The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-02-03

Charades Much Enjoyed
One hundred or more men of the Cen
TIRE Congregational parish enjoyed a
mplimentary banquet in the Brooks
House last evening as guests of George
l.. Durham and listened to notable
and decidedly interesting address by
the pastor, Rev. Richard II. Clapp. on
the theme, Christianity and the New
World Life. At the same time an equal
number of women of the parish were
pleasantly entertained at the parson
age by Mrs. Clapp, partaking Of refresh
mentS and listening TO an ENJOYABLE pro-
gram. II was indeed It Congregational
night
The banquet at the hotel was ex-
.eellent and was well served, and during
the banquet hour there was instru-
lIheutal music by G. NJ. Dugan, violin,
J.. 4. Bemis,, cornct, and +. NJ. Cram,
piano, and vocal selections by the
church male quartet, w. S. Stearns, +.
/ G.. Adams, \. l.. Clapp and W. y. Gil
bert. Mr.. Benis, who is leader Of the
/ keene, y. H., band, gave a cornet solo
/ IN an artistic manner.
/ At the parsonage the program con
sisted of a piano duet by Miss Charlotte
I Hildreth and Miss Leila Thompson,
glec club selections by Miss Hildreth,
Miss Thompson. Miss Elizabeth Spen-
Ger, Miss Della Newcomb, Miss Harriet
Arnold, Miss Susan Graffam and Miss
/ GLADYS Holden. a violin solo by Mrs.
Helen W. Barney, soprano solos by Mrs.
W. :. Bassett and a number OF pleasing
f,haradcS in costume.
Appreciation of the address was
shown by applause and of both the adj
dress and the generosity Of the host by
Il vote OF thanks. Rev Mr. Clapp said,
in part:
y Religion is a matter of vital interest
for all thoughtful men, he their partIeu
lar views OF il what they may. They
/ Recognize the large part il has played in
human affairs and know that il is inter
woven with all the varied aspects OF the
re- OF mann Ii makes the highest claims
and offers the NEST tremendous sane
tionS. So great are its demands that
we have right to say that il is Of the
utmost Importance, or of no special sig
nihcance. One cannot properly be a
neutral in his attitude toward it,
The church, which is the institutional
expression of religion, comes to men, not
, with apology, but with an imperative
challenge. 1t presents itself as a great
historic organization wherein men may
, find fellowship and inspiration for their
D spiritual warfare. It's record is open
e. 20 the criticism that is invoked by all
imperfect human efforts. but il does not
on that account shrink from challenging
, men TO make it a more efficient inStru
I mcnt in the moral struggle.
If. with any of us. there is lack OF
interest III religion and the church, il
: is probably because we fail to see anC
feel the connection between our every
day life and these great concerns. BY
Tar the major part of our time is taker
4 up with the pressing necessities of Oul
4 work, the interesting and sometime:
4 battling struggle with its various com
l plications and our immediate contac
\ with all sorts and conditions of men
| How can one realize in the midst of al
\ this babel, the transcendent importanc,
I Of that which sometimes seems to b.
4 little more than a conventional exer
else on one day of the week? 1t hardl,
\ seems to connect with practical affairs
Ii often appears to have no special in
\ ilucnce on the course of events. w
Heed a vision of its greater relation
and Of lis altogether essential place i
the fuIthcr evolution of society. -.--,,
4 In ctr own day the world IS rapidf
entering q new phase of world lif
\ which is the result Of long histori
l process More than 5000 wears ago tn
\ white race began its march westwar
l from its prehistoric home in Asia.
1 colouizcd the Mediterranean world an
I built up the great historic states whic
n -, 4I,.i, IN, an
1 empire. 1t incubatcd host of new b,
\ ginnings in the barbarian hordes tha
y poured from the German forests, owe
B threw Rome, and laid the foundation
1 Of modern Europe Still its adventu
\ Gus spirits turned westward till the III
1 known seas were crossed and the ne
I world revealed. Then, in mighty way
\ of migration, it peopled this continel
! and pushed on to the last frontier, Il
Z Pacific coast. Now the human circu
1 is closed, East and West stand face
face, the stern disciplines of Il
frontier are passing, and a new e
4 opens.
This era is to be marked by rapid
growing world consciousness and wor
I society. Hitherto tribes and nations ha
D tended to isolation and division, henC
forth they must tend toward unity. I'll
! is the watershed of history viii
may be placed at about the middle
the nineteenth century. No one &
I hope 90 understand the present day
I plan for tomorrow who does not app
Z ciate this to the full.
4 Men are entering this era possess
4 by two great moods, or convictions. T
first is that of democracy as the prop
political form for societies and natiol
\ The rule Of kings and autocracies
passing, government of and by and
the people is the dream and hope of
men. 1t is the greatest government
experiment Of history and will be te
ed to the uttermost. We hope that G
chief result of the great war will be
release of the democratic spirit a
method to widely increased opportu
ties in Europe.
The other enthusiastic conviction
- the new era is as to the value of