The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-09-30
The Baptist State Conventions.

AS noted in last weeks WATCHMAN, the
state convention of Baptists began its
annual session at the Baptist church on
Tuesday evening, when Mrs. Alice NJ. Cole
man of Boston gave an address on home
missions and Mrs. Mary E. Stafford also of
Boston, spoke on foreign missions. Several
reports, also, We're made. The session of
Wednesday was opened at half-past nine
o'clock with devotional service led by Rev
w. II. Baldwin of Saxton's River. At ten
o'clock the convention organized by choos-
ing Rev. f. III. Parry of Brattleboro as mod
orator and Rev. E. A. Herring of Brandon as
clerk. AT half-past ten the annual sermon
was preached by Rev. \. S. Gilbert of
North Bennington, whose text was Revela-
tons xvii: 4. The discourse was listened
to with marked attention and made an ex-
cellent impression. Dinner was served in
the vestry at noon, and at two o'clock the
band of fellowship was extended to the
clergymen who had recently entered the
state. Reports from committees and two
minute reports from the associations fol-
lowed. For the board of managers, Rev S.
III. Archibald of Wallingford made very
interesting report, and Rev. A. MacGeorge
of Brattleboro reported many important
facts about his work as state missionary.
Rev. G. III. Spaulding of Boston had been
announced to give an address at five o'clock,
but change was made in the programme,
and he spoke earlier in the afternoon. From
four O'Clock until the close of the afternoon
session various subjects relating to young
people were discussed. The paper of j. w.
Sault of st. Adams on "The Relation of
Young People to the Pastor " was read by
Rev. G. T. Raymond of Boston, formerly of
Montpelier. The subject of Rev. T. Martin
of Bennington was The Relation of Pastor
to Young People," and that of Rev. Dr.
w. S. Roberts was The Relations of Young
People to the Work of the Future" Re-
ports of most encouraging nature were re-
paiy ya1 hn NhriQ CO
cieties.
In the evening large audience was pres
ent to hear the sermon of Rev. DR.. A j.
Gordon of Boston. The church was COM
pletely filed, many being seated in the
aisles. Rev. DR.. f. I. Hazlewood of Bos-
of the American Baptist Home Mission So
ciety, after which DIR. Gordon was intro
duced. His text was Hebrews 80, "Thou
hast loved righteousness and hated in
iquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath
anointed thee with the oil of gladness above
thy fellows" The discourse had special
reference to the command imposed on
Christians to hate iniquity. The iron
should enter the soul, and certain sever
ity should be cultivated. The speaker
spoke emphatically against fairs, theatre
calls, ETC.. in churches, saying that he would
rather have a church of ten consecrated
than one of 10000 who needed
popular attractions to keep them in the
fold. 1t is impossible to adequately report
the sermon of DR.. Gordon or to depict the
impressiveness of his delivery. Few more
effective sermons have ever been preached
in Montpelier. During the service w. A.
Billings sang "Cling TO the Bible, My Boy"
by Mrs. Billings. They also
conducted the singing throughout the con-
veDtion.
Thursday was devoted principally to
busin IS. The following officers were
elected for the ensuing year: President, j.
j. Estey of Brattleboro; vice-presidents,
Rev. r. l.. Olds of Newport and Rev. w.
w. Stickney of Ludlow; secretary, Rev. s.
II. Archibald of Wallingford; treasurer,
ID. NJ. White of Rutland. The sum of $3.50
was appropriated for various purposes. The
committees and delegates were
elected To Baptist Educational Society,
Rev. w. A. Baldwin of Saxton's River; to
the publishing society Rev. Gibbs Brais-
lin OF Rutland, j. j. Estey of Brattleboro,
Rev. Il. l.. Olds of Newport; to the State
meeting, Rev. DR.. Roberts
Of Burlington; to the Methodist conven-
lion, Rev. p. g. Abbey of Hinesburgh; to
the Freewill Baptist convention, Rev. Mr..
IcoNTINURD ON FOURTH rAGK.l