Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-02-03
Parish Supper and Reunion Mark
the Close of the Unitarian
Centennial.
GREETINGS FROM CHURCHES
Clergymen Speak Eloquently and
the Rev. Joel H. Metcalf Is
Cordially Received by His
Former Pensioners.

The celebration OF the tooth ami
versary Of the Burlington Unitarian
society. which began Sunday. came to
an end with a parish supper and re-
union Tuesday. following recep-
ton at the church parsonage and
meeting Of tho Young Peoples Relig-
ious Union in the church parlors.
The reception was given by the Rev.
and Mrs C. ]. Staples to all delegates,
ministers. guests, members Of the par
ish and other friends and the generous
invitation was quite generally accept
ed from ESQ to I o'clock Mrs F. B.
Howe and Miss Lizzie Moore assisted
Mr. and Mrs. Staples and Mrs. F. 1.
I.s1e poured tea.
YOUNG PEOPLES MEE1ING.
The meeting Of the Young Peoples Re-
ligious union took place In the Unitarian
Church parlors Tuesday afternoon at
4:3o. The meeting was led by Miss RoS-
ana Brownell and there were addresses
by the Rev. Joel H. Metcalf Of Taunton.
Mass. the Rev. Ward r. Clarke Of Mont
pelier and the Rev F. r. Griffin OF Mont
real. The Rev. c. ]. Staples introduced
each speaker with a few appropriate re-
marks.
Mr. Metcalt. who was the first speaker
said that yesterday was n red letter day
! for him and that he was more than glad
10 return after six years and see the prog
ress made by the Young Peoples union.
an organization which he started
The problem which was attacked In
| forming the various church organizations
was not so much to further truer re-
! l!gious insight as TO enable the people to
hold themselves At the highest and to
| carry into moments OF sorrow and pain
and despair the help Of religion
To merely know q result or q formula
Is not enough the problem must be work
ed out by each person. Especially is this
| true In religious matters. Rational and
natural development and expression are
necessary FOR the religious instinct II
we trust our hearts We md that religion
Is essentially natural! Religion is also
social. and ones best self is realized by
contact with others. Organization. there
fore, helps To bring the ideal. Religion is,
in large sense simply assent to the no.
blest impulses Of ones soul
THE NEED OF CONVICTION"
Mr. Clarke who followed Mr.. Metcalf,
| spoke on The Need Of Conviction" He
said in part:
Conviction is being thoroughly persuad-
ed in your own mind. IT is a belief that
takes hold Of your whole being, belief
that will stand the test of adverse cir
cumstances and criticism. belief that IL
glad to have to do and to dare, q belief
so strong and loved so much as to charge
the personality with enthusiasm. Con-
vlction is being convinced that YOU are
right, convinced that your opinion is true
as sure OF It rs George Ellots opinion
ated man who divided all the world s
thoughts into my ides and humhug." |,
is not necessary to consider all other
ideas than yours huinbUg but II is neces-
sary TO have an all absorbing conviction
To-day. when persecution has ceased
and federation is prevalent, there seems
less incentive to individual conviction
aggressively expressed. There is grow
ing to be too much of blend OF thought
and individuality is being lost in the
blend Humanity is marching to the
music OF the great evolution symphony
and victories are being won over igno-
rance and superstition and fear and sin
we contributing most TO these Victories Il
We join III the blend or If we present tc
all the rest our own definite individ
ual unden!aby pure. Mocha, or Java
or Rio, as the case may be.
HEROlSM is INSPIRING
a brave soul radiates conviction. 4
mans whole-soued belief adds some
thing The courageous definite individ
ual contribution made by Robert Louis Ste
Venson often stirs US when are tempt
ed 20 slacken our effort 10 he our hes
and give our best. And vino does no
need thevivid picture before his mind con
tinually Of some definite herolsm, som,
particular soul-ahsorhng faithfulness
Seeing brave man presenting his Yer,
best despite obstacles and personal weak
ness helps us to like courage.
He who tries to be ike everybody els.
cannot help being lost in the crowd. Pre-
sent your heartiest convictions and some
body will notice You and what is bette
the crowd you might have been lost IL
will have something that adds to il
wealth OF experience In the garden W,
want the definite lettuce. the definite 20
tato, the definite mustard that we MAJ
have our salad; but we could not ant
would not have the salad growing in tin
garden already mixed.
This age pleads for definite striking
particular. characteristic, original indi
vtdualty-such ar will have and presen
convincing convictions And nothing els
will give like stimulus to an increasingl,
comprehensive and deepening character
By expressing your individual conviction
you Will meet more criticism than whel
drifting with the crowd and you vii
yourself he more likely to crticise thu
; ordinary run Of events. But histor,
proves, your experience proves that 1t Il
In. contact OF conviction with conviction
that brings results
Our fathers founded government
l. based upon individual conviction Of RICH
as the unit OF authority, They built thei
government, they established thel
Y churches on the worth and the sacred
Q ness or sincere individual belief.
HOW snail one win the possession q
Z soul gripping conviction? How may on
Z nave beiief that he Ia willing to live 70
}, OF 10 ole TORT The worlds great Believe
h ana i@ith inspirer told us the way whe
Q no SAID Seek and ye shall find" II
showed us the way to express our con
= victiohs by living and dying for the trut
q He sought ana found.
REASON FOR CHURCH GOING.
a MIR. Grihihs address dealt mainl
Il win the reason tor churches an
l, church orsaniza'ions Men go
church FOR various reasons and one ,