Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-06-19
County Conference.

The Conference of Congre gational
Ministers and Churches met at Newport
on Wednesday of last week, and con
tinued in session two days. Two more
pleasant days, as respects the weather,
haye not occurred this Spring, and the
number of those who took advantage OF
the favorable circumstances was quite
large. Perhaps more numerously at
tended conference has not been held for
years. Every church was represented,
some of them by many members. All
the pastors were present, except the ven
cradle "Father Hail." detained at home
by sickness. During some of the exer-
cises, the attendance was SO great that
il was found necessary tc ill the aisles
with seats. The hospitality of the
good people of Newport was largely
taxed, but they met the emergency nobly,
and would have me; it had it been much
greater than il was.
The opening sermon was made by
Rev. Pliny II. White. This year is the
hundredth anniversary of the establish
ment of Congregationalism in Vermont
The preacher took advantage of the occa-
sion to give historical account Of the
rise and progress Of that denomination
during the first half century of its ex-
istence. After sermon, the Conference
organized by choosing Rev. L. Ives
Hoadly, Moderator, and Rev. A. r.
Gray, Scribe. In the afternoon, the an
niversary of the Sabbath Schools was
observed. From the statistical report, il
appeared that the attendance upon the
schools was somewhat greater than il was
last year. Addresses were made by Rev.
Thomas Bayne, PIiny II. White, Levi
Loring, and Rev. Mr.. Tyler of the
Baptist Church.
On the morning Of the second day, an
hour was occupied in devotional exer-
cises, after which the remainder of the
forenoon was spent in hearing the re-
ports OF the various chuches by their
pastors. 1t appeared that although the
net increase Of memberships was quite
small, there were encouraging circum-
stances in the history of many of the
churches. Not one Of them is now des-
titute Of stated preaching-an assertion
that cannot often be made, and which
possibly will become untrue before this
sentence appears in type. Several of
them, however, maintain public worship
only on alternate Sabbaths, and have
never done more than that. One of the
churches, that a: West Charleston.
which has usually had preaching only
BALI the time, has recently undertaken
to maintain il all the time, and has in
vited its stated supply to be settled as
pastor. Several other churches reported
quite hopefully, and the general spirit
was that of good courage, and q cheer
iul waiting for the unfolding of Provi.
dental purposes.
In the afternoon the sermon beEore
communion was preached by Rev. An
drew Royce, of Greensboro. 1t had
several merits in respect to which it is
worthy of imitation by preachers and
speakers at conferences. 1t was short
occupying only twenty minutes in the
delivery; 1T was plain, not having in i'll
sentence that was not easy to be under
stood bya nearer ofaverage intelligence
1t ended we'll, particular in which MANY
sermons, otherwise very good, are apt to
fail. The sacrament of the Lords Sun
per was then administered by Rev.
Messrs. Gray and Bayne, after which
the Conference adjourned; all, doubtless
feeling that it had been good to be there
Stamp Duties.