The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-09-13
GATHERED AT MIDDLEBURY.
Congregational Ministers of Vermont
Held a Conference.

The Congregational ministers Of YER
mont gathered at Middlebury college on
Tuesday evening for their second con-
vocation. The men came in in time TO
get together at the supper table and to
enjoy social reunion in Hepburn hall
before the first session, which opened at
7,45 in the evening, The regular ses-
sicns of the convoeation are held in the
social room at Hepburn hall and Presi-
dent Thomas was on hand to extend a
cordial greeting to the assembly.
Rev. Enoch Bell of the American board
of the commission for foreign missions
conducted the devotional service follow
ing which the address of the evening
was delivered by Dr. Silas Parsons of
Baltimore who spoke on the Message of
Jesus to Community Life"
The convocstion reeonvened at s
o'clock Wednesday morning, when Prof,
w. Z, Hooking Of Harvard university
spoke on "Creeds and Their Contents.
Mr.. Hooking insisted upon the need Of
strong thinkers to oppose the Subtle,
crooked thought of Germany" Hence
the significance of creed. He defined
the creed as something we need to know
and suggested that every man test each
article of his creed by the question:
How much would / miss If it were
gone"
Following Prof Hooking, DIR. c. i.
Kent Of Yale university spoke on "The
Biblical Interpretation of the Significance
of Suffering giving special emphasis TO
the problem of suffering as defined in
the book of job. That DR.. Kent's address
was greatly enjoyed and appreciated was
evident from the desire OF the minis
tiers to discuss the subject with him at
the close of his lecture.
At 1880 the convocation gathered in
the college chapel for devotional serv-
ice, led by Mr.. Bell, who has charge OF
the devotional services of the meetings
This chapel service was followed by an
address by G. G. Merrill. secretary OF
the Vermont Congregational conference
who spoke on "Evangelism The Mes.
sage" As preface to his address Mr.
Merrill called on Rev l.. M. Isaacs OF
/ Orwell, Rev Walter Thorpe of Brandon
and Rev. G. NJ. Mills Of Bennington, who
have been in Y. NJ G. A. work in various
army camps during the past summer
| Following these accounts of practical ex-
perience, Mr. Merrill went on to urge
an evangelstic mission, emphasizing as
essential, God, Jesus Christ, the King,
dom, and the Immortal life.
| At the afternoon session, Mr., Bel
spoke on WAR time Education for the
Kingdom" subject for which his wide
experience as foreign missionary secre
! tary gave him peculiar opportunity t
treat authoritatively and comprehensive
| ly.
The evening session was held in th'
auditorium of the Congregational churcl
and was largely attended. Dr. Persons
continued his lectures on "Communit,
Life, speaking on "Regenerating Com
munity," drawing his material from hi
practical service of twenty years as pas
tor and community leader in Casanova
In. Y. DIR. Persons writes as a LEADING
authority on community service and hi
address was greatly enjoyed
One Of the interesting features is tn
fact that the program has attracted
considerable number Of laymen, amont
whom are; p. T. Fl. Pierson Of Benning
ton, j. r. Hoadley of Rutland, G. j
Sargent Of Newbury, G. L. Durham o
Brattleboro, Gen N G. Williams Of Bel
lows Falls, T. j. Stewart and G. I
Howe of Mofrisville.