The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-06-19
Universalists I,nitari-.
ans Ar ~ ling at
50 4a
CENTRAL ASSOCIATION
IN ANNUAL GATHERING
Address Last Evening Was
Given by Rev. c. J.
Staples

The annual meeting of the Vermont
Central Association of Universalists and
Unitarians, being held in the Church of
the Messiah at Montpelier, was we'll at
tended yesterday, the first day OF the
convention It was 2:30 in the afternoon
when the meeting was called to order
and Rev. j. b. Reardon of Barre was
chosen chairman, in the absence of, Pres
ident Hammett. After devotional exer-
cises, conducted by Rev. Clinton F. Scott
of Northfeld, ex- Mayor James B. Estee
of Montpelier delivered an address of
welcome Rev. F. 7. Crane responded
briefly.
Three ministers were appointed by the
chairman to visit Rev. DIR. j. Edward
Wright and tender him the greetings of
the convention. Reports from the differ
ent churches in the association took some
time and then Rev g. r. Fortier of
Rutland gave his report and suggestions,
followed by a discussion, led by Rev.
A. M. Smith of Williamstown.
Last evenings session was preceded by
an organ recital by Professor L. J. Hath
away. The address of the evening was
by Rev. Charles j. Staples of Burling-
ton.
In his address Rev. Mr.. Staples said in
part:
Life is emancipation, the slowly set
ting free of the mind and soul. Through
freedom comes that enlargement of OPP
portunity and growth of spirit. Out of
all the story of human history comes the
same story of emancipation. 1t began
with the power and passion of war and
the search for that which will satisfy
the hunger of the body.
"The further back we go the less of
humanity we find You and / have not
vet half emerged freSn the bondage of
passion, circumstances and the lure of
the world. All that is won must come
through the fight of the soldiers of free
dom Struggle. effort and strife are at
the basis of every freedom and every
great gift humanity has conquered for
itself.
Freedom to live is only won by Civ.
ing something of ourselves, something of
our time, thought, action, hope and love.
but searching and trying, beaten back
again and again, vet in the end winning
for those coming after lie the freedom
we could not ourselves have.
"The man who helps others to rise,
helps himself. The soldier of freedom
is he who stops to pity and help the
fallen and the weak. Not in the mere
word of emancipation is man free. The
inner bondage is still there, and one by
one we must lift the shackles of the
spirit and be free"
This morning Professor A. B. Clifford
of the University of Vermont gave an
address on "Idealism and Action" in
which he criticized the church for not
taking a more active part in the social
problems of the communities in which
they are located. He told how the
churches might get to work and he made
the following recommendations Church
federation for social work; complete or
ganization of philanthropic activities;
organization of mems brotherhoods
skilled directors for the social work. In
cities, Professor Clifford recommended
settlement or social center
work. In both cities and towns he urged
more aggressive action as regards legis-
ation.
Following this address, Rev C. L. Eat
on spoke on "Our Church and Our
YOUTH shortly after which the conven-
ton was brought to close.
The following officers were elected:
President, j. B. Estee, Montpelier; vice
W. H. Gladding, Randolph;
secretary and treasurer, Rev. J. B. Rear
Ion, Barre; program committee, ]. Il.
Estee, Rev. Thomas Strstton, Richmond,
Rev. C. J. Staples, Burlington, and Miss
Carrie Wheelock, Barre.
Resolutions were adopted, expressing
appreciation TO the Church of the Mes
,iah, Professor A. p. Clifford OF the Uni
,ersity of Vermont, Rev. C. L. Eaton OF
Newport, Professor Louis Hathaway of
also resolutions commencing
he work of the state superintendent and
mother expressing the love of the con-
fention for Rev. j. Edward Wright Of