Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-09-15


ison to the alluring billiard parlors and
drinking halls of modern days. Stereop-
ticon views were thrown upon the screen,
Illustrative of the missionary work in our
own state, showing churches recently
built, diagrams of state distribution, etc,
these being described by Rev. Mr.. Merrill.
Then came views showing the present EN-
igrant movement, of so much importance
in missionary lines, these followed by a
rapid survey of work in southern and
western fields, with description by Secre-
taries Puddefoot and Shelton.
The Thursday Morning Meeting.
The early communion service was adj
ministered by Rev. DR.. Thompson and
Secretary c. II. Merrill, after which the
conference proceeded to the business for
which the committees were appointed
Wednesday. In accordance with the re-
port of the committee on nominations the
following officers for the ensuing year were
chosen: Registrar, Rev. S. L. Vincent; re-
porter, Rev. Geo. f. Chaplin; committee
ad interim, Rev. G. o. Day, Rev. c. w.
Thompson, Rev. J. II. Babbitt, Rev. NJ.
f. Hardy; ministerial standing committee,
Rev. S. L. Vincent, Dea. c. f. Thomp-
son, Rev. c. o. Day; committee on schol-
arship in Middebury college, Rev. Lewis
Grout, Rev. p. f. Barnard; Rev. NJ. f.
Hardy; missionary committee, Rev. c. o.
Day, Dea. J. c. Robinson, Rev. II. A.
Goodhue.
The report of the committee on assess
ments was made and adopted. The commit
tee on business announced Townshend as
the next meeting place, the time being
the second week in September Rev. c. o.
Day was appointed preacher, and Rev. w.
A. Estabrook substitute.
The next on the program was an address
by Rev. F. +. Lewis on "Chrisian Endeav
or and the family Bible" and in his alb
sence brief addresses were given by Secre-
tary c. II. Merrill and Miss Hartig. The
former spoke on "Vermont as a field for
experiments in Christian work. and de-
scribed the work of the state society as
compared with the work of other and in
| dividual societies. mentioning the rivalry
supposed by some to exist, but which can
not exist, because the state society wants
the work taken out of its hands by the in
dividual churches as soon as possible Mr..
Merrill would like to have this topic, eyer
mont as field for experimentation" taken
up at a future meeting for discussion. At
the close of Mr.. Merrils address Miss
Hartig gave very touching picture of her
work, and answered questions brought up
at the close in regard to her method of
work.
Dea. c. F. Thompson then spoke few
words for the Brattleboro Christian En-
deavor society. This was followed by an
address by Rev. j. II. Babbitt on "Sun-
day school work: Report from the inter
national convention at St. Louis" After
a word or two on the prosperous condition
of the state Sunday school work, he pro.
ceeded directly to the report of the St.
Louis meeting, which was an unusually
enthusiastic one. Magnificent prepare
lions had been made by the people of that
city. There were two meetings, first the
International Sunday School convention,
and following this the Worlds Sunday
School convention. The decorations in
the Exposition building were on a grand
scale, and the hospitality of the people,
ending as it did with an excursion down
the mississippi river, was boundless.
Mr.. Babbitt also gave a brief outline of
the work of the two conventions.
Secretary Shelton made the closing adj
dress of the morning, giving ringing APP
peal for the work among the Indians and
newly settled districts of Dakota and Okla
homa, in behalf of Secretary Hood of the
church-building society, who was unable
TO be present. He cited the surprising
| jump of Oklahoma from barbarism into
| civilization in less than two years, and dwelt
briefly also on the appalling Importance Of
the emigrant question.
The meeting adjourned for dinner after
the reading of the minutes by the scribe
and the presentation of the following reso-
luton, which was passed by unanimous
rising vote: "Resolved, That the thanks
of this conference be rendered the Centre
church of BrattlebOro for the hearty well
come accorded and the abundant hospital
| ity bestowed upon the conference during
its present meeting"
After a bountiful dinner prepared by the
ladies of the church, Dea. c. f. Thomp-
son, as POSTMASTER, announced the follow
ing sentiments, which were happily re-
| sponded to: "Our friends and guests"
Rev. C. o. Day; 1.-The old house on the
HILL" Rev. G. F. Chaplin; "Who is my
neighbour" Dea. c. F. Thompson; "Your
opinion of the speakers, alike in spirit,
different in utterance," Rev. Mr.. Hardy;
"Our sister churches of other denomina-
tions," Rev. Mr.. Parry; "Reminiscences
of old friends and old times" Rev. DR..
Walker; Going home to work as we have
talked, and better" Rev. j. II. Babbitt.
The conference then adjourned with the
| doxology.