Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1917-10-26
BAPTIST CONVENTION.
County Churches Hold Interesting Con-
ference, With Rev. DR.. Dawson and
Speakers from Away.

The conference of Windham County
Baptist churches was held in the West
Brattleboro Baptist church Oct. Is.
The first session opened with devotional
service led by Rev. Il. w. johnson of
West Wardsboro, giving as the key
note for the conference, John 10-16;
aye have not chosen me, but | have
chosen you. This was followed by
stirring appeal from Rev. DR.. Dawson
for a whole hearted patriotism in these
unusual days when opportunity for serv-
ice is unlimited. Mrs, Fred l.. Smith,
assistant pastor of the First Baptist
church, gave a few earnest words urg-
ing the young people to put the Lord 8
work first. She was followed by Miss
Beulah Bates Of Bennington, who read
an interesting parable, The Prodigal
Church, and gave an address on the
work of the church, in reference to
training the young. Mr.. Bishop of
South Newfane spoke on the appor-
tionment. DR.. Dawson led the discus
sion. The following pastors spoke:
Revs. Compton, Curtis, johnson, Meek,
Rennie, Lawrence, Bartlett.
The afternoon session opened with
devotions led by Rev Ralph b. Davis
of Putney, the keynote being God 5
Fellow Workers. DR.. Dawson brought
few matters of business before the con
ference. Mrs w. r. Gilmore of India
held her audience with intense interest
as she told of conditions in India. A
land of contradictions, almost anything
that might be said about any country
could be true of India, land which
stands among the first in literature,
art and sculpture, also the first in deg
radiation and filth. India fills many
of the requirements of civilization, but
Indian history is not accurate and they
have little sense of decency. Mrs. FL
more s message was listened to with
close attention and was one of force
and power.
Dr. II. H. Brewer of Mexico, renewed
the scenes in Mexico about the time
that the United States army camped
on the border. Mexico is a land of won
derful possibilities in agriculture. AL
so in mineral wealth Mexico is rich.
The revolution has been power for
good in Mexico. Some of the Mexi-
cans believed that the social order
would be changed over night, but
changes have been slower than that.
The sympathy of the audience was with
the MeXicans as DR.. Brewer spoke feel
ingly of their wrongs and needs. The
first Protestant missionary in Mexico
was Baptist. People of Mexico are
crowding the churches today.
Mrs. Elmore talked to the school
children few minutes showing how an
Indian woman makes her dress without
scissors, needle or thimble and illustrat-
ed the caste system of India. using
hymn books to make it vivid, and illus.
trated the downfall of caste as the low
er caste becomes Christanized
The devotional service in the evening
was led by Rev. I. NJ. Compton. The
keynote being No Labor for God in
Vain DR.. Brewers address which
followed dealt largely with the recent
changes in the political situation in
Mexico. The address teemed with
touching incidents. Dr. Brewer gave
an optimistic view of the day to come
in Mexico.
Henry Bond of Brattleboro gave a
strong address in closing the confer
ence, bringing the work from India and
Mexico down to that close at hand in
Vermont.