Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-06-10
UNITARIAN CONFERENCE,
Semi-Annual Meeting of Con-
nccticut Valley Churches
Held with the Church In Brnttleboro
on Tuesday aud wednesday.

Held with the Church In BrnttIeboro
on Tuesday aud wednesday.
The Connecticut Valley Unitarian con
ference opened last evening with a large
audience present Never had the beauti-
ful church in which the meeting was held
looked more inviting than on this occa.
sion, decked, as il was, in its June dress
of ferns and delicate white flowers and
blossoms
The preliminary exercises were partici-
pated in by Rev. John d. Reid of Green
field, Rev Alfred Free of Florence. and
the pastor of the church.
The musical program was one of great
excellence, including Mrs. /. r. Pratts
song, "Entreat NJ not to Leave Thee ."
Gounod and Nj Miller song "A New
Heaven and New Earth" from Gaul's
Holy City Mrs. Knowton presided at
the organ. The response after the prayer
was The Los, Chord
The sermon of the evening was deHy-
cred by Rev. Charles Fletcher Dale of ia
maca Plain, Mass. hi, theme being "The
N'A''A- A-tlf 4 h4NEs a. tll' NE4lllllllL OF
his discourse the speaker quoted the fol-
lowing lines from one of Tennysou's odes
It'll each man find his own iu all mems good
Aud an men work u noble brotherhood
and this thought was the key 20 what
came after. We must live as sons of God
now and here, not waiting for some shad-
owy heaven of the future. Looking back
upon the history of the world. the rock
crystal is seen to have accomplished its
mission in one way, and So the fern.
whose impress has been left for ages on
the solid rock. The early prophets were
swayej by a desire for Justice. Then
came the man. Christ Jesus. with heart
consumed with divine love for his race
I The people of today need to be swayed and
guided by these eternal forces Of justice
and faith and love, would they build up
the Fathers kingdom their rule should be
the Golden Rule and their exemplar and
/ teacher The Son of Man"
The morning session of the conference
was opened with hymn and prayer al 1913
/ O'Clock
George A. Dennisou ESQ of Spring
] field. the president, then called the confer
ence 70 order. and Rev. Alfred Free of
I Florence. the secretary, read the minutes
/ OF the October meeting held q, Springfield.
/ A committee Oh credentials was appointed
/ by the president 10 repor; a. the beginning
/ Of ,he afternoon session.
The proposal 10 form "Layman's
League" among the members Of the Unita-
uau churches OF the Connection; valley
was presented and advocated by The score
tary.
Ee,. Nj. Chapel of Ho.yoke spoke
briefly concerning a paper published
/ monthly 10 his parish, n which space is
gwen 90 items of u,eres, connected with
the yar.ou, churches iu The conference.
and expressed the hope that i,s circulation
might Doe largely Increased
Tie president then introduced Rev. D-.
William NJ Brunlage % Albany. who pro
ceedel TO read a carefully prepared and in-
,erestiuc essay on Bellamy's Equality"
I'm the frs. place Dr. Bruuda.e gave q
brief resum. OF the ideas advanced in this
wel.-kuown work OF Beuamy. referring. at
the same time, 90 the earlier book ny the
same author entitled Looking Backward.
In our estimate OF Beaamys system We
must note primarily iA- earnes,ue,s and
sincerity displayed There is much in H..
too. that appeals to the reason and com
mon sense. The author is entirely lus.
and right in his criticism of the present
D. fai.
the people own eishty-seven per cent Of
the wealth Of This country.
Bur Belamy's methods of dealing with
modern society seem faulty. inequality.
rather than equality, is necessary for the
perfection OF mankind. There should be
entire liberty given to all for the pursuit Of
happiness, il is true. yet the same end can
not be universally attained. Nj Bellamy
is a romancer or sentimentalis.. rather
than a political economist,
Dr. Brundase advanced the theory ,ha,
/ iud.vliua.sm. no, colectivism, is what is
needed in society a, large today We
must have voluntary cooperation on per
tectly free conditions No compu.siou
should toi a moment bee exertej.
a discussion followed the reading Of the
paper engaged in 10y Nj Dennison OF
| Springfield, Rey. Nj. Chappel of Holyoke,
Rev DR.. Cressey of Northampton. d.
Osgooi of Cohasset, and a few words in
closing by Dr. Bruudase. the essayist OF the
morning
A. 1880 o'clock Rev Nj Osgood. the
pastor of the Braitleboro church, invited
the conference delegates to partake OF a
lunch prepared for them in Festival hall,
and the meeting was adjourned until $50
D.. 81.