On statement of American Home Missionary Society.

Rev. James Brand, of Ohio; Rev. Henry Fairbanks, of Vermont ; Rev. Julian M. Sturtevant, of Illinois; Wallace G. Webber, of Massachusetts; Rev. James D. Whitelaw, of North Dakota.

On statement of American Missionary Association.

Rev. Edward N. Packard, of New York; Rev. Dan F. Bradley, of Michigan; Edward Coleman, of California; Rev. Henry M. Herrick, of Minnesota; Rev. Dana Sherrill, of Illinois.

On statement of Congregational Church Building Society. Rev. Walter M. Barrows, of Illinois; Rev. Jonathan E. Adams, of Maine; Rev. Edwin H. Stickney, of North Dakota.

On statement of Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society.

Rev. Arthur Little, of Massachusetts; Rev. Edward M. Chapman, of New Hampshire; Rev. Oren D. Fisher, of Ohio; Alfred D. French, of Iowa; Rev. George F. Waters, of New York.

On statement of New West Education Commission.

Rev. Henry L. Griffin, of Maine; Rev. Charles O. Brown, of California; Rev. William A. Hobbs, of New York; J. H. Mertz, of Missouri; Rev. J. Brainard Thrall, of Utah.

On statements of theological seminaries.

Rev. Marvin D. Bisbee, of New Hampshire; Rev. James Brand, of Ohio; Rev. Einion C. Evans, of Missouri; Rev. George W. Wainwright, of Nebraska.

Columbian Exposition.1

A committee on the Columbian Exposition, appointed by the provisional committee, presented a report which was accepted and referred, with other communications on that subject, to the following committee to report at this session:

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Rev. Walter M. Barrows, of Illinois; Rev. Edmund K. Alden, of Massachusetts; Rev. Morton Dexter, of Massachusetts; Albert T. Free, of South Dakota; Rev. William H. Ward, of New York.

1 Page 279.

Sermon.

It was voted, That the thanks of this body be tendered to Rev. Charles M. Lamson, of Vermont, for his sermon, and that a copy be requested for publication with the minutes.

Relations of the benevolent societies to the churches and to each other.1

The committee on the relations of the national benevolent societies to the churches presented a report with a proposal. The report was accepted, and the proposal was made the first order for the afternoon.

The committee on the relations of our national benevolent societies to each other presented a report with recommendations. The report was accepted, and the recommendations were laid on the table for future consideration.

After singing "I love to tell the story," at 12.30, a recess was taken till 2.30.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON, Oct. 13.

Relations of the societies to the churches.

At 2.30, prayer was offered by Rev. David Beaton, of Illinois. The proposal of the committee on the relations of our national benevolent societies to the churches was considered, and the report including the proposal was referred to the following committee to report at this Council some suitable action:

Cyrus Northrop, of Minnesota; Byron M. Cutcheon, of Michigan; Franklin Fairbanks, of Vermont; Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, of Massachusetts; Rev. Henry A. Stimson, of Missouri.

Credentials and related matters.

The committee on credentials presented a report in part with recommendations. The report was accepted. The first recommendation, relating to delegates from Alabama, was discussed and made the order of the day at 10 A. M., Friday.

After singing, "Hail to the Lord's Anointed," at 5.30, a recess

was taken till 7.30.

1 Pages 102 and 193.

THURSDAY EVENING, Oct. 13.

Systematic beneficence.1

At 7.30, after singing, Rev. Franklin S. Fitch, of New York, read the Scriptures and offered prayer.

The committee on systematic beneficence presented a report with a preamble and resolution. The report was accepted, and the preamble and resolution were adopted as follows:

In view of what we ourselves have received from God, and in view of what the world infinitely needs; in view of the ever augmenting necessities of the various agencies created and sustained by our churches; in view of the magnificence of secular enterprises seen all about us, such as should shame us out of our littleness, and ought to provoke Christians to corresponding courage and largeness of expectations; in view of the widened outlook and the awakening consciousness of the world, fellowship becoming so characteristic of our time; and, especially, in view of the assurance that God will multiply without limit alike the larger and the humbler gifts offered in his name;

Resolved, That this Council suggest and urge that this subject of proportional giving be made a special order of the day for consideration in every local association and conference at the next meeting; and that such action be taken as may secure this year a contribution from every church to each one of our several national benevolent societies; and, so far as possible, something from every individual member proportionate to his ability.

The chairman of the committee was requested to put the substance of the report into a leaflet for distribution.

66

Memorial to John Robinson.2

After singing "O God, beneath thy guiding hand," the committee on a memorial to John Robinson presented a report with resolutions. The report was accepted, and after remarks by several members of the committee and by Rev. John Brown of England, the resolutions were adopted as follows:

Resolved, (1) That this Council approves the appropriation of the unexpended balance of the John Robinson Memorial fund, $485.10, to the proposed Robinson Memorial church in Gainesborough, England; the assent of the contributors to the fund having been substantially obtained.

Resolved, (2) That the Council expresses to the members of the Congregational church in Gainesborough its hearty interest in their effort, and its best wishes for their success; and therefore authorizes the Rev. Charles R. Palmer, who has been invited by the English brethren to that service, to act as their representative for this object.

Resolved, (3) That, in the judgment of this Council, this contribution from American givers should be enlarged to the sum of not less than one thousand dollars.

Resolved, (4) That the Rev. Charles R. Palmer be hereby authorized to represent, if convenient for him, this Council at the dedication of the John Robinson Memorial church.

are

It was voted, That the thanks of the National Council hereby extended to the committee on the John Robinson Memorial, to whose final report we have just listened, for the admirable way in which they have discharged their delicate and difficult duties.

The International Council.1

After singing "My faith looks up to thee, the delegation, from the National Council to the International Council, presented a report.

After addresses by Rev. Amory H. Bradford, of New Jersey, on the origin of the International Council, and by Rev. John Brown, of England, on its results, and by Rev. George A. Gates, of Iowa, on its future, the report was accepted.

The American section of the committee, of fifteen, of the International Council, relating to another meeting, namely: Rev. Frederick A. Noble, of Illinois; Rev. Amory H. Bradford, of New Jersey; Samuel B. Capen, of Massachusetts; Rev. John K. McLean, of California; Cyrus Northrop, of Minnesota, presented a communication with a resolution. The communication was received and the resolution was adopted, as follows:

Resolved, That this Council approves the recommendation made by the American section of the committee of the International Congregational Council, appointed at London, to consider the question of a second similar Council, and advise that arrangements be made by the proper persons looking toward the holding of such a Council in the city of Boston at some convenient time in the year 1900.

John Robinson Memorial church.

A subscription of $775 was made for the John Robinson Memorial church.

After singing "My country, 'tis of thee," at 10, the body adjourned till 9 A. M. Friday.

At 9, the moderator called the body to order, and after the doxology, Rev Webster Woodbury, of Massachusetts, offered prayer. The minutes of Thursday were revised and approved.

The Council spent half an hour in devotion, led by Rev. William H. Moore, of Connecticut.

Provisional committee, by-law amended.

The fifth by-law was amended so that the first two lines shall read:

"The provisional committee shall consist of eleven persons, the moderator, the secretary, the registrar, and the treasurer, ex-officiis." The following were made the provisional committee for the next three years: :

Samuel B. Capen, of Massachusetts; Rev. George H. Wells, of Minnesota; Rev. Henry A. Hazen, of Massachusetts; Rev. Arthur Little, of Massachusetts; Rev. William H. Moore, of Connecticut; Rev. Samuel B. Forbes, of Connecticut; Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, of Massachusetts; Rev. James G. Merrill, of Maine; Hamilton A. Hill, of Massachusetts; Rev. Julian M. Sturtevant, of Illinois; Rev. Marcus W. Montgomery, of Illinois.

The Council in 1895.

The provisional committee reported the following, which was adopted:

Resolved, that the triennial session of the Council, in 1895, be held on the Pacific coast, provided satisfactory arrangements can be made; and at such time and place as the provisional committee may determine.

The roll.

The committee on credentials made a report in part on the roll, which was accepted, and the committee were authorized to make corrections and instructed to complete the roll.