Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-05
VERMONT BAPTlSTS.
OPENING DAY OF THEIR STATE CON
VeNTiON.
Annual Sermon by Rev. E. I. Sandford-
Interesting Reports of Denominational
Work Eloquent Addresses by Rev.
Drs. wayland Hoyt and
w. 5. Mckenzie.

River. Inc convention was tnen called 10
order by Rev. j. A. Pierce of West Ran
dolph, and on motion he was elected mod
orator. Rev. f. A. Herring of Brandon
was chooen clerk, and Rev. ii. II. Croker
of Fairfax assistant clerk. Prayer was
offertd by Rev. w. S. Mckenzie, ID ID. of
Boston. The report ofthe committee of ar
rangements being in order, the report was
read by Rev. +. q. McFaran of Burling-
ton, and on motion, it was accepted and
adopted. 1t included the appointment
of the following committees On nomi.
nation, J. j. E5tey, Rev. w. n. Wilbur,
Fri w. Horner, S. Bigwood, Rev. e.
L. Sanford on next session, Rev. w.
w. Alger. Rev. II. H. Croker, Rev. r. II.
Sherman on resolutions, Rev. II. H.
Parry, Sumner Andrews Rev. A. S. Gil.
bert on ROLL the clerk of the convention
On motion the chairman appointed the
following committee to nominate trus-
tee for the Vermont academy: Willard
Crane of Burlington, r. j. Jones of Corn
wall, Rev. A. 5. Gilbert of Hinesburgh
A brief address of welcome was given
by the pastor of the First Baptist church
of Burlington, Rev. +. G. McFarlan, who
said
Brethren and sisters: We wanted you
to come for the good that we should all
receive. We wanted you to come that our
own people could become more intimately
associated with the State convention. We
welcome you to our home, city, and
church in the belief that you can do us
far more good than we do you. We thank
you for coming, and again bid you vel
come.
Rev. Mr. Pierce briefly returned thanks
for the hearty welcome extended, and eX-
pressed the assurance that the blessing OF
God would attend the deliberations of the
convention.
After the singing of Coronation" the
scripture lesson was read and prayer
offered by Rev. Mr. Herring followed by
the singing OF "Greenland's Icy Noun
tains," after which the annual sermon
was preache by Rev. T.. T. sanford of
ST. Johnsbury.
ME. SANDFoRD's SERMON.
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as
dear chlldren.." Ephesians vi.
Tue first thing that arrests the atten-
ton of visitors to the eastern countries is
the sign With which every one is marked
so that their religion is easily recognized.
The difference between the men of the
East and those OF our own country is that
the mark of the latter is invisible. But
what is the distinguishing characteristic
of the believer by which he is known {?
Our text answers this question. He is a
follower or imitator OF God. AT first
thought it seems startling that man can
be an mitator of God. But is not every
child an lmitator of its father? There are
two points to which | wish to direct your
attention this morning. The first is the
universally of Gods love for humanity
Christianity distinguishing mark is love.
We are told that God Himself is love.
Man everywhere bears likeness of God
1t is not enough for us that we love only
those that love us. We have not come up TO
the high standard of the divine law in
simply doing this. We are told to love
our enemies rs well. 1t is objected that
we cannot love those who are STEPPED in
inlquity and SIN. But III proportion to the
divine love that is in us, our hearts Will
go out in pity towards our unfortunate fell
lowmen. This spirit is the spirit in which
we are imitators of Jesus Christ We ought
to cultivate it and try to love man for Je-
sus's sake wherever he may be- Love is
mighty power. All service TO a greater
or less extent, requires sacrifice This Is
as true in our day and with us as it
was with the Master. We must become
men of sorrows and take upon us the bur
dens ana sins of our felowmen We must
draw near TO God, realizing that there is
no difference between us and our fellow
men except that we are saved and they are
not. Love is not satisfied simply with
loving or being loved, bat love
impels us to action in those deeds
that will give pleasure to those we love
If the love of Jesus be in our hearts it will
impel us to do His will and those things
which are pleasing in His sight. Love
does not stop here. 1t impels the soul TO
the identifying of itself with Christ, as
with the infinite. Have we thus identified
ourselves with Christ? If so his spirit is
with Us. To the extent OF our ability we
should bear and sacrifice for His sake.
The second part of the sermon consisted
of an appeal for men, women and money
m car n ha | - .rLy
drew vivid picture of the country and
back woods clergyman, of the hardshps
which fell to his lot and the sacrifices
which he made for the Master, and made
an appeal for more Substantial aid from
the pews for i'll paid clergymen. There is
need to day of men, women and money for
work for the Master. Let us love men for
Jesus's sake, and let us prove our love by
our life and by our deeds.
After singing stand up, stand up for
Jesus" the report of the committee on con;
ventlOn work was made by Rev. q. A
Smith of st. Adams. Mr.. Smith spoke
particularly of the work OF future conven
lions and of what this present convention
could do to help the smaller churches in
the State. He said that it could help the e
little churches to do something for them.
selves by encouraging them in every pos
Sible way to an Increase of that faith III
themselves and in their own ability which
in many instances seems TO be decreasing
ICdu nelp lutul 10 larger DelleI IN tnell
special mission as Baptists. 1t can help
to make them feel that they do not give
their share, as | believe to be the case
toward the work of the master. This
convention can lend them moral and
social support and pray for them. 1t Can
give them financial aid as well. The
worker is always more honored by the
work than the work by the worker.
A collection was then taken for the con
ventlon treasury, after which the report
of the committee on obituaries was read
by Rev. W. II. Randall, of Saxton's River
1t included the names of Rev. Sweet f.
Brown, who was born in Salisbury, Mass.
January 5, 1929 ana died Ill Proctorsville
VT, August 8, 1885; Rev. Orlando Gun
ningham, who was born in SaXton's
River, VT, January 81, 1915, and died al
Rutland, March Is, 1883 Rev. Lyman
Smith, who was born in Pottsdam, n. Y
in August, 1910. and died in Whiting, VT
June 49, 1885; Rev. Charles Hibbard
who was born in ST. Armand
p. c., December 81, 1928. and dice
at Providence, X. l., September 80, 1887
Rev. Reuben Vinegar, who was born il
Rensselaerville, N. Y, December Z, 1905
and died at Amsterdam, n. Y, December