Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-10-10

to fiction which gives just and true idea of
life; but much of the fiction provided even
for young readers is demoralizing He al
| luded to the stories in the Youths Companion
as giving false ideas of things and as teaching
falsehoOd-such..s stories as recent one, In that
paper, in which sheep kills a bear, We
must tell our children what amusements are
innocent and what are wrong, and what they
may read and what not.
Rev. Mr.. Chamberlin of Sharon spoke OF
the home of the late Gov. Washburn of
Massachusetts, as an example of Christian
home. lie alluded also to his own
experience as teacher in the Sunday school
OF the church in which they were assembled.
and OF the members of his class, all of whom
who were living had grown I'D Christian
men, ministers, college professors and useful
members of honorable professions. These
things encourage the teachers For his own
part the Sunday school work grew more and
more interesting to him, the older he grew
The committee on certain communications
was announced as follows: Rev. II. A.
Spencer, Rev. l.. II. Elliot, Rev. G. s. Pratt,
Rev G.. d. Lyon, Hon. Samuel Hunting
ton
At : o'clock praise meeting or service of
song was held, conducted with spirit by Rev
}. II. Bartlett of Williamstown, followed at
7:30 by devotional services conducted by
Rev. j. ID. Emerson of Underhill. AT 8
O'Clock President NJ. H. Buckham delivered
an address on ''The Bible-TIow to use it
in the Sabbatl-schools." Our space permits
us to give but few of the thoughts in this
most instructive discourse We may give it
entire at another time
PRESIDENT BUCKmAM's ADDRESS.
The use We make of the Bible will largely
depend on our answers to the Questions What
is the Bible-how inspired and how is the
human reason related to it? We believe
that the Bible contains IA series of revelations
made by God to man through messengers
appointed by Him for the purpose that
their deliverances do not completely reveal
Gods nature and designs; but such parts Of
them as he desires us to know at present, and
from which We may gain knowledge for the
ordering of our lives for time and eternity.
As a spiritual guide the Bible is all suffi-
cient; as an umpire in curious speculations
and abstract discussions it will be found
battling and unsatisfactory
We ought to study the Bible as guide to
conduct-conduct towards God and man. Not
possession or power is our beings end, but
conduct-character in action.
To say that the Bible is the only rule of
life would put dishonor on the reason and
conscience which God has given us hut ii
is the supreme rule of life, always decisive
on matters in regard to which it speaks, and
always commencing itself to mans con-
science and reason.
We should study it with the utmost
simplicity of mind. While we should be
thankful for all the study and knowledge
brought to the Interpretation of the Bible, we
should remember that all this is only prelim-
mary TO the study of the Word. That Word
we are to receive without regard to logical
consequences 1t was not written for logi-
clans. 1t states things simply, largely, with
out consciousness of inconsistency or over
statement We should take the Scriptures
as they are given, and sufficient reading of
them will resolve any difficulties we find in
them.
All the influences of the Sunday school
should be to put the scholar into a receptive
mood, not into defensive or antagonistic
attitude TO the Bible. Questions are too
often raised by the teacher which are not
answered and difficulties suggested which
aic HOtltsolNtu Inc Duiltlhl -sChool snOulu
not be debating society over questions of
casuistry
One of the best ways to get the benefit of
the Scripture, is to commit it to memory.
1t is to be regretted that the recitation of
Scripture verses has so much gone out OF
vogue in the Sunday schools. Give your
child memory well stored with the words
and teachings of Scripture, to cheer and
warn and guide-and YOU give him the best
legacy.
Our study of the Bible should be both ex-
tensive and intensive. Each of us should
have general acquaintance with the whole
Bible. Let the study of it be comprehen-
siye, impartial. But let us also study por-
tons infinitely, intensively. There are pas
sages of Christ's words that only yield
their meaning to the deepest study.
Hurried and superficial study will bring only
superficial results. Our age needs more famil-
iarity with the Bible as guide of life. The
skeptlcal tendency Is not 50 dangerous as the
secular tendency of our times. The Bible
does not hold the place in the worlds thought
that it once did. Let us do what We can to
restore it to its proper place. Let us make
more of it, at home, in the Sunday school
and in the church.
Col. Fairbanks announced that the State
Convention of Young Mems Christian Asso-
Citations would organize Immediately upon
the close of this Convention, Wednesday p.
M, and the meeting closed with the bene-
dction by Rev. Mr.. Barrett
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
The session was commenced with a deyo-
tional service led by Rev. l.. A Dibble of
Bristol, after which came the annual meet
ing of the Association, Pres j. L. Barker
of Brandon in the chair
The Secretary, Mr. Rabbit of Swanton,
introduced Mr.. Dexter Gilbert of Enosburgh
who is over IS years of age, was converted
at As and has ever since been actively en-
gagged in Sunday school work.
The Secretary then read the minutes of
the last meeting.
The Treasurer Mr.. II. o. Wheeler, pre-
sented his annual report. The receipts for
the year were Sl7556; disbursements,
S1S.T; balance in the treasury, S15679
estimated liabilities, S1O5s5 Mr. Wheeler
also presented the Secretary's report. This
stated, in explanation of the little work done
the past year by the executive committee, that
at the beginning OF the year they found no
money in the treasury and the association in
debt. Their first work was to remedy this
state of things, which they finally succeeded
in doing. There is no official connection
between the State and county organizations,
and the secretary suggested that steps be
taken 10 correct the defect. The report
closed with list of county organizations
and their officers.
The committee on nominations then re
ported through Col. Frank lin Fairbanks OF
st. Johnsbury rs follows:
President l.. Barker of Brandon.
Nice-President - Samuel Huntington of
Burlington.
Secretary and Treasurer Henry o.
Wheeler of Burlington.
Recording Secretary Rev. Rev. J. Ii.
Babbitt of Swanton.
Executive Committee George f. Foss, St
Adams L. C. Butler, Essex l.. b. Lord,
Burlington Rev G.. ). Frost, st. Johns
bury Charles p Harris, Rutland.
The report was accepted and adopted
1t was voted that the officers of the Asso-
citation be er-cfitio members of the execu-
tive committee.
Voted, that the matter Of the next meeting
be left TO the executive committee, the time
to be in the months Of September or Octo-
her.
The committee on place of meeting report
ed in favor of Rutland and the report was
accepted and adopted
The committee on the subject reported
the suggestion that the executive commit
tee appoint three delegates and three sub
substitutes 10 the centenary celebration in
London. Adopted.
Voted, that collection be taken, TO 20 |
toward the salary of the international stats
teal secretary.
Mr. \. NJ. Butler presented the report |
of the condition of the treasury for the last |