive proof, but rests on strong probabilities."

3 Horatio B. Hackett, Commentary on Acts, notes on xvi. 15.

^ Wharton B. Marriott (in article) : " During the same period [the first four centuries] infants were always baptized without delay if in apparent danger of death. But in the absence of such danger their baptism was deferred to the time of solemn baptism held at Epiphany, Easter, or Pentecost."

5 Fisher's History of the Christian Church, p. 41.

42 Infant Baptism. [1891.

from the most low-church point of view — that it is devoid of authority? And as to intuitive grounds, or grounds of majority right through so many ages, must not the mind go further than these, or be ill at ease?

Looked at from either point of view, or from both, the whole subject needs a much larger and more comprehensive study than it has yet had. As to historical credibility, it would seem, indeed, as if Wall's quaint argument were conclusive. How could a man have known a man who knew St. John the Apostle, as Irenaeus did, and allude to the practice without protest if it were non-apostolic? Or how could it have sprung up of itself between St. John the Apostle and a man born, as TertuUian was, say fifty years later? Or how could that great scholar, Origen, born in, say 185-6 A. D., have spoken of it as a tradition received from the Apostles, if such were not the fact?

But, on the other hand, what enormous incrustations had already gath- ered upon the first Christian usages by Irenseus's time ! His writings are full of them. How much more the writings of TertuUian and of Origen ! We do not, either, take enough into account the tremendous swim, of the 'time, how much was in it, what stupendous questions, what a vast, pop- ulous, and complicated world, how superior the Christians of heathen lineage felt to everything Jewish except in the single matter of religion, and how ready, therefore, to attempt improvements ; nor, most of all, what a vital, exuberant, living principle, in distinction from a form or ritual, Christianity was, as it impinged itself upon the heathen world. Irenseus lays great stress, indeed, on the scrupulously handed down tradi- tion ; but when one reads in his own pages to what lengths Christian usage had already gone, one smiles at this his naive betrayal of his own favorite argument.

Then, too, and more fundamentally, did he who left no book, who left St. Peter to find out by slow degrees that he might come unto a heathen man, who taught St. Paul by such gradual and human stages — did he make every such matter as this of infant baptism clear? ^ Was it clear to the Apostles all at once, or equally? Had they reached so far, till late (if ever), as to settle the I'elations of their work to successive genera- tions in families? Was not here rather a grain of mustard seed sown, left to grow, and not prescriptively forefended from such astounding birds of the heaven as, by Irenseus's time, had already lodged in its branches?

The Fourth View — The Practice Germinal in Christianity. I suppose the state of the case to have been this : That it was in Christianity, sooner or later, to set its initial sign and seal not more on the individual than on the family and the nation. The family was more than the man, the nation than the family. All the family might not, indeed, respond to the heavenly bath ; but neither might the most promis-

1 Take the debate about the Law in the Council at Jerusalem, St. Paul's remarks on mar- riage, and on the near approach of the end of the world, and the slow emergence of the Christian Sabbath, for further examples.

1 891.] Infant Baptism. 43

ing adult convert. The nation might, indeed, apostatize; but so might the man or the family. Man was not made for baptism, but baptism for man. It was, sooner or later, to go to men, to families, to nations, with its divine symbolism. "When this germ principle was recognized, I know not ; perhaps already in the Apostles' days, but not at the first, I am sure. They beheld men as trees walking for a while. But, if the- Apostles saw it, I am confident that they never saw it in the artificial way of View II. They would not have recognized its lineaments in that remarkable tangle.

Conclusion.

Let us be done, then, with our colossal ignorance on this subject; with our easy-going satisfaction in conclusions which conclude nothing ; with,. on the other hand, our Gallio-like indifl"erence and scepticism regarding it. Let us especially stop shilly-shallying about it, presenting it now as a sacrament, now as a permissible and amiable act of parental consecration. This is a sacrament, or it isn't. If we observe it, as I believe we must, as a sacrament, let us act as if it were such. Let us honor it. Let us hold it forth in its strength and glory. The baptized child is a member of the church, upon this assumption — on the roll, under watch-care, to be dismissed and commended, etc.

Most of all, let us ask ourselves whether we can rise to this great ideal. Can we believe that Christ is redeeming whole families? Can we believe he wants entire nations baptized, the Congo Eree State, for example, or our United States? When humanity has passed by stages of infinite pain out of the savage state of individualism into that state of inter- dependence which our Christian civilization involves, is it our idea, then, that we brand the great initiatory Christian sacrament with the pitiful brand of individualism again? God so loved the world. He would bap- tize nations. He would bless St. Peter's tohole house, and not St. Peter only. Do we believe it?

REPORT ON SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

REV. EUFUS B. TOBEY.

The man wlio can invest statistics with any marked interest may reason- ably hope to extract sunshine from a cucumber. They have their place, however, in the report of every Sunday-school Committee, and we have set about the task of comparisons and contrasts and deductions conscien- tiously, in spite of the fact that our efforts in this direction may fail to arouse great enthusiasm.

The total number of churches in the State is 565, and of Sunday schools 563. The total enrollment is 118,875, a gain of 1,714 over last year. The average number in each school is 211, a little higher than that of last year. The average attendance as reported is 60.6 per cent, a gain of 2 per cent over last year. Some striking fact, by way of variety, might relieve the monotony of this part of the report, if it were on the right side ; but it is a matter of regret that the churches received into membership from the Sunday school 183 less than in 1889, the total being 2,424. This is one out of every 49 scholars enrolled. The total number joining the church on profession is 3,530; of these, 1,106 were not members of the Sunday school, as against 1,111 the year before. It is in- teresting to know that 68 per cent of this result can be directly traced to the influence of the Sunday school, while it is an easy inference that some of the others received in the Sunday school the seed which did not ger- minate until after they came out from under its instruction. These and other facts have been gleaned from the advance sheets of the Year-Book. From the same source we find that $45,242 have been contributed by our Sunday schools for missionary objects. This is an increase of $4,835 over 1889, and of $1,023 over the high-water mark of 1888. But this does not by any means represent the full amount which has been given by our young people. The report of last year's Committee calls attention to the output of the Christian Endeavor Societies and bands of King's Daughters, the membership of which is largely made up of members of our Sunday schools.

If all the money could go through the Sunday school, a surprising in- crease of contributions would be shown.

Your Committee, with a general knowledge of what is going on in our Sunday schools, wish to make several suggestions.

First. In reference to temperance. This is the day when ' ' an ounce of prevention" is especially needed. The liquor traffic not only supplies an existing demand, but puts forth especial efforts to create a new demand. To-day it looks in the direction of our young men to more than supply the places as customers of the old topers who are fast " shuffling off this mor- tal coil." A public sentiment which is supposed to be rising to the height

1 891.] Report on Stmday Schools. 45

where it will tolerate the wiping out of the saloon does not exist. In its stead we have public sentimentality. The fact that the saloon is the greatest menace to the church and to society should be taught as early as possible. Then again, the youth of this generation have nc^t inherited the will-power of their fathers. Unless this is strengthened in early life, what should be backbone is found in after years to be simply carti- lage. Geo. MacDonald was scientific when he said, " A wilful sin in the father becomes a sinful weakness in the child ! " The writer, since he has been connected with his present work, has found this to be true. The great majority of young men who, through the drink habit, have lost position in society and in business, are where they are not be- cause they are vicious, but because they are weak ; and the extent of this weakness is not realized until one witnesses again and again their futile efforts to escape from this modern Minotaur. If we are ever to hav 3 a public sentiment which shall expel this foe to Christianity, it must be developed, in part, by persistent effort in the Sunday school.

Second. Has not the time arrived for a little variation from the exclusive use of the International system of Sunday-school instruction? In the providence of God it has done a magnificent work. It has done more than any other agency to unify the various Christian denominations throughout the world. Then, too, what a wonderful advance upon the methods of a quarter of a century ago ! But should it have a monopoly to-day? The same spirit which prompted its adoption calls for an advance in certain directions.

While it is pleasant to contemplate that the world over Sunday schools are studying the International series of lesson helps, there is a call for Biblical study apart and aside from it. This is a healthful desire, not an abnormal craving. The demand is so loud that it has created in some quarters a prejudice against the prevailing methods. This ought not so to be, for the one should not antagonize the other. They can and ought to run on parallel lines. Schemes of Bible study have been prepared and sent forth from time to time by competent writers ; and yet we wish it were possible for our own Sunday-school and Publishing Society to meet this need. There ought to be uniformity in this as well as in the system now in vogue ; but in the main it is left to individual teachers to select topics to be studied, and often to prepare them for use in their classes.

Third. While congratulating our Sunday-school Society on pushing it as far as it has, the Committee think that the Home Department might be further extended, and be made more strictly a missionary agency than at present. No such map of the neglected and outlying districts in our own State has been made as that prepared by Dr. Fairbanks for Vermont, but that they exist in the old Bay State is an unquestionable fact. The writer while a home missionary in North Dakota adopted a plan which he thinks might be followed to advantage East. The idea, of course, came from the original scheme, of which this is a modification. It was found that there were families who had no special use for the minister, and to whom his

46 Jtieport on Sunday Schools. [1891.

room was preferable to his company. The adults were so indifferent that they were conspicuous for their absence from church, and had no desire to get their children into the Sunday school. It is axiomatic that the parent's heart can be touched through a little kindness shown the children. The chief reason for enlarging upon so simple a matter is its effectiveness. In brief, the details of the plan are these : selecting homes remote from the church, we made out our list, and submitted to the mothers the follow- ing : we stated our desire to connect their children with our Sunday- school as associate members. We asked the child, if of a suitable age, to agree to the requirements of our plan, and pledged the mother to teach the child the lesson if it was too young to engage in study. "We assigned each child to a class, so that when it came to our school it did not have to sit with visitors, but took its place in the class to which it had been assigned. We gave each child a contribution envelope, and it was pledged to contribute a penny or more every Sunday. On our part, we agreed to send each associate member a Sunday-school paper on every Lord's Day. We decided also to make the last Sunday of the quarter a review Sunday, and insisted that every associate member should be present, if possible. Upon that Sunday the children were to bring their contribution envelopes, and were to receive lesson helps for the coming quarter, and in addition a story-book in paper covers. A simple plan, it is true, but one requiring considerable time and a little expense to carry it out. The result, how- ever, was that our associate membership became larger than our active membership, and on review Sunday we often secured more intelligent answers from some of these associate members than from our regular members. Besides, it gave us the open sesame to these homes, and it was not long before we had an adult associate membership started, and were able to give Christian instruction where, at the outset, it seemed impossible. A little band of earnest workers, under the lead of the pastor and superintendent, — it might be the Sunday-school Committee of the Christian Endeavor, — could, by a similar extension of the Home Depart- ment, make an outlying or neglected desert district " blossom as the rose."

Fourth. It is the old straw that has been threshed over many a time, and yet we venture to express ourselves concerning the responsibility of the Sunday-school teacher. To unduly emphasize this point would be impossible. It is one of the marked evidences of a special Providence that so many have been brought into the church from the Sunday school during these past years, for no one will attempt to assert that in the majority of schools there is to be found a well-equipped corps of teachers. The question, " What can the Sunday school learn from the day school? " was discussed at two consecutive meetings of the Boston Superintendents' Union.

For one thing, a discussion of this nature reveals the fact that those who develop the mental powers have a far better equipment than spiritual teachers. Is not the management of the school responsible for this state of things, partly, at least, because it has no normal class? The hap-hazard method of drawing upon adult classes for substitute or permanent teachers

1 891.] Report on Sunday Schools. 47

is more than a grave mistake. Then, again, there is too much individual- ism and not enough of esprit de corps to achieve the highest success in the work.

It is not placing too high an estimate upon the ideal Sunday-school teacher to say that his position is second only to the sacred office of the ministry. The standard is high, and necessarily so because of the quality of the work to be done. He that would win souls must be very wise, and his efforts should result not merely in awakening an interest, but in im- parting the highest instruction.

It is a trite assertion, but it will bear repeating, that the teacher who knows the scholar only in the class does not know him. Something of his week-day life is necessary knowledge. If his time will permit only the hour of the regular service and no more, then he ought to spend that hour in some other branch of Christian work. If the opportunity is given of sending some other in his stead to visit absent scholars, the temptation to delegate this duty to that other is too strong to be resisted. It is radi- cally wrong for a teacher to neglect to visit his scholars at their homes, or for the superintendent, as a rule, to send another visitor to these homes in place of the teacher. No other, not even the pastor, has such an op- portunity as the consecrated Sunday-school teacher, if he faithfully and conscientiously performs the task assigned him.

If there is one point where this incomplete work is more noticeable than at any other, it is when scholars are transferred from the primary to the intermediate department. A great many primary teachers have grasped the idea that the child can be gradually trained to a knowledge of the truth that it belongs to Christ, and that while still a child it may become a disciple of the Master. But the momentum thus gained is often checked when the transfer is made to the next higher grade. The complaint is not infrequently made that retrogression now takes the place of progress. The same degree of spirituality is not registered in the intermediate as in the primary department. True it is the newcomers into the larger school cannot be shepherded as carefully as when they were lambs of the flock ; but they are tender still, and will need careful attention for months and years to come. A father who complained that his child grew away from Christ after she left the infant school, and who placed the responsibility therefor upon the less careful teacher of the higher grade, had a real grievance. It is not probable that, reckoned even by human standards, the most effective work is being done where it is most needed. Tested by the divine standard, it falls far below what it ought to be. This is not hypercriticism. Given the material that we have to work upon, and we should have greater results than now accrue. Emerson says, " Our friends are those who make us do the best we can." And if a friendly effort could result in bringing the teachers into line where they would ap- preciate their responsibility, and their privilege too, and if we could then persuade them to a deeper consecration and a closer concentration of labor, the problem would be solved, and that right speedily. There should be co-operative work, in which God, the teacher, and the

48 Report on Simday Schools. [1891.

parent if possible, sliould share; and tliere ought to be no cessation of prayer or of effort till the scholar has been transformed by the renewing of his mind. The writer for several years has been engaged in Chinese Sunday-school work. One objection frequently urged is against giving a teacher to every scholar ; but it has its advantages : it gives the teacher the opportunity to concentrate all her efforts on an individual ; and she cannot fail to understand that the end and aim of all her teaching is the conversion of that scholar. This prompts the statement that ordinarily the ambition to impart instruction to a large class should be checked. It provides too much material for one person to work upon. In the main, the responsibility for the conversion of every member of that class devolves upon the teacher, and this wonderful opportunity and grand privilege of leading these souls to Christ cannot be sufficiently availed of with a large number of scholars. As a rule, the superintendent is supposed to give momentum to the school, and to ascertain whether or not the. teacher is fully competent. The Celestial brother, however, does not wait for this. If he finds himself abreast of the teacher, or a little in advance of her, he quietly makes it known, and if another is not substituted, the place that once knew him soon knows him no more. Should not all our superintendents concern themselves more about the fitness of their teach- ers? Another hint given by this foreign missionary work at home comes from a little episode wherein a scholar whose teacher was absent for two successive Sundays went to her home to ascertain the reason therefor. A little of this heroic treatment would not be out of place in other Sunday schools. These, however, are but incidentals. Every teacher should be the pastor of his class, the shepherd of his flock, and it devolves upon him to see that they are safely corralled in the sheepfold of the Great Shepherd.

When we consider that religious instruction at home in this day and generation is reduced to a minimum, we can readily see that Sunday- school work should be increased to a maximum, and that all the tact and zeal, the faithfulness and consecration which the teacher, under God, may be able to gain, is absolutely necessary for the success of his work. " Just as the twig is bent the tree 's inclined," is a proverb in the applica- tion of which there is as much force as in the fact which gives rise to the proverb. If the Jesuit is willing anybody else should afterwards influence the child if he can but have it the flrst dozen years of its life, we, as Protestants, ought to learn therefrom just when the moulding power can be most effectively exerted.

HOW MAY THE CHURCH REACH THE MEN?

REV. F. A. WARFIELD.

. The question assigned to me by the committee assumes that men are not reached by the church as they should be, and that some revision of methods is demanded, such as shall make them more efficient in this direction.

Moreover, it seems to be assumed that special means are to be em- ployed before the result anticipated by the question can be realized.

I do not know but the same assumption would hold if we were discuss- ing the question, How to reach the women, — they are not reached as- they should be, — perhaps some revision of our methods would be re- quired to accomplish this, or some special methods employed. Hence, I am to consider one side of the question, — How to reach the people, con- fining myself to the men.

At the outset we must remember that there are two classes included in the term "men": 1st, those whose claim to the title rests upon their gender and age alone, and, 2d, those who are men in a social and moral sense.

If in our discussion we have in mind those men upon whom moral disease, in the form of some practised vice, or overmastering appetite or passion, has fastened, then the query of our theme will have one answer; if we have in mind the other class, — those whose impulses ax-e pure and noble, who are not in bondage to sensual cravings, not subject to low and debasing tendencies, — in other words, the good men of our communities, — quite different answers will suggest themselves.

As I understand my theme, it contemplates this second class, — those who do not hesitate to expose themselves to Christian influences ; who sit at the head of the pews in our houses of worship on pleasant Sundays, and often on others ; who are anxious to have good singing and preaching, and, perhaps, as I have just done, put the preaching second.

How to reach these is my question. But just what do we mean by " reach"? There is a general and a particular sense in which we may un- derstand that word. In a general sense, I am persuaded the men are reached. The c hurch so far touches them that they recognize the value of Christian- ity and Christian institutions, and for this reason they are generous in their support of these, and take pride in the material and social prosperity of their church. While some men support the church that their wives and children may attend, a large number of men take a deeper interest than is thus indicated in the position and prosperity of the church.

They gladly assume positions of responsibility and trust, and counsel together to promote the welfare of the church. Among the men of moral and social standing in the community, only a few are, in this general

50 How May the Church Reach the Men ? [1891.

sense, unreached. But, in the particular sense in which we may under- stand the word " reach," viz., by the gospel as a saving power, many of these very ones are untouched, and they often come to our thought as the perplexing problem of to-day.

With the question thus understood. How to reach the good men of the community with the gospel as a saving power, my treatment becomes simple, though difficult.

In considering it, I often propound certain questions to myself: —

1. Have I the right conception of the gospel, and what it is designed to do for these men?

From the character of the class and the nature and design of the gos- pel, are we to expect startling results, — a catastrophic experience, such as came to St. Paul when he was arrested in his career? or is the gospel in such promotive of a spiritual culture, that will open their minds to the discovery of truths to which the heart readily consents, and, by obedi- ence, conforms, so that a sort of spiritual evolution results, and they become new creatures in Christ Jesus?

The gospel has already operated upon them as a moulding ethical influ- ence ; they now acknowledge Christ as the pattern ; as a teacher they bow to him ; and even as a Saviour from sin they intellectually accept him. It would seem, therefore, that about all that can be expected of them is a hearty appropriation of Christ as a personal Saviour, Master, and Lord.

This is a step more in the nature of progress than revolution, — an advance, rather than a shock.

Would not the frank presentation of such views concerning the nature and design of the gospel result in our reaching more efiectually the men who are ordinarily described as the good men?

2. A second question that may have some meaning is. Does not our definition and setting forth of sin need revision and amendment ? Too often the church, by the phrase " conviction of sin," is understood to mean moral defilement, and a consequent prostration, that can never be experienced by one who has held himself above certain debasing and de- monizing practices. When Christ described the mission of the Holy Spirit, he declared "He should reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. Of sin because they believe not on me." This, ihen, is the great sin, — not adultery, nor murder, nor any in that catalogue, — but simply failure to believe on him.

What emphasis is thus added to the question. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?

Our preaching would come home to the good men of the community if this Biblical definition of sin were more generally assumed.

3. Another question closely akin to my first suggests itself to me : Are not the churches too much in bondage to their creeds, instead of enjoying the large freedom of the gospel.? It is generally admitted that a creed is not the door to the church : Christ rightly holds that place ; and yet some of these men, who are pi'eseut to my thought, are kept out of the church by the too earnest insistence upon the letter of the creed.

1891-] How May the Church Reach the Men ? 51

The ground upon which this insistence is justified is the oft-quoted Bib- lical question, Can two walk together except they be agreed?

The implication seems to be that doctrinal similarity is a stronger bond of fellowship than spiritual union in Christ, which, when thus boldly stated, all would be slow to afiirm.

If it could be generally understood that the door of the ehurch is broad enough to admit all who look to Christ for salvation and guidance, I am persuaded the church would soon include more of the intelligent and thinking men of the community, — the good men, — failure to reach whom is the occasion of this paper.

So much along the doctrinal line. But, unless I mistake, the craving of the present is for 'some practical setting forth of methods by which the end in view may be reached.

I do not know that this is possible ; certainly I claim no special wisdom, nor do I rejoice in any marked success in this endeavor; with you, I am anxious for light, and am all the time experimenting.

Preaching in these days is a power, even though there be newspapers many, and magazines many, and Sunday papers not a few; and with the class of men I have described preaching has a great influence, — they are present to listen, they are not repellant, they appreciate good preach- ing. Hence, we may do something towards reaching the men by the style of our preaching.

Mauly preaching will appeal to them. The pulpit that trims and com- promises, that shades truths and shirks issues, will disgust men who are honorable and straightforward, keen and intelligent. Downright honesty and genuineness are traits which commend themselves to such men; and preaching in which these are lacking will have little influence over men.

A man was asked to transfer his support from an orthodox to a liberal church, on the ground that he was more in sympathy with liberal princi- ples. His reply was suggestive: "I had rather go where a man under- takes to prove that two plus two equal five, if he is conscientious about it, than where one, week after week, tells me that two plus two equal four, — something that I knew already."

A very large proportion of the class I have in mind are practical men. They boast of this ; and it is well to consent to it ; as a result, they desire practical preaching, — and pugnacious is not of necessity practical preach- ing.

One need not descend to be a partisan in politics nor an extremist in reforms, in order to handle live issues in a practical way. If Christianity has anything to say upon these subjects, let it be said in the Spirit of the Great Teacher ; and when men see that Christianity touches helpfully these practical affairs, they will be influenced. Last July a congregation of 1,000, on the average, assembled to listen to a series of sermons upon Pressing Problems, and what Christianity has to ofi"er toward their solution, with- out any accessories of music or stereopticon, without any descent to sensationalism. A congregation composed very largely of men listened to plain truths upon these practical issues of the time.

52 How May the Church Reach the Men ? [1891.

Possibly some of you may conclude that I am emphasizing quite too much the agency of the pulpit in reaching men, especially since we are often treated to dissertations upon the decline of the pulpit, and are told frequently that the pulpit is not now, as once, oracular. But I am happy to be supported in my position by so orthodox and discriminating an organ as the Sunday Herald (which was handed me on Monday a. m.), and in which I find an article on " Vitality of the Church, and how it is affected by the Pastor's Popularity."

But, turning now from the pulpit and from preaching, we may pointedly inquire whether we ought not to emphasize the masculine element in our church machiuery rather more.

Even Christian men are accommodating enough to permit women to do all they will in church work. I am afraid churches have somewhat suf- fered as a result, — women have come to the front and men have resign- edly withdrawn to the rear.

In temperance work, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union has taken the lead, until in many, and, indeed, most, of our cities and towns very little is being done except by them. In missions, the Woman's Board and kindred organizations are doing more and more, and churches as such are not moving forward as they should. In a particular church whose gifts for foreign missions altogether show an increase of more than forty per cent during five years, the regular annual offering by the congregation has scarcely held its own.

The Ladies' Benevolent Society is expected to paint and repair the meet- ing-house, and to do sundry other like things, which it is perfectly con- venient for the men to lay aside. These are the results of the emphasis that has been laid upon the feminine element in our machinery. Men will gallantly asi^ociate themselves, in an honorary way, with all these, but here their relation ends.

But in this reference I have no thought of criticism, but would simply indicate the drift of the times, and would ask whether it is not incumbent upon us to introduce, in some harmonious way, the masculine element into our church life.

In definitely spiritual work the same conditions exist, while it is gen- erally admitted that men can be better reached by men. Now, can this be done? In one church in this State (and I doubt not in others as well) a prayer-meeting for men only has been maintained for more than six years. It offers to the men a special sphere, and the results have been such as to warrant its continuance.

The attendance has been mo re than double that of the ladies' prayer- meeting, while it was held; the difference, perhaps, being partly accounted for by the fact that the former occurs on Sunday night (but, still, just before a general prayer-meeting), while the latter is held on a week evening.

Another method that worked satisfactorily was for the pastor to meet, at a social tea, all the male members of hischui'ch, in companies of twenty or thirty, week by week, the whole number being upwards of one hundred

1 89 1.] Hoiv May the Church Reach the Men? 53

and ninety. Without interfering with evening business or appointments, it was possible to urge upon the men the importance of their assistance and co-operation in the spiritual work of the church, and to suggest some very definite and practical ways in which they might do this. And you ought not to be surprised to learn that Sunday-evening prayei'-meetings increased to over eight hundi'ed, and in a few months fifty-two were added to the church.

In a very cordial letter from a fellow-pastor, it was suggested that a gentlemen's club or league might be formed in every congregation. I have known of such organizations that were very successful in interest- ing young men in debates and associated exercises. Yoke-fellow bands have likewise been formed for more definitely spiritual work for men, and have been greatly blessed. Other less mechanical methods have been tried.

At a recent communion quite a number of men united with a certain church. The pastor felt that it was important to identify them in some way with the work of the church. A small mid-week prayer service was held on Friday evenings, in rooms which were occupied on Sundays by a branch Sunday school.

The pastor conducting the meeting one week was surprised to find only women and children present. Before another meeting he had invited twenty-two of the men who had recently become Christians to a confer- ence; twenty-one came. An informal agreement was made that five of these should be present each week, and in a few weeks the meeting doubled, and a large percentage of the newcomers were men, — thirteen on a single night.

These, you will say, are hackneyed methods, and scarcely worthy of being mentioned in a paper such as you had hoped this would be, or of being urged upon an elect company of wise workmen, as this is. But I find that old plans when vigorously revived (and much depends upon the vigorously) have marvellous power, and simple methods are often strangely used of God.

Not a few pastors have secured, by correspondence with men, their grounds for non-attendance at church, and then have given to the world, in books and pamphlets, the results of their inquiries. For me to have pursued the same fascinating method would have been to threshold straw that had been well beaten. But in the many such efibrts whose records I have been permitted to consult, I find excuses more abundant than reasons. I am afraid we should not reach those who aflirm they have not proper clothing, if we were all to robe ourselves in denim and calico; nor those who tell us the churches are too elegant, if we were to assemble in barns. Few shun theatres because they are too elegant and costly. Nor do I believe we should help those who say they cannot afford to attend church even if we entirely eliminated the element of expense.

I sometimes wonder, having reached these, whether, after all, we have reached men. It would be too bad to describe them as feminine in their proclivities ; and some would hesitate to admit that they are masculine ;

54 How May the Church Reach the Men ? [1891.

while physiology compels us to place all the human race in one or the other class. Seriously, I am afraid, iu giving too much attention to these, we are neglecting the work of reaching men.

The Church may more wisely endeaver to influence those in whom manliness has a larger development. I, for one, believe that increasing success is being vouchsafed to the Church. Straws may indicate some- thing. At an ordinary Sunday service this mouth two hundred and flfty- one men were present. Oq the same day one hundred and fifty-six men were present at the evening prayer-meeting, — another straw. In my own church the records show that in three years ninety-four adults have been received on profession of faith, of which number fifty-three were women and forty-one men, — not far from the proportion of the male to the female adult population of the State. These are simply straws, and should be given only such weight as straws merit. I do not believe them at all exceptional facts, and they convince me that the Church is making prog- ress in the direction implied in my theme ; in short, inspiration for more earnest endeavor may be derived from the experience of the past.

The problem is already in process of solution ; we may therefore con- fidently hope that it will soon be more perfectly solved.

As a rule, about one third of the membership of Congregational Churches Is male. Massachusetts is not quite up to this. In 1870 thirty-one per cent were males; in 1880, thirty-one per cent; in 1890, thirty-two per cent. According to the Year-Book, for the whole country the records are, that in 1860, thirty and two thirds per cent were males ; in 1870, thirty-three per cent; in 1880, thirty-three and one third per cent; in 1889, thirty-three and one half per cent, showing thus a slight advance. The trend is in the right direction, though the movement is not sufficiently rapid. If we aim more definitely at this we shall come still nearer our desire ; the vast increment of power which would thus come to the Church if once real- ized would force us to double our energy.

The church of Christ usually reaches the end for which it believing strives. " According to your faith," is a principle of divine economy that is unrevoked. I fear that too many have lost their faith in the gospel as the power of God unto salvation to every^ man that believeth. They too much doubt the accessibility of men, and are more alert to discover reasons why they are not reached than methods of reaching them.

A renewal of our faith in the gospel as for men would result in a true consecration to this special work, and this would be the earnest of a larger success.

SPECIAL NOTICE.

It is greatly to be deplored, In the interests of the churches, and in view of the able report of Rev. Edwin H. Byington on "The Work of the Churches, "/presented at the meeting of the Association, that liis paper has, in a way wholly inexplicable, failed to reach the hands of the printer. InHhe absence of the Secretary, Rev. H. A. Hazen, in England, I assume the responsibility of this serious omission.

A. G. BALE,

Melrose, July 27, 1891. Begistrar.

TKEASUKER'S REPOET.

In submitting the following report, it is my sad duty to record the death, on the twenty- sixth day of December, 1890, of the Hon. Edward Isaiah Thomas, of Brookline, who was, from 1887 to the time of his death, the honored and efficient treasurer of this General Asso- ciation of the Congregational Churches of Massachusetts, and the records, up to and including Deo. 16, 1890, are in his handwriting.

Having been chosen by the remaining officers of the General Association to fill the vacancy caused by his death, it has been my duty and privilege to endeavor to complete his work for the remainder of the year.

GENERAL ASSOCIATION" OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES OP MASSA- CHUSETTS, in account with EDWARD I. THOMAS, Treasurer to DEC. 26, 1890, CHARLES E. EDDY, Treasurer from 3 KS . 1, 1891.

1890. Dr.

Oct. 2. To cash paid Alfred Mudge & Son, printers, on account of their bill, June 16 to Oct. 1, for the Minutes of 1890, and other

printing

" Alfred Mudge & Son, printers, in full for above bill " For postage-stamps, messenger, and telephone " Treasurer, for expenses to attend annual meeting Nov. 7. " " " Thomas Todd, printer, for bill of Oct. 4

17. " " " To Committee on Amendment to the Constitution (Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, chairman), circulars, post- age, etc

$400 00 256 84

6 00

7 48 7 75

1891.

Jan. 2. To cash paid to Rev. Henry A. Hazen, salary to Oct. 1,

1890 $100 00

Postage and telegrams 13 75

Expenses to General Association . . , 7 75

121 50

April 25. '• " " Rev. Henry A. Hazen, balance of salary for

the year $100 00

Postage, telegrams, and special services . 27 75

127 75

May 19. To balance to new account 2,357 25

$3,304 20

58 Treasurers Repot t. [1891.

Cr.

By balance from last account, June 14 . . ... . i . , $466 14

By cash from the Conferences as below : —

Andover Conference, April 16, 1891 ♦.

Barnstable Conference, Dec. 16, 1890, $43; Jan. 26, 1891, $10.13

Berkshire North Conference, March 18, 1891

Berkshire South Conference, Feb. 12, 1891, $1.56; May 11, $67.14 .

Brookfield Conference, March 6, 1891, $79.98; May 7, $21.24 ....

Essex North Conference .

Essex South Conference, May 5, 1891

Franklin Conference, Feb. 6, 1891

Hampden Conference, Nov. 28, 1890, $100; March 9, 1891, $154.61; March 18, $243

Hampshire Conference, Feb. 12, 1891, $50.02; Feb. 12, $113.73 ....

Hampshire East Conference, June 18, 1890

Mendon Conference, Oct. 29, 1890

Middlesex South Conference, Jan. 2, 1891

Middlesex Union Conference, May 14, 1891, $84.88; May 18, $10.13 .

Norfolk Conference, Jan. 6, 1891

Old Colony Conference, May 5, 1891

Pilgrim Conference, Oct. 24, 1890

Suffolk North Conference, Oct. 8, 1890

Suffolk South Conference, May 18, 1891

Suffolk West Conference, March 27, 1891

Taunton Conference, Jan. 2, 1891

Woburn Conference, April 30, 1891 . ,

Worcester Central Conference, May 19, 1891

Worcester North Conference, May 6, 1891

Worcester South Conference, Dec. 13, 1890, $58.64; April 16, 1891, $16.77

1891. May 20. By balance brought down $2,357 25

The book of the treasurer shows the following balances due to the General Asso- ciation, viz. : —

From Brookfield Conference $7 71

Hampshire East Conference 179 03

Old Colony Conference 32 62

Suffolk South Conference 48 50

Worcester Central Conference 138 07

Total $405 93

E. & O. E.

Respectfully submitted,

CHARLES E. EDDT. Boston, May 19, 1891.

178 iT
53 13
95 13
68 70
101 22
0 00
175 83
100 05
257 04
163 75
50 00
63 36
111 03
95 01
156 99
95 00
34 77
224 10
155 94
215 67
88 41
143 19
80 00
56 1.6
75 41
$3,304 20

This certifies that we have audited the accounts of the treasurers of the General Associa- tiou for the year ending this day, and find them correctly cast and properly vouched. The balance in the treasury, per statement of the National Bank of Commerce, appears to be $2,357.25.

Geo. p. Smith, Frank Foxcropt,

Auditors.

EULES OF THE GENERAL ASSOCIATION.

1. Name. — This body shall be called The General Association OF THE Congregational, Churches of Massachusetts.

II. Object. — Its object is to secure Christian union, fellowship, and intercourse among the ministers and churches; promote spirituality, and to co-operate with one another and with other ecclesiastical bodies in advancing the Redeemer's kingdom.

III. Doctrinal Basis. — This Association agrees to the Declaration of Eaith adopted by the National Council of Congregational Churches in the year 1865, the doctrines therein set forth being understood by us to be distinctly those which from the beginning have been embraced by the churches of New England as the doctrines of the gospel.

TV. Denominational Basis. — Being based exclusively upon Con- gregational principles, this Association shall under no circumstances exercise ecclesiastical authority over churches or individuals, or interfere with the government or discipline of the churches, or consent to hear appeals, or give advice in ecclesiastical causes of any kind.

V. Members. — Each District Association of ministers, consenting to the principles above stated, may appoint, annually, two delegates, each to serve two years; and each District Conference of Churches, also so consenting, may appoint, annually, three delegates, who shall be laymen, each to serve two years; which delegates, with the secretary, registrar, treasurer, and the pastor of the church with which the annual session is held, shall compose the General Association. Delegates from corre- sponding bodies, ministers appointed to preach sermons, and chairmen of committees attending to present reports, shall be honorary members, together with such other persons as the Association may vote to admit.

YI. Officers. — 1. A secretary, a registrar, and a treasurer shall be chosen by ballot, each to serve three years from the close of the session at which the choice was made : to these offices any member of any Con- gregational church connected with this body shall be eligible. In case any of these offices become vacant between the annual meetings of the Association, the vacancy may be filled until the next following meeting by vote of the remaining officers.

2. A moderator and an assistant registrar shall be chosen by ballot from the members at each session to serve during that session.

3. The secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Associa- tion, collect the statistics of ministers and churches, and have charge

60 Rules of the General Association. [1891.

of the printing thereof; distribute tlie publications of the Association, ■and preserve, for the permanent use of the Association, copies of all its publications.

4. The registrar shall make the records of each meeting, and pre- serve them as the permanent property of the Association, to whom the assistant registrar shall render his aid. He shall seasonably notify the time and place of each annual session.

5. The treasurer shall receive all money raised for the use of the Association, disburse the same as directed, and present an annual report, to be audited as the Association may direct.

6. The secretary, registrar, and treasurer shall be, ex officio, members of the Association, and be the Committee of Publication unless another be chosen. Their travelliug expenses in attending the several sessions shall be paid by the Association.

VII. Quorum. — Twenty-five delegates shall constitute a quorum.

yill. Annual Meeting. — The annual meeting shall be held on the third Tuesday of May, at two P. M. (or at some other more convenient hour), at such place as shall have been duly designated.

IX. Home Missionary Society. — The Massachusetts Home Mis- sionary Society may annually elect two delegates to be members of this body, while it consents that this body may nominate two persons for membership in the Executive Committee of that society.

The two persons thus nominated shall be from the membership of the Association at the time, and shall not be eligible for nomination for more than two years in succession, and shall make report concerning the work of the society at the next meeting of the Association.

X. Correspondence. — Official fraternal intercourse with the sev- eral State Congregational organizations, and with other denominations, is sufliciently had by the representation of this body in the JSTational Council of the Congregational Churches of the United States.

XI. Organization. — The pastor of the church of the place of meet- ing, or the secretary, may call the Association to order, and preside in the meeting until it be properly organized. The certificates of the dele- gates present shall be presented, only the names of members being read by the registrar. The Association shall then be organized by the choice of a moderator and an assistant registrar, and the moderator shall open the session with prayer. A Committee on Credentials shall then be appointed, to whom all certificates shall be referred.

XII. Committees. — 1. The committees for the session are these: (1.) A Committee on Credentials, who shall be appointed by the mod- erator immediately after the opening of the session.

(2.) A Committee on Kominations, to nominate the following and any other committees referred to them : —

1 891.] Rules of the General Association. 61

(3.) A Committee of An-angements, consisting of three, of which the pastor or some member of the church shall be one, to prepare the business of the session: and no business shall be introduced during the session but through the hands and with the approbation of the com- mittee; but if said committee decline presenting any item or business proposexl by any member, he shall have the privilege of appeal to the Association. - 2. To act after the adjournment.

(1.; A Provisional Committee of five, of whom the secretary or registrar shall be one, to arrange the schedule for the next annual meeting; to select a preacher for the Associational sermon, and persons to prepare such written papers as they shall deem desirable.

(2.) A State Committee on the Work of the Churches, who shall make an annual report to this body upon the work of the churches and state of religion, unless otherwise ordered at any session.

The State Committee on the Work of the Churches shall consist of the chairmen of the corresponding committees of local Conferences, the secretary, the registrar, the Committee on Intemperance, the Committee on Sunday-School Work, and twenty-one members at large, — to be so classified that seven shall be elected each year for a term of three years.

(3.) A Committee to Audit the Accounts, who shall report the state of the treasury and the sum, in their opinion, necessary to be paid the next year by the churches of the several Conferences connected with this body.

(4.) A Committee on Intemperance, to consist of five members, one for each of the five groups into which the Conferences of the State at any time may be divided.

(.5.) A Committee on Sunday-School Work, to consist of six members, two to be chosen each year for a term of three years.

XIII. Exercises. — The time of the annual session shall be occu- pied by devotional services, the consideration of the state of religion, the wants and methods of home evangelization, addresses, and discussions of practical religious interest, and attention to the objects of benevolent enterprise sustained by the churches.

XIV. Special, Orders. — 1. At the opening of the session, on the mornings of Wednesday and Thursday, the moderator shall take the chair at the hour to which the Association stands adjourned; shall imme- diately call the members to order; shall direct the roll to be called; shall open the meeting witli prayer, and cause the minutes of the preceding day to l)e read; and the sessions of each day shall be closed with prayer.

2. The Associational sei'mon and Lord's Supper shall be assigned to Tuesday evening. Wednesday evening shall be devoted to exercises having special reference to the people or the place of meeting, or a ser-

62 Rules of the General Association. [1891.

mon may be preached, the preacher to be selected by the Provisional Committee. One session of the Association shall be devoted to the cause of Home Missions.

3. Each annual meeting shall be closed with a psalm or hymn, and prayer.

XY. Place of Meeting. — Previously to the close of each meeting the General Association shall specify a place for meeting the next year; and the church of the place of meeting selected is requested to make preparations to celebrate the Lord's Supper in the course of the service. The Lord's Supper shall be administered generally without remarks'.

XVI. EuLES OF Order. — 1. Every motion, on being seconded, shall, if requested by the moderator or any two members, be reduced to writing; and no motion shall be opened to discussion until it be seconded.

2. The moderator may speak to points of order in preference to other members, rising from his seat for that purpose, and shall decide ques- tions of order, subject to an appeal to the house by any two members; but he may not speak to the merits of the question without leaving the chair and placing some other member in it to preside while he speaks.

3. No member shall speak more than twice on the same question without leave of the Association.

4. When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received except for adjournment, laying on the table, amendment, postpone- ment, commitment, or the previous question. The previous question is this: Shall the main question be now put? and the effect of adopting it shall be to put an end to debate, and to bring the Association to a direct vote upon the amendments, if any are pending, and then upon the main question proper.

5. If a question under debate contains several parts, any member may have it divided and a question taken on each part.

6. Every member when speaking shall address himself to the Chair, and shall be subject to no needless interruption. If he acts disorderly, it shall be the duty of the moderator and the privilege of other members to call him to order.

Xyil. Amendments. — 1. Any of the above rules, except the first five, may be amended at any annual session by a two-thirds vote, the proposed amendment having been submitted in writing on the day pre- vious to that of the action.

2. Amendments to either of the first five articles shall not be made except upon their proposals at the annual meeting next prior to that of action, and after notice has been sent to the several Associations and Conferences, and by a two-thirds vote.

1891.]

The Associations of Ministers : i.

63

THE ASSOCIATIONS OF MINISTEES.

1. Andover, Organized July 5, 1763.

Members.

S. Winchester A driance, James Alexander, Smith Baker, Cecil F. P. Bancroft, Emil B. Bary, John J. Blair, Samuel Bowker, Francis H. Boynton, S. IngersoU Briant, Gardiner S. Butler, Charles C. Carpenter, Charles M. Carpenter, Clark Carter, Edward A. Chase, J. Wesley Churchill, Thomas G. A. Cote, M. McGregor Dana, Charles A. Dickinson, Martin Dudley, Frederick W. Greene, John M. Greene, John P. Gulliver, John W. Haley, Edward Y. Hincks, Emil Holmblad, Charles W. Huntington. George H. Ide, Francis H. Johnson, William A. Keese, David Kilburn, Horace H. Leavitt, Charles M. Mead, Selah Merrill, Charles L. Mitchell, Joseph L. Morin,

Date of Ordination.

'79, May 22. '82, May 7. '60, July 30. '67, May 1. '81, June 29. '74, Oct. 19. '45, Dec. 8. '64, Oct. 20. '68, April 22. 77, Jan. 3. '60, May 9. '90, April 22. '68, Feb. 13. '84, May 28. '69, April 30. '71, April 9. '63, April 19. '79, Sept. 27. '51, Dec. 31. '85, Sept. 3. '57, Oct. 20. '46, Oct. 1. '64, Sept. 23. '70, Oct. 18. '84, Oct. 11. , '81, Sept. 6. '69, Oct. 28. '61, Oct. 15. '73, July 31. '84, April 20. '73, June 19. '66, Aug. 10. '64, Nov. 1. '71, June 28. '86, Dec. 1.

Date of Membership.

'84, Dec. 2.

'71, Dec. 5. '90, Sept. 23. '90, Dec. 2. '86, April 7. '82, April 11. '89, May 28. '90, April 8. '89, Sept. 24. '91, May. '90, Sept. 3. '73, June 3. '89, Sept. 24. '82, April 11. '82, April 11. '90, May 26. '84, Dec. 2. '84, Dec. 2. '85, Nov. 3. '71, June 28. '82, April 11. '88, Feb. 14. '85, Dec. 15. '90, Feb. 4. '88, June 5. '77, Feb, 22. '83, June 5. '89, Dec. 3. '90, Sept. 23. '82, Dec. 19. '67, Oet. 9. '74, Oct. 20. '84, June 19. '86, Dec. 14.

Residence. Employment.

Lowell. P. C.

Tewksbury. P.

Minneapolis, Minn. P. C.

Andover. Prof. Andover.

Andover. P. C.

Reading. W. C.

Lawrence. P. C.

North Chelmsford. P.

Hill, N.IH. P. C.

Andover. W. C.

Tyngsboro'. P.

Lawrence. C. M.

Lawrence. P. C. Andover. Prof. Sem.

Springfield. Prof.

Lowell. P. C.

Boston. P. C.

Lowell. W. C.

Andover. P. C.

Lowell. P. C. Andover. Prof. Sem.

Temple, N. H. P. Andover. Prof. Sem.

Lowell. P. C.

LoweU. P. C.

Milwaukee, Wis. P. C.

Andover. W. C.

Lawrence. P. C. Andover.

North Andover. P. C.

London, Eng. W. C.

Andover. Lit.

Winchester. W. C.

Montreal. P. C.

64

The Associations of Ministers : i, 2.

[1891.

1 . Andover ( Continued) ,

Date of Ordination.	Date of Membership.	Residence.	Employment.
76, July 12.	'84, Oct. 28.	Methuen.	P.O.
'73, April 14	'90, Feb. 4.	Lowell.	P.O.
70, May 29.	'83, April 3.	Lowell.	P.O.
'69, Dec. 14.	'88, Dec. 4.	Andover.	Prof. Sem.
'68, Nov. 12.	'85, Nov. 3.	Andover.	Prof. Sem.
'67, Dec. 4.	'84, Oct. 28.	• Springfield.	P.O.
'79, April 29.	'85, May 26.		W. 0.
'85, Nov. 11.	i85, Dec. 15.	Colfax, Wn.	P.O.
'84, Nov. 6.	'84, Dec. 2.	Lowell.	P. C,
'44, Oct. 14.	'72, Oct. 4.	Andover.	W. C.
'82, Oct. 6.	'90, April 8.	Andover.	P.O.
'81, Sept. 21.	'82, Feb. 26.	Lawrence.	P.O.
'83, Sept. 6.	'85, Nov. 3.	Brunswick, Me. Prof.

Members.

Charles H. Oliphant, Joseph H. Paradis, Henry T. Rose, William H. Ryder, •John Phelps Taylor, John L. R. Trask, John H. Vincent, John T. Whalley, Charles H. Willcox, Worcester Willey, IFrederick A. Wilson, William E. Wolcott, I'rank E. Woodruff,

Licentiates. — Lyman B. Mevis and Walter S. Ufford.

Stated Meetings. — First Tuesdays in December and April, and fourth 'Tuesdays in February, May, and September. Hev. Frederick W. Greene, Andover, scribe.

^. Berkshire 1S"orth (Berkshire, 1763), Organized by division, October 14, 1852.

George W. Andrews,	'82, June 7.	'84,	Dec. 1.	Dalton.	P.
Stephen M. Andrews,	'67, May 21.	'90,	Sept. 16.	Windsor.	P.
John Bascom,	'59, Dec. 18.	'61,	Jan. 28.	Williamstown.	W. C.
Austin B. Bassett,	'87, Sept. 15.	'87,	Dec. 6.	Ware.	P. C.
George H. Burrill,	'81, June 14.	'84,	Sept. 1.	New Lebanon, N.	Y. P.
William Carruthers,	'58, June 16.	'76,	Mar. 6.	Holyoke.	W. C.
John P. Coyle,	'82, May 3.	'86,	Dec. 14.	North Adams.	P. C.
John H. Denison,	70, Jan. 30.	'85,	Sept. 16.	Williamstown.	P.
James F. Eaton,	'79, Dec. 30.	'90,	Mar. 11.	North Adams.	Prof.
Nathaniel H. Egleston,	'45, Feb. 19.	'77,	Dec. 3.	Washington, D. C	. W.C.
Edward H. Griffin,	'68, Feb. 6.	'73,	Dec. 1.	Baltimore, Md. Dean Coll.
Samuel Harrison,	'50, Aug. 13.	'52.		Pittsfield.	P.
Edward Hungerford,	71, Sept. 12.	'85,	June 10.	Burlington, Vt.	W.C.
Jona. L. Jenkins,	'55, Oct. 17.	'85,	June 10.	Pittsfield.	P.O.
James H. Laird,	'64, Dec. 21.	'85,	Sept. 16.	Hinsdale.	P. C.
T. Claire Luce,	'85, Dec. 2.	'90,	Dec. 2.	Richmond.	P.
William E. Morse,	'86, May 1.	'90,	Dec. 2.	Middlefield.	P.
Samuel W. Powell,	'72, Feb. 8.	'89.		Peru.	P.
Arthur W. Remington,	'89, April 25.	'90,	Dec. 2.	Canaan Four Corn's, Y.
Clarence S. Sargent,	'79, Oct. 1.	'87,	Dec. 6.	Adams.	P. C.
James C. Seagrave,	'51, Dec. 1.	'87,	Dec. 6.	Hinsdale.	W.C.

1 89 1.] TJie Associations of Ministers : 2, 3, 4.

65

2. Berkshire ITorth (Continued).

Members. Isaac C. Smart,

Date of Ordination.

'85, June 9.

Date of Membership.

Residence. 85, Sept. 16. Pittsfield.

Employment.

P. c.

Stated Meetings. — In March, June, September, and December. Rev. James H. Laird, Hinsdale, scribe and treasurer.

Berkshire South (Berkshire, 1763), Organized by division, October 14, 1852.

Augustus Alvord,	'66,	Jan. 19.	'59, Oct. 25.	Monterey.	P
Frank E. Butler,	'87,	June 22.	'87, July 26.	Housatonic.	P. C
S. Russell Butler,	'66,	Sept. 10.	'85, July 28.	Mill River.	P
Walter W. Curtis,	'72,	Mar. 20.	'83, Oct. 29.	West Stockbridge.	P.
J. Jay Dana,	'35,	Sept. 9.	'86, Jan. 26.	Housatonic.	P
Edward Day,	'86,	Sept. 15.	'91, Jan. 27.	Lenox.	P. c
Parris T. Farwell,	'83,	Oct. 23.	'83, Oct. 29.	Stockbridge.	p. c
Edward J. Giddings,	■57,	Oct. 19.	'63, Jan. 27.	Housatonic.	w. c
Timothy A. Hazen,	'54,	Oct. 11.	'84, April 28.	Great Barrington.	W. 0.
Samuel Hopley,	'55,	Sept. 19.	'90, Jan. 28.	Lee.	w. c.
R. DeWitt Mallary,	'76,	Oct. 12.	'80, July 12.	Lenox.	w. c.
Frederick R. Marvin,	'78,	April 18.	'87, Oct. 25.	Great Barrington.	p. c
John Henry Mtiller,	'89,	May 2.	'90, Jan. 28.	Sheffield.	p. c
Frank I. Nute,	'80,	Nov. 18.	'87, Jan. 25.	Riverton, Ct.	w. c
Lyman S. Rowland,	'64,	Nov. 16.	'77, Oct. 29.	Lee.	p. c
George T. Washburn,	'59,	Mar. 22.	'59, July 25.	Madura. Missionary.

Licentiate. — William .J. Bartlett, Lee, lay preacher, Oct. 25, 1887. Stated Meetings. — Last Tuesdays in January, April, July, and October. Rev. Parris T. Farwell, Stockbridge, scribe and treasurer.

4. Brookfield, Organized June 22, 1757.

Thomas E. Babb,	69, Jan. 19.	86,	Oct. 12.	Chelsea.	P.O.
Solomon Bixby,	53, June 30.	'78,	-July 19.	Hawley.	P.
Erastus Blakeslee,	80, Feb. 17.	'88,	Jan. 10.	Spencer.	P. C
Moses F. Boudreau,	'77, Aug. 8.	89,	Jan. 15.		P
D. Olin Clark,	'78, June 11.	86,	Nov. 15.	Warren.	W. C.
Jules A. Derome,	89, May 28.	89,	July 9.	Springfield.	Ed
Joseph F. Gaylord,	67, Nov. 7.	79,	Oct. 15.	Barre.	P. C.
Jasper P. Harvey,	80, May 19.	'91,	.Jan. 13.	Ware.	P. C
John Haven,	36, Dec. 14.	'51	June 10.	Charlton.	w. c
Silvanus Hay ward,	'61, Oct. 9.	'81	April 19.	Globe Village.	p. c

66

The Associations of Ministers : 4, 5.

[1891.

4. Brookfield (Continued.)

Members.

John W. Hird, Edmond C. Ingalls, Thomas C. Kinne, Hartford P. Leonard, Charles S. Mills, Alfred T. Perry, Thomas C. Richards, Martin L. Richardson, Uriel W. Sm^^U, Arthur Titcomb, Sedgwick P. Wilder,

Date of Ordination.	Date of Membership.	Residence. Employment.
'79, Mar. 19.	'79, Oct. 14.	Baldwinville.	P.
'77, July 16.	'89, July 9.	Brookfield.	P.O.
'75, June 28.	'91, Jan. 13.	W. Warren.	P
'63, June 23.	'87, July 5.	Oakham.	P.
'85, July 2.	'88, July 3.	Cleveland, 0.	P. c
'86, Dec. 29.	'87, July 5.	■Hartford, Ct.	w. c
'90, July — .	'91, Jan. 13.	Dudley.	p
'60, Mar. 7.	'63, Sept. 13.	Brimfield.	p
'59, Sept. 22.	'91, Jan. 13.	New Braintree.	p
'88, Oct. 31.	'89, Jan. 5.	Gilbertville.	p
'75, May 28.	'81, Jan. 11.	Janes ville. Wis.	P.C

Stated Meetings. — Second Tuesdays in January, April, July, and October. Rev. J. P. Harvey, Ware, scribe.

Cape Cod (Barnstable, 1792 • Brewster, 1832 ; Vineyard Sound, 1836), Organized by union, October 16, 1866.

Jeremiah K. Aldrich,	'63, Feb. 17.	'82, Jan. 31.	W. Barnstable.		P.
Samuel B. Andrews,	'68, June 20.	'90, April 15.	Chatham.		P.
Lewis P. Atwood,	'55, April 3.	'85, Jan. 21.	South Dennis.		P.
Thomas Bell,	'86, April 25.	'88, Oct. 30.	So. Dartmouth.		P.
Daniel W. Clark,	'82, June 27.	'89, Oct. 29.	Wellfieet.		P.
Henry K. Craig,	'55, Jan. 24.	'73, April 15.	Falmouth.	W.	c.
John W. Dodge,	'60, Dec. 6.	'69, May 7.	Yarmouth.	P.	c.
Joshua S. Gay,	'48, Jan. 27.	'84, Jan. 15.	Biddeford, Me,		p.
Horace F. Hallett,	Licentiate.	'90, April 15.	Plympton.
Vaola J. Hartshorne,	'65, Jan. 16.	'77, Oct. 16.	Brockton.	w.	c.
William Leonard,	'44, July 7.	'71, April 18.	Newtonville.	w.	c.
Charles Morgan,	'62, April 20.	'81, June 15.	Storrs, Ct.	w	c.
Frederick Oxnard,	'61, May 8.	'72, April 16.	Tarrytown, N.	Y. W	c.
Isaac R. Prior,	'72, May 19.	'90, April 15.	Marshfield.		p.
John T. Rea,	'73, Aug. 8.	'79, Jan. 28.	Jamaica Plain.	W.	c.
Robert Samuel,	'59, Nov. 3.	'84, Oct. 28.	Brewster.	W.	c.
Rufus B. Tobey,	'80, Nov. 30.	'81, Jan. 25.	Boston.	Assist.	p.
Chas. H. Whitney,	'71, Aug. 31.	'72, Jan. 16.	Shirley.	W.	c.
William H. Woodwell,	'73, June 12.	'89, June 11.	Sandwich.		p.

Licentiate. — Horace F. Hallett, Plympton, 1890.

Stated Meetings. — Last Tuesday in October and third Tuesday in April. The October meeting is the annual meeting, at which the officers are elected.

Rev. John W. Dodge, Yarmouth, moderator ; Rev. Joshua S. Gay, South Wellfleet, secretary.

I89I.

The Associations of Ministers : 6, 7.

67

6. Essex North, Organized September 6, 1761.

Members.	Date of Ordination.	Date of Membership.	Residence. Employment.
Henry E. Barnes,	'62, May 28.	'78, April 16.	Sherbroohe, Can.	P. C.
Charles Beecher,	'44, Nov. 2.	'57, Dec. 22.	Wysox, Pa.	W. C.
James W. Bixler,	'89, Nov. 13.	'90, Feb. 18.	New London, Ct.	P. C.
Isaac N. Carleton,	Licentiate.	'87, April 19.	Bradford.	Teacher.
Bernard Copping,	'79, Sept. 3.	'88, Feb. 21.	Groveland.	P. C.
Albert Donnell,	'83, June 20.	'86, Oct. 19.	Blue Hill, Me.	P.
Samuel E. Evans,	'67, Apr. 17.	'90, Dec. 16.	Artichoke.	P.
Daniel T. Fiske,	'47, Aug. 18.	'47, Dec. 29.	Newburyport.	P. C.
George L. Gleason,	'66, Feb. 1.	'84, May 20.	Haverhill. •	P. C.
Willis A. Hadley,	'78, Aug. 21.	'90, April 15.	Minneapolis, Mi;	nn. P. C.
Samuel A. Harlow,	'82, Oct. 15.	'88, Dec. 18.	Newburyport.	P. C.
Edwin C. Holman,	'83, Sept. 19.	'87, Feb. 15.	Haverhill.	P. C.
Charles L, Hubbard,	'68, Sept. 2.	'80, April 20.	West Boxford.	P. c.
Joseph Kimball,	'83, June 15.	'86, April 20.	Andover.	p.
John D. Kingsbury,	'56, Sept. 24.	'66, Oct. 17.	Bradford.	p. c.
Charles E. Lord,	'44, May 8.	'90, Dec. 16.	Newburyport.	w. c.
John N. Lowell,	'77, Nov. 21.	'81, Feb. 21.	Haverhill.	p.
Thomas M. Miles,	'70, Nov. 10.	'84, May 20.	Merrimac.	p. c.
Charles P. Mills,	'80, Sept. 23.	'80, Dec. 21.	Newburyport.	p. c.
George W. Osgood,	'78, Jan. 25.	'90, Dec. 16.	Newburyport.	p. c.
Edwin B. Palmer,	'59, Sept. 20.	'76, June 20.	Winchester. Tr.	H.M. Soc.
Manasseh G. Papazian,	'90, May 28.	'90, Oct. 21.	Rowley.	P.
Calvin E. Park,	'38, Oct. 31.	'47, Feb. 24.	West Boxford.	Teacher.
Clarence Pike,	'84, Sept. 16.	'85, Dec. 16.	Salisbury Point.	P. C.
John Pike,	'38, April 25.	'42, Oct. 31.	Rowley.	W. C.
George L. Richmond,	'87, Oct. 10.	'90, April 15.	Amesbury.	P. C.
Levi Rodgers,	'71, Oct. 14.	'81, Oct. 18.	Boimd Hill, Ct.	W. C.
Francis W. Sanborn,	'78, Dec. 18.	'85, Dec. 16.	Newbury.	P. C.
George H. Scott,	'73, Sept. 8,	'88, Feb. 21.	Ipswich.	P. C.
William Slade,	'88, Sept. 18.	'89, April 16.	Williamstown.	P.O.
Egbert C. Smyth,	'56, July 23.	'67, April 19.	Andover. Prof. Sem.
Samuel J. Spalding,	'46, Oct. 26.	'51, April 28.	Newburyport.	P.
Stated Meetings.	— Third Tuesdays in February, April, June, October, and
December.
Rev. John D. Kingsbury, Bradford,	moderator; Rev. Charles P. Mills, New-
buryport, scribe.
7. Essex South and Sai.em (Essex South, September	3, 1717;
Salem, October 15, 1840),	Organized	by union, December 1,
1885.
Israel Ainsworth,	'80,' April 11.	'39, May 14.	Rockport.	P. c.
WiUiam P. Alcott,	'68, Feb. 18.	'81, Sept. 13.	Boxford. P. C. Linebrook.
James C. Alvord,	'88, Sept. 13.	'89, Jan. 8.	Hamilton.	P.C.

68

The Associations of Ministers : 7.

[1891.

7. Essex	. South and	Salem ((	lontinued).
Members.	Date of Ordination.	Date of Membership.	Residence. Employment.
S. Linton Bell,	76, Jan. 5.	81, April 1.	Marblehead.	P. C.
David Bremner,	.55, May 2.	77, Jan. 9.	Boxford. P. Scituate.
Harry L. Brickett,	83, May 23.	83, April 3.	Lynnfield Centre,	P. C.
James F. Brodie,	82, Feb. 21.	89, Nov. 12.	Salem.	P. c.
John W. Buckham,	88, Aug. 9.	91, Jan. 13.	Salem.	p. c.
DeWitt S. Clark,	68, Nov. 11.	79, June 2.	Salem.	p. c.
William S. Coggin,	38, May 9.	50, Oct. 15.	Boxford.	w. c.
Lyndon S. ,Crawford,	79, Aug. 20.	84, Jan. 8.	Broosa, W. Turkey	. F. M.
Temple Cutler,	61, Feb. 20.	86, Sept. 26.	Essex.	P.
Hugh Elder,	68, Jan. 29.	68, April 7.	Farmington, Me.	P.
Edward C. Ewing,	63, Nov. 5.	83, Nov. 1.	Danvers Centre.	P. C.
George A. Hall,	86, April 13.	86, Dec. 1.	Peabody.	P. C.
George B. Hatch,	87, July 27.	88, Jan. 10.	Lynn.	P. C.
Eufus P. Hibbard,	'68, Aug. 4.	'88, Sept. 11.	Gloucester.	P. C.
George A. Jackson,	72, Sept. 26.	79, Jan. 14.	Swampscott.	P. C.
George H Johnson,	77, July 6.	89, Sept. 10.	Georgetown.	P. c.
Frederic I. Kelley,	89, Dec. 30.	90, Mar. 11.	Pigeon Cove.	p. c.
Robert 1^ Kendall,	'78, Jan. 30.	'84, Mar. 11.	Boxford.	p. c.
0. T. Lanphear,	49, Oct. 25.	68, Feb. 11.	Beverly.	w. c.
Charles W. Luck,	'87, June 29.	'87, Nov. 15.	Pocatello, Ida.	p.
Hugh McLeod,	'55, June 25.	'85, Jan. 13.	Cambridge.	w. c.
Daniel Marvin, jr..	'75, May 2.	'87, April 5.	Manchester.	p.
Albert W. Moore,	'73, Jan. 22.	'84, Mar. 11.	Lynn.	p. c.
William J. Murphy,	'79, April 28.	'89, Mar. 12.	North Woburn.	p.
Albert F. Norcross,	'81, Aug. 31.	85, June 1.	Sherburne, N. Y.	p. c.
Aaron Porter,	'60, Nov. 20.	'88, Sept. 11.	Salem.	w. c.
Frank H. Reed,	'86, June 24.	'86, Dec. 1.	Lanesville.	p. c.
Charles B. Rice,	'59, Dec. 7.	64, May 1.	Danvers Centre.	p. c.
James Richmond,	'78, June 4.	'89, Sept. 10.	Alfred, Me.	p.
Alexander J. Sessions,	'38, June 22.	73, Dec. 2.	Beverly.	w. c.
Edward G. Smith,	'71, April 13.	'89, Sept. 10.	Saugus.	p.
Sherrod Soule,	88, June 14,	'89, Jan. 8.	Beverly.	p. c.
William E. Strong,	'85, July 15.	'85, Dec. 1.	Beverly.	p. c.
Jay N. Taft,	'84, Oct. 12.	'85, Mar. 10.	Greenville, Mich.
J. Henry Thayer,	'59, Dec. 29.	'60, Mar. 6.	Cambridge.	Prof.
Louis B. Voorhees,	'71, Dec. 16.	'85, June 1.	Silverton, Col.	P.
T, Frank Waters,	'76, Oct. 23.	'79, Feb. 4.	Ipswich.	P. c.
Will C. Wood,	'68, Oct. 15.	'69, Jan. 12.	Boston.	w. c.
Geo. M. Woodwell,	'87, Sept. 14.	'88, Jan. 10.	York, Me.	p. c.

Stated Meetings. — Second Tuesdays in January, March, May, September, and November.

Rev. T. Frank Waters, Ipswich, scribe.

I89I.]

The Associations of Ministers : 8, 9.

69

8. Frak	KLIN, Organ	lized September 20, 1803.
Members.	Date of Ordination.	Date of Membership.	Residence. Employment.
Harry C. Adams,	'89, Oct. 22.	'89, Nov. 19.	Turner's Falls.	P. C.
Walter H. Ashley,	'78, Mar. 19.	'89, Nov. 19.	Shelburne Falls.	P.
.Albert E. Bradstreet,	'88, Aug. 30.	'90, Nov. 11.	Shelburne.	P. C.
Edward P. Butler,	'74, Oct. 20.	'90, June 12.	Sunderland.	P. C.
Hollis A. Campbell,	'86, Dec. 21.	'87, May 10.	Montague.	P. C.
Edson L. Clark,	'59, Nov. 30	'89, May 14.	Charlemont.	P.
Theodore J. Clark,	'42, Oct. 11.	'86, Aug. 10.	Northfield.	W. C.
John Cowau,	'75, May 25.	'88, May 12.	So. Deerfield.	P.
Robert Crawford,	'40, Aug. 10.	'58, Feb. 9.	Greenfield.	P. Em.
Braiiierd B Cutler,	'37, Aug. 4.	'69, May 12.	Heath.	W. C.
Eugene M. Frary,	'88, Nov. 7.	'89, May 14.	Coleraine.	P. C.
Benson M. Frink,	'63, Jan. 9.	'84, Oct. 1.	West Brookfield.	P.
Frank J. Grimes,	'75, June 2.	'84, May 13.	Keene, N. H.	w. c.
Alpheus C. Hodges,	'81, Nov. 16.	'82, Feb. 14.	Buckland.	p. c.
Henry Hyde,	'82, Dec. 20.	'89, Feb. 10.	Greenfield.	p. c.
George W. Judsou,	'87, July 1.	'90, June 12.	Orange.	p. c.
Aretas G. Loomis,	'50, Jan. 30.	'68, Nov. 11.	Greenfield.	w. c.
Charles B. F. Pease,	'89, June 25.	'90, Sept. 9.	Ashfield.	p. c.
Aaron B. Peffers,	'55, Aug. 29.	'88, Nov. 13.	West Hawley.	p.
Stephen H. Robinson,	'78, Sept. 7.	'88, Aug. 14.	Atlanta, Ga.	p.
Henry Seymour,	'43, Mar. 1.	'43, Mar. 2.
Ira A. Smith,	'82, Sept. 27.	'88, Feb. 4.		p.
David H. Strong,	'85, June 16.	'88, Nov. 13.	Bernardston.	p.
Jonathan Wadhams,	'71, Dec. 20.	'82, Feb. 14.	Connecticut.	w. c.
Moses H. Wells,	'45, Nov. 19.	'88, Aug. 14.	Northfield.	w. c.
Lyman Whiting,	'43, Jan. 11.	'90, May 13.	East Charlemont.	p.
John A. Woodhull,	'56, Jau. 1.	'90, Nov. 11.	Plainfield.	p. c.
Stated Meetings.	— Annual, second Tuesday in May. Other meetings,

second Tuesdays in August, November, and February. Rev. Harry C. Adams, Turner's Falls, scribe.

9. Hampden East, Organized June 12, 1844.

Calvin E. Amaron, Edward P. Armstrong, Robert C. Bell, Ralph W. Brokaw, Henry J. Bruce, S. G. Buckingham, Michael Burnham, Hanford M. Burr, Edwin H. Byington,

'79, Oct. 15. '81, Feb. 15. '69, Nov. 3. '77, July 18. '62, Sept. 11. '37, May 24. '70, Oct. 25. '88, Oct. 24. '87, May 29.

'88, Nov. 13. '87, Feb. 8. '86, Feb. 9. '89, Feb. 12. '62, Nov. 11, '47, Aug. 3. '86, May 11. '90, May 13. '87, Nov. 8.

Lowell. Pres. Coll.

Springfield. Teacher.

East Longmeadow. P.

Springfield. Rahuri, India. Springfield. Springfield. Springfield. Springfield.

P. c.

F. M. P. C. P. C. P. C. P.

70

The Associations of Ministers : g, lo.

[1891.

9. Hampden East (Continued).

Members.	Date of Ordination.	Date of Membership.	Residence.	Employment.
Edward A. Chase,	'84, May 28.	'86, Feb. 9.	Lawrence.	P.
George W. Christie,	'73, Dec. 11.	'89, Nov. 12.	Three Rivers.	P.
Luther H. Cone,	'55, April 5.	'60, Feb. 7.	Springfield.	P. c.
Myron P. Dickey,	'83, June 14.	'83, July 10.	Ludlow.	p. c.
Myron S. Dudley,	'71, Sept. 28.	'87, Feb. 8.	Nantucket.	p.
Lewis F. Giroux,	'89, April 17.	'89, Nov. 12.	Springfield.	p. c.
George H. GrifBn,	'65, June 22.	'86, July 13.	Springfield, f	3. S. Agent.
Alden Grout,	'35, Nov. 16.	'83, May 8.	Springfield.	W. C.
Carlos H. Hanks,	'88, Sept. 25.	'90, May 13.	Thorndike.	P.
John W. Harding,	'50, Jan. 1.	"51, Feb. 4.	Longmeadow.	P. c.
Franklin S. Hatch,	'76, May 7	'89, Feb. 12.	Monson.	p. c.
Theron H. Hawks,	'55, March 5.	'88, July 10.	Springfield.	w. c.
Martin S. Howard,	'56, Nov. 20.	'69, Feb. 2.	Wilbraham.	p. c.
Samuel H. Lee,	'62, Sept. 17.	'90, Nov. 11.	Springfield.	Prof. Coll.
Burton W. Lockhart,	'82, Sept. 22.	'89, Nov. 12.	Chicopee.	P.
F. Barrows Makepeace,	'73, June 19.	'90, Nov. 11.	Springfield.	P. c.
Samuel L. Merrell,	'50, Jan. 8.	'82, Nov. 14.	Springfield.	w.c.
Horace E. Morrow,	'86, May 11.	'88, Feb. 14.	Indian Orchard. P.
Paul H. Pitkin,	'66, Sept. 11.	'82, May 9.	Springfield.	Teacher.
Howard W. Pope,	'74, Sept. 5,	'87, May 10.	Palmer.	P.C.
David A. Reed,	'81, June 7.	'81, June 12.	Springfield.	P. C. Em.
Edward G. Selden,	'73, Dec. 16.	'85, Nov. 10.	Springfield.	P.C.
Frank M. Sprague,	'75, Sept. 22.	'82, May 9.	Springfield.	P.
J. Webster Tuck,	'43, Sept. 6.	'90, July 14.	Springfield.	W.C.
Joshua T. Tucker,	'37, Nov. 16.	'68, May 5.	Andover.	W. C.
James Tufts,	'44, Sept. 23.	'54, Feb. 2.	Monson.	Teacher.
Stephen W. Webb,	'70, April 12.	'89, Feb. 12.	So. Hadley Falls. P. C.
Edward F. Wheeler,	'90, May 14.	'90, July 14.	N. Wilbraham	P.C.

Stated Meetings. — Second Tuesdays in February, May, July, and Novem- ber.

Rev. Martin S. Howard, Wilbraham, register.

10. Hampden West, Organized June 11, 1844.'

Simeon 0. Allen,	'70,	Dec. 1.	'91,	Feb.	10.	Springfield.	W.C.
Albert G. Beebee,	'54,	June 20.	'87,	Nov.	8.	Springfield.	W.C.
Lyman H. Blake,	'67,	Nov. 14.	'81,	Dec.	6.	Westfield.	P.C.
Jeremiah M. Chrysler,	'72,	May 21.	'89,	Nov.	12.	Blandford.	p.
Henry Cooley,	'46,	Dec. 2.	'67,	Feb.	12.	Springfield.	W.C,
Henry A. Dickinson,	'63,	Oct. 16.	'68,	Feb.	11.	Huntington.	p.

1891.]

The Associations of Ministers : lo, ii.

71

10. Hampden West (Continued).

Members.	Date of Ordination.	Date of Membership.	Residence. Employment.
Aaron W. Field,	72, Nov. 13.	'81, Feb. 8.	Sandisfield.	P.
George R. Hewitt,	'86, June 4.	'89, Feb. 2.	West Springfield.	P. C.
John E. Hurlbut,	'75, Mar. 24.	'75, May 5.	Worcester.	P.
Edward H. Knight,	'83, July 25.	'83, Nov. 13.	West Springfield.	P. C.
John H. Lockwood,	'71, Nov. 5.	'79, Nov. 11.	Westfield.	P. C.
Simeon Miller,	'46, May 7.	'36, June 8.	Springfield.	W. C.
Egbert N. Munroe,	'81, May 4.	'89, Nov. 12.	Westfield.	W. C.
Ralph Perry,	'44, Jan. 3.	'44, June 11.	Agawam.	W. C.
Edward A. Reed,	'71, June 14.	'88, Feb. 14.	Holyoke.	P. C.
Alpheus M. Spangler,	'88, June 22.	'88, Nov. 13.	Mittineague.	P. C.
Henry J. Stone,	'79, Dec. 25.	'90, May 13.	W. Granville.	P.
Charles S. Sylvester,	'59, Oct. 20.	'66, Sept. 4.	Feeding Hills.	w. c.
Charles L. Tomblen,	'77, Aug. 30.	'84, July 8.	Pepperell.	p. c.
Lyman Warner,	'58, Oct. 28.	'83, Nov. 13.	Salisbury, Ct.	w. c.
Josiah G. Willis,	'76, Oct. 10.	'88, Nov. 13.	Dana.	p.

Stated Meetings. — Second Tuesdays in February, May, July, and Novem- ber. Rev. George R. Hewitt, West Springfield, scribe.

11. Hampshire, Or<j;anized before 1735.

John H. Bisbee,	'34, Feb. 20.	'37, Feb. 7.	Westfield.	W. C.
Isaac Clark,	'61, Nov. 12.	'82, June 6.	Washington, D.	, C. Prof.
Solomon Clark,	'41, June 13.	'61, Aug. 6.	Goshen.	P.
Elisha G. Cobb,	'60, June 20.	'67, Feb. 5.	Florence.	P. C.
Aaron M. Colton,	'40, June 10.	'54, May 24.	Easthampton.	w. c.
Harlan Creel man,	'89, Sept. 17.	'90, Feb. 11.	Worthington.	p.
Henry L. Edwards,	'57, July 12.	'85, Feb. 17.	Northampton.	w.c.
William Gallagher, jr..	'74, Dec 1.	'89, Feb. 19.	Easthampton.	Teacher.
Charles H. Hamlin,	'76, Sept. 19.	'85, Oct. 27.	Easthampton.	P. C.
Herbert W. Lathe,	'77, Sept. 27.	'82, Oct. 17.	Northampton.	P. c.
Elihu Loomis,	'51, Oct. 22.	'86. June 9.	Chesterfield.	p.
Harvey Porter,	'80, Aug. 3.	'80, June 1.	Beirut, Syria.	Prof. Coll.
Wilbur Rand,	'83, May 9.	'90, Feb. 11.
Charles F. Reed,	'74, Jan. 13.	'89, Oct. 29.
John P. Richardson,	'80, May 4.	'88, Oct. 30.	Southampton.	P.
Joseph H. Sawyer,	'88, Sept. 3.	'80, June 1.	Easthampton.	Prof.
L. Clark Seelye,	'63, Jan. 20.	'75, Feb. 2.	Northampton.	Pres. CoU.
Samuel T. Seelye,	'46, June 17. ■	'64, Feb. 2.	Easthampton.	W.C.
Henry S. Snyder,	'86, Oct. 28.	'89, Feb. 19.	Williamsburg.	P. c.
Alwin E. Todd,	'75, Dec. 20.	'86, June 9.	Berea, Ky.	Prof.
Henry M. Tyler,	'72, May 6.	'84, Feb. 12.	Northampton.	Prof,

72

The Associations of Ministers : ii, 12.

[1891.

11. Hampshire (Continued).

Members.

Rufus S. Underwood, George N. Webber, Sumner G. Wood,

Stated Meetings.- day of October.

Date of Ordination.

'67, Nov. 19. '55, Dec. 5. '80, Dec. 30.

Date of Membership.

'87, June 14. '90, Oct. 28. '89, Feb. 9.

Residence.

Northampton.

Middlebury, Vt, Easthampton.

Employment. Evan.

P. C.

■ First Tuesdays in February and June, and third Tnes-

Rev. Isaac Clark, Northampton, scribe.

12. Hampshire East, Organized ISTovember 16, 1841.

-John S. Bayne, Warren H. Beaman, Daniel Bliss, Edward P. Blodgett, Herbert W. Boyd, 'Geo. S. Burroughs, George Constantine, Edward P. Crowell, R Henry Davis, George S Dickerman, Levi H. Elwell, Henry Fairbank, Francis J. Fairbanks, Thomas P. Field, George E. Fisher, Eber W. Gaylord, Frank L. Goodspeed, William D. Herrick, Frederick A. Holden, Charles E. Houghton, Matthew Kingman, John W. Lane, John H. M. Leiand, William D. Love, George Lyman, Dwight W. Marsh, Nelson Scott, Julius H. Seelye, Charles H. Smith,! William S. Tyler, Charles S. Walker, Robert G. Williams, Simeon F. Woodin, Robert M. Woods,

'69, May 18. '41, Sept. 15. '55, Oct. 31. '42, July 6. '86, Nov. 9. 77, July 10. '62, Sept. 10. Licentiate. '72, Nov. 12. '68, Aug. 5. Licentiate. '86, May 27. '64, Aug. 31. '40, Oct. 4. '50, Feb. 27. '73, May 13. '87, June 29. '60, Jan. 18. '85, Sept. 18. '76, May 24. '45, June 26. '60, Oct. 16. '47, Oct. 13. '48, April 4. '51, Nov. 12. '49, Oct. 2. '46, Sept. 24. '53, Aug. 8. '87, Nov. 1. '59, Oct. 5. '71, Aug. 1. '53, Oct. 12. '59, June 19. '77, Nov. 21.

'88, Feb. 28. '41, Nov. 16. '74, Sept. 22. '43, Nov. 14. '89, Feb. 13. '87, May 31. '88, Dec. 11. '65, Sept. 19. '75, June 8. '84, June 10. '80, Dec. 21. '85, May 26. '86, May 25. '79, Feb. 4. '67, Dec. 17. '90, Dec. 2. '90, Dec. 2. '84, Sept. 16. '89, May 28. '89, May 28. '67, June 17. '61, Jan. 9. '76, June 6. '79, Sept. 16. '70, Dec. 20. '82, Dec. 5. '80, Feb. 17. '65, Feb. 8. '87, Oct. 7. '58, May 11. '81, Sept. 20. '83, Sept. 18. '83, Dec. 4. '77, Dec. 4.

Hadley. P. C.

Amherst. W. C.

Beirut, Syria. Pres. Coll. Greenwich. P. 0.

South Amherst. P.

Amherst. P. C.

Smyrna, Asia. M.

Amherst. Prof. Coll.

North Conway, N. H. P. Amherst. W. C.

Amherst. Inst, in Coll. Ahmednagar, India, Miss. Amherst. P. C.

Amherst. W. C.

No. Amherst. P. Leverett,

No. Amherst.

Enfield.

Amherst.

Gran by.

Prescott.

Amherst.

North Hadley.

Amherst.

Hartford, Ct.

Riverside, Cal.

Amherst.

Amherst.

Amherst.

Hartford, Ct.

Amherst.

P. C. P.

w. c.

p. c.

p.

w. c.

P.O.

w. c. w. c. w. c. w. c. w. c. p. c. p.

Prof. Coll.

Amherst. Pr. of Ag. Coll. Amherst. W. C.

Foochow, China. Mis'n'y. Hatfield. P. C.

iSqi-] The Associations of Ministers : 12, 13, 14.

7Z

12. Hampshire East {Continued).

Licentiates. — Edward P. Crowell, re-licensed May 28, 1889 ; W. L. Montague, re-licensed Dec. 2, 1890; L. H. Elwell, re-licensed Dec. 4, 1888.

Stated Meetings. — First Tuesdays in February, June, and December, and third Tuesday of September.

Moderator, in alphabetical order ; Rev. Geo. E. Fisher, North Amherst, scribe.

13. Mendok, Organized November 8, 1751.

Members.	Date of Ordination.	Date of Membership.	Residence. E	mploj-ment.
Marshall B. Angier,	'53, June 8.	'79, June 11.	N. Granville, N.	. Y. P,
William Carr,	'80, Sept. 1.	'90, Mar. 11.	W. Medway.	P,
Nathan T. Dyer,	'78, July 31.	'90, Dec. 9.	Medfield.	P.
Joseph M. R. Eaton,	'45, Jan 9.	'71, Mar. 14.	Fitchburg.	W. C.
Rufus K. Harlow,	'68, Oct. 15.	'72, June 11.	Medway.	P. C.
Alexis W. Ide,	'59, July 7.	'72, June 12.	West Medway.	W. C.
Jacob Ide,	'56, Mar. 26.	'56, April 15.	Mansfield.	PC.
Ephraim 0. Jameson,	'60, Mar. 1.	'72, June 11.	Millis.	P. C.
Francis J. Marsh,	'76, Mar. 26.	'82, Mar. 14..	Walpole.	P.
Edson J. Moore,	'61, April 1.	'86, Sept. 21.	Norfolk.	P.
Jacob Roberts,	'39, July 17.	'58, Oct. 12.	Auburndale.	w. c.
William L. Ropes,	'53, Sept. 14.	'53, Oct. 1 1 .	Andover.	Librarian.
Bela N. Seymour,	'55, June 20.	'73, Sept. 9.	Washington, D.	C. P.
Robert W. Sharp,	'89, Sept. 12.	'89, Dec. 10.	Foxboro'.	P.O.
William M. Thayer,	'49, June 20.	'72, Mar. 12.	Franklin.	w. c.
Horace Wellington,	'47, Oct.	'89, Dec. 10.	Medway.	w. c.
Francis F. Williams,	'53, Dec. 7.	'83, Mar. 13.	Holland.	p.
Web'ter Woodbury,	'68, Sept. 29.	'88, June 13.	Milford.	p. c.

Stated Meetings. — Second Tuesdays in March, June, September, and December.

Rev. Rufus K. Harlow, Medway. scribe

14. Middlesex South, Organized June 7, 1830.

Daniel E. Adams,	'60, Dec. 5.	'86, Dec. 7.	Southboro'.		p.
George M. Adams,	'51, Sept. 18.	'73, Sept. 9.	Auburndale.	W.	C.
Edward L. Chute,	'SO, July 20.	'85, Sept. 14.	Northboro'.	P.	C.
John Colby,	'55, Oct. 31.	"86, May 4.	South Natick.		p.
Perez D. Cowan,	'69, April 8.	'79, May 6.	Falmouth.	W.	C.
Edmund Dowse,	'38, Oct. 10.	'39, Feb. 5. ■	Sherborn.	P.	C.
Albert I. Dutton,	'63, Nov. 1 .	'88, Sept. 18.	S. b'ramingham.	W.	c.
Charles H. Dutton,	'90, Feb. 24.	'89, Dec, 3.	Ashland.	P.	c,
Horace Dutton,	'68, Jan. 21.	'75, Sept. 21.	Auburndale.	w.	c.
Lucius R. Eastman, jr.,	'62, May 1.	'71, Dec. 2.	Framingham.	p.	c.
George P. Eastman,	'91, May 12.	'89, Dec. 3.	Mill bury.		p.
William R. Eastman,	"62, Oct. 12.	'88, Sept. 21.	Wellesley.	w.	c,
Fred E. Emrich,	'75.	"90, Sept. 16.	So. Framingham.	p.	c.

74

The Associations of Ministers : 14, 15.

[1891.

14. Middlesex South (Continued).

- , , Date of Date of

Memoers. Ordination. Membership.

Eobert F. Gordon, '76, May 12. '90, Feb. 4.

John C. Hall, '90, May 21. '91, Feb. 3.

Jesse H. Jones, '61, May 19. '69, Oct. 5.

Truman A. Merrill, '58, July 14. '88, May 1.

Thomas Morong, '54, April 12. '80, May 4.

Albert F. Newton, '77, Sept. 5. '82, Dec. 5.

John F. Norton, '44, Oct. 23. '84, Sept. 16.

Francis N. Peloubet, '57, Dec. 2. '72, Feb. 6.

Lewis E. Perry, '85, July 15. '91, Feb. 3.

Henry J. Richardson, '60, Sept. 16. '61, April 2.

Daniel W. Richardson, '62, Aug. 14. '90, Feb. 4.

Moody A. Stevens, '62, Dec. 16. '85, Sept. 15.

Frederic E. Sturgis, '68, Oct. I. '86, May 6.

Josiah H. Temple, '45, Sept. 30. '70, July 5.

Frank I. Wheat, '90, Sept. 11. '91, Feb. 3.

Daniel Wight, '42, Sept. 28. '72, June 4.

Preston B. Wing, '80, Jan. 28. '87, Dec. 6.

John Wood, '40, April 8. '71, Dec. 5.

Licentiates. — Amasa C Fay, Southville, Feb. 3, 1891.

Stated Meetings. — First Tuesdays in February, May, and December, third Tuesday in September.

Rev. Edmund Dowse, Sherborn, moderator ; Rev. George M. Adams, Au- burndale, scribe.

Residence. Employment.
Wayland. Sutton.	P.O. P. C.
North Abington. Maiden.	P. w. c.
New York City.	w. c.
Marlboro'.	P.O.
Natick.	w. c.
Auburndale.	w. c.
South Sudbury. Lincoln.	p. c. P.O.
Bedford.	•p.
Minneapolis, Minn.	. w. c.
Natick.	P.O.
Framingham. Holliston.	w. c. p. c,
Natick.	w. c.
Hopkinton. Fitchburg.	P.O. w. c.

15. Middlesex Union, Organized January, 1827.

Melvin J. Allen, Augustus A. Bickford, Charles S. Brooks, Walter W. Campbell, Henry P. Cutting, James Fletcher, Eli W. Harrington, Edwin R. Hodgman, Henry M. Holmes, Alfred S. Hudson, John E. B. Jewett, Richard Meredith, .Joel D. Miller, Horace Parker, George A. Perkins, Charles H. Rowley, Geo. R. W. Scott, George W. Stearns, Nathan Thompson,

'82, Nov. 8. '78, May 9. '69, Sept. 15. '90, Nov. 12. '45, June 10. '49, June 20. '37, April 26. '49, May 17. '65, May 10. '67, Dec. 19. '51, Sept. 10. '67, April 21. '66, April. '61, May 31. '54, May 25. '81, Feb. 23. '68, Sept. 17. '83, Aug. 1. '65, Sept. 13.

'82, Nov. 14. '90, Nov. 18. '87, Sept. 20. '90, Nov. 18. '82, May 2. '89, Nov. 18. '85, Sept, 1. '59, May 3. '79, Jan. 7. '84, Dec. 30. '61, May 7. '86, May 18. '71, July 5. '64, Mar. 1. '84, Nov. 5. '86, Mar. 2. '81, Jan. 11. '88, Mar. 20. '77, Sept. 4.

Littleton, N. H. Westford. Fitchburg. Warnerville. Franconia, N. H. Acton. Pepperell. S. Framingham. Rye, N. H. Ayer.

Greenwood, S. C. Leominster. Leominster. Lunenburg. Boxboro'. Townsend. Germany. Acton. Baltimore, Md.

P. C. P.

P. c.

- p.

p.

w.

w. c.

w. c.

p.

p.

Teacher.

P. C.

Teacher.

W. C.

P.

P.

W. C.

w.c. w. c.

1 891.] The Associations of Ministers : 15, 16.

75

15. Middlesex Union (Continued).

Members.

Charles C. Torrey, Bartlett H. WestoD, Franklin P. Wood,

Date of Orijanlzation,

Residence.	Employment.
Harvard.	P.
Dunstable.	P.
Acton.	w.c.

Date of MemberBhip.

'55, Sept, 7. '86, Sept. 21.

'90, May 29. '90, May 20.

'71, July 24. '73, May 6. Licentiate. — John P. NeweU, Manchester, N. H., Nov. 16, 1886. Stated Meetings. — Third Tuesdays in January, March, May, September, and November.

Rev. Edwin R. Hodgman, South Framingham, scribe and treasurer.

16. Norfolk Association, Organized May 11, 1811.

Henry Clay Alvord,	'79, Sept. 10.	'87, Feb. 15.	South Weymouth.	P.O.
Samuel Bell,	'69, Sept. 1.	'87, June 14.	Piitsfield, N. H.	P.
George Benedict,	'8.3, Oct. 9.	'86, June 8.	Quincy Point.	P.
Merrill Blanchard,	'81, Mar. 23.	'89, Feb. 19.	No. Weymouth.	W.C.
William H. Bolster,	'72, June 13.	'88, April 17.	South Weymouth	. p. C.
Franklin P. Chapin,	'57, Nov. 11.	'74, Jan. 27.	East Milton.	p.
Samuel B. Cooper,	'87, Jan. 19.	'90, Oct. 28.	Stoughton.	p.
Wm. M. Cornell, m. d..	'30, Jan. 12.	'72, April 20.	Boston.	Editor.
Oliver S. Dean,	'64, July 6.	'85, Feb. 24.	Holbrook.	W.C.
Edward 0. Dyer,	'83, Oct. 16.	'84, Feb. 19.	South Braintree.	P.
Lucius R. Eastman,	'37, Nov. 24.	'38, Jan. 30.	Boston. Evangelist.
Leonard Z. Ferris,	'65, Nov. 30.	'83, Feb. 20.	Rumford, R. I.	P.
Robert W. Haskins,	'72, Oct. 19.	'83, Feb. 20.	Abington.	P. c.
Calvin G. Hill,	'72, Sept. 5.	'84, June 10.	Milton.	W.C.
Oliver Huckel,	'90. Sept. 10.	'90, Dec. 16.	Weymouth.	p.
Newton I. Jones,	'7.5, July 15.	'88, Oct. 30.	South Hadley.	p.
John C. Labaree,	'63, Feb. 4.	'66, July 31.	Randolph.	p. c.
Willis D. Leland,	'80, Jan. 23.	'85, Dec. 15.	North Weymouth.	p. c.
Samuel Morrison,	'65, Oct. 24.	'90, Oct. 28.	Charlton.	p,
Edward Norton,	'64, Dec. 28.	'75, Jan. 26.	Quincy.	p. c.
Harlan Page,	'83, Feb. 6.	'84, Feb. 19.	Hardwick.	p.
Frank H. Palmer,	'80. Sept. 28.	'86, April 20.	North Weymouth.	p. c.
Elbert S. Porter,	'83, Dec. 15.	'89, Oct. 29.	Bridgewater.	p. c.
Edward A. Robinson,	'83, July 14.	'85, April 21.	Wollaston.	p.
Caleb L. Rotch,	'79, Oct. 9.	'84, Feb. 19.	Edgartown.	p.
Ezekiel Russell,	'36, June 22.	'51, Jan. 28.	Lynn.	W.C.
John W. Savage,	'63, Dec. 10.	'85, April 21.	Bristol, N. H.	p.
Albert K. Teele,	'45, July 15.	'52, April 27.	Milton.	p. Em,
Franke A. Warfield,	'71, June 10.	'82, June 13.	Brockton.	P. C.
Ansel W. Westgate,	'62, Feb. 24.	'76, June 27.
Isaac C. White,	'50, Oct. 23.	'90, June 10.	Scotland.	P.
Charles W. Wood,	'39, Oct. 29.	'58, April 27,	Middleboro'.	W, C.
Licentiate. — Warren P. Landers, Norwich.
Stated Meetings. -	-Last Tuesday in October,	third Tuesdays in	Decern-
ber, February, and April, and second T:	uesday in June.
Rev. George Benedict, Quincy Point	, scribe and treasurer.

76

The Associations of Ministers : 17, 18.

[1891.

17. Old CoLOJirY. Organized August 18, 1810.

Date of Ordination.	Date of Membership.	Residence. Employment,
'67, May 21.	'89, Feb. 13.	Windsor.	P.
'89, Jan. 30.	'89, Feb. 13.	North Leominster.	P.
'3.5, July 28.	'35, July 28.	New Bedford.	W. C.