Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-06-12

much interest He reported 1DS churches
the same number as last year. one having
oeen added and one dropped The total
membership is 2O,677 a gain of 1O7 for
!he year. The population of the state has
increased less than half of one per cent i'm
zen years, but the membership of these
churches during that time has increased
lour and one-half per cent, hence it appears
that the churches of this denomination
have more than held their own.
Inc benevolent contributions of the
churches for the year are SAT. 231. consid-
erably less than the year previous. The
legacies given were ST. ,S23. The Chris
tan Endeavor movement has made steady
progress; Sunday school membership has
decreased slightly.
The convention essay by Rev. ID. Sage
Mackay, the young Scotch pastor of the
ST. Adams church, was a vigorous and
thoughtful paper which awakened a very
lively discussion. He gave an affirmative
answer to the question, is evangelical Chris
tianity losing its hold on the intellectual
life, and sought remedies. The ostrich
policy of hiding our heads will not avail.
neither the jelly-fsh policy of agreeing to
everything. We must have new evan
gelism in which the claims of the gospel
on the intellect shall be emphasized. Ex-
position of scriptures must take the place
OF topical preaching based on Biblical mot
toes.
The discussion of the theme, "The adj
justment of church life and force to the
demands of today was participated in by
Rev. c. f. Carter of Burlington, who urged
the fitting of church worship to the real
needs of the people, not to the lust for en-
tertainment; by Rev. X. II. Ball of Fair
haven, who demanded free pews in our
churches to conform to the free spirit of
the times, and by Rev. G. p. Byington of
East Hardwick, who spoke of the relation
of the church to socialistic questions. The
church, he said, must study these ques-
tiOns, protest against social wrongs, and
seek to throw the light upon oppression
wherever found. 1t should also furnish an
example of the right relations between
classes in the lives of its own membership
Wednesday evening another large audi
ence assembled to listen to an address by
the venerable DIR. n. G. Clark, senior secreta-
ry of the American Board and to the annu-
al sermon by DIR. +. Halves of Burlington.
Dr. Clark, who is a Vermonter by birth,
gave a rapid survey of worldwide missions,
showing how everywhere opportunities are
opening for the gospel. DR.. Halves gave a
very simple, yet strong sermon from the
words in Matthew V, IA, Eye are the light
of the world" his topic being the nature
and functions of true church. The
church, he said, is an organized body of
| believers, whose spirit and action consti-
tute continuance of the life of Christ on
earth. To do this truly the church must
look at its work broadly as he did, and it
must have confidence in the power of the
truth. The church must believe the truth,
and have no doubts which will cripple it.
! Thursday morning the ladies held a
meeting in the interests of foreign missions
addressed by DIR. n. &. Clark, the conven-
| ton held a business session for the cleo
| ton of officers, etc, and passing very
/ hearty resolutions of thanks to the Brat
tleboro pastor and people for their UNI
bounded hospitality.
Taken altogether the convention is pro
nounced by all to have been great sue
cess. The credit of the very admirable
program is due in large measure to Rev.
! G. o. Day, who has put great deal of
work into the preparations for the meet
ings. The arrangements for the care of
the guests were perfect, about POO people
being lodged, and 800 being fed in the
town hall on Wednesday. The Brattle-
boro committee of arrangements were
Dea. c. +. Thompson, II. ii. Thompson,
| +. C. Crosby, S. b. Emerson and G. c.
Averill.