Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-06-15
uN1vBRsAI1sTs AT eU1LFoRD.

Large Gathering from Two COunties,
Including so from Brsttleboro---
Praise for the Hospitality Of the GULL
ford People.
The Winddam and Bennington associa-
ton of Universalists met at the Guford
Centre church Tuesday and Wednesday.
Excellent weather conditions and an inter
esting program called out large gathering
of Universalists from two counties. The
first session was Tuesday afternoon. Col.
H. f. Taylor, the president, called the
meeting to order, and the secretary, Mrs.
d. a. Ball of Williamsville, read the min.
utes of the last meeting. Rev. r. X. Mar
vim followed with the address of welcome
The first formal address of the afternoon
was delivered by Rev. George L. Thomp-
son of Keene, N. II. He took as his sub
iect, Some Phases of the Religion of To-
day" He especially emphasized the fact
that there is progress in religion as in ev-
erything else, and that the church of the fu-
ture will be the one most open to the living
truth from whatever source it may come.
He expressed his opinion that the Univer-
salist church, occupying today an advanced
position in the realm of religious thought
and liberation, would move on to accept the
leadership of inspired men who by Search
ing, would find more and more of the
truth God has in store for men The adj
dress was modern and vital in its tone. and
free expression of the liberal position in
regard tn God, man, the Bible and human
destiny.
This address was followed by that of
! Rev. II. +. Rouillard of Westmoreland.
Mr.. Rouillard took as his theme the Gath
erhood of God He called Gods father
hood the central truth of all religions
! Then he proceeded to show how Gods
fatherhood and mans brotherhood implied
the solidarity of the race and that the doc
trne of universal salvation is the only log
ical deduction from the premise of divine
fatherhood
These addresses were followed by dis
cusson. participated in by Revs. J. B.
Reardon, r. X Marvin, G.. l.. Thompson,
Mrs. Cora W. Wood, Mrs. A. ]. Currier,
Mrs d. A. Ball and Mrs. G. B Lamb. The
session then adjourned until : o'clock. A
fine collation. was served by the ladies of
the Guilford parish
The evening session began with praise
service conducted by Rev. G.. L. Thomp-
son. Prayer was offered by Rev. j. p.
Marvin. Mrs. $ S Hunt presided at the
organ and Mrs. Winnie Davis of Brattle-
boro sang appropriate solos The devo-
tional meeting was followed by the occa-
sional sermon, delivered by Rev. J. b.
Reardon of Ludlow. 1t was an effective
plea for the Christian church to strive to be
more Christ-like, especially in its attitude
toward the needy and the sinful
The session on Wednesday morning open
ed with praise service led by Mrs. d. A.
Ball. The business meeting then followed
! -
ishes which showed Wiliamsville and Brat
tleboro were prospecting especially. Bel
lows Falls was not represented and the
other parishes were shown to be doing ex-
cellent work considering they have no set
tied pastors. Guilford reported church
free from debt, and the Vernon parish is
now busy erecting the new edifice to re-
place the one destroyed by fire. Col. Tay-
lor declined reelection as president and
Rev. Albert Hammatt of Bellows Falls was
elected in his place. Mrs. ID. A. Ball was
reelected clerk The executive committee
elected was Rev. r. h Marvin, chair.
man; Mrs. Akley of Vernon and Mrs. vii
liams of Williamsville. The constitution
was amended to provide for vice presi
dent, and vote of thanks was extended T.
the Guilford parish for its hospitality and
work in making the meeting 80 great a sue
cess. An address by Rev. d. A Ball Of
Williamsville, "Idols and IDEALS and on,
prepared by Rev. f. Q. S, Osgood of Brat
tleboro read by Miss Ruby Hescock brought
the morning session TO close. Rev, Mr.
Osgood was unable to be present on account
of sudden call to Massachusetts, to con
duct a funeral
The largest attendance of the conven
ton gathered in the afternoon to listen t,
the closing sermon by Rev. Judson F. Mar
win of Winchester, y. II. The discours,
was an eloquent one and received the clos,
attention of the congregation, Mr.. Mar
vim spoke of the rise of Universalism, tell
ing the interesting account of John Muir
rays arrival and first sermon in America
he traced the growth of the denomination
in numbers and its immeasurable growth il
modifying the severer doctrines of the earl,
church
The delegates from Brattleboro were Col
TAYLOR, Mr. Cudworth, Mrs Wood, Mis-
Edwards, Mrs. Stearns and Mrs. Currier
In addition there were over 80 in attend
ance from this place each day of the con
vention. All expressed great praise 70
the generous hospitality of the Guilfor,
people and the inspiring addresses and ser
mons,