The three bodies thus separately organized were finally brought into one society, adopting the common name ** Christians." They have become quite numer- ous.
At the Quadrennial General Conforenoe of this de^ nomination held at Marshall, Michigan, on October 2, 1866, and the following days, the following 40 Annual Conferenceis were represented by delegates :
CoimwEXCxs.
Fassamaquoddy, Me
Vermont Western
Merrimack
KocUngham
York and Cumberland
Strafford
Massachusetts and Rhode Island
New York Eastern
New York Central
New York Western
No. of DeUSfiUet.
13
15 13
47 40 14
CHRISTIANS
274
CHRISTIANS
40
CoirrxmBiicw-
New York Northern
New York Southern
New jOTsej
Tioga River, N. Y
Erie, Pm.
Canada
Miami, O.
Central Ohio
Maumee Valley
Southern Ohio
Deer Creek, O.
Eel River, Ind.
Antioch and BInfton
Western Indiana
MaaoD River, HL
Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin
Central lUinols
Spoon River
North -eastern Iowa.
Union, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Eastern Michigan
South-east Biichigan
Central Michigan
Grand River Valley
Southwestern Michigan
Northern Indiana and Western Michigan.
Richland Union, Wis.
Northern Wisconsin
Jacksonville
No of
DcUgfttH.
11 14 14 25 16
89 6 80 14 16 42 82 6
2S 99
8 28 17
T
12 6
The Rev. I. C. Goff, of Illinois, was elected Presi- dent. A letter, expressing harmony of views and fra- ternal feelings, was read from the Association of Gren- eral Baptists in England, this being the first commu- nication of the kind since 1823. The General Confer- ence replied by a series of resolutions, reciprocating the feelings of the General Baptists, and by appointing a delegate to attend their next annual meeting. It was resolved to establish a Biblical institute in the State of New York, and to increase the number of denomina- tional periodicals by the establishment of a Quarterly and of an Annual Regitter. The original platform of the denomination, namely, '* That the name Christian is the only name of distinction which we take, and by which we, as a denomination, desire to be known, and the Bible our only rule of faith and practice," was unanimously reaffirmed.
A convention of members of the denomination In the Southern States (** Southern Christian Convention") was held at Mount Auburn, N. C, on May 2, 1866, at which it was resolved to revive the denominational book concern at Suffolk, Va., which had been destroy- ed by fire soon after the beginning of the war. See AnmuU American Cydopctdia for 1866, s. v; Christian Connection; MimUetoftAe U.3, Qmdrennial Christian Connection (Dayton, 1866).
n. 2>orfrtfi«*.— Each congregation of " Christians" is independent, and they take the Bible as their bind- ing standard of doctrine. The following principles appear to be generally recognised among IJiem: (1) The Scriptures are inspired, and are of divine au- thority. (2) Every man has a right to interpret the Bible for himself^ and therefore differences of theolog- ical views are no bar to Church fellowship. (8) There is one God, but the doctrine of the Trinity is not gen- erally received. (4) Christ is a divine being, pre- exbted, and is the mediator between God and man. (5) Christ's sufferings atone for the sins of all men, who, by repentance and faith, may be saved. (6) Im- mersion is the only proper form of baptism, and believ- ers the only prox>er subjects (rejecting infant baptism). (7) Communion at the Lord's table is open to believeiB of all denominations.
III. Government and Usages, — Though each congre- gation is theoretically independent, there are "An- nual" or " State" Conferences, composed of ministerial Vnd lay delegates from the churches, which receive and ordain pastors, etc., but can pass no laws binding the several churches. They have an American Chris- tian Convention, whose officers fh>m 1866 to 1867 were :
President^ D. P. Pike, of Massachusetts ; N. Summerbell, of Oldo ; Secretary ofMitaionary Ijt- partment^ D. E. Millard, of Michigan ; Secretary ^ Educational Department, J. W. Haley, of Manac^ setts; Secretary of the Sabbath-school Departmait^ I. C Goff, of Illinois ; Secretary of the PuMuAao^ uipari. mentf C. A. Motso, of Ohio. The forms of wwshii^ etc., are in general the same as those in the Bapt»E churches. .
The Constitution of the General C<niTeiitio]i, is amended in 1866, is as follows :
Abtiolx T.—This organisation shall be styled **T1&e Aao- ican Christian Ckmventiou."
Abt. U. The business of theConveatioD ahan be to arras^ direct, or transact such matters as may be thoaglit pnfe and neceesary, in connection with and for the fdrtheraBoe d the interests and honor of the cause dt Christ.
AST. III. The of&oers of the Convention shall oooslst of « President, one Vice-president trota each statfc or provinoe cob- nected with the ConventioDk a Seeratary of tbe Cooventxe. and one Secretary for each department hereinafter frvr^U for; all of the above officers, except the Vlce-preeidentB. «hsZ be choeen by ballot for the term of four yean, and until tfac^ successors are chosen. The Ylee-presldente snail be noBi^- ted by the states and provinces represented in the CoiiTfa- Uon.
Abt. IV. It shall be the dnty of the President to preside k all meetings of the Convention and of the Executive BoanL
Abt. V. In the absence of the President at any wi*Ttf»*g cm of tile Vice-presidents shall preside.
Abt. VL The SccreUry shall faithfVilly note and reeard si the doings of the Convention and of the Ezeentlve Board.
AXT. vn. The Convention shall consist of the fbOovinf named departments, vlx. : 1. Missionary; 2. the Edncatk^; 8. the Publishing ; 4. the Sabbath-school ; 5. Treajsary Defviv ment. Each department shall have an appropriate secretarr, who shall have the supervision thereof, nitject to the coetnl of the Executive Board hereinafter named.