Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1910-05-11

alton to this city on Tuesday for the
| forty eighth annual county conference,
| which was held with Broadway Con-
gregational church, beginning at lU3O
a. m. Each church was entitled to
representation through it's pastor and
four delegates.
| Moderator Henry D. Johnson, who
was elected at the last meeting, called
the conference to order, prayer was
offered by Rev. w. H Cane of Jewett
City, and Rev. E. c. Ingalls, of Col
| chester was subsequently appointed
| moderator; Rev. Eugene p Smith OF
! Lebanon, scribe.
The minutes of the forty seventh
| annual meeting held in Stonington
| were read by Rev Edward S. Worces-
| ter of Broadway church and accepted
t The treasurerS report was also read
and accepted, showing a balance of
| ssO7 in the general fund and $107.6S in
| the delegates fund.
| The following business committee
was appointed by the moderator: Rev.
| s H. Howe, d. D., of Park church,
Rev. c. H. Peck of Hanover and Judge
| Alfred Colt of New London. 1t was
| voted to name the delegates to the ma
tional council from the floor. The
| choice of delegates was put over till
Las o'clock.
Rev. E. S. Worcester presented the
report of the missionary committee, in
which he referred to the success in
raising the apportionment, stating that
twenty -three of the churches had con-
tributed to all the seven individual
societies. Reference was also made to
the help given some of the churches.
The order of business was adopted
as presented by the committee COM
prising Henry D. Johnson, Waterman
r. Burnham and Rev. E. s Worces-
ter.
Need of Christian Activity.
At IL o'clock a devotional service
was conducted by the retiring modera-
tor Mr.. Johnson. Rev. HI. j. WyckoH
of the Second church read the scrip
cd TaV-elTy
Johnson then delivered a forceful ad-
dress, saying in part
There are certain conditions exist
ing in the town of Norwich, and when
same is true of other towns in the
county. These conditions exist because
the Christian men and women are not
doing their duty when they allow
them to exist. In the main these con-
ditions exist through the nom enforce
ment of the law, and while L am
speaking upon Christian activity, yet
the non enforcement of the laws is
because of Christian inactivity. The
laws of a community viii be enforced
or not as the sentin ent is.
With the rapidly changing condi-
tons in our Connecticut towns owing
to the incoming in such great num-
bers of the foreigners with their diff
ferent ideas we owe a duty to these
newcomers as well as to ourselves to
see that the laws are observed. If
we allow to exist the example of our
own people disregarding the laws, how
can we expect the foreigner to obey
them?
I find a strong tendency on the part
of local authorities and no doubt it
is the same in other towns, not to
change existing conditions, which have
been so for some time or even long
time, even though they are contrary
to the law, without a strong moral
backing in favor of such change, and
surely in this town there has been no
i 1r-f-- e..
a change Individually we may have
hoped for better conditions, but we
have not done anything unitedly.
I have been told of a former official
that he said he would go just so far
as the people would support him. and
I am sure that our present officials
will do the same. I understand that
recently an official in another city said
that because the people demanded It
he advocated the open saloon and open
store on Sunday. Be it to the credit
of the voters of that city that man
was defeated when he tried for re-
election. But the lesson is there. That
official advocated those things because
he felt the people demanded them. If
those who have no regard for the Sab
bath, or the law, and the foreigners
who are bringing in their new ideas,
make demand for certain things or do
certain things. and those vino do or
should stand for better things make no
protest or do not even make known
the attitude of your officials? VIII
they not allow present conditions to
remain and even other things which
are contrary to the law to creep in?
Laws which are not obeyed are
worse than no Laws, for it teaches a
spirit of lawlessneSs.
My purpose in speaking along this
line is this: If the Christian people
are to stand for righteousness; if we
are to stem the tide of evil which will
surely advance unless we become more
active, we must do more than we have
done; we must insist that existing laws
be enforced. We do not need new
laws, but the enforcement of existing |
laws and to be more effective I would
moral uprightness in the different |
towns be organized, not as represent |
ing any part of the church. or any de- |
nomination, but as Christian men and |
women Oet US remember that the |
women may have a part), manifesting |
a loyalty to the town in which they |
live, and so to the state and nation, |
and a love for humanity and its bet |
terment.
If we find it necessary to have or |
ganization in our local churches, why |
should we not have organization in |
this broader field? This may seem |
what must it have meant to those who |
started the American board, about |
which we are to hear today. But they |
said 1--WE can do it if we will and |
X
think what that great organization |
Started by a faithful few has accom- |
phshedt
Let us plan for and do great things. |
Men are attracted by large undertake
fngs; that / feel has been one of the |
secrets of the success of the 1ay1n lens |
missionary movement, the greatness of |
the task has attracted and interested |
men of means and influence.
We from the different towns can
better conditions if we will, if we will |
live the word, be instant in season, out |
of season. |
Registrar Worcester Resigns.
After the address, Rev. Mr.. Worces- |
ter, the registrar, presented a |
comprehensive report of the condition
of the churches, which was accepted |
At the conclusion of his report he pre-
sented his resignation, stating that his |
duties as pastor of Broadway church |
prevented him from continuing as reg
istrSar, for Which he was elected in 1904 |
The nomination of successor was
turned over to the business committee |
local players promise to show them a /
few points about the game.