The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-06-16
1ermont safe Diocesan Convention.

Vermont safe Diocesan Convention.
AS preliminary to the regular exercises
of the convention, a meeting was held at
St. Johns church, Poultuey, Tuesday
evening at which time a very able aud
impressive discourse was delivered cy
Rev. W, II. Collins, rector OF St. Poul's
church Vcreennes, and ST. Stephens
church, Middlchury, from the words:
"a little one shall become a III, usaud, md p
small one a strong nation; ], the Lord, will
hasten 1t in his time" -lsniah 20, ~.
The reverend gentleman said that th,
entire chapter from which the text was
taken is devoted to vivid description o.
the future power and glory Of the church
OF God, which is done by the use Of strlk-
ing figures and startling metaphors; and
so fresh and vigorous are His words that
they seem to be the uttcrance of some liv.
ing man, although first written nearly
three thousand years ago. Like all pro.
phetic writings they arc susceptible Of
more than one Interpretation, but in their
primary meaning they refer, undoubtedly,
to the times of peace, purity and pros
pority vouchsafed to the chosen people
after their return from the captivity ;
when the temple was rebuilt and the wor.
ship of ehovah restored, and His city,
long wasted, impoverished. and desecrat
ed, was once more restored and became
the joy of many nations. But the pro-
phetic vision was not limited to des.
cription Of those events. but to him was
given the power Of Gods spirit to behold
for "greater things than these" He saw
the rise and progress Of the Catholic
Church, the wonderful ascension Of the
Gentle, the blessings of the new iDspira-
ton and the marvellous change wrought
by the preachers of the Gospel, accom-.
panied by the gifts Of the Holy Spirit ;
and Notwithstanding the manifold sorrows
in store for Israel; despite the woe, hu.
initiation and distress to be brought upon
Gods people, the prophetic vision could
see the glorious rainbow Of hope spanning
he sky, and its bright colors were re-
Aected in the dark abyss Of waters.
But the prophet was not staggered at
the thought of the small beginning Of the
kingdom Isaiah believed that God was
able to plant and give the increase, al.
though the seed h nd seem to be les.
than all other seeds. aud with this faith
and this trust he could say, "A title on,
shall become a thousand aud q small ont
strong nation" When we regard tn,
spread of Christianity throughout tn,
world when we recall the facts unc
statistics pertaining to the growth Of our
branch of the church in this country, auc
its increase in our own diocese. we recog
nize the fufillment of The prophet, words
and are certain that tn, - ~ oou,n i.tto'
us vii h hold greater things than We
In the cndeavor made by men to accuuu
| tie large fortunes either for tn, I've,
or for their families. it ma, be that
hrea, h Of tInsi. failing health. or ~
unforeseen acciicnt will rosnaet then
all; it is not s. IN matter, pertaining &c
the kingdom OF Christ Ilow,ltr N,al
the iustrunentaliiies employed. hov,v,r
contemplate in the eyes Of men, o.,
ready and allie to prosper aud bites, ract
undertaking accompanies he l,v,r e.
Christs servants in promotrg thc w,l
fare Of the church This work canno
fail so Icing as God puts 1t into he hca,t,
of men to devote all their powers, aud al
though we do not expect to overcome al
obstacles Immediately We "learn to labor
and watt remembering the admouitor
of the master "lu your patience posses.
ye your souls" The little one nlrscC
and strengthened by Gods grace "shal
become thousand" the small one
"strong nation" for the very reason tha
the Lord vouchsafes and directs the
work, and hastens its accomplishment il
His own due time AMI We should labor
strive and pray with this assurance
One great and striking proof Of human
imperlection is seen in a certain charact
eristic peculiar to American people, tht
disposition te expect and look for imme
diate results. This temper is frequently
displayed in matters political social ant
1Ianclal and 10 remarkable degree per
vades that Of the ecclesiastical also W,
look for a great increase in parocha
strength, feel uneasy under the slow bu
gradual increase Of our parishes, and dt
not always see the results Of cur work il
the mission schools. There are many
vestrcs in the United States that seem t
regard their minister or rector as sor
OF an ecclesiastical auctioneer, whose chic
business is to fill the pews and augmeu
the annual revenue, and so far as be ac
compli>hcs that end so far is he accept
able to them. This idea is carried out t,
a great extent among the various sect
around US, and so the sensational preach
err has become au institution, aud tn
ma ority OF those who forget what tn
house OF God is called, 1.-THE house O
prayer" and who 60 to hear preaching
are continually Gu the gu rire for some
thing new aud strange. | need not 81
tina. such IA thing is Numerically oppose,
to the doctrine Of discipline aud worehi
Of the church, While We by 10 mean
despise pulpit eloqueuce aud orhtory, hu
FULLY believe that as public teachers "
are bound to avail ourselves Of every oI
portunity TO increase our influence IN rha
direction, still in promoting The growt
aud enlargement Of The church We az
disposed to exalt such au-inncnts owe
faithful pastoral work aud dihgeut wolk
ing for souls.
How many congregations have bee
gathered together, how many church,
built to the glory OF God, t.a man
hearts cheercd by christian words an
deeds, how many souls saved ircm etelu,
death by the use Of iusirumeutaillt
which at the first appeared small wcu
and insignificant. lie urged upon tho,
present TO labor still more earnestly !
: their appropriate duties, aud to labor I
magnify their tffice OF "Amhas>ador
Christ" aud steward OF The IN, steiies
Cod - .nA that thu ..,.,l, A., IL l.. ,