Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1911-11-17
COUNTY CONFERENCE.
Delegates Present from Several
Churches and ORGANIZATIONS.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Novem-
ber IA and Is, there was held at the
Baptist church, conference which,
while not largely attended, was large
with possibilities for the uplift of life
in Addison county. The delegates pres
ent represented the churches, Sunday
schools, Young Mems Christian associa-
tions, schools, and other organizations.
The conference was brought about by
the general secretary of the Young
Mems Christian associations of Addison
County and Brandon who represents the
nterdenominational forces and the re-
suits of which will surely be of much
help and inspiration to the men who
attended the sessions.
The first session was held at O. clock
on Tuesday. After the devotional serv-
ice, the Rev. Samuel Rose of Cornwall
read paper on "The Outline of the
Country Church Problem in Addison
County," AS he outlined them, the
following constitute the problems to be
faced by the churches of the county,
and very largely of the whole State.
l. A widespread indifference to relig-
ion, caused by denominationa preju-
dices.
2. The lack of definite ideals of serv-
ice.
8. Distance from the church.
4. The church being robbed of its
definite function by outside fraternal
and social organizations.
5. The small proportion of men in
the church.
6. A lack of community morals.
Z. Low valuation of religion as a
community asset.
8. Lack of church cooperation with
9. Inadequate financial support of
the church.
The Rev. Peter Heller of Salisbury
presented paper on "The Solution of
the Problem" From Mr.. Heller's
standpoint he gave what is believed to
be the fundamental solution of all the
problems of community uplift. 1t was
block out of the life experience of a
man who has intelligently developed a
strong personality; who has adequate
knowledge of the community in which
he is placed who enters into sympa-
thetic relations with all the people;
who is continually on the job, visiting
his parishioners, entering into their
social life, helping the young people to
plan and execute work of interest to
them, and who in real sense is a
community leader. Mr.. Heller has
learned that preaching is only a part of
the work of a country minister, and
powers of the gospel in his preaching
ha haliaVaC thaf ha liuoA hN,
Christian people if IL is to be effective
in the lives of men.
At the afternoon session the matters
of definite organization for work along
the line of the conference themes was
discussed, and it was decided that
permanent organization was desirable.
The first topic discussed. was THE |
Economic Ministrations of the Country
Church. j. Sterling Moran opened |
the discussion, emphasizing the churchs (
relation to the economic condition of |
the community. Nearly all those pres
ent took part in the discussion.
1.-The Church as a Civic Force" was
the subject of the Rev. d. H. Corkran, |
ID. D., of Middebury, and among other |
things he said, the greatest passions of |
men are those for food, fighting and |
the acquisition of property. The church |
furnishes the only broad fraternal basis,
emphasizing the fatherhood of God and |
the brotherhood of man. The business
of the church is to ameiorate the eco
nomic conditions which are the chief |
cause of social unrest. 1t must set be-
fore the community the highest ideals
of individual morality and Christian
citizenship. The church must make for
nobility and strength of character in
the social and political life of the nation.
1t must mean more than a preaching |
farce and must bring its whole life to !
bear upon the intelligent guidance of
youth. 1t must give incentive to re-
form work. 1t must promote reforma-
tion through information and inspira-
ton, and must be constantly on the
firing line fighting all forms of evil.
Mr.. Corkran's paper was followed by
general discussion in which many men
had part, and Secretary Moran spoke |