St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-10-09
Christian Endeavor Convention.


noon of Sept. %. The air clear and
keen after the rain showed the hills dis.
tant and near, brilliant with the scarlet
banners flung out by the advance guard
of winter. The Christian Endeavorers.
gathering toward Rutland for their
eleventh annual convention, enjoyed the
beauty and were insensibly prepared by
it Tor better appreciation OF the good
things awaiting them. The opening
service was on Monday evening in the
Congregational church. On the plat
form were State President Hail. the
youthful, warm.hearted white haired
pastor, DR.. Phillips; Rev. {. N. Thorp,
the assistant pastor, and Rev. G, B.
Lawson, the speaker of the evening, pas.
tor OF the Baptist church in Bennington.
Mr.. Lawsons subject was "The
Christ Light" The greatest force in the
natural world is light. SO it is in the
spiritual world. Jesus is its best expon-
said "Let there be light In the chaos
of sin order comes when the Christ light
shines in. 1t Eliminates the past, glori-
fes the future and interprets the present
Christianity is a man-lorce, Christ
brought it into the world and left it
here. He said Il am the light of the
world" "Ye are the light Of the world. -
The Christ light is disseminating force,
cumulative force, present force. Its
governing purpose is the glory OF God.
Two Irish boys were discussing the cleo
trio light wires. Said one, "Why are
they always covered with rubber or
silk" Said the other, "Sure an don't
We know that? It's to keep the light
from lakin out" Two many Endeavor
ers are nothing but wires, covered so
deeply with conventionalism and timid-
ity and false pride that they keep all the
light in them from leaking out.
In a Scotch town the streets were dark
and dangerous. A decree was passed
directing every householder to put a
light in his window or in front Of his
house. At nighttall, the Waterman
would go to each house and cry Hang
out your light" So, Christian Endeavor-
ers, hang out your light and let it
shine and may God bless you.
The early morning prayer meeting was
led by Miss Matte Fox, Rutland. The
topic was Prayer" The meeting had
been well planned in advance, and that,
with the ready participation OF the large
number present, made helpful meeting.
Dr. Phillips urged the young people to
redeem the time. President Hall said
that we should not only ask for blessings
but should have our eyes open to see and
take the blessings that God is setting
directly before us.
The Q O'Clock devotional meeting was
led bv Rev. c. II. Smith, Pittsford. Their
followed the formal opening of the con
yention addresses of welcome being
made by Rev. Gibbs Braislin for the
churches, John B. Stearns for the c. E
societies, E. E. Allen, Fair Haven, for the
County Union, W. H. Fuller for the
Y. NJ. c. A. President Hall responded
and then called on State Secretary
Towner for his annual report.
SECRETARY TowNER's REPORT.
Seven years ago the fourth annual con
yention of the Vermont Christian En-
deavor Union was held in the city Of
Rutland and in this church.
Doubtless there are those present who
will remember at that time the stirring
address OF welcome given by Rev. Dr.
Phillips, telling us that this whole church
and its belongings were ours, to do as
we pleased with, anG so emphasizing the
thoroughness of the welcome extended
that even the Keep off the grass cards
had been removed from the church lawns
We are today again welcomed to this
city in our eleventh annual convention
The purpose of the state convention
needs emphasizing; unlike other large
bodies, religious or secular, we meet moi
for the purpose OF furthering some Ioca
ambition or honoring some person, MOI
for the making of laws and rules, but ou1
conventions are for inspiration, Chris
tian fellowship and of extending thu
cause of Christ through the individual
effort of the individual member in eacl
Individual society working in its owl
church.
Our conventions are growing IN slz
and Importance, and this is a fact to b.
reoiced in and not one to be curtailed
When you met in convention in thi
city in October, 1889, your secretar.
reported 100 societies OF Christian
Endeavor in Vermont; at our meeting II
Burlington last year l reported 3o'
societies; today have enrolled on on
books 357 societies, making gain OF z.
over last year. OF these 357 societie
only ITS have reported, having an actiV
membership of $50, associate LOIS
total 1888. One hundred and e'shty
tyyo soc;at;ae have not reDOrtcd to me