The Press., 1917-10-04
ASHFORD
 


 The 93d annual meeting of the Ashford Baptist association was held with the church at Warrenville on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. both days for the convention. Clear skies and returning mild temperature brought ont a large representation from the ' churches of the associ- ation. Large delegations began to arrive early in autos and motorbusses from Putnam, Willimantic. Staff )rd and Wilmington. The trip through the country at this season is delight ful. It makes l3 years ago that the association last met in WaIenviIle The possibility of attending the annnal gathering, when held with one of the rural churches somewhat remote from the railroad lines, is not what it was in the days when the trips were made with horse and wagon. It is estimated that 200 people on both days of the convention were served in Bakers hall. All commanded the women of the parish who had provided bountifully for the entertainment of SO large delegation. The association began on Tuesday afternoon at 1.3O o'clock with a devotional service con- ducted by Rev. Leonard Smith. Rev. B. O. Bugbee, pastor of the church, acted as moderator. The words of welcome to the visiting delegates were extended by Rev. E. P. Mathew son of Ashaway, R I. There was large attendance at the afternoon and evening sessions. The annual sermon was preached by Rev. A. B. Stone of Putnam. Following the sermon came an address by Rev. A. B. Goats. D. D., secretary of the Con- neotiout Baptist convention. The missionary board from Boston sent as representative Rev. F. w. Goddard, M. D., who gave 8 very interesting address on the subject, "God's Ambu- lance Corps-A Report from the China Front.'' The annual meeting of the Woman's Missionary societies closed the order of exercises of the afternoon. Tuesday evening opened with 8 song service led by Rev. A. A. Muir. Rev. W. J. Sly, Ph. D., director of Sunday school work in Connecticut and Rhode Island spoke upon "The Divine Art of Soul Winning - The second speaker of the evening was Rev. J. V. Lackey, D. D., pastor of the South Baptist church, Hartford. The second day of the association opened at g. 30 a. m. with the devotional service led by Rev. B. F. Nye of the Howard Valley church which has been recently ad- mitted to the association. The letters from the churches were read by clerk, Rev. H. D Baker, assisted by Rev. A. E. Stone. An address was then delivered by Rev. A. w. Carpenter of Willimantic The annual discuss ion was opened by Rev. P. S. Collins of Eastfortl. The subject was "The Rural Church and the Immigrant Farmer. The afternoon session be. gan with a devotional service led by Rev. o. A. Parker of Willington Rev. A. E. Stone acting as moderator. The speaker scheduled for the afternoon was Rev. Charles R. McNally, pastor of the First Baptist church, New London. Dr. Lackey on Tuesday evening held the closest attention of the audience as he dwelt on the stirring issues of the world war. Rev. MT. McNally at the closing session gave a profoundly earnest ad- dress in which he showed how the war will affect Christianity. Rarely has the association had so able 8 program of speakers as that which was provided this year. Many per- sons on leaving for their homes ex- pressed the highest appreciation of the entertainment which they had received and ot the splendid program which they had enjoyed. The officers chosen for the ensuing year are: Rev. 4 E. Stone, moderator; Rev. H. D Baker, clerk and treasurer; preacher of the annual sermon, Rev. Charles A Parker. The place of meeting will be posted in the minutes.