Norwich bulletin., 1916-05-09
OPENING SESSION OF
 CONN. DISTRICT CONFERENCE
New Haven Pastor Delivers Strong
 Sermon at German Church.


 At the onpening session of the Con- necticut district conference of the New York AIinisterium, which com prises of pastors and delegates from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey Rev. J. A. Timms, of New Haven. president of the confer ence delivered a strong sermon Mon day night at the German Lutheran church on Franklin street, taking his text from First Corinthians, 18th chap ter and 5SIh verse. Rev. G. E. Hart wig of Rockville assisted in the ser- vice. In part Rev. MT. TimmS said: We have gathered here in this church in Norwich for the first time as a conference and we are grateful for the kind invitation extended. We have stood as a congregation at the open grave in Joseph's garden. The Eas- ter greeting of the risen Saviour. peace be unto you is re-echoing in our hearts, would to God that this greet ing could be heard and received by the warning nations on the battlehe1ds in Europe. The work of the church is the work of peace and as for the wars we will leave them to the war colleges and the statesmen of the kingdoms of the world. But we preach and work for the peace of nations yet at work our battle motto is: Through Strife to Peace. Our warfare is with death. Our work is the work of life. This Is Paurs Easter wish.
 FirSt-The firm foundation of His resurrection and upon this foundation rests the churSh. We leave the mod ern theory of Sthe resurrection of the spirit to those who deny the ressur- rection of the body. We preach a Christ not simply crucified but arisen Our people stand on this foundation. Yet the danger of materialism of love for the filthy lucre of worldliness, threatens the spiritual life of our peo- pie. The conquest over the death and grave does not begin when life ends here but is the result of Christian faith. Let no false doctor or worldiIy unbelief shake our faith.
 Second-Aboundin in the work of the Lord. The Lords work is crown ed by His resurrection. If that work is to be perfected in us His believers we do not simply stand on the founda- tion of His resurrection but His res- surection has wroth about the higher life in us. This life is one of progress of development and finds it's perfection after death.
 For this life is standstill and does | not abound it spells death. Our work of the Lord is one of spiritual exper- fence and the goal of our endeavor in our pastoral work. It will abound because it is the work of life.
 Let us not be discouraged for we l knOW that OuE IdDOF IS nOL I1l tVa1n. w e are the messengers of life and are fighting the powers of death. We shall and must conquer.
 Sessions will be held this morning | at g o'clock, 2 o'clock this afternoon and at 2 7.45 this evening. Rev. Henry Mette of Tarryvi1le, Conn, will preach on Home Missions and Rev. Theordore | Posselt, secretary of the New York | Nfinisterium of New York city will l preach on the work of synod.
 On Wednesday a discussion will take l place with Rev. F. W. Schafer lead l ing. The topics to be discussed are: l F'irst-The church is the congrega- 1 tion of saints whose duty it is to l gIorify God and save souls. The church 1 should not engage in any kind of busi- ness for the filthy iucre.s sake. ] Second-Baptism which should or l dinarily be administered at the pub l lie service of the church. Only Luth- l erans in communion with the church may act as sponsors.
 Third-A pastor should bury only 1 members of the church of those whe I depart tliis. life in Christian faith.
 Fourth-Since a minister is a fol- iowerer of Him who had not where tc lay His head. he must be ready tc I suffer poverty as well as persecution for the Lords sake. It Is degrading for a minister to accept perquisites
 because he needs the money. To ac-
 cept them for any other reason fl 1 The New York AEinister9um wal
 founded in the year 17s0 and is on,
 of the oldest of it's kind in the United
 churches in Connecticut, Massachu.
 setts, New York. New Jersey and hal
 m enrolment of 1s0 pastors and dele, 1 gates.