Norwich bulletin., 1910-09-09
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES
HOLD CONFERENCE.
Several interesting Papers Heard at
the Session in Griswold-Rev n. T.
Arnold's Paper.

and inspiring.
Rev Charles L. French. the pastor
of the entertaining church, served is
moderator of the meetings and con-
Quoted the devotional service of the
morning calling upon Rev. G. w. Burt,
a visiting clergyman from Abingdon,
Conn, to read the scriptures, and Rev.
E. NJ Anthony of Jewett City to offer
prayer.
Rev. Benjamin S. Winchester of
Boston, now secretary of the religious
education department of the Congre
gational Sunday School and Publica
ton society. was the preacher of the
day
He took for his text Mark 10: 81,
Then Jesus, beholding him. loved
him"
He showed first the fascination of
youth. We may respect old age, and
admire the achievements of middle life,
but the young, standing as they do on
the threshold of life, we cannot help
but love
And yet we must som etimes sorrow
fully say, in view of the young, as did
Jesus to the young inquirer with
whom he was conversing, "One thing
thou lackest"
That lack. he went on to show, is OF
religion, and said that no man can
live worthiIy overcoming and a large
~ useful life unless God be with him.
1t is the duty of the church, by her
teaching and by the inspiration of her
example, to make the young realize
this lack (that is of religion) and by
that teaching and inspiration also to
lead them to him from whose infinite
fullness alone can come the supply for
every human need
In some way the young must be led
to have a sense of Cod being able to
recognize in the universe not simply
natural law and the continuity of ma
ture but to see the working of Gods
tireess law and as well his loving in
vitation to companionship with him.
It makes a vast difference whether a
man has been taught to believe or
only to think. The world as well as
the church must come to realize this
and plan to supply the lack.
There has been a great waste of
material things in this land of ours.
We are now seeking to conserve. The
greatest waste that has been or can
be is of the youth of our land. Above
all things else we must conserve this
waste for God and humanity.
Following the morning session was
the customary bountiful collation. and
the social hour. both of which were
greatly enjoyed by all.
DR.. Cane of Jewett City conducted
the afternoon devotional meeting and
offered prayer.
Edward Hall Of Plainfeld was the
first speaker on the conference pro-
gramme. his subject being How Can
to Their Respective Communities for
Their Material Advancement?
Among other things he said: We
should make more common use of the
ment is filed with portra ya1s of hui
man nature, and the New Testament
tells us how to handle that nature If
we based our conduct on the Bible
rather than on impulse it would be
better for US and for all
A, ale +,-x- H.
men ON the farms. This can be done
in part by the parents and ministers
and other friends of the young inter
esting themselves in farmers institutes
and doing what they can to promote
scientific agriculture.
The church will be able to save
more souls if she is largely interested
in the material as well as the spiritual
welfare of the community. We must
first reach men, and then we may save
them.
Rev. F. A. Holden of Preston spoke
upon the political side of the general
topic, his subject being How Can Our
Churches Help Toward the Betterment
Of Political Affairs?
First the church must realize that
her mission in the community is to
build UP the kingdom of God, and also
that we must have a material basis for
that kingdom if the largest success is
to be ours.
Then the church should not be pessi-
mistic but optimistic, because her great
Leader is optimistic, and because she
is engaged IN a conflict that is to be
a winning one. The church can make
men hopeful and it is her duty to do
this. The church can also educate her
own members and the community at
large as to their duty and privilege
along political lines. Good papers and
magazines are also helpful as we'll as
good citizenship clubs and similar or
CARNATIONS.
All alike in every community. with
out regard to political Affiliations,
should be interested in and strive for
honesty and justice in political af-
fairs
We should study public questions
and ask what laws in regard to them
ought to be enacted. Then we should
satisfy ourselves that thosa for whom
We vote will make such laws.
Rev. H. T. Arnold's Paper.
In the absence of Rev. Fl. T. Arnold
signed the third topic of the pro-
gramme, his paper was read by Rev.
F. A. Fuller, the topic being How Can
Our Churches Render a Larger Ser
vice to Their Respective Communities
for Their Spiritual Welfare?
In part he said: He who seeks to
render larger service to his fellow be-
ingS has a noble aim, and in nothing
is this service better and higher than
in promoting their spiritual welfare.
This carries with if many other bene-
fits and is the spring of manifold and
perennial blessings.
A community fiourishing spiritually
is like a well Watered garden in which
flowers and fruit abound.
For church to render spiritual ser
vice to the community it must itself be
spiritually minded. We speak of those
things we love: we must draw from
cur own souls the influences we would
impress upon others.
The particular means used for the
spiritual betterment of the community
are of course various A church may
use many different plans and methods
but it is all important that the spirit
be right.
The following points We're then
made:
First-The end and aim must be the
spiritual good of the community. To
lower the aim, to forget 1t, is to put
in peril the spiritual welfare of men
The high spiritual aim must control
and energize our own soul, and flash
forth as an electric current into the
cOIJ}c of nj hers ha effort must he