Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-10-31
For The Vermont Telegraph.

For The Vermont Telegraph.
VERMONT BAPTIST CONVENTION,
DEAR BROTHER Murray:
Having had the pleasure Of attending
the recent anniversary Of the Vermont Bap-
fist Convention, it was highly gratifying to
me to witness the interest manifested in the
various objects Of benevolence which char
| acterize the present age of the church. From
some remarks, however, relatiTe to the Con-
stitution Of the Convention, (Which by the
| way | have never been able to obtain,) es-
pecially in reference to the several organic
ed bodies which hold their anniversaries in
connexion with the Convention, it has oc-
Cured to me that some improvement might
! be made. ..... .-.-..
! My respected brethren in Vermont will
pardon me for the liberty take in throwing
out few remarks on this subject. 1t is my
impression that all the business now attend
ed to by the different societies, which hold
their respective sessions in connexon with
the Convention, might be successfully per-
formed by the Convention alone, provided
the Constitution were so constructed as to
embrace each of the objects as subject Of
action. There are several reasons which
have led me to recommend this method.
First: Under the present organization, it
cannot be expected that all the delegates of
the Convention will be members of the sew
eral benevolent societies represented in their
separate bodies. They may be equally in
terested in the various objects which are
acted upon, yet they cannot feel at liberty to
act. Indeed, they would not be in situa-
ton to take any part unless invited as visit
ing brethren. Ministers, in particular man
; ner, are often changing; and, although they
+ may feel deep interest in every enterprise
: connected with the several bodies which
meet at the time of the Convention, yet il
o cannot be expected that they will feel thai
interest in the transaction of business, during
: which they are only spectators, that they
o would do if they were constitutonally EN-
: powered to take a part in each branch of be-
4 nevolence which might properly require the
. action of the body.
If, therefore, the delegates to the Conven
ton were responsible for all the OBJ
, jects now presented by their several sepa
rate organizations, each would 1eel deepe
: interest in every transaction Of the Conven
ton. If it be objected that no interest would
in such case, be felt in keeping alive the diff
: ferent local societies established Throughout
the State, it may be replied that every sucl
society might be represented by delegatio,
). in the Convention.
; Secondly: The business of the Conven
= ton might beaecomplished with much great
=, er facility. 1t would require no more tim
II 10 elect single Board, to which the Who'll
= field of beneyolence which the Constitutlo
= of the Convention might embrace, should b
- committed, than it now does to elect each c
"a the members who annually meet for thei
several purposes. Thus an important POI
ton of time might be saved, while an equa
e and probably greater amount of good migh
tic be effected. Besides, no persons would hay
al occasion to feel that they were deprived {
Ill the privilege OF suitable time 10 act as is no,
the case with some Of the societies. Wher
there ale different societies to meet in cor
- nexlon with each other, in given time, it
:: impracticable TO 90 justice by them ALL. Bl
:, il one body were to take charge of the Who'll
= they could assign 10 each its proper Lropo
:, ton Of time and, and none would feel crow,
ne ed.
= Another object to be gained would be. Il
:. opportunity of discussing any resolutic
which individuals might present, the obie
of which comes within the province of Il
!, Convention, and which might be deemed
the body as important 10 the prosperity
.I the denomination al large
Thirdly: [ would respectfully suggest i
proPrlety OF more systematic exertions by Il
he churches in Vermont in sustaining the can
, II Of Christ. think this should be an obie
lch at which the Convention should aim: and
u'o hazard the suggestion ,ha. if tie various G
Jects We're TO be committed to one Board