Norwich bulletin., 1909-01-26
State Baptist Brotherhood Conference
Sessions Held First and Central Churches Addresses by Clergy of the State Upon Different Phases of the Work for Men.

the auspices of the northern Baptist convention.
 As to its personnel the Baptist brotherhood is inclusive. It is not a laymen's movement, but a mems movement. It does not take account of ecclesiastical classifcations as such. "A mans a man for a that The manhood of the minister and the priesthood of the layman are apprized CTS together with God. They are sim ply brother men in a common service for humanity.
 The immediate object of the broth erhood is to work the neglected mas culine resources of our Baptist con- stituency, to organize the men into To- cal groups, to promote their acquaint- ance by social intercourse, to reach out after their fellows in shop and store and street. to win them to Christ by personal contact, to teach them the way of life by Bible-study. to train them for service through the activi- ties of the local church, to fill them with enthusiasm for humanity and to lead them to the point of vision.
 The ultimate purpose of the brother hood is to secure denominational unity and efficiency by the federation of these local groups into a great broth erhood of men who shall undertake the solution of the problems of life and labor presented in the social. civic, and industrial life of today; translate the teachings of Jesus into something of economic worth; express the message of the church in terms that can be un- derstood by an industrial age; make the church a moral and ethical force in the community life and put it in the van of all those agencies which make for spiritual uplift and social welfare.
 The brotherhood plan of procedure is very simple. It is to arouse men to a sense of their privileges and obli- gations in Christian service, bring them together in local organizations and federate these groups into a brotherhood in connection with exist ing denominational agencies. No at- tempt Is made to secure uniformity of organization or method of work, nor is there any thought of such super vision as would interfere with the in itiative or determine the lines of ac- tivity of any local organization. Bap- tist independency is given full play.
 The Baptist brotherhood is a fedora tion of interests. It Is committed to the largest hospitality towards all ex- isting agencies and will gladly well come to it's fellowship every new en- terprise. It does not compete with any other movement, but lends its aid to every effort that makes for the Kingdom among men.
 discussion followed this paper, and then adjournment was taken till the evening meeting.
 Evangelism Among Men.
 The evening meeting was held in the vestry at the Central Baptist church Rev. W. T. Thayer presided. Rev. Mir Marston read the scripture and Rev MT. Nelly offered prayer
 President Whittemore delivered all optimistic address upon Evangelism Among Men, saying that there is an atmosphere of awakening interest in work among men, and the two key words are Brotherhood and Evangelism which are facts and factors of increas- ing prominence, which will bring the church forward by larger steps than it had ever advanced since launched into the world
 President Whittemore was followed by Rev. J. Romeyn Danforth of the First Church of Christ, New London who gave brief but valued talk unun Mems Clubs and Their Purpose in the Church. He stated that the club in th, church was differentiated from all other kinds because of the church which is tire center of it all, giving its tone and color to those who assem- bled, and the mems club faces Christ and Is of value to the community, be- cause in some way it Is following the footsteps of the master.
 The conference adjourned after prayer by Rev. MT. Wright. pastor of the church.