Norwich bulletin., 1913-11-14
SIX CHURCHES IN
 CONFERENCE AT PLAINFIELD.
Sermon by Ledyard Pastor-Y. M. C. A. General Secretary Speaks on Service.

The conference of the six Congrega- tlonal churches in GriswoId, Preston City, Plainfeld, Jewett City, Hanover and Lisbon was held with the church in Plainfield on Wednesday, Nov. 12. A devotional service led by the Rev. MT. Pollock of Norwich opened the conference. The sermon was by the Rev. William F. White of Ledyard. His subject was The Insistent Demand of the Age for the Experiencing. Broad ening and Deepening of Christian Love and Sacriftcial Service, from the text Co. IS: 13, and John 15: 13.
 He said in part; There are increas- Ing demands and rapid adjustments to these demands It must eventuate in new education, social order moral and spiritual life, new church and ministry. What is to change, temper, inspire and control for safe, sane and enduring ends these enormous physi- cal, mental and spiritual activities of the men of our day? Christian love it must be. the greatest thing in the world. Men may not be demanding it, but they need it. Macedonians were not urging Paul to come over and help, yet the need impelled him. It is the ages demand for the enlargement of Christian love that we must hear to hold us to our task of carrying the burdens of the modern world.
 Widespread unrest, segregation of the masses and classes precipitate crises that nothing less than Christian love and service can dissipate.
 This love comes to us through know ledge of God in Jesus Christ Chris tian love is commanding, compelling Christian love loseth itself in unselfsh service. Our Christian living today, if ever, should be worthy of the cross. Are the Congregational churches of America about to take up with fresh courage, larger wisdom and greater certainty of victory their share of the hard, pressing work of the kingdom of God? May these words be true of our churches.
 The morning session closed with a hymn and benediction.
 Dinner and Afternoon Session.
 After a bountiful dinner and the usual social hour. the, afternoon ses- sion was opened by praise service led by the Rev. MT. Cove of Wauregan.
 The secretary's report was read and accepted.
 The addresses of the afternoon were The Old Ethics, by Rev. Luther M. Keneston of Preston City. and Service, by Edwin Hill general secretary of the Y. M. c. A., Norwich
 MT. Keneston said in part: The old ethics or righteousness and how at tainable? There is a universal ten dency to do right Why don't men do
 
 and one right. God placed our destiny in our own hands. Goodness is possi- b1e- Some do not know better. Men often know the right and do not do it. More yield to suggestion. Why do they do it? It may be because of sudden temptation or fiery passion. Knowledge is slow and conscience drowned and we fall. To prevent this we must get a broad view of life, we must call out the reserve forces for our defense, and we must have a force of character stored up to meet the stress of tempta- ton. Only by habits of righteousness can we withstand these times.
 There is also a social righteousness. We are responsible to and for others We must ask how we would like to be the other man we are not doing right by. This challenges every relation of life.
 MT. Hill said in part: What would happen if every church member was filled with the power of the Spirit? When the gathered disciples feared the Jews, Jesus appeared with words of peace. The reason we are not doing more efficient service is because there is not peace and harmony in our hearts. Jesus could give peace because he shed his blood. He commissions us to touch men for him. Moody had no monoply of the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit had a monopoly of tween Jesus and you. We never will be soul winners until we come into contact with this power We must have vision of the cross, then the service will be right
 The subject of a gospel tent was brought up and MT. Childs of Gris- wold invited all the ministers to meet with him the second Wednesday in De- cember
 A vote of thanks was extended the Plainfeld church for their hospitality After Blest Be the Tie That Binds was sung, the conference was dismissed.