Constitution, By-Laws and 1857-1858 Meeting Minutes of the Congregational Association of Oregon

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One part of a record book compiled by the Congregational Association of Oregon, with this part containing its Constitution and By-laws, a membership list dated 1857-1878, and the minutes of annual meetings held in 1857-1858. The Association's members were church ministers and other delegates from Oregon and bordering areas. They met annually to share reports, promote Christian education, support special projects and address internal disputes. Some of the topics covered in this part of the record book include: 1857: Governance rules and committees of the organization; -- Possible publications such as a newspaper; -- Finding a pastor for the church in Forest Grove and mediating a dispute over church leadership there; -- Formation of a committee to handle communications with external organizations; -- Discussion of a report on slavery, concluding that while the Association did not support slavery, they could not give funds towards the cause; -- Resolution against slavery in Oregon, authored by Obed Dickinson; -- Resolution on prohibiting alcohol and supporting collections of funds in support of this cause; -- Resolution on the church in The Dalles, recommending Dickinson visit and preach there; -- Resolution on the role of Horace Lyman at Pacific University and a resolution in support of the university; -- Advising William Tenney to visit Astoria. -- 1858: Acceptance of routine reports; -- Acknowledging the death of Rev. Harvey Clark; -- Tending to regular church business and meeting rules; -- Discussion of a resolution by Henry Spalding on Sunday Schools; -- Resolutions concerning preaching; -- Resolutions condemning slavery and criticizing the American Temperance Society's recent stance on the issue; -- Resolution in support of Pacific University.