Excerpt from The Congregational Year Book, 1879: Issued, Under the Sanction of the National Council of the Congregational Churches of the United States, by Its Publishing Committee, and Containing the General Statistics of Those Churches for the Last Year

It can hardly be necessary here to emphasize the fact that the Forms offered claim no authority; while it is thought they may often be a convenience, especially among new churches, and in the hands of ministers who have just begun to acquire a Congregational experience.

It is hoped that the beautiful designs of Mr. Valk, with the clear and minute explanations from his own pen, will prove of real practical use to not a few churches. No architect stands higher than he in Congregational circles, and his great ingenuity, his philosophical comprehension of the chief needs to be met, and the eminently practical character of his mind, commend him, his designs and suggestions to the confidence, especially Of those in moderate circumstances, who desire the best church building for the least possible money.

The Congregational Calendar is a first and hasty attempt, but suggests what may be done hereafter. Its special feature is the reduction of all dates previous to Sept. 14, 1752, to New Style, in which it is believed to be unique; thus relieving it of the slovenly inaccuracy by which a resemblant calendar was made last year to class together, as on the same day, the death of a distinguished author and the formation of a particular church, which would accurately have been separated by an interval of eleven days.

Mr. Hazen has been good enough 'to give to this ear-book the benefit of his latest studies among vital statistics, which have been formerly so much esteemed elsewhere.

The secretary wishes to reiterate what has been repeatedly stated, as to the rule on which the list of ministers is made up. He disclaims, as heretofore, all authority, and all duty, to do anything save to put into alphabetical order the lists furnished by the several State organizations. A new list is necessarily made each year. It includes all that are reported, and does not include anybody not re ported. To carry names not reported was tried many years ago, and it loaded the list with Presbyterians, Baptists, Episcopalians, and brethren deceased.

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