The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-05

Massachusetts, Sunday School Associa-
ton was opened in Union Church JUS
after 8 o'clock yesterday afternoon,
The church was busy place all day
as the committees on reception and en-
tertainment had their hands full in
welcoming the guests and making ar
engagements for their accommodation
The delegates were met at the Union
station by the members of the commit
tee of 100, who escorted them to the
church and saw that they were regis
tered and properly introduced to the
members of the local churches. The
committees wore badges of white cell
luloid hearts on white ribbons, and the
visitors were given souvenir badges OF
pale blue.
The session was opened in the audi
torium of the Union Church, when the
preparatory service of the convention
was rendered, and following that there
was children's meeting Of much in
terest in Plymouth Church, which was
very largely attended
The president of the association
Chester c. Corbin Of Webster, was alb
sent, and his place as the presiding
officer of the convention was taken by
Vice President c. V. S. Remington OF
Fall River.
1t was just o'clock when Vice-Pres-
ident Remington stepped to the front
Of the platform and announced that
the session would be opened by the
singing of hymn 304, Onward, Chris
tian soldiers" and as the audience rose
and Joined in the familiar strains, the
lights of the church were turned on In
a sudden burst that illumined in an
instant a
seemed to be a hopeful augury for the
success of the convention. Rev. John
e. futile, the pastor Of the church, Of
fered short prayer and Vice-Presi-
dent Remington delivered the opening
address
He expressed the hope of the officers
OF the convention that the coming OF
the delegates to Worcester might be OF
equal benefit to themselves and to the
homes they would enter while here. He
thanked the people of Union Church
and of the city for the kindly welcome
extended to the convention, and closed
with an earnest appeal to the delegates
to make the occasion one oe great
spiritual uplifting to themselves and to
the city.
A brief address was then made by
Rev L. W. Adams Of the Webster
Square Methodist Church, who is the
president of the Worcester County Dis
trict Association
Rev. John E. futile delivered the ad-
dress of welcome which was most
eloquent and timely one. He spoke in
part as follows:
When the morning Of the 18th Of
August, 1898, dawned on the Hawaiian
islands, the crowds gathered in the
little city of Honolulu to witness the
long looked-for and prophetic spectacle
OF the adoption of their government by
the queen republic of the earth, saw
above the entrance to the executive
mansion motto in their own language,
which, in ours, means Warm well
come"
Today our fair city and this stately
church are filled with those who have
come from all parts Of our state to par
ticipate in the proceedings of this an
nual convention of the Massachusetts
Sunday School Association Neither as
the cars rolled into our city, nor over
the entrance to our church have YOU
seen the word welcome" yet with
hand and lip and heart we give you
warmest welcome to this church. to our
homes and to this city. Union Church
has erected this beautiful edifce, not
simply for the pleasure and comfort OF
her own children, but to be used by
Gods people whenever such use may
further their convenience and comfort
in the assemblies, great or small, which
may be convened here.
In behalf of the officers and people
Of Union Church, l give you the hand
Of welcome to every nook and corner
Of our church home. We feel honored
by your presence with us. To the homes
which have been opened for your en-
tertainment be assured Of most cordial
welcome. Our hospitality is not grudg-
ingly given, but freely and gladly, for
we are not entertaining angels I'M
awares
vice-President Remington responded
very briefly on behalf of the conVen-
ton, and introduced DIR. Francis E..
Clark, the president Of the United So
ciety of Christian Endeayor, who con-
Quoted the service of preparation.
After the singing of a familiar hymn
by the congregation and scriptural
readings, DR.. Clark spoke on 1.-THE
preparation of the heart" His dis
course was as follows
eff this convention is to be the mem
orable meeting which we all hope and
pray that it will be. 1t is exceedingly
important that at the very beginning
we ground ourselves on certain ever
lasting truths. Every external prepara-
ton has been made. The program has
been wisely and carefully planned. The
names of eloquent speakers appear in
large numbers, the hospitality of the
citizens is abundant, the topics to be
discussed are fresh and important, but
all TO- does not secure a good conven-
ton.
IA convention can not be organized
into spiritual helpfulness. 1t must be
touched by the finger Of God before it
can accomplish the supreme purpose.
It remains for us to make the connec-
tion between the convention and the
Infinite One. These couplings are all
WAYS made by live wires, living men
and women who themselves receive the
blessing from God and transmit 1t to
others.
"To be a little more specific, in the
first place we must believe that God
is That is a. very remarkable passage,
though its edge has been dulled by fa-
niliarity. HE that cometh to God must
believe that He is There is no other
way. All the centuries have discovered
no other approach than this. Christ is
the way. because he makes plain to
mankind the eternal truth that God is
and brings God within our comprehen-
sion. a,
"But, again, this preparation Of the
heart involves consciousness OF GOD
eternal power. The Atlantic waves,