Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-10-21
Reported for the Free Press and Times.
The st. Johnsbury Convention.

reported for the Free Press and Times
The st. Johnsbury Convention.
ST. JoHSsBuRY, Oct u.
The fourth annual State Convention Of the
Young Mems Chii.tian Associations of Yer
mont, now in session in this place, has brought
together larger number of delegates than any
previous one except perhaps that a, Burlington
opened their door,, but ind their hospitality
severely ts1ed to provide for all
The exercises Of the occasion began with
public service Monday evening in Avenue-house
Hail. conducted by D. L. Moody of Chicago;
prayer meeting the next morning at
O'Clock, was also led BY him. The Con-
vention WAS formally organized at 10 a. m,
Monday, in the South Congregational church,
and the morning was occupied in listening to the
welcoming address by Rev. L. o. Brsstow Of this
place, and to reports from the various Associs-
tons In the afternoon two of the formal ques-
tons laid before the Convention were taken up
and discussed, viz " What form of effort. by our
Associations, has been most successful in VIE
ming souls to Christ - and " What are our great
difficulties ;" Mr.. Moody himself occupied most
of the time upon the last question. In the even
ing an open-ar meeting WAS held which was at
tended by large crowd in spite Of the rain.
To-day, meeting was held in the North Con-
gregational church, and was even more largely
attended than those of yesterday. Prof G. NJ.
Weber Of Middlebury, spoke at some length on
the need Of Bible study for young men an ad-
dress Of which can give only the following
points, though reluctant to condense when all was
SO valuable
The Bible is the most direct and only suthori-
tative source Of religious knowledge it contains
more than reason only can discover; it is the
standard aad test of truth its fund Of truth is
not yet exhausted; there Is room and need for
progress in religious knowledge we need study
rather than mere perusal of the Bible. 1t was an
exceedingly clear and interesting discourse, and
was followed by an address from Mr.. Moody,
with more than his usual e4rnestness.
Philip Phillips, who was to have conducted
the musical services has not been present, being
detained by diphtheria; and as the singing
books ordered for the Convention also failed to
arrive, there seemed at one time danger Of fail
ure in respect to music. But selection Of
hymns for use was made and speedily printed;
and Mr. Phillips place was admirably supplied /.
by E. ". H.wley Of Windsor.
ST. JoHSsBuRY, Oct l3 .
At the assembling of the Convention at 10 a.
m on the second day, Rev J. c. W. Coke Of .
Springfield male an address on the man of .
one TALENT" and the practical question was then
discussed. " The pecuniary obligations Of re-
lgon," opened by Rev. E J. Matteson Of Brat
tleboro, and participated in by Mr. Moody and
several ether lsymen. In the afternoon an adj
dress wss delivered by Rev. ". 5. Palmer Of .
Wells River, On The symmetry Of Christian
Character" and the last subject on the pro
gramme-' The responsibility resting on young
men of the present day. was discussed but
briefly, for lsck Of time
Mr. F. E Grafton Of Montreal, gave an ac-
count Of a visit among the Y. NJ Associations
in England. describing some Of their methods
Of work A praise meeting closed. IS it had
begun, the services Of the Convention
The enthusiasm seemed to rise higher with
each succeeding meeting and this was the cul-
minating point One hundred and forty-one
persons spoke in fifty minutes. At one time near
II twenty being on their fee; al once
The programme for the convention was inside
sometime sgo and speakers we're engaged in
season for ample preparation Everything has
seemed to come into the right place without the
slightest jar. and nothing has been said that
VS., unnecessary or smiss
Subsequent to the dissolution Of the conven-
ton the State Executive Committee organized
by the choice Of the following officers for the
yesr ensuing
Prciasat-W. P. Dillingham; Of Waterbury,
Sf-rGary-I " H.Wley, Windsor.
TreGnrcr-Ben. X Chase, Rutland
The State Sunday School Convention met IN {
the evening At the North Church with packed
house 4 meeting WAS also held in the South /
Church which was attended by three or four {
hundred persot, Considerable interest was !
manifested At the latter place, several '
persons rising for prayer, The audience 81 the s
North Church was addressed by Rev Edward {
Eggeston Of iBrooklyn snd Mr.. D. L. Moody Of {
Chicago. Mr.. Eggle,ton is q true Western nan j
md speaks in Western style, cutting right and '
eft without mercy. He made some capital shots q
md kept the audience convulsei with laughter, Fl
y illusions TO the New England Sunday Schools :
dr Moody's remarks were mostly in reply to Fl
questions proposed by the congregation. and Of L
he same character as At Bratt!eboro two years
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