The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1914-09-30
INCREASE SHOWN. !.
Continued from Page ID
STATE CONVENTION PROPER.
President Bonds Address and Annual
Sermon the Principal Features.

organizations the Goth annual meeting of
the Vermont Baptist state convention
proper began last evening, and the SEES
sion was one of much interest and inn
portance. The address by President
Henry Bond of Brattleboro not only had /
the right ring from a spiritual standpoint
but it was a business message which set |
forth some standards which if adopted /
would go far toward putting any church |
organization on a sound basis. The an |
nnal sermon by Rev. J. Harrison Thomp- |
son of Randolph was a strong plea to the |
churches to go forward with the means at
hand, trusting in the power of faith rath- |
er than inNthe power of material things |
The music consisted of selections by the |
organ and orchestra, chorus, double |
mixed quartet, besides the congregational
singing
Rev. James S. Braker, D. D., of Bur
llngton read the scripture lesson and
offered prayer, after which President
! Bond announced the following commit
/ tees: Resolutions, Rev. w. F. Never
chairman, Rev. George w. Russell, Rev
| 4. J. Hopkins. Rev. Robert L. Caster
Supt P, H, Blake, Rev. Ivan H. Bene-
dict; nominations, Rev. H. b. Rankin,
chairman Chester A Bixby c. O. Ran
dali, Deacon r. 5. Benedict, Rev S H.
| Myers, Rev. c. W. Turner, Deacon B. A
Park, Hon. \. A. Butterfeld; state of re-
ligion, Rev J. :. Brown chairman, Rev
4 H. 5. McIale, Rev. Farley d. Root, Rev
&c. b. Danse, Rev w w White, Rev
Charles O. Durham, Rev. Sidney Aldrch;
next session. Rev A. r. Mills, chairman,
Rev. John Butler, Rev. w r. Tinker,
Rev. /. w. Pease, Rev. J. {. Harrison,
Rev. James Kenworthy, Rev. Frank
! Place; roll, Rev. Frank 5. Tolman, chair
man, Fred 5. knight, Rev. Thomas Davi-
son, Carl s. Hopkins, Rev. +. w John
i son; obituary, Rev. Henry Croker
) The address of welcome was made by
the pastor, Rev George f. Tomkinson
In a happy vein he referred to the local
committee of arrangements, including
such familiar names as DR.. Hoton, Mrs.
: J. j. Estey, Mr. Hawley and Mr. Bond.
and said he had come to love Vermont,
Nermonters and the Vermont spirit He
recognized the obligation which the large
churches owe the smaller ones. from
which come many OF the most valuable
workers.
:, After a musical number President Bond
gave his address, which was in substance
, a. follows
1t Is specially fitting at this time that
we should look back over the 30 years OF
. history OF our state convention. to dis
cove II II Has iAtiltttu the pun l'pSt tti
: which it was organized. Nearly three
generations have passed, and yet its OF
= ganization was not so long ago but that
5 it would be possible for persons yet living
:. to remember the event. Only seven Other
/ state conventions were organized earlier
- than Vermont. The convention of Rhode
y. Island was formed in the same year.
# An examination of the records Of TIN
- meeting for the organization reveals TIN
I fact that the call for the meeting gives a
~ the chief purpose of the contemplated oI
ganization the securing of closer &C
- operation" 1t was vigorously opposed
Z because Of the expressed fear that
l. would eucroach upon that which the
- priced so highly and for which their fl
. theirs had suffered the right to worshi
In God according to the dictates of thci
as own conscience, and the right of tn
n church to be free from dictation. The g,
" i~tence of this feeling is clearly shown b
+f the second article in the constitution tina
. was adopted, which states 1T shall no
5 by any Of its acts or agencies, infringe O
S the rights and independence OF ii
a churches'
m The effect OF this attempt to secu
ny greater cooperation without the sacrih,
tt, of independence can we'll be Judged
nd the action taken - years later in inco
O4 porating the Northern Baptist conse
. ton, which, i'm its declaration of purpos
stated it declares its belief in the ind
-, pendence of the local church, and in Il
Or, Ipurcly advisory nature Of all denomin
70 tional organizations composed of represe
| tatives of churches" Eighty-five yea
NJ had gone by, very large degree of clos
cooperation had been secured but MAJ
testify without the giving up of any of t
right for individual or church indepeu
ence
= While we recognize this independen
as one OF our most cherished rights-a
nj God grant that it may ever continue,
also recognize that cooperation brr
with it certain obligations that must
. accepted If we are to secure their ben
fits.
One Of these obligations is to recogn
our interdependence. The closer we CO..
together the greater Is our strength, a
II the greater is our interdependence, /
II with no lessening of independence IL,
II or given to one of our churches is Walt
II by all. Discredit coming to one of {
II churches reflects upon all Need felt
any one of our churches is more and m,
appealing to all. The recalling Of /
supply of strength as given of young mi
II hood and womanhood by our small
churches, and in return the co-operat
given them by other churches in the l
ing of their financial burdens. she
IL more clearly our relation one to the 9th
. The caring for the source of the sire
- of incoming manhood and womanhood
not optional Neglect of the source y
Of discontinue the supply Of burden bear
in business, in politics, and in chu
o.5 work, and in its place viii be sent
oi'' those who are regardless of obligations
self or society or church
and Another condition we recognize is
tar mutual responsibility. Church meml
ship knows no boundary. No L
< to church, association, or convention can
ton It's boundary of responsibility. The o
boundary is Go We, therefore, and m
lday disciples OF all nations.