St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-08-30
UNIVERSALIST CONVENTION.

The sixty-frst annual convention
of the Universalist churches in Yer
mont and the Province of Quebec be-
gan its sessions at the Church of the
Messiah on Tuesday evening
The attendance was very large, a
majority of the delegates coming on
the afternoon trains, and interest
in the proceedings was lively from
the start.
The work of organization was
quickly effected, and President Fos-
ter, after appointing the several con-
vention committees, set the wheels
in motion as per the printed pro-
gramme, which appeared in full in
our last issue.
Rev. H. H. Hoyt, pastor Of the
Church of the Messiah, extended a
cordial welcome to the delegates, and
spoke of the growth of UNIVERSAL
ism and the special work there was
for it in the world
President Foster responded briefly,
referring to the fact that the state
convention was held here eight years
ago, and expressing pleasure at its
being able again to meet with the
St. Johnsbury church.
The sermon of the evening was
given by Rev. H D. Maxwell of
BrattlebOro, whose theme was
| "Universalism, what it has done and
what it ought to do" This was
really the basis of all that was said
during the TEST of the evening Ad-
dresses were made by Editor 1, J.
Mead of the Gospel Banner, Rev.
Mr.. Chase of Rochester, Rev. DIR.
! Emerson and Rev. L. H. Shinn. Each
speaker dwelt upon the special op-
portunity presented by Universalism
for the doing of Christian work, and
each emphasized the demand for
earnest personal work to ensure the
spread of the principles of that
church.
On Wednesday morning spirited
and interesting conference meeting
was held, Rev H. o. Markham of
Ludlow leading. A large number of
the delegates took part in this
service.
AT the business session which fol-
! lowed, Secretary Parker reported
for the executive committee, review
ing the convention work for the
past year, and outlining future plans.
Willard Chase, treasurer, presented
his report. Rev. F. w. Whip
pen reported for the fellowship
committee, and Miss Laura Jenness,
as agent of the missionary box, re-
ported the benevolent work and
urged the needs Of that department
of church activity.
The communion was administered
by Revs. H. H. Hoyt and E. w.
| Pierce, following which came the Oc-
casional sermon by Rev. l. P. Booth
of MOrrisvilIe, who spoke of Chris
tians as fishers Of men, and urged the
great need of earnest, persiste
tender reaching out after men to
draw them to Christ.
The afternoon Of yesterday was de-
voted to interests of the Young Peo-
pies Christian Union, much time be-
ing given to reports from the unions
within the convention 5 jurisdictions,
and the asking of questions and gen
eral discussion of different phases of
work among the young people. Rev.
Walter Dole of Enfield presided and
made an address, being followed by
Miss Lucia Brackett of BrattIeboro.
Prot Booth of Northheld, Miss Fuller
of Rutland and Miss Stearns OF Lud-
low gave papers and addresses; the
state secretary, Miss Rogers, gave
her report of what was being accom-
plished by the various unions, and
the national organizer, Rev. Q. H.
Shinn, gave a spirited talk, enthus-
ing all present with an interest in
! special work which he is doing.