St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-01-27

movements in earlier times. But as all
things else change in their external con-
ditions, why not religion? Our Lord
was not only wonderfully versatile in
his manner of teaching, but equally
obivious to the traditional habits of the
times He never placed the binding yoke
| OF conservatism on the necks OF his fol-
lowers. My yoke is easy and my bur
den is light - So may it be now both in
the understanding of disciples and in the
law of His kingdom.
For what reasons change so cons
picuous as that appearing in the Congre-
gational church in Danville, we may not
know or need to inquire. 1t will suffice
to refer to some anterior conditions
evidently responsible for effort of the
right sort and for that recognition of
possible results so heartily desired by
many in the church.
Among these, the coming of a new
pastor is not to be overlooked. Only a
few weeks had interviewed since the re-
tirement of his predecessor, still a pccu-
liar solictude was felt and no little pains
taken that the issues involved might be
served to their best advantage. 1t was
the writer's part to conduct the meeting
at which call " as extended to the Rev.
Mr.. Schneider of Maine, in a way almost
total stranger to us, but the commit
tee III charge OF the question of fitness on
his part was unanimous in their recon-
mendation of the man. Hence the unan-
unity OF result and the later conhrma-
ton of the fitness of such action.
All this and much more might go to
justify results such as materialized anu
found expression last Sunday when
ID persons by profession and four by
letter were admitted to the church.
Another thing OF no little concern was
the great need of resuscitating the Sun
day school. To say it was in run
down condition is putting the case IN
mllder terms than it would we'll bear. |
Light attendance, ldxtv of organization,
paucity OF numbers in classes, and a
dragging monotony OF stvle were among
the things to be deplored But somehow
by tree and hearty procedure, to say
1othlng ot kindly interposition of
providence, app airing FIRST i'll the earnest
1esre for help, when presently there
'ame among us from another town an
experienced helper whose goodlv work
las made itself felt in a remarkable de.
gree. A Bible class for example often
but two or three in attend
lnce has increased to nearly 20 members.
5esldes this several features somewhat
lovel in kind and coming by way of
PASTORAL suggestion, have been intro.
uced and they promise to restore the
orces ever to be fostered in promoting
he cheerful, airy temper of Bible study
Then they that feared the Lord spoke
item one to another" Such now is
hat newborn awakening seen and adj
1red in our Sunday school work.
There is one other fact to be borne in
hind, the social framework fthe ladies'
apartment. And now that the whole
ian seems to be emancipated, may we
OF expect fresher inflow of manliness,
onor, loyalty and unsel6sh living? Nav
very interest tending to elevate and
urlty the whole body, not alone of a
ngle church. but in every family and
ONE IN our village and community. find
n equal motive for prosperity, peace and
GOODWILL in everything pertaining to life
nd its far-reaching issues.
=, E. w. HATCH.
Danville. VT, Jan. II, 1909.