The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-05
Worcester Conference
Opens at Hope
dale.
MANY DELEGATES ATTEND.
Rev. George W. Kent viii
Be Among the Speakers
Here Today.

Hopedale, Oct. A gathering which
filed every seat in Draper Memorial
Church at Hopedale was present to-
night at the opening session of the
Worcester conference of Unitarian
churches. Delegates were in attend
ance from nearly every church in the
conference. Rev Lewis G. Wilson,
pastor of Hopedale parish, expressed
himself tonight as highly pleased with
prospects of a very successful autumn
meeting.
Delegates from many towns arrived
on afternoon trains. Many came in
carriages, and tonight's opening exer-
else was witnessed by fully one-third
of the total number delegated to at
tend. The exercises were opened with
an address of welcome by Rev. L. G..
Wilson. Mr.. Wilson's remarks were
followed by a service. of public wor-
ship, which the pastor led, and in
which clergymen and delegates took
part.
The sermon of the evening was de-
livered by Rev. William H. Pierson of
Somerville, and was one of the most
able heard in Hopedale for many days.
Mr.. Pierson spoke without notes, was
very effective and his able exposition
of belief in God was indeed eloquent.
DIR. Pierson referred to the Hopedale
parish; he complimented the little town
which from its small beginnings in
Hopedale community, with the vener
able Adm Ballou at its spiritual head,
had come to be such a figure in relig
ious effort.
The address occupied about 40 min
utes' time, and was one largely calcu
lated to inspire the workers onward
and upward in movements for the ele-
walton of the Christian spirit.
At the close of the service there was
brief reunion and the first nights
program was closed. Among the visit
ors details for the conference indicat-
ed a successful meeting. Those. who
arrived in town in time for attendance
at sthe service tonight were entertained
in homes of various Hopedale families,
and at tomorrow's observance doors Of
Hopedale will be opened to receive the
guests.
Preparations have been made for the
entertainment, in all ways, Of at least
300 people.
The Worcester conference of Unita-
rian churches includes so church or
ganizations, and at this session 80 pas
tors and 1870 delegates are entitled to
seats in the business meetings. Wor-
cester is represented at the conference
by three church organizations. three
pastors and is delegates. Besides this
number, a very large attendance from
Worcester is expected at tomorrow's
service.
The program for tomorrow includes
addresses by some very able speakers.
Exercises begin at 3 o'clock in the
morning. and the session closes at S
o'clock in the afternoon. The morning
will with 6aWnfinY1 al
exercise conducted by Rev. e. F. Hay
ward of Marlboro, and then after the
business period at 1890 Rev. John Ball
Fly of Hudson will read paper on
THE church and children of the
church, This will be followed by a
general discussion, led by Rev. Nathan
lei Seaver, Jr., of Leicester, in which
all pastors and delegates will be briefly
heard.
AT 1890 delegates to the conference
will be served a collation. by women
of Hopedale parish, and then the visit
ing delegations will occupy period in
seeing the beauties of the little town.
Committees. especially appointed, will
conduct parties who desire to look
through buildings and parks Of Hope
dale.
The afternoon session will begin at 2
o'clock, with a business meeting. The
address of the afternoon, by Rev. w.
H. Pulsford of Waltham, follows the
business meeting, and the members will
devote an hour to a discussion to be
opened by Rev. F. ]. Gould of Leomin-
ster DIR. Pulsford's address tomorrow
will be 1.-THE duty of the church to its
children" Rev. George w. Kent of
Worcester closes the session by adj
dressing the delegates on the general
Importance of such work-the benefit
of coming together at these conference
meetings.