Norwich bulletin., 1913-06-26

The conference of six churches. oCn- gregational was held at Newent church on Wednesday, there being very large attendance. The morning devo- tional service was led b Rev. W H. Cane, pastor of the Congregational church in JeWett City. The sermon was by Rev. Montie J. B. Fuller of Hanover, whose theme was Miracles. His text was taken from Matt. IA. He said all Christian believers should re- turn to their belief in miracles. If we do not get back to faith in miracles all preaching and teaching is vain. The miracles in the natural world we see They are the constant interfer- ence of God for the good of humanity
 Rev. Frank Fuller extended most cordial invitation from the ladies of the church to dinner served in the parsonage. The strawberry short cakes are proverbial as the feature of the Newent conference menu and the dinner was "out of sight in more ways than one.
 At the opening of the afternoon ses- sion Rev Luther Kenneston of Pres ton City presided. During the devo- tional service Miss Dorothy Scott of the last conference were read by Rev Frank Fuller. As he Is soon to go away. Rev. Montfe, J. B. Fuller of Han over was elected to fill the position of registrar.
 Paper Arouses Discussion.
 Rev, Frederic Bamford of Plainfeld, who had the opening paper in the conference in the afternoon spoke most highly of Mr. F'uiler's service and help in the conference, which was en- dorsed by a rising vote. Mir. Ramford's paper was The Requirements of Church Membership, and caused much discus sion among the ministers later.
 He said in part: The once uncondf- tfonaI and ethical ideal has been dim med and shadowed by worldly com promise. Our speech and our doings are of interest to the antiauary. but for all serious, practical, forceful and aspiring life our churches do not count. One of the greatest, if not the greatest, characteristic of the age, in its attitude toward the gospel Is in difference. This is common, in the church itself, as well as in the world outside of the church. Many in the churches are satisfied with an exter- nal application of what is to them the gospel remedy. and they are indifferent to the gospel as an internal cure. The result is that many outside the church. es are indifferent to both the exter- nal and the internal treatment.
 Being Christian is something more than believing a certain set of crFeds presented by the church. It is a sad n1isconception of the church, fatal alike to both doctrine and practice which permits the thought to be got abroad in the world. that being a Christian is simply obedience to church ethics and its particular creeds. When goodness becomes merely passive and respect able, it ceases to be Christian. It is not enough that we be what we call ''born again" but that we apply our new life to every existing circum- stance.
 This is what the church stands for. or ought to stand for. It is the duty of the church to make this matter of practical conversion very plain to ev- cry would be member There is no joy in half-enlisted life. It is people who go at things with all their hearts that get the real pleasure out of. life. If one is going to be a Christian it is better to be one out and out. heart enlisted, active and earnestly engaged The most useless and the only unhappy. Christian is the one not given wholly to Christ. Some Christians are It,