Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-01-26

THE lELIOWhNli MLElANts
The meeting was held ON wednesday, 18TH inst, at
The Congregational church. and the fourth in the
series held IN this part Of Windham county. Tho fol-
Brattlehoro, Putucy, Westminster East, Westminster
West, Jamaica, Dummerston, and Wapole, n. II.
There was full Attendance, some Of the churches
sending large delegations. The church and congre'
CATION at Dummertton were very wen represented
three of the schools being dismissed that those who
desired might attend 10 was truly fellowship meet
ing, IN which the disciples were brought into sympathy
with the Master aud with one another
The exercises opened with a service Of prayer and
praise led by Rev Dr.. stevens, who In few well chos-
IN words turned our eyes upward TO the risen and
gurined Christ, Head over all things TO the church.
Then followed Bible reading, conducted by Rov. J.
L. Sewall Of Westminster East; subject, ''1ho Holy
Ghost promised and given to the church, Numerous
passages of SCRIPTURE noted on slips Of paper were
distributed and read by members Of the congrega.
ton II a delightful and very profitable exercise.
At ~ O'Clock all repaired to the yestry, where like
the early disciples had all things in commou,and
did eat 0h meat with gadness and singcness Of heart
praising tho Lord At O'Clock there was a praise
cloud Of incense from many hearts aud voices. The
class under the instruction Of Prof Alexander sang
the "re Deum Laudlmus' With excellent effect Then
came discussion Of the following themes: 1st, "Ac
cording 10 your faith, Matt 9;20; 3D. "Fath worketh
by love- Gal g. The former prately pre-
scented by Rev Mr. Merrill u West Brattleboro and
tue thought very clearly and forciby brought out
that all spiritual blessings come to through faith
and according 10 the strength and permanence Of our
faith The challenge Of the Master to his disciples is
"Belieye sc that am able to do this ?" The second
thought was ably presented by Rev. Mr. Martin, who
eNldtuUy SPOKE out OF Jhe abundance OF MS ncaft.
His leading thought was that true faith Is not passive
feeling, but working power. In this It's genuineness
appears il leads the disciple to work for his Lord
The principle that uuderies 1t and gives 10 efficiency
is love without love TO God and man, faith is inert,
powerless. II is le the steam engine that lacks only
its "heart Of hre;' ii cannot move without the pro-
pelliug power. SO with the Christian and the church
they want the heart Of fire, the holy baptism OF love.
Other brethren, both ministers and aymeu, Joined In
the discussion Of both themes, and added much to
the interest Of the occasion The impression left on
minds was that the spiritual life and power Of the
church are from above-the gift Of the Holy Ghost
and that, whatever else may have II we have not
this divine life and power, we are but as bounding
brass or tnking cymbal" While these great themes
were being discussed We felt something Of that up
lifting power. our hearts burned within us, and we
felt that in Christ partakers Of the same
spirit and engaged In the glorious work. We
reluctant to separate and only wished there was
time for the interchange Of thought and feeling
these important themes God grant that the i'm
pressions Of that hour may abide with all; that all
our churches and ministers may receive in larger
measure the gift Of the Holy Ghost-a baptism Of
faith and love and power. j. MERRILL.
Rev. G.. f. Arms will preach in the school
house on the Hill next Sunday (2Sth) at P. N.