The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-01-07
A STIRRING APPEAL TO
CONGREG ATIONALISTS
Recommends Vigorous Activity in View
of the War Activity-Increase
Cooperation and Evan
golism.


outlines a strong program of evangelism
!. II is signed by Hon. Charles w. Gates o
Franklin, president of the Vermont Con
gregational conference, Rev Charles G
Merrill of Burlington, secretary, Rev
: Chauncey c. Adams of Burlington, chair
man board of directors, and Rev Donald
: Fraser Of Wells River, chairman com
mittee on evangelism The letter is al
follows:
To the pastors, officers and members Of
, the Vermont Congregational churches;
To wish man or a group OF men a
happy New Year for 1918, can only mean
to wish him year of unremitting, in.
telligent, fruitful service. For no one
can be truly happy during this particu-
lar year Of our Lord who does not give
, himself SCIENTIFICALLY in service to his fel
lows. In this sense, from the depths OF
our hearts we wish and pray for your
, happiness throughout the exceedingly
difficult but nightly significant II
months ahead
A Call to the Colors.
!, And we have in mind not merely the
kind of service to the nation and the
world in which every citizen ought now
V,
but especially the very definite service
which Christian men and Christian
churches alone can render and for which
there is SO urgent need. For the win
ming of the war we have task that no
other can do as well if they can do it at
all. More clearly than anyone else, we
ought to be able to point out the real
issue at stake and with particular sue
cess we ought TO strengthen and main
tain the essential morale of the people
Ours it is to comfort, to hearten, to give
courage for holding on. 1t is not strange,
therefore. that President Wilson should
seem to desire so strongly the vigorous
maintenance of the churches at this cr-
| sis.
| But there is farther reaching work
for us than this Says leading educa
tor after a visit to France; do not let
the needs of the hour, however heavily
they fall upon the meH and women Of
to-day, permit neglect of the defenses of
tomorrow" The chief defense of to-
morrow is that the world shall become
more really Christian. Unless this shall
take place the war will have been won In
vain The churches, then, should pursue
this main task OF practicing and preach.
ing the religion of Jesus with new
genuineness, with unparalleled vgor and
with keener intelligence. 1t ought TO
be such a winter as our churches have |
not known for long years Ii can be such |
a winter, if we will pay the price in
prayer and in we'll directed work to have |
il So Our gatherings for worship should |
be more vital and more largely attended, |
our meetings for prayer and conference /
should be revived and strengthened, our
Sunday schools should come TO closer
quarters with their basic task Into
every department, including the pulpit,
there should come the pulse of a deeper
and more abundant life. Are we of the
church anything less than moral slackers
If we allow to slip by ungrasped the OPP
portunity of the present hour for bring
ing Christian message that shall really
transform the modern worlds
Saving Fuel and Enlarging Cooperation.
From this angle we believe the ques-
ton of combining or curtailing church
in order to save fuel should
be approached. When worship is com I
bined with our churches, let the advan-
tage be seized for rendering larger sery-
ice to the common Christianity for which
both churches stand Let the community y
really see that the churches are funda- {
+
Zone in hope and doctrine
One in charity"
Let the ministers plan their work co.
operatively as they have never been able
to do before, Let the week when
minister is free from sermon preparation
tthe plan of union involving that he
preach every other Sunday be used for
work for individuals, or young people. or
pastors class, or a mems forum, or
else he has wanted to do be-
'ore but for which he has never found
he time. Let each minister do the par
ocular work for the combined congrega-
ions that he is better fitted to do. Let
he Sunday when minister is free from
preaching be used for holding service in
mother part of the town or for helping
nut church in a nearby town. In short,
L the end of the winter, let a stronger
,iece of work have been done for the
piritual life of the community than if
ach church had held its own services
lone. In the church, as in the nation.
he time has come for us ito think, act
nd serve together" II may be that in
observing fuel, we shall also he conserv-
~ vital Christianity.
Where there is no combination with
Their churches but the number of gath
rings in one church is lessened. lei the
ndeavor be to make the gatherings re-
aimed of enough deeper quality and with
sufficiently increased attendance to pre-
ent any loss in church life The ques
on here is not, how many, but how da
luch? de
In communities where these adjust m
tents have been made in order to carry til
ut the suggestions of the fuel admin ra
tration. it will be simple justice if Ia
her organizations, like lodges, clubs, eh
leatres, be asked to make similar :
,mbnation and curtailment, and we ad =
Sc that in all cases this be brought to
lie attention of the local fuel admins
alton, unless he has already taken ae- n
on in this direction.
Evangelism.
The challenge for renewed vitality in
cry phase of church activity is espe
ally stern with reference to winning
en- to personal Christian discipleship.
Christian world Is made such by Chris n
IN men and women. and every individ
i Won can attach to Jesus Christ in n
al way becomes a source Of far reach b