Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-06-25
THE EPWORTH LEAGUE.
Young Folk of Methe dist Church
in Session at BrattlebOrO.

The sixth Annual League Convention
on Tuesday and WednesdRy---R Pro-
gram Of Helpful and Inspiring ESer-
Cises. Closing with a strong Practical
Address by Bishop Ninde wednesday
Evening.
This has been Methodists week iu Brat
teburO among the deomInatlOnal Urgani-
zations-the occasion of the coming to-
gether of delegates from the Y ermOnt Con
ference of Epworth leagues for their sixth
annual convention. Some $50 Out-Ot-tOwu-
visitors were presen, al the opening of the
convention Tuesday evening, and the
trains Wednesday morning brought enough
more TO swell. the number to 200. The
convention was held III the Methodist
church which had been attraCtiveiy deco
rated for the occasion. On the wal Oh
either side of the altar were hung crayOu
portraits of John Wesley, the founder of
Methodlsm. and his mother, Susannah
Wesley, drawn 10y VIII Stewart In the
centrs hung picture of the league chapel
where the rst Epworth league was organ
lied On the side walls were fastened the
league cUat-Of arms with ropes OF laurel
above and below. and from the dome of
the church were suspended streamers of
red and white bunting testooned with
laurel
The convention opened with d praise
service al 100 O clock, led by the brattle-
boro pastor. key q. J.. Beemau. This
was followed 10y cornet solo, "Noy. L.
Per. by knight, 10y Miss Lessie Shepard.
The conference secretary Rev W. 81
Newton of Waterbury, followed with scrip
lure reading and prayer, and Mrs. W. b.
Eddy sang Barnard The Plains of
Peace.
In his address OF welcome Rev. Nj
Beeman said that the BrattleUoro Epworth
league anticipated much prom, as well as
pleasure in extending TO the visiting guests
the inequalities ot brauleOorU, and that
they also appreciated the honor conferred
by having the convention with them. Rev.
/. !. Tucker OF Mortified, president Of
the Vermont conference, responded. say
ing that the visiting delegates not only ap-
preCiated the heartIness OF the reception
accorded them. but also the beauties OF the
charming Vermont town.
After a duet, MY Faith Looks Up TO
Thee" uy Mrs EDDY and Miss Lenna
Thomas, the president introduced the
speaker of the evening. Re-. c. L. GOode-.
D. D.. of BROOKLYN, y. y, who announced
as ms subject. The Creates story II the
World. The ''stOry was the Bible. and.
as told by d. Goodel it was reve-
lation. The speaker wished to dwell not
so much upon It's Theoretical. as upon its
practlcal side Abiding 20 the higher
critics he said that he did not oppose them,
for the more diiigent their study and the
more extended their research the more &C
curatey were the Bibles teachings verified
He appeaiet1rom the higher TO the highest
"a frat ion x-b
the book makes Tor itself, and criticised ii
from the standpoint from which it was
written. The most eminent solons Of the
Old World were astounded at its wisdom
and the pith OF the wittiest politician :
speech was based upon some of its pass
ages. II was regretted by all when d..
Goodell closed MS address,
Miss Thomas sang Watson "Stilllng
the Tempest and the meeting closed with
the benediction by Rev. MI Tucker
The meeting Wednesday morning be-
gan at $50 with a love feast or prayer
meeting led by Rev. c, O. Judkins Of
Windsor. Next came a solo by Miss
George Shepard. and then the convention
sermon by Rev. W. 5. Smithers of Hard
wick, formerly the Methodist pastor in
Brattleboro. Rev. Nj. Smithers said ne
proposed 10 treat the subject Christ in
! on, from the standpoint of life, service
and destiny. Christ IL you means q new
life, not natural life. There is q resur-
rectlon Tor was / not dead in trespasses
and sins This life IS a life OF power and
strength and holiness Christ within is
essential 10 effective service. Many are
now doing something, but the result is
small. Christianity will make one say y
will 60 anywhere where / can serve, l will
a. oil
II will tel. US how 10 rescue the masses
We need more Of Christ instead OF more
religion. With Christ within the life will
be right We seek al inheritance which
is not mere The man mos, needed is the
man who eXemplihes Christ
After a duet 10y Edward Morse and
Harry smith Rev. {. NJ. Smith. .. D..
principal Of the Montpelier seminary spoke
upon The Relation OF the Young People
and Missions This IS a young people
age and missionary age. Methodism does
not believe IL the failure OF the present
dlspensation: We expect the conquest OF
this world tOI Christ, and We 20 IN
trammelled as Others are encountered
The evangelical spirit will conquer III spite
of so-called liberalism Methodlsm mas
machinery for carrying on mission work
Some OF the money paid out comes back
70 support charges il Y ermont and some
OF our noblest young men and women
come IRON these rura. charges eve
ought TO do our work Systematically. Do
your missionary work yourself rather than
depend Oh special efforts by outsiders. In
this way we will get an educated Christian
conscience
The annual business meeting followed
Rev. Nj. smith address 4. L. Fort
fraternal delegate from WnOoski. repre-
renting the Burlington district of the Troy
conference, was introduced and addressed
the convention. A committee Of SIX was
elected 10 devise, if possible, some means
Tor union OF the Vermont conference
and the Burlington district. Rev. Joseph
Hamilton, Rev /. o. SherDurne. Rev. 81
A. Spencer, Rev J. =. Chase. Prof T. L.
Roberts and Mrs. A. l.. Campbell consti-
tuted the committee. They reported in
favor of electInC a committee of u with
authority 10 cOnsummate the union. The
committee appointed al the last session 10
report a revised constitution reported
through the chairman, Rev. W. NJ New
ton, a constitution which had been printed
and distributed previous TO the convention.
a consideration of this matter was made
the special order for O'Clock 10 take the
place Of the address which was 70 have
been delivered by Rev. o. ". scott of
Cambridge, Mass, as the latter was unable
70 be present
O'Clock in the afternoon. a duet was rem