Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-07-03
Congregational Convention.

The General Convention Of the Congregation
al Ministers and Churches IN Vermont cOmmen-
ced their annual session, in this village, on Tues
dav of last week, and continued in session thro
that and the two succeeding days. The num-
Der in attendance was quite large, and the bust
ness of the Convention yves transacted pleasant
ly and with despatch.
Rev J. II. Worcester, of Burlington who was
appointed TO preach the opening sermon, having
not returned from the South. where he had been
spending the past winter for the benefit OF his
health. his place was ably supplied by Rev. Mr..
Thurston of Ma ne who delivered most elo-
quent and impressive discourse, Tuesday lore
noon. The afternoon of Tuesday was devoted
to business matters In the evening, religious
exercises were had. Rev. Mr. Marsh of New
York, gave a brief but pertinent address, enorc-
ing the duty Of ministers and churches TO put
forth their united and earnest efforts for the CON
version of the world, or the community around
them Everything depended upon Christians -
If they would address themselves to the work
with undivided purpose Of soul the Lord would
work with them Their efforts would be abund-
anilv blessed. and revlyals would spring up IN
a parts of the country. as they did IN 'r''- and
1899. In the remarks Of another gentleman,
upon the same topic. AN affecting alluslun was
made TO the last laburs of the late Rev Mr..
Chaplin of Greensboro, whose dying efforts IN
behalf of the youth Of his Sabbath School God
blessed in the conversion Of many souls
On Wednesday forenoon the anniversary OF
the Sabbath school Union was observed. The
children and their teachers came together IN re-
spectacle numbers, and listened to appropriate
remarks from several gentlemen present. The
attendance at this meeting very large, the
house being filed to it, utmost capacity, and ma
ny not being able to obtain place III the house
/ In the afternoon, the Vermont Domestic Mission
airy Society held It's anniversary. The Secreta-
~, Rev. Mr.. Stone, read ms report and after
wards addresses were made In the evening
the anniversary Of the Vermont Branch of the
Education Society was held. The President OF
[ the Society not being present. Rev DIR. Smith,
/ President of Burlington College, was called to
the char The Secretary, Rev. Mr. McKeen,oi
this village, then read his Report. 1t did not
speak as encouragingly Of the prospects of tbs
Society as could have been desired. Still some
thing had been done during the past year, 20 adj
vance the good cause of educating young meI
for the ministry, aud it was hoped that more
would be done the coming year. One firm anC
a few individuals IN ST Johnsbury lad contrbu
ted Sll5. Public contributions for this Society
had been made in only eight of our churches
The report closed by recommending that a more
efficient Board of Directors be substituted for tho
present Board, and that more earnest efforts fol
the cause be put forth Rev. Mr. Steans from
Massachusetts, then addressed the meeting il
strains Of the most powerful eloquence and ucl
beautiful Imagery He spoke at conslderabl,
length, and was listened 10 with marked atteu
ton throughout. Dr. Richards. of Hanover
next spoke. Though not SO graceful spe3ke
as some DIR. Il. possesses strong mind. and en-
forces his views by original and effective Ian
guage Dr. smith, of Burlington, followed Do
lew remarks OF great force and applicability.