The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-30

ISTERS
The seventy-second annual meeting
of the conference of Baptist ministers
was called to order at 1920 o'clock by
President o. ]. White Of Taunton.
About 60 were present.
After the singing of two hymns,
selection from the 103rd Psalm was
read by Rev. w. E. Waterbury of
Springfield. Prayer was offered by Rev.
Arthur L. Smell of Fitchburg. Presi-
dent White named this committee of
arrangements: F. D. Penney, Worces-
ter; Walter Galley, Boston; L. A. Free
man, Orange.
The address of welcome followed by
Rev. Frank Dee Penney of the Lincoln
Square Baptist Church. He said in
part:
Christian fathers, brethren and
friends: I am very glad on behalf of
the Lincoln Square Baptist church and
all the Baptists in Worcester and vi
vinity to extend to you very cordial
greeting. You are welcome to our
hearts and our homes. We are very
glad that this Heart of the Common
wealth has so great an attraction that
you are willing to come here again so
soon.
There are now in this city about
1000 Baptists. And If rumor be correct
and you should visit the other church.
es of the city, you might reasonably
expect to find enough more Baptists to
make another good-sized church. The
condition Of our denomination at work
In Worcester is good. We are glad that
every Baptist pulpit in this city is not
only occupied but filed"
He spoke of the resignation of Rev.
+. r. Peede at the South Baptist
Church, and Rev. Woodman Bradbury
at Pleasant Street, Rev. Guy E. Wheel
er at Greendale Baptist Church, Rev.
]. H. Bourne at Quinsigamond Bap-
fist Church. and the coming of Rev.
A. s. Burrows, Rev. G.. B. Lawson,
Rev. D. H. Stoddard and Rev. c. H.
Turner.
I'VE are a congeniaI band of min
listers. Having been here now five
years I can testify to most enJoya-
BILE experience with the Baptist min
listers in this city.
This church is said to be the most
conservative of all the Baptist church
es in the city. Former pastors be-
lieVed that the evangeliStic spirit and
absolute loyalty to the Bible were the
predominating things. Now we have
welcomed every step of true progress.
But we have not taken very warmly or
quickly to some things thrown in from
the outside in the theological line. We
have felt that there are some kinds of
theological eggs in the world which It
is uniting for us to hatch out.
st shall not detain you longer. We
are at your service. Make use of us.
May God bless you in your delibera
lions, today, and in all the other meet
ings to follow"
President White, in reply, said. that
he was glad indeed to find here band
of ministers who love each other in
spite of their faults.
1--WE are also glad to learn the Wor-
DO m progress.
There has been an opinion outside that
Worcester is a Congregational city.
We are glad to learn that it has ten
denotes along another line. When Wor-
cester becomes a Baptist city 1t Will
still be Congregational in the truest
sense of the word
The annual essay was read by Rev.
Herbert S. johnson of the Warren Ave-
nue. Baptist Church, Boston. The sub
ject was 1.-The Place of Reason in Re-
ligion." He said in part
1.-THE purpose of this paper is to show
that reason does have position OF
supreme importance in religious Ire.
A due appreciation on the part OF the
ministry of the importance OF reason
in religion should produce results IN
our preaching beneficial to the indi-
vfdual who has been driven from Christ
nv his unreasonable doubts. When this
person is led to perceive that the Chris
tan religion allows to reason ltS prop
er and legitimate Office and that falth
is founded on reason, the way Will De
made clear for his approach to COD;
But it is quite as much for the
Christian believer as for the honest
doubter that the minister should pay
70 reason its due. Many Christians
haveA been driven by the spirit OF in
uuiry in the Intellectual atmosphere
of orr time to an unreasoning loyalty
10 Christ which is not only discred-
liable to their own intelligence ana
dishonoring to the spirit Of Jesus
which is the spirit of truth-but also
an effectual bar to their growth IN the
knowledge of God and a preventive OF
their usefulness in the service Of CHRIST
and humanity.
II shall attempt to treat Of reason
in its practical relations with con
science. doctrine, experience, practlce,
and faith and spirituality IN rehglous
life -..,
"Reason is the guide OF conscience
In conscience the soul knows Itself IN
Connection with a moral standard ana
declares to itself thou oughtest TO
oct in accordance with the right Inc
voice of conscience may cause
moral object to do cruel wrong TO NM
self and to others. In the name u IL
ligiop conscience has sent men throI issl
fire and water and jungle TO save nv
and carry instruction ana nope an
peace to the lost. 1t has cast men nv
the fire, thrown babes 10 eroeoulleS,
and committed many Of the plaehest
cvimes Of history. Where conscience