The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-10-07
Vermont Baptist State Convention.

Vermont Baptist State Convention.
WEDNESDAY, EVENING.
The meeting was opened with prayer by
Rev. Mr.. Hubbard of New Hampshire.
Prof. Horace Mann Willard, principal Of
the Vermont Academy at Saxton's River,
was introduced to the convention and
made brief speech of great interest in re-
gard to the Academy and its prospects,
giving it as his settled conviction that no
institution in New England stood upon |
firmer basis or had fairer outlook for use
fulncss. This enterprise is now fairly
launched and we are satisfied that there is
no place in Vermont where better acade- |
mic education can be obtained than here.
A centennial conference was then nau-
gurated under the lead of Rev. j. Freeman,
d. ID. Prayer was offered by Rev. d.
Burroughs. DIR. Freeman introduced the
conference by some brief reference to Rev.
Aaron Leland, the first Baptist minister of
Chester, aud once lieutenant-goycrnor of
Vermont. In conclusion he said, "men die,
but churches live" He called up Rev, Ira
Persons, now OF Newport, N. H., but for
merly and for many years, pastor in YER
mont, who spoke more at length, of Gov.
Leland end his times and carly associates,
including Joel Manning, Higbee, TIendrick,
Lamson, Cottrel, and others. The next
speaker introduced was the Rev. S. S. Cut
ting, ID, d., now of New York, but ma
tive Windsor, who spoke Of Rev. Leland
Howard, of Persons, Leland IIigbee, and
from his rememhrances said So you sec
have a right to feel at home in Vermont
and in Windsor county. He said it is I'M
fortunate that our centennial celebration
should have degenerated into an exhibition
~ me tortoi ipI,utr,, t. oh h.,
given to mind and education, TO great ideas
on government and education. As hun
dred years ago it devolvel on our fathers
to determine what the character and the
Baptisis of to-day shall be, so on us docs it
devolve TO determine what shall be the
charter OF the Baptists q century hence.
All evaDgc,izing labOrs must crystalline
themselves in educational labors. Hence
you need the Vermont academy, coming
into existence, in this centennial year, with
such prospects as never blessed any Bap-
fist academy in the country.
AT eight o'clock sermon was preached
| by Rev. s. ii. Stsckpole of Sax.on's River,
| assisted in the devotional service by Rev.
| Mr.. Townsend, pastor of the church in
Chester. Mr. Stackpole took Tor his text
Matt. :9-"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children of
Cod" Who are the peacemakers ? The
peace Of the gospel refers not to the rela-
ton of man to sin, but to the peace Of the
eoul with God There are two kinds of
| peace, that of the soul satisfied with itself,
and that of a man thoroughly dissatisfied
with himself aud finding forgivness and
| peace through Christ. Peacemakers in the
| true sense are those who are engaged in
| spreading the gospel. See how great the
|
"They shall be called the children of God"
| This cannot be applied to the men COM
posers of differences among men. but upon
those who bring men to God. The char
acter of these beatitudcs confirms this.
They are oil different phases of the one
christian life. This is the christian active
bringing men to God. Are we doing the
work of our text If we would fulfill our
great commission we must be peaceable.
The church has hardly yet learned to ex-
press fair welcome to the world. Our
custom of owning and renting pews in the
hands Of God is thoroughly inconsistent
| with the word of God. Then in regard to
IA aggressive work the church has hardly
begun to awake 10 our great work. We
| ought to carry the gospel to the hearts and
homes of men. May the peace Of God keep
all our hearts and minds unto eternal life.
Adjourned till Thursday morning; prayer
by Rev. Mark Carpenter.
THURSDAY MORNING.
The session was opened with refresh
ing prayer meeting, led by Rev. j. Tilson.
This was followed bya woman's missionary
meeting under the lead Of Mrs. L. X Full.
Ter of Brattleboro, who opened the meeting
by reading Of the scriptures, after which
Mr. Tilson led in prayer. Mrs. Fuller gave
brief and perinMegnt, a add Mrs. Knowtonl
ietifned missionaries. Mrs. Knowlton
and her husband, lately deceased, went tc
Nlngpo, China, from Vermont in 1858
and some of those now present remember
when, at the session of the convention in
Brandon, for that year, the venerable Rev
Alvah Sabin, as moderator, gave to Mr.
Knowlton the right hand of fellowship as
he entered upon his labors. These recol
lectons added greatly to the interest OF
this OCCASION A brief address was made
by Mrs. Carpenter.
The business of the convention proper
was resumed at 10 o'clock.
a report was presented on the American
Baptist publication society by J. A. Pierce
of POultney, and one on minist erial educa
ton by Rev. j. X Richardson of Rutland
and addresses, brief but fitting. upon these
topics, were made 10y Rev. DR.. Cutting o
New York, secretary of the American Bap
list home missionary society, and Rev. j
G. Foster of Randolph, Mass.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
The first business of the afternoon wa:
the report of the committee on obltuarie:
by Rev. 4 II Archibald, ID d. He made
brief mention of Rev w G Smith, Rev {
p Frenyear and Rev N p Foster, ID D.
who have deceased during the year. DR.
Foster, though formerly lresiding in The
state, died in New London, CT. Remarks
were made in regard to these brethren By
Drs Freeman and Archibald.
| Committee on next session, reporle &
place, Bennington; preacher, Rev. s. IL
Rngg committee of arrangements, Rev
Mtssrs. Luther, Henry and S. II. Arch
bald. The report on foreign missions wal
presented by Rev. 8. II. Stackpole of Sax
tons River and was followed ty sermon
of great power by Rev. ID. Mckenzie o.
Boston, secretary of the American Baptis
missionary union. After vote of thank!
TO the people of Chester for their abundan
hospitality, a brief address and prayer by
the moderator, the convention adjourned
The session was one of great interest
the reception by the people of Chester
warm and hearty. The church in Chester,
under the care Of lis able and genial pastor
Rev. Mr.. Townsend, is vigorous body
and he SCENE to be leading onward in eifec.
tive work for Christ.
THURSDAY EVENING.
After the adjournment of the convention
at the request of many friends, DIR. McKen
zio preached from Numbers 90 90, "Wlat
hath God wrought" In graphic sentences
he sketched the day of small things 10 the
missionary work and its progress in thu
evangelization of the world. The mission.
aries of the cross are everywhere, catching
every cultivated and every rude dialect and
making it the vehicle for the diffusion OF
the gospel. In 1925 Europe and Americs
raised 100000 to preach the gospel to the
heather; in 1876 they raised $4,000.
600 90. The heather system of idolatory
are honey-combed aud at no distant day
il.... ~ l..