Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-09-10
w1xDHAM COUNTY CONFERENCE.
A Helpful and UPiining Meeting with
the Church At west Town.hend on
"wednesday and Thursday.

The tifly-sixth annual meeting Of the
Windham County conference was held a.
Yves. Townsheut sept. and 9. Thirteen
churches and eight Christian EndesyOr So
cieii-s were represented By IS delegates.
The annual sermon was given by Rev.
Smith Norton Of NeEfAne. having for is
text Judges Y. p: To the help Of the
Lord against the mighty and was set
ting forth Of some OF the ways in which
people necessarily cooperate with God for
material and spiritual Advancement. Rev.
c. .. Day was made moderator and Rev.
II. H. Shaw scribe. An interesting letter
of saiuiation from Principal James Tufts
Of MOnson Mass. whose father was for
merry a member Of the conference. was
read by Rev. Mr.. Norton. and By vote Mr..
Norton was commissioned TO make an ap-
propriate response.
A service OF thanksgiving and prayer
occupied the first half hour Of Wednesday
afternoon and was heartily supported. This
was followed by the narrative Of the state
Of religion and Of the work Of our
churches in Windham county. presented
by Rev. g. F. Chaplin Of Saxtons River.
The shoEinz made. supplemented by the
reports Of individual delegates. indicated
encouraging progress. together Eith hope
Taking up the subject Of work for the fu-
ture Rev. Mr.. Day pleaded for better in
structional work TO go with the inspira-
tiOnal work Of the Sunday school and
Rev. Mr.. Shaw set forth the importance Of
carrying out the Christian Endezvor socie-
ties purposes in the know dye OF she Lord.
the improvement u society and in sustain
ing the activities of the church in the
world
Then came the ladies missionary meet
ing in which Miss ;. Z. Clark gave fine
report OF the work Of the Windham con-
ference suxilisries 20 the Vermont branch.
and Mrs. q. T. Chaplin. who gave reports
Of the auxiliaries 20 the Vermont Woman's
Home Missionary union. Inspiring ad-
dresses followed from Rev. Mary Z. D.
Norton of NewfAne and Mrs. II. ;. Cas-
well Of the National Congregational Home
Missionary society.
After praise service in the evening Jed
by selected choir the Lords supper was
administered by Revs. Il. A. Goodhue and
T. ". W.sEaN. Following this three mag
niicent missionary addresses were given.
The first by Mrs.. Casweli on Pour Cues
tiOns Answered respecting the home mis-
s,OnarY-vhD is he-whai are his hard
shps-what are his methOis-aud wha.
he expects 10 accomplish: tire second by
Rev. !. H. Roberts from China. who gave
a valuable and admirable description Of
! the conditions and needs Of the Chinese
/ people, and the promise in working for
them: the third by Rev. Geo. Il. Gutter
son Of the American Missionary assocla-
tiOn, who made strong and graphic plea
/ in behalf Of the ChinamAn, Indian AMI
negro in this country.
The Thursday morning services opened
with an excellent devotional meeting
which was followed By the business meet
/ ing, Rev. NJ. F. Hardy was chosen regis
trar, missionary committee was appoint
ed, consisting Of Rev. c. .. Day. Rev. NJ.
Z. d. Norton and Dea. Z. p Adams, and
a committee al interim. Rev. q. T. Chaplin.
Rev. II. A. Goodhue. Dea. J. c. Robinson.
Westminster West was chosen as the place
of the next meeting and Rev 81. II. Shaw
was appointed preacher and Rev. F. NJ.
Wiswall substitute. Delegates TO the
National Council TO be held in Portland,
Oregon, in 1898, were appointed as fol-
lows: Primaries, Rev. Smith Norton and
5. B. Emerson; aliernAtes, Rev. c.
o. Day and L. F. Adams.
Resolutions of thanks were voted to the
| people of West Townshend for their sym
pathetic and bountiful hospitality and to
the several missionary speakers.
The motives and methods of giving TO
our benevolent societies were strongly
stated by Dea. c. ?. Thompson and Mrs.
Caswell, the points most emphasized being
intelligence, system and regularity. Rev.
II. II. Shaw stated how the churches of
this conference may be mutually helpful in
efforts for spiritual growth and the con-
version Of souls, by doing better work at
i he -V,nr l.
mingling more, by more frequent pastoral
exchanges, by fellowship meetings, by
! joining in out-searching for souls in out
lying districts, and by praying more one
for another.
The social duties of the church were con-
| sidered under three heAds-in regard TO
| temperance by Rev. A. J. Cameron, who
pressed home the duty Of personal decis-
ion and action against the liquor traffic;
in regard to good government by Mrs Nor
ton, who insisted that Christians should
| seek TO know about matters of good gov
eminent, should keep order and live order
ly, should be in touch with primary meet
ings, that voters should use their votes
with thought and conscientious care, and
others support them by every possible en-
enlargement and cooperation; in regard
TO practical righteousness by Rev. Mr..
Wiswall, who held up the importance of
individual activity, honesty, purity and in
tegrity. These superior addresses were
succeeded by the conservation meeting,
fttingly conducted by Rev. w. A. Esta-
brook. after which the conference ad-
journed.
The weather was fine, the audiences
were good, the attentions of the people
we're ready and thoughtful, and every ex-
ercise uplifting
Brattleboro was represented by Rev. Mr..
Day, Dea. Thompson and Miss Emerson
of the Centre church and by Rev. Mr..
Babbtt, Miss 5. f. Clark, Mrs. S. Sawyer
and F. R. Mann OF the West Brattleboro
church.
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES.
The election of officers by the third wear