Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-09-06
CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE.
The Annual session Held nt Ncwfnne
On Wednesdny mud Thursdny.

on "wednesday and Thursday.
The ISth annual meeting Of the Windham
county conference Of Congregatoualist
churches convened at the church in New
fame on Wednesday, Sept. I, at 1880 a. NJ
A devotional service Of half an hour was
conducted by Rev. Lewis Circuit Of. West
Brattleboro The conference was then call
ed to order by the registrar, Rev. G. H.
Smith Dea &. f. Thompson Of Bratte
boro was chosen moderator, aud Rev H.
A. Goodhue Of Westminster West scribe
The enrolment Of the members Of confer
ence showed that every one Of the sixteen
churches composing the body. was repre-
scented by its pastor, and nearly all by one
or more delegates
Rev. j. n. Babbitt Of West Brattleboro
preached the annual sermon, founded upon
the parable in reference To- the growth Of
the kingdom of God recorded in the fourth
chapter Of Mark It was an earnest, ef
fective discourse upon the manner in which,
and the means whereby, the Christian
church advances in the world-slowly, qui
city, strangely often, but surely, under
Gods hand aud with His blessing the di.
vine element "A necessary condition, yet ever
combined with human fundamentally as
"A conclusion, the need and hopefulness Of
increased activity on the part Of the church
was set forth strongly.
The afternoon session opened with a de
votonal service conducted by the modera
tor Nearly an hour and half was devot-
ed to the narrative of the state of religion
in the churches by the reports, supplement-
ed by further statements from the delegates
and pastors Of the various churches. 1t
appeared that the year has been one of
general prosperity in respect ~ religious
work and growth in the different societies.
All the churches are supplied with pastors
at the present time, but two Of these pas
tors are students who are soon to return 10
their studies 1t is hoped that their places
will be quickly supplied. Changes have
been fewer than usual there having been
none during the year except at Marlboro
and Wilmington. The labors Of Mr.. Par
sons last fall were favorably mentioned,
and resolutions expressive of esteem and
confidence in him as Christian worker
were unanimously adopted in view of his
retirement from direct evangeistic labor.
The membership Of the churches has been
increased unity Of feeling prevails socie
ties of Christian endeavor are established
in eleven Of the Ii churches, aud are sue
ceediug beyond expectation the benevo-
lences Of the churches have increased aud
there is an unusual feeling Of hopefulness
]
boro was especially interesting and encour
aging for an immediate pressing Of the work
there
Rev. C. O. Day Of Brattleboru made All
able address upon Christian thinking
| brought to date. He conteuded in con
vincing manner that the church is abreast
with the true scholarship and thought Of
the day, but with the qualification that we
need ~ give greater recognition u what
soever is right aud true in the creed Of
those who may differ from rs. Admit the
| truth wherever We find it.
| Rev. j. II Rabbit followed with an ac-
| count Of his attendance upon the lnterna
| tional Sunday school convention in London,
bringing his experiences vivldly before the
conference and setting forth the purpose
and utility Of that remarkable gathering
Of Sunday school workers.
! The evening services opened with praise
meeting, followed 10y addresses upon Bible
and missionary work 10y Rev l.. II. Elliot,
Mrs II = Caswell Of New York, and Mrs.
f. K. Montgomery Of Actana, Turkey. The
| home and foreign work were fttugly en-
! phasiLed, aud the session closed at o'clock
with the feeling ON the part Of all that it
had been profitable day and "A fresh i'm
pulse given ~ Christian work among us
The morning Of Thursday was given, af
ter the usual opening service, to an essay
by Rev. f. f. Lewis Of Putney upon I'm
developed power in the churches, and IA
discussion Of the question, "Hnw shall we
Increase the effectiveness of our work in the
coming year e 10y several speakers.
In the afternoon the communion sermon
was preached by Rev. J. f. Whitney Of
Jamaica, and after the administration of
the sacred ordinance the conference al
journed. Dea. G., + Thompson and Rev
f. f. Lewis were chosen delegates to the
national council which meets at Worcester,
Mass, in October
This is universally admitted to have been
one Of the best meetings of the Windham
conference the attendance large, the ex
erclses we'll sustained, the work encuurag
ing, the churches girding themselves anew
10y conservation aud the seeking for power
from on high, the hospitality of the ladies'
Of Newfane unstinted, and harmony Of
purpose which betokens increased results
! III the wear to come.