The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-12-06

/, The congregation knew that he had re-
ceived a call To become pastor OF the
Church OF the Redeemer, in New Haven,
Conn, but comparatively few of those
present knew that he had decided to ac-
cept it, and TO them the resignation came
as a surprise. The realization that the
time was drawing near for the severing of
pastoral relations brought moisture to the
eyes OF many.
There Is much regret on the part of not
only the parishioners but also the towns
people, irrespective OF denomination, that
Mr.. Houghton is to leave here, where
his work has been so fruitful, where
hc has taken such positive stand in mat
ters affecting the public veal, and where he
has stood so high in the estimation of both
ministers and laity. He has formed many
sincere friendships here and far beyond the
borders OF the town, and the best wishes
of the community 90 with him to his new
field of labor. The opportunity which has
come TO HIM Is one OF the best that could
come, and while there Is regret because OF
his contemplated departure there Is graft
hcation because of his greater opportunity
for service. That he viii make the most
of the opportunity became very apparent
in the course of the service yesterday.
No one ever heard him preach more force
fully or with more sincerity than he did
then. He read his message first after the
opening exercises and then said that he
should not preach a sermon, but of all the
powerful sermons he has preached in the
past seven years the one of Yesterday viii
remain longest III the memory OF the con
grcgation.
/ \ special meeting of the church has been
called for Friday evening Of this week to
4 nf 81
committee to secure Il new pastor.
New Haven is the center of Congrega-
/ tionahsm in New England. The Church OF
the Redeemer has Just sold its church
building on Orange street and will build a
new edihce at the corner OF Whitney ave
nue. and Cold Spring street at cost OF
! 100000 or more. Money for the purpose
/ is now being raised The church sent two
committees here to hear Mr. Houghton,
and in conferences with committee MEM
! bers Mr.. Ioughton made it plain that he
would not accept call unless assured that
the new building would be completed prac-
tically free from debt. The location cho-
sen for the new structure il in one OF the
best residential sections of the city.
In his sermon yesterday Mr. Houghton
voiced feeling which many have enter
tanned, saying that there was not the right
religious atmosphere in Brattleboro, that
religion was not taken seriously enough.
There IS lack of the spiritual force nee
cssary to drive the young people into chan
nels where God can get hold Of them, lie
said. Many church members are not con
scentious about attending church sunday
morning, and there cannot be a strong re-
ligou5 atmosphere unless church members
come to the house OF God on sunday
There Is another thing in which You
must take firm stand, said Mr.. Hough-
ton. Wherever you are, no matter il it
be at a dance or il card party, YOU should
create such an atmosphere that one viii
not be able to speak lightly Of the church
or religious things 1t will be an easy mat
ter after the stand is once taken The
young people cannot be more interested
in pictures and cards and dances than they
are IN religion and live lives Of right infu
ence in the world
, Mr. Houghton said he had Just heard
that group Of young people OF the Con
! gregational church had signed a compact
not to attend dance or a motion picture
! show during the month of December