The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-09-29
INSTALLATION IN CHURCH.
Continued from Page -

Prof. John Winthrop Platner, D. D.,
of Andover Theological seminary.
Cambridge, Mass, preached a forceful
sermon from Rev. 5: s: q have set
before thee an open door, He said
there was set before this church and
pastor an open door of opportunity.
Nothing is impossible to loyal church
and faithful pastor, but certain es-
sential qualities~are needed if they are
to do effective and enduring work. The
| work before them is work for
eternity, not the building of an ex-
| ternal institution. If we see clearly
our task we are building fabric of
| character and moulding force which
is spiritual.
| -Four qualifications are needed in es-
| saying this work, and first he men
| toned sound knowledge. We know
many things and are fortunate if we
know any of them we'll. A right UNI
understanding of the Bible is essential
| to Professionalism. We can never live
without the pursuit of sound religious
| knowledge that will stand the test OF
modern religious inquiry. Artistic sen
sibility is another qualification. The
noblest life is constantly exerting on
the lives of others its ideals and am
billions. The better We know Christ the
more his standards lay hold on US
Moral purpose and vital religious life
and two other qualifications. The
church exists for the union of these
great departments of life.
Rev DR.. Pratt offered the installing
prayer, in which he gave thanks fol
the life and faithful service and de
votion of Rev Mr.. Clapp and asked
that the blessing of God might res
upon the pastor and people as cola
borers and that the ministry of thi
church in this community might be al
uplifting ministry.
Rev. Howard A. Lincoln of Roches
ter (Vt), classmate of Rev. MI
Clapp at Andover, gave the charge t
the pastor He brought suggestions gu
of his own experience. A minister a
he stands in the pulpit reflects tn
highest ideals of living, he said. lie
him be careful that in his own life h
carries out those ideals as far as pos
sib1e.
The charge to the church was give
nv Rev. Mr.. Houghton, who said tina
after a 3astorate of seven years her
he could ask nothing better of tn
church for the new pastor than that
give him the same loyalty, hearty ct
operation and goodwill that 1T ha
given in the past seven years. Tn
minister should be the leader in all dt
partments Of church work, and expt
rience has shown that even the bus
ness management cannot be left to tn
business men of the church, but tn
ministers principal work is in the pu
pit and ministering to the intellectu;
life of his people and the people Shout
cooperate to make the other tasks
easy as possible.
The right hand of fellowship W.
extended by Rev. Mr.. Chaplin, who 3
reason of temperament and as the dea
of the county ministers was the httn
choice for this part of the program. i
reminded Rev. Mr.. Clapp that the la
fer succeeded a noble company of me
who had filed the pulpit of tn
church and who had the art of reac
ing out into the county and cheerir
the hearts of the people there. Y
hold commanding place in the sta
of Vermont, he said. and you are e
pected to bear the image of Christ
your bear his message. Do not unde
fake the work in your own strengt
Remember that "My grace is suffice
for you.'
Rev. Mr.. Clapp offered the closil
PRAYER and the benedietion, and t
suspicious occasion closed with
postlude, Magnificent in B fiat,
Claussman, rendered by the organist.
sssssszssszzszs SEssssszss.@a