Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-07-12
Springfield District Ministerial AssOcia.

This association held its first meeting
for the year in the NJ. 4. church, Bellows
Falls, VT. June 26th-28th. The following
clergymen were present and participated
in the exercises: A. l.. Cooper. I. McAnn,
A. b. Trutx, I'll. +. Austin. p. NJ. Frost,
l.. E. Rockwell. J. f. Knapp. W. NJ.
Gillis, j. ID. Beemau. &. +. Arms. W. r. j
Davenport. The exercises were opened
by an able serm IN on M1ndiy evening by
Rev. A. b. Truax of Brattlob )ro from the
parable of the talents.
The opening prayer meeting on Tuesday
morning, led by President Beemau of the
seminary. was followed by the regular
business session, Rev. A. L Cooper. p. E ,
10 the chair w. r. Davenport was elect
cd secretary. The association, by a
unanimous vote, welcomed to the fellow
ship and deliberations of the meeting Rev.
j. D. Beeman. a former presiding elder
Of the district.
The literary exercises were opened by
the reading of a sermon by Rev. A. b.
Truax from Rsv. 6l7. Theme" The
Judgment" The rcasonableness of
Judgment is seen from the analogy in
nature. Delay in the visitation of punish
ment is no proof of the untruthfulness of
the doctrine. The fact of such Judgment
was proved by many Scripture texts quoted
by the speaker, who then described the
terrbleness of the judgment as shown by
Scripture language and scientific facts.
The fact that all mankind will be present,
that eternal destinies will be declared.
that the entire past will be brought to
light will render the Judgment terrible.
The possibility Of the entire past's being
instantly recalled was shown by actual
instances which occurred in this life. The
Judgment will be day OF destiny from
which there is no appeal. The fact that
there is probation here is proof that
there will be none in the future. The
Biblo repeatedly declares that there will
be no chance for tiual restoration, hence
the word of God, reason and experience
all declare against future probation. Tho
Judgment will be Just, each receiving
according to his Deeds" aud will thus be
n day Of retribution for past sin. The
Judgment cannot already have taken place.
1t could not have been at the flood, at the
destruction Of Sodom and Gomorrah, or
at the destruction of Jerusalem, since
these events do not answer all the condi-
tons of judgment We are not Judged
here since in this life suffering is not pro.
portionod to sin. We arc not judged now
since Christ is now an intcrcessor, not n
Judge, and angels as we'll us mon will bo
judged. Judgment is not at death since
final influence Of sin could not then be do
tcrmncd, neither could God thcn declare
TO the whole world his Justice, neither
would there be any need for resurroc-
ton. The nature Of this punishment was
then described and all appeal was mado to
those present to DO ready to meet it, Tho
sermon was then criticised by those pres
ont.
The association voted to meet at 2
o'clock and elected |. McAnn president of
the afternoon session. Adjourned with
the benediction by President Beeman.
Tho afternoon session was opened with
prayer by Rev. l.. E. Rockwell, Rev. I.
McAnn in the chair. Minutes were road
and approved. The literary exercises
opened with the reading, by Rev. p. NJ.
Frost of Windsor, of sermon on "thc
Faultessness of Christ" from the text, II
find no Fault in Him" The speaker said
the Christian believer found no fault in
him, (O because of his name; (2) because
Of his matchless character; (3) because
of his work; t) because of his dcclara-
ton of his divinity; (5) because of his
prohibitory mandates; (6) because of his
positive requirements; (7) because of the
glores of the lutu life made possible
through Christ, The sermon was duly
criticised by those present.
BY vote of the association President
Beeman then addressed those present in
the interests of the seminary. The address
was clear and direct, giving IN accurate
statement of the condition an prospects
of the school. Tho outlook was shown to
be very encouraging.
Rev. j. +. Knapp of South Londonderry
then read sermon from Heb. l3; 5-6, on
the theme, God in Everything" A great
many Christians do not believe that God
is In everything Such belief would lessen
discomfort. People say, II can easily
submit to things that come from God, but
| cannot submit TO man, and most of my
trials and crosses come through human
nstrumentality. We know that God
cannot be the author of these things, and
yet, unless he is the agent in the matter
how can we say to him about it, Thy
viii be Done?" We need then to see God
in everything and to receive everything rs
from his hand, with no intervention of
second causes. We must come to this
before we can know an abiding experience
of entire abandonment to God and perfect
trust in him. Among the many passages
in the Bible teaching this truth are Matt.
10; $3.50; Rom. s; 81 Isaiah 2; Psalms
80; 10; d6: 1-3; 9l:2-7S, OIL. The oct
planned by person against another in
itself is sin, tut by the time it reaches him
it becomes the will of God and must be
accepted as directly from his hands This
is illustrated by the life of Joseph. The
acts of his brothers wore in themselves
sin. but to Joseph they were Gods will.
500 Gen. 45: 5S and Gen so: 20, Thus
We see how God causes "thc wrath of
r man to praise him" and how, "All things
: work together for good to them that love
God" Tho presence OF God always
shiolds his followers so that no man. or
r company of men, no power on earth or in