The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-06-10
VERMONT EPWORTH LEAGUE
A LARGE ATTENDANCE.


Ex-Governors Rich Music.
The fifth annual convention OF the Yer
mont Conference Epworth League OF Meth
odist Young People assembled at Trinity
church last Wednesday evening, The dele
gates. bright company Of young men and
women had, through the day, been arriving
from all directions, and their white badges
were conspicuous in the streets. Nearly
two hundred had registered and been as
signed their homes in the Capital City by
the local committee, OF which Mrs. Frank
A. Sherburne was chairman. AT half-past
seven they gathered in the church, where
scene of loneliness greeted them. All the
arches were festooned with bunting and
the platform was wilderness OF flowers
and ferns. The services opened with music
by Mrs j. #. Waterman of this city. The
devotions were conducted by Rev. W. M.
Newton of Waterbury, secretary OF the
society.
The convention chorus, under the leader
ship OF Rev. Andrew Gillies of White River
Junction, an accomplished singer, led in an
inspiring song. Rev. A. ii. Webb pre-
sented the welcome for Trinity church and
chapter. He said we have planned for your
coming and intended to have our church
newly frescoed to greet you, but dared not
begin for fear 1t would not be ready. But
what it lacks in frescoing Is made up IN
bunting You are welcome to our capital,
our scenery, our streets and our public
buildings. Get up early and take walk
around our city and count our towers and
bulwarks. He referred to the interesting
history of Trinity church and its illustrious
pastors and to a recent tribute by Rev. I.
p. Frost, DID, to the acoustic properties
OF the building. Rev. e. NJ Smith, DID,
welcomed the delegates in behalf Of the
Seminary. AT first, he said, he saw no rea-
son why he should speak for the school,
but now he saw all reason why it should
l,a nj nv
where its most delightful views were found,
it is also morally and intellectually the sum-
init of observation. He gave cordial in
vitation to all to visit the school and to at
tend its commencement.
After vocal solo by Miss Gladys Beck
ley OF Barre, Rev. L. P. Tucker OF North
field, the president of the convention, re-
sponded. He said weiaccept your invita-
ton. We are here. Every young man in
Vermont is born with constitutional in
clination to accept a welcome to Mont
peler. Our coming is prophetic of the
sons of the commonwealth of Vermont,
which has been conspicuous in the senate
the executive mansion and at the court Of
st. James. Our hosts expect to con-
tinue the fame OF our state. Some Of us
come to revive our memories of the Semi
nary and the capital
Mr.. Il. S. Chapman of Montpelier rem
dered vocal solo, after which the speaker
of the evening, Professor G. w Ward of
Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y, was
introduced. He announced as his subject
Michael Angelo" Angelo, said the
speaker, was the last of the all-round
men. He was painter. poet, architect
sculptor, fresooer. Born, like the Christ
while his parents were on journey, he
was the child Of noble blood, In childhood
he was nursed by a peasant woman in the
stone quarries Of Carrara. He always ad-
mired the rough edges Of the stones and on
all his sculpture left in some place the
rough surface Of the rocks His first work
Of art was a satyr which he made in boy
hood and which is the model for artists at
present. This product of his genius led to
his call by the Pope to decorate the tomb Of
the popes. Here he produced his David I"
and his Noses" the masterpieces of
sculpture. Through jealousy of his COM
petitors he was appointed to fresco the
Sistine chapel. He began the study of
frescoing and after years OF diligence pro
duced those great panels which were the
wonder OF the ages, and whose reference to
current events was hidden in obscurity for
250 years. In an age OF inhdelity, Angelo
was prophet; in an age OF wickedness he
was the only pure man on the earth At
last his lonely life was lighted at its sunset
by CLEAN OF love. When we view him
we are lifted above all forests and seas,
where there is nothing but spiritual things.
A male quartette, consisting of r. W.
Bancroft and II. S. Chapman, Revs. An
drew Gillies and G. H. Deuel., rendered the
closing musical selection.
THURSDAY MORNING.
Promptly at half past eight o'clock the
convention assembled with the president,
Rey. L. P. Tucker, in the chair. Rev. l.. o.
Sherburne of st. Adams conducted the de-
votions.
Rev. Joseph Hamilton of st. Johnsbury
moved that the convention proceed to the
oonsid Grafton of the important business be-
fore it, and the convention so voted.
On motion of Rev. Joseph Hamilton, Rev.
W. 8. Smithers was elected auditor.
Rev l.. o. Sherburne moved and the
convention voted that the chairman appoint
a committee OF three on nominations.
On motion of Rev. j. E. Knapp it was
voted that the chair appoint committee Of
three on resolutions.
A committee of three on finance, one
from each district. was ordered on motion
OF Rev. Joseph Hamilton.
The chairman announced the following
committees: On nominations, Rev. w. s..
Smithers, II, Waite and Mrs. A. II. Webb;
on resolutions, Rev. w. r, Davenport, Mrs.
G. q. Brill and Rev. NJ s. Eddy; on finance,
Rev. I. p. Chase, G. III. Thurber and A. o.
Marshall.
The convention then proceeded to the re-
ports from chapters, which was the order for
nine o'clock. Fifty-seven chapters reported
buIOuBn UnCii uOiCBdbCoJ bHOWlHR III ulObl
instances commendable progress in
League work,
On motion Of Rev Fl. A. Spencer the con-
vention voted to request all members of the
Epworth League to register. Over 175 Ep-
worthians avaied themselves Of the priv.
lege.
Led by the convention chorus, the au-
dience joined in singing to the tune OF Beu-
lab Land, an original hymn composed for
the occasion by Laura Brigham Boyce and
published in the souvenir programme.
At ten O'Clock Rev. Andrew Gillies was
introduced and spoke on Young People
and Prayer" Prayer is a purpose turned
toward God. Great men have been men of
great prayer. Prayer means a purpose and
implies vision. Peter on the house-top
and Paul at Damascus had vision which
exalted their lives. Prayer is an elevation
toward God. Some people wonder il they
can engage in worldly amusements and not
spoil their religion. The question is how
our nearness to the divine will wean from
these loves.
Rev. G. S. Nutter, DID, OF st. Adams was
the next speaker. He was introduced by the
president as a special student of the hymns
and great hymn-writers OF the church. The
speaker announced as his subject Wor-
shipful Singing" Worship is not bodily