shadowed with worldliness, frozen with unbelief. Here and now, let us lift up open and longing hearts to receive the heavenly grace. Then shall that personal power which Christ has ordained as the vehicle for salvation to the world be consecrated to its sacred mission. Then shall we be open on all sides toward God and our fellow-men; then shall each of us be a translucent medium between the Divine Sun and a world sitting in darkness; then shall it be Christ for us to live, then will it be gain to die. Having been wise to win souls we even we, blessed be God! - shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; having turned many to righteousness, we shall shine as the stars, for ever and ever. Brethren of the Council, with a full heart I invoke upon you the dew of heavenly grace. The Lord bless and keep you! The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you! The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace! Amen! *Phillips Brooks. REPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE. THE Provisional Committee, appointed by the Council of 1874 to make arrangements for this Council, in accordance with the requirements of the By-Laws, respectfully beg leave to report: That during the past three years they have appointed delegates to various corresponding bodies, who have attended to the duties committed to them, and who will report to this Council. That in April last, the committee met in Boston. At this meeting Rev. E. P. Goodwin, D. D., by letter resigned his place as chairman, and also as a member of the committee. His resignation was not accepted, but Charles Demond was appointed acting chair man. There have been present at the meetings of the committee, Hon. Lafayette S. Foster, Hon. Nelson Dingley, Jr., Hon. Warren Currier, Alfred S. Barnes, Esq., Rev. A. H. Quint, D. D., Rev. W. H. Moore, Charles Demond, Esq. Since the meeting in April the committee have, by correspondence and through subcommittees, been diligently preparing for this meeting, and as a result of their labors, present the following: They specified Detroit, in Michigan, as the place of the meeting of this Council, and Wednesday, Oct. 17, 1877, at 11 o'clock A. M., as the precise time at which the sessions should begin. They chose Rev. Zachary Eddy, D. D., of Detroit, to preach the opening sermon. They selected topics regarding the Christian work of the churches, and persons to propose and present papers thereon, as follows, to wit: A paper from Rev. T. D. Woolsey, D. D., upon the Bible in Schools. A paper upon the Recent Evangelistic Movement, by Rev. S. E. Herrick, of Boston. A paper upon Fellowship and Union Meetings, by Rev. Arthur Little, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A paper upon Woman's Work, by Rev. C. L. Goodell, D. D., of St. Louis. A paper upon Sunday-School Work, by Rev. H. Clay Trumbull, of Philadelphia. A paper upon Pastorless Churches and Churchless Pastors, by Rev. Henry M. Dexter, D. D., of Boston. They invited each of the General Benevolent Societies to present a written statement of its own work and condition. All of the above papers are subject to such discussion and action as to the Council shall seem best. The committee decided to have but few papers presented, and those mainly upon topics of earnest practical work, so that ample time for thorough discussion might be had, and also that the Council might be able to consider any other subjects which might be presented by its members. The committee are satisfied that the Council should have more time than has hitherto been taken for the transaction of its business and for the discussion of important matters. When the Council has met in the middle of the week, the delegates have been anxious to leave before the Sabbath. The impression has gone abroad that this Council will adjourn on Sabbath eve. For this impression the Provisional Committee are not responsible, and it is for the Council itself to decide upon that matter. But the committee would recommend that the Provisioual Committee which shall arrange for the next Council should call it to meet on Thursday or Friday of one week, with the understanding that it will remain in session so long into the next week as the business may require. This will prevent hurry, and enable the Council to fully discuss all important subjects, and reach wise conclusions thereon. All of which is respectfully submitted. In behalf of the committee, CHARLES DEMOND, Chairman. REPORT OF PUBLISHING COMMITTEE. THE Committee of Publication respectfully report that the Minutes of the last session were published by the Congregational Publishing Society at its own cost, and for sale by itself, and that no expense for publication was charged to this Council. The printing was supervised by the committee of this Council. ALONZO H. QUINT. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. In accordance with the rules, I present the following comparative statistics. Their authority is in the annual tables published in the Congregational Quarterly. Unfortunately, but so far inevitably, the annual general publication of each year cannot be made until months after their date, in some cases a whole year. Besides, the figures now considered were necessarily those thus reprinted last January. But the comparisons by three-year periods are, of course, not affected. Incidentally to the reports, I suggest that it is very desirable to obtain a substantial uniformity in the items and form of the statistical tables in the several State publications. Much has been already accomplished, but something still remains to be done. Our present system of collection of statistics, as a general national work, and mainly the form, originated about eighteen years since. Our annual general issue is unsurpassed by that of any denomination. Still, while there is no need and no right to demand a rigid inflexibility in items and form, there might be secured a uniformity in items and in the order, up to the extent of including all which is a common need and benefit; leaving to each State to add, while not intermingling, all that its local interests seem to require. I therefore venture to recommend that a committee be appointed, perhaps consisting of the several statistical secretaries who may be present, to consider and report at some time during the session, a plan of uniform statistics, which this Council may, if it please, recommend for adoption by the State organizations. Our churches exist in forty-two (42) States and Territories. During the past three years, Florida and Utah have been placed upon the list, and Idaho has been dropped. The locations of our churches may be grouped thus: In the New England States 1,465, an increase of 14 The increase during the three years reported in 1874 was, 11,089 Benevolent Contributions are still only imperfectly reported. Last year 874 churches made no report whatever. At present 2,635 churches report for the year Decrease $1,184,356 49 1,213,816 00 $29,459 51 It is remarkable that there appears to have been so little diminution during the depression of business. Of the amount in the report of last January, the New England States contributed $793,006.40, which is $63,826.79 less than the same States reported in 1874. Current Expenses. This item is too poorly reported,to make any accurate general estimate possible. |