The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-06

Wo carloads of Worcester people, rep
ssenting three churches, of the city,
Ffiving here at $40 o'clock.
At the morning business meeting
bich followed a short devotional ex-
else, two importantvotes We're passed.
he OF these was to take up a collection
r the benefit of the pastors salary in
ubbardston. This motion was in
edueed by a delegate from Hubbard
on vicinity, and it met with most
lthusiastic passage. AS a result of
e. collection, $57S1 was received, and
e delegates then voted to make up an
en- hundred for the preachers salary,
an appropriation from the confer
&c treasury.
Rev George S. Ball of Upton vice
esident of the organization, and Mr..
Is of Worcester, the treasurer were
cted delegates to attend the national
nference which meets in Washington
xt month. At the business sessions,
10. Jonathan Smith of Citation, presi-
Mt of the conference, presided, and
tbusiness went through in perfect
rmony.
Rev. E. F. Hayward of Marlboro con-
cted the devotional exercises, and
IN the delegates listened to a very
lie address by Rev. John Baltzly Of
ldson, his subject being THE church
the children OF the church,
REV. JOHN BALTzY
d: 1.-THE critic of Protestant
l3 finds his task the most
iting when he comes to consider the
alton Of the church with us, to its
ing people. Here we all will con-
le, is the weak place in our system.
dwhile we see clearly enough where
dwhat the trouble is, while we la
mt that things are as they are, and
mot explain, perhaps, how they came
be so, we are at a loss to know
at to do.
II we can explain how it is
we are in this condition,
should be able to explain
way out Of it, then I think we
! be able to advance We get to
ierstand a doctrine by learning the
tory of it, and so it is with thing
this. 1t is Of very great import
se to understand how a thing has
ne to be. If we are in the dark
)ut this, we shall not do the right
ng, perhaps, in not doing something
right this wrong.
SEEING to me this condition Of
ngs is a part of the price we are paid
our freedom, for our escape from
bondage of authority in matters of
h doctrine and discipline. SO it is
h democracy; its blessings have had
be paid for in it's virtues. These de-
is of the virtues of Professionalism.
ong which, in the general loosening
the ties that hole Young and old
Re to the church, are things that
re bound to come out. They We're in
womb of the movement, part and
eel of the working out of the Prot
ant principle.
81 acknowledgment of this fact may
made without conceding at all that
Hestantism is failure, hut let us
that these defects are Inevitable,
olved in the movement itself, but let
Recognize also what they are and
ourselves to the task of dealing with
m wisely and courageously, and
i've all, hopefully, for it should be in
belief that as the movement they
part of is one of divine ordering
will have a happy issue. The de-
Is will be remedied somehow, and
3ss ways to man be satisfied. But
are in period Of transition. Our
blem is one of REIMBURSEMENT The
motives and the old sanctions which
Is were all powerful to hold people
the church have last come around
Ahse they feared to remain away.
Relieve that people who partook
EIa SacramenlS as a necessary SAFE
kfB against "the wrath to come" and
lpIe who made their children partake
Hem for the same reason could be
,eAlei to on lines of which people
ana waste their breath on in appeals
YOU and me. The appeal that is eff
tive with a Roman Catholic today is
effeetive with us. The power Of the
ole sacrament system over them that
lave in it, the power of the individ-
conferred upon a church, belief in
sole transmission of divine grace
ough a certain succession of agents
La certain performance Of the sac
hents.
his power our churches do not have.
people are not shut out from COM
Mon for not confessing. They are
afraid to die unshrined. They do
nv friends, hasten to the minister
get him to baptize the dying child.
Jeeative' motives have well-nigh
tsed to operate among our people,
ey have died out in the progress Of
growth In intelligence and spirit OF
hdom.
What then are we to do? What can
dd2 1t belongs to us and it behooves
TO lean to the task of strengthening
an our people the positive motives