The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-12-12
Vermont Christian EndeavOr Union.

The third annual convention of this union
was held in the Methodist Episcopal church
in Montpelier December 3 and 6. The
local societies connected with the Congre-
gational, Methodist and Baptist churches OF
Montpelier invited the state union to meet
here and be their guests. The meeting opened
at half-past ten A. NJ. with a devotional
service led by Rev. William Raymond. At
eleven o'clock President j. l.. Sewall took
the chair. Words of welcome were spoken
by w. G. Tapln, for the Montpelier So
cieties, by Lieutenant f. II. Colburn of
Northfield, for Washington county local
union, and by Rev. j. o, Sherburn for the
Montpelier churches. President Sewall re-
sponded
In the afternoon, after devotional services
by Rev. Peter Mcmillan of Barre, the reports
of the secretary and treasurer were read,
followed by verbal reports from the several
local unions. These were encouraging,
showing that there are in the state one hun
dred twenty-three societies, with an aggre-
gate membership of over four thousand.
Mr.. e. E. Allen of Burlington read sugges-
tive paper on :" Where Should New Societies
be Started?" His answer, in substance,
was: Wherever there are young people that
need to be led in the way of life, with SYM
pathizing pastor to cooperate with them.
Mr.. w. j. Van Patten made some excellent
suggestions on How to Aid a Society at Its
Beginning" Some of the ways were to
visit them, learn their special difficulties,
invite them to visit other societies, draw
them into a local union and get them to
attend state and national meetings. " The
Benefits of Local Unions were discussed
by Rev. A. II. Crawford of Bethel. A local
union was defined as a group of adjacent
societies associated together for mutual fell
lowship, help, and profitng by each others
experience. Miss Mary Gates of Randolph
read paper on Methods of Local Unions"
which was said to be very good but could
hp ~ art pf
audience. The question was discussed by
others DIR. G.. w. Phillips of Rutland
gave an earnest and effective address on
Dangers to be Avoided" There might be
dangers from the rapid numerical growth
of the societies, from failure to keep a
proper ecclesiastical relation to the churches,
from tendency to drift into social or lit
erary organization, in starting new societies
before the church was ready to second the
movement and from failure on the part of
the active members 70 see their duty to the
associate members. Rev. f. K. Clark, ID. ID +,
of Boston made the closing address of the
afternoon, endorsing the remarks of DR..
Phillips, but thinking that the dangers
could be easily avoided by the societies
holding steadfast to their distinct mission
of helping the churches and leading the
young in the Christian way. There were
already six thousand societies, with a mem
bership of three hundred fifty thousand.
In the evening Rev. 7. F. Frost of st.
Johnsbury spoke with his usual readiness
and effect, on Gods People in the Future of
Our Land" He spoke of the rapid growth
of the population in this country, stating that
by the year 1000, at the same rate of in
crease, it would be 1 900 000, 900. Gods peo-
pie have before them "A great opportunity
and hold the sovereign panacea for all our
national perils springing from immigration,
difference of races, labor troubles and the
saloon. They have the promise of Christ )
II 81.
future of this country, but, in large degree,
that of the whole world, in their power. If
true to Christ the spiritual kingdom and do
minion will be given to them. Rev. +. f.
Clark, ID d., followed with a very clear and
earnest address on "The Mission of the
Christian EndeavOr Society" He said this
society had come because il was needed, be-
cause God had called it, to raise up a gen
Grafton of intelligent, outspoken Christian
workers. Its great essentials We're the
prayer-meeting pledge, the consecration-
meeting and its committee work. These
help to promote spirituality and faithfulness
to things essential to Christian growth and
effective work. The society was for Christ
and the church. 1t appeals to that which
is highest and best in the heart. The union
met, Immediately after this service, at the
chapel of Bethany church, where delight
full social hour was spent.
On Thursday morning the prayer-meet'
ing was led by Miss c. a. Bartlett of Mil
ton, after which Mr.. G. W. Williams OF
Windsor made very spirited address on
How to Develop Sociability Among
Members" The most effective way to dc
this is to have the heart on fire with love to
Christ and souls. The Methods of Social
Entertainment were discussed in paper
by Miss II. f. Colburn of Rutland, touch
ing on the practical management of so.
| cables. Some questions were asked, and
answered by Miss Colburn. Rev. w. 7
Swinnerton presented " The Advantages OF
! Union Societies in towns where the
churches were small, from the standpoint
of the real unity of Christians and the ad.
vantages of cultvating this among the
young. Rev. S. l. Briant followed with a
paper advocating separate societies-one in
each church, to be the nursery and training
! school of that church for its own young
! people. Union with other churches and
other denominations could best be secured
through local unions, which he heartily ia
vored. Revs. Fiske and Howe of Waits
| field spoke of a union society, composed OF
the young people of the Congregational and
! Methodist churches there, which was per,
fectly successful. DR.. Clark presided al
the question box and answered with great
readiness and wisdom a large number OF
inquiries. Rev. G. III. Merrill, with the aid
OF large char, presented "The Religious
Destitution of Vermont and What Christian
Endeavor can do to Relieve It." The
/
should lead to renewed effort TO do Chris
tian work in the state.
In the afternoon Rev G. A. Reese OF
Rutland gave an able address on "Tht
| Attractions of Christian Work for Youth >
and Rev. u. Marten Of Bennington spoke
earnestly on The Church's Need OF Young
Men" Mr.. II. Il. Bentley of st. Albans
told " How to Develop the Latent Talent o
the Young in Religious Meetings" He
thought the example of older Christians
should be more effective than 1t usually is
that formality and criticism should be dis
carded and that prayer should be used as
preparation for each meeting. Mr. j. w
Sault of st. Adams drew attention to the
subject of " Helping in Church Finances,
in a spicy address and paper. Rev. L. w
Noyes of Hartland spoke in the place of DIR
/ ii. l.. Newell on " Reaching the Unsaved'
To do this work we need to feel that those
out of Christ are suffering loss, that we
are saved to help save others and so secure
a genuine enthusiasm in entering int
Christ's desire and work Of saving oui
sah,