St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-12-20
CHRISTIAN WORKERS CONFER
ENCE.
A Series of Interesting and Profitable
Meetings.

.
Thursday evening and continuing
through the Sabbath. Among the
workers present were S. M. Sayford,
Newton, Mass. H. NJ. Moore, Boston /;
F. O. WinslOw, Norwood, Mass. E. A.
Lawrence, Portland E. B. Dillingham;,
Hartford, CT. Allen Folger, Concord,
n. H.; II. II. Proctor, Boston; C. j..
jackson, New Hampshire; Russell
Sturgis, Manchester, Mass. George E..
Davis, Burlington George H. Shaw,
MiddlebOrO, Mass. G. w. Chase, North
Adams, Mass. ; Mrs. r. X. Remington,
Fall River. Letters of regret were
sent by c. j. Littlefield of Boston, c..
NJ. Bailey of Winthrop, Me-, and Geo.
ii. Slade of Providence, r. l., who
we're necessarily kept at home. All
the meetings were we'll attended and
full of spiritual profit. Gospel Hymns
No. were used in the services and the
singing was under the leadership of
G.. j. Jackson.
At the opening service in the vestry
Thursday evening the conference or
gained with Col. Franklin Fairbanks,
chairman E. B. Dillingham;, secretary;
and a business committee consisting of
Messrs. Moore, Shaw and Winslow.
In calling the workers together Mr..
Dillingham; gave a brief resume of the
reunions of these laymen. Conferences
have been held in Plymouth, Mass, in
1876, in Concord, N. H., in 1877, in
New London in 1873, in Providence in
1879, and in ST. JOhnsbury in Decem-
Der, 1882. The gathering at this time
was the sixth in number and was the
only one since the last meeting at St.
Johnsbury six years ago. Col. Fair
banks followed with a felicitOus ad-
dress of welcome in which he paid a
beautiful tribute to that one of their
number who had died since their last
gathering, the late Robert X. Reming
ton of Fall River. IL. NJ. Moore hap
PLY responded, followed by Messrs.
Sayford, Folger, Davis and Shaw.
The morning meeting on Friday
opened with a Bible reading, led by
Russell Sturgis; subject, "The Holy
Ghost in the church, in the world"
The leader introduced the reading
with a few general remarks upon the
subject declaring that the Holy Ghost
was intensely interested in the saving
of souls, and that it showed how the
world was seeking after the truth
when book containing no spiritual
power could create for the moment a
furore among unbelievers throughout
the length and breadth of the land.
The Bible reading which included the
fifty first Psalm, was Il searching and
hon q
truth. The second topic, Sabbath
Dissertation" was discussed in two
parts. Mr.. FOlger presented it's cause,
opening with reference to sermon
he heard in the North church by Rev.
Henry w. Jones upon the text, "Be ye
followers of me-" The preacher
brought out the thought that the ex-
ample of Christians is not what it
ought to be, and said, "We cannot go
through the world wearing placard
on our back Indicating that we are
Christians, but we ought not to go
where the world cannot safely follow
u.s." Mr.. Folger thought that the
cause was found among Christians and
strongly condemned doing our own
pleasure on the Sabbath, planning
through the week what work could be
postponed until Sunday and forgetting
our duties to God on our s. nmmer va
cations or when away from home. If
Christians would set the example of
Sabbath observance the world would
have no chance to criticise or follow in
wrong directions. MIR. Dillingham;
presented the cure which he said was
found in Gods commandments against
Sabbath Dissertation. If we wanted to
l. ,l,,txr nd I l,.
Bible. Both speakers touched upon
the Sunday newspapers, and the last
half hour of the session was taken up
by IL lively debate upon this and kin
dred matters in which Messrs. Moore,
Sturgis, Fairbanks and others joined.
The discussion was full of interest and
was intensely enjoyed by the audience.
Mr.. Sturgis said all the papers and
magazines were laid away Saturday
night in his home, and Mr.. Moore said
that his fathers rule was still observed
at his house which was 'where Satur-
day night leaves you, let Monday
morning find you"
The first topic in the afternoon,
.Evangelistic work in the church how
cussed by Mr.. Shaw who described the
ence in Massachusetts, particularly in
the winter of 1885. AS result of this
work in nine of the smaller and weak
er churches there were over 100 con-
versions and 20 added to the churches.
The method of work was given in de-
tail and numerous questions answered
by the leader. III. Nj. Moore followed
with a capital address on "Christian
/ Il, II 1nf Of II hrio
to 1.-THE his income. Tithing was Il
part of the Hebrew religion and those
who followed it out most scrupulOusly
received the largest blessings. Three
reasons were given for giving one
responsibility to God ; (2) God demands
Il fund to give from. Scripture promi
wards of liberal giving. The topic
was richly supplemented by anecdotes
and bits of personal experience and
contained convincing arguments for
giving one tenth to the Lord.
The evening meeting was held in the
church and devoted entirely to the dis
cussiOn of the theme, "Is the faith once
delivered to the saints adapted to the
present age ?" Mr.. Sayford opened the
discussion with convincing reply in
| affirmative, one of his arguments being
based on the third verse of Jude. Our
version renders the last clause, "earn-
estly contend for the faith which was
once delivered unto the saints" The
literal translation is, "fOr the faith
which was delivered once tor all unto
the saints" This faith is the gospel
and the truth as it is in Christ Jesus