Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-04-05
BAPTIST CHURCH MEETING.
200 Attended the Supper and Listened to
Rev. Dr.. Padeford's Inspiring Ad.
dress,

Rev. DR.. Padleford's Inspiring Ad.
dress.
The annual supper and business meet
ing of the First Baptist church of Brat
tleboro took place on Wednesday even
ing. About 200 sat down to the tables,
and at about s o'clock the business
meeting was called to order, and Henry
Bond was elected moderator. The re-
ports of the various officers of the
church, also of the auxiliary organiza-
lions and of the Bible school, were re-
ceived with enthusiasm The reports
showed an active year, with all obiga-
lions provided for and balance in the
treasury. During the year the womr
ans missionary and aid society paid
1910 ON the church debt. The nomi-
mating, committee, consisting of Dea-
con c. S. Hopkins, Mrs. j. j. Estey and
e. V. Morse, reported nominations for
officers, and the persons nominated
were elected as follows: Deacons for
three years, DIR. II. d. Holton and l..
w. Hawley; trustees for three years,
II. B. Chamberlain and Dr. w. r.
Noyes; clerk, F. S. Knight; treasurer,
A. l.. Harris; collector, E. j. Eddy; au-
ditor, H. F. c. Toedt; members of pru-
Dental committee, Mrs. Lucy A. Cox
and Mrs. A. w. j. Wilkins.
After the business meeting the chair
man introduced Rev. DR.. Padelford, Sec
rotary of the Massachusetts state Mis-
sionary society, remarking in connec-
ton with the introduction that he re-
Gently spent six weeks on a Pacific tour
with Rev. DIR. Stackhouse who spoke SO
eloquently at the mems banquet In the
church a few weeks ago.
DIR. Padelford took for his subject
THE artists vision in religious work,
and made a particularly forceful ad-
dress. He began by referring to the
magnificent statue of David in the
Academy of Fine Arts in Florence,
Italy, as being the most perfect repre-
sentation of young manhood, in fact one
of the finest sculptures in the world. II
| represents David at the moment he is
! preparing for the one sided contest with
the giant Goliath.
The story is told that this block OF
marble was rejected by the foremost
sculptor in Florence, but was bought
for a song by his pupil, Michael Ange-
10, who had the scuptor's true vision
and worked out statute of great beau
ty and strength. Following this Illus
ration, Dr. Padelford said the first
requisite in Christian work is to get a
vision of the spiritual possibilities in
persons, though they may be degraded
and he who can discover them is a true
artist in religious work.
A second necessity is the passion OF
the artist. Michael Angelo could not
rest until he had evolved from the rug
ged block of marble his own ideal. Je-
sus and Paul possessed this passion
which, in part, was the secret of their
success. How is it possible that oul
churches are content to go on with sc
little of tangible results.
Added to these qualifications, Michae
Angelo possessed the skill necessary t.
| develop the boy David from the bloch
nf ha
learn very much in this direction by
careful attendance upon the meeting!
/ and attention to the various activities
| of his church. The speaker gave fact
| to show that the church, in the pas
| centuries, had acquired a certain amour
| of skill in shaping human lives for tn
service of God, but there is vast neet
| of more. May we have the vision, tn
passion and the skill.