Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-09-27
BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION
AN EARNEST, PRACTICAL MEETING
Pulled with Coed words snd Coed
Works.


Pulled with Coed words and Coed
Works.
COMPREHENSIVE GLANCE At THE THINGS
SAID AND DONE
The convention " Vermont Baptists open
ed Tuesday evening with a representative
meeting Of the Womau's Foreign and Home
missionary societies. The Foreign mission
AIRY society was represented by Miss Zeno.
bia Brigham Of Bennington, state secretary,
by Miss Kidder, returned missionary from
Toxic, Japan, and by Miss Clara Converse,
now under appointment 10 the same field.
The latter is a sister Of Miss s. V Converse,
teacher Of elocution in our public schools,
and was herself for five years member Of
the corps Of teachers at Vermont academy
The Home mission work was represented
by Mrs. C.. G. Post, state vice president or
director who also presided during the eve
ming, and by Miss Mary G. Reynolds Of
Wallingford, Conn, who is the correspond
ing secretary Of the woman's societies of
the Fast The reports Of the state officers,
Miss Brigham and Mrs Post, were present
ed, both giving very encouraging views Of
the work Mrs Post said that within three
years the ladies contributions had increased
80 per cent, and the number Of barrels Of
clothing sent during the past year 10y one
association Tor county was larger than from
the whole state three years ago Windham
county leads of this year with the largest
gifts Of any association but Of course we
are not surprised at that, or at any other
good thing from Brattleboro or "Old Wind
ham The address 10y Miss Kidder was ex-
ceedingly interesting, coming as II did from
one who has had IA years experience in
the field and who speaks from actual knowl-
edge. Speaking Of the needs of the field,
she said that there was actually only one
missionary, on an average, 10 every w, 900
inhabitants. She urged very strongly the
sustaining Of boys school, with view to
raising up an educated native ministry.
Miss Converse spoke very briefly Of the
honor which she felt in being permitted ~
20 10 Japan to labor in the Masters service.
Mrs. Reynolds made very enlightening,
| instructive aud pleasant address on her
impressions from ten eeks' tour through
the schools among the Indians" There is
great need Of Christian education among
the Indians the colored people formerly
slaves OF the lndiansl, and the whites in the
Indian territory, and the WOmans Board
are sustaining as best and a. far a. they
can teachers there. Rev. Mr. Raymond Of
Montpelier spoke Of the Importance Of read
mess. Be ye all ready was his text, from
Joshuas words at Al d" BE ready with
money be ready with hearty service The
address Of Rev Mr. Herring Of Brandon
had more especial reference to the new
movement among churches, associations,
colleges, schools, and even Individuals, to
sustain certain or particular missionaries,
believing that such organizations would
feel much closer and deeper interest in
the work 10y such connection, and that this
should and could he done, not as "a substi-
| tute Tor, but in addition to, what is now
being done. Rev. Mr.. Martin Of Benning
ton spoke few words Of parting, well wish
/ ing and assurance Of abiding interest 10 the
ladies who soon sail for Japan. prefAcing
them with the remark that be always felt it
AN honor u look into the face Of Il Chris
tan worker, and closing with the motto
Courage Christ is with you"
Wednesday, ProeeedinEs.
The convention proper opened at 9 A. NJ
with prayer service led 10y Rev II NJ
/ Douglas of Putney, followed Immediately
] 10y organization Rev c. A Reese Of Rut
land was chosen president and Rev r. A
Herring Of Brandon secretary. A cordial
welcome was given to the delegates from
/ other bodies. viz Rev J smith Of West
/ Derby, Free Baptist Rev j r. Rabbit Of
/ West Brattleboru, CongregHtionalist, and
Rev. W $ Smithers Of Brattleboru, Meth
odist
! The annual sermon, by Rev Mr. Croker
Of Fairfax, was from the text Come We
after me, aud will make you 10 become
fishers of men" BY as much as a man is
OF more value than fish, by the worth Of
man as measured by the ransom given for
hls redemption, were those fishermen pro
NOTED in leaving nets to become fishers Of
men. startling fact stated was, that Of
IA Baptist churches in Vermont, 60 with
a membership Of 1000 report not a convert
during the year 1888 and the 5000 mem
beers could only report 400 souls gathered in
as the result of their combined efforts for Il
twelvemonth. Among the qualifications
for a successful soul winner or fisherman
were mentioned indifference ~ physical dis
comforts sturdy patience power of obser-
walton, and skilful adaptation of the means
| Ia the end. II he would catch fish he must
20 where the fish are-not expect the fish
u come to him. ''Nuu cant catch trout
with cod line, nor mackerel with II hy'
The analogy between the fisherman ana the
soul winner was closely followed throughout
the whole discourse
The treasurer's report showed disburse-
ments during the fiscal year in supporting
state missionary, aiding feeble churches
and other expenses, $4lOO; and the receipts
have been such that there is a small balance
IN the treasury The report of the com
mittee ON obituaries paid tribute Of respect
10 the memory Of Rev l. A. Dunn, D. d q.
Of Pella, la who was for 30 wears pastor
at Fairfax Rev c. A Thomas, for 40 wears
pastor at Brandon, Rev Mr. Gillis, Rev. j.
/ T. Hall and Hon. Guy g. Noble, and feeling
illusions 10 these men were made by seve-
raj speakers Immediately following the read
ing
| At this point Rev Mr. Parry called at
tention 10 the notice that dinner will lie
served at the armory, and if you wish il hot
20 promptly adding that IF YOU wish
the waters hot, keep them waiting for half
an hour - 1t is needless 10 say that all
adjournment was had at once 4 long pro
cession wended its way 10 the spaci lus ar
mory, and there found ample accommodA-
tions for all TO sit down at the same time,
and lots of room TO spare although there
were probably $50 to 300 served
At the afternoon session Rev. 5. II. Arch
ibald, for many years its secretary, present
ed the report OF the board Of managers for
the past year, which we summarize briefly :
Twenty three churches aided to the amount
Of 5000; from seven Of them "a baptisms
are reported, but there has been a net loss
of % in the membership of the whole mum
Der during the year. These churches have
contributed for the benevolent work of the
denomination nearly $500, or A. per cent Of
the amount received from the convention
A new church has been formed at Barre, to
be pastOred from Montpelier The church
in Richford, for years u beneficiary, pro
poses in future u pay its own expenses. A
bequest of $500 was made by the late Shell
don Smith, which will soon he received
The report of State Missionary MacG eorge
was very interesting one giving an ac-
count of his visits u and labors with the
weaker churches of the state
Rev. c. II. Spaulding of Boston made an
enthusiastic and inspiring address, com
mendable alike for its matter, manner and
brevlty, upon Baptist Sunday school exten-
sion.
A very pleasant and, we. understand, u
new feature, was the welcoming by the
| president of the pastors who have entered
the state during the year, The address Of
Mr.. Reese was most happy, aud the six or
eight men who occupied the platform Ger
/ talnly had the appearance Of soliditv, good
health aud marked superiority.
Col Fuller, in an address Of 10 minutes
or So outlined the history Of Vermont acad
envy since its founding, and very neatly in
troduced Principal Williams, the successor
of Prof Willard, who, in well chosen words,
expressed his qualification that he was at
the head of an institution Of learning wholly
| Christian in its design and management
He did not wish 10 sharpen tools for the
devil ~ work with, but u throw such in
huences around the pupils while there as
would not only inspire to high standard
OF intellectual requirement, but 10 Chris
tian development as well.
At this session a resolution advising the