Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-07-06

We condonse the folloHing accoun. of the
proceedings of this body from the correspon-
dence of the Rutland Herald
NEwDuEr, Vt, June q, 1866.
The General Convention of Congregational
ministers and churches in Vermont has jus;
closed a three da,s session in this place.
The Convention opened with sermon by Rev
L. 4. Brastow of St Johnsbury, Rev Geo. Il.
Tyler, D. b.. of Bra,tleboro, vas chosen Moder-
ator, Rev. A. W. Wild Of greensboro, Scribe,
and Rev + J Fairbanks Of Westminster, Assis-
tant Scribe. Numerous Committees we're Up
pointed, the most important Of which, the Com
mittee Of Oyertures, consisted of Rev VI King
ston, Joseph Chandler. and 4 Fleming, and
Messrs VIM Sanborn and J Sunson- There
were two elaborate discussions, AID two essays
were read, one by Rev Silas Aiken. ID ID, on the
duties Of the churches n regard 70 infant bap-
tism; the other by Rev Piiny II White, on the
Ecclesiastical History Of Vermont.
The Vermont Domestic Missionary Society
held IFS anniversary On the second day Of the
Convention This Society has employed forty
Missionaries to preach to thirty eight churches,
with which there are connected 1927 members,
2Glg Sabbath School scholars, and congregations
numbering more than 1000. Nine Of these
churches have received no additions, but the 9TH
ers have made net gain Of $40 members. The
contributions to the treasury OF this Society
amount to ST. .333, Go; all Of which has been
expended for missionary purposes, except So
7S7. II was voted TO send : 800 Of this to the
Parent Society, and employ the remainder in
opening new fields. The Society was addressed
by Rev Ray Palmer. j. b, Of New York, and
Rev Ii Clspp, Secretary Of the Home Mission
airy Society. Officers were elected IS follows:
President, J Hick0k, Esq, Of Burlington.
Vice Presidents, Hon Wm e Kttredge, Hon
I p Walton, Wm Nash, ESQ.
Corresponding Secretary, Rev Chas Smith,
Of Monipelier, ard as many Directors as there
are Counties.
The anniversary Of the Vernon; Educational
Society was held ga the same day. 1t appeared
that tins Society has suffered by the neglect Of
the churches. Only fifteen have contributed TO
it, funds and that 10 the meagre amount Of
S2lG,15. 1t was determined TO make more Wig
orous elIll;s in IT. behalf, and a resolution was
adopted. declaring the duty Of the churches 10
seek cut suitable candidates for the ministry,
and encourage ;hem to prepare for the work
The officers Of the Society Tor the coming year
are follows
President, Hon.Wofthing,on c. Smith, Of s..
Albaus.
Wee Presidents, Rev DIS Harvey b. Kitchell.
and J. Torrey.
Secretary, Rev. l. Mix of burlington.
Treasurer, J. S. ThuTston, Esq, Of Montpelier,
and fourteen Directors.
The affairs Of the Vermont churches occupied
considerable time at various stages Of the meet
ing. 4 resolution, censuring the publisher Of
the Chronicle, and declaring that paper 10 longer
the organ Of the Congregationalists OF Vermont.
was land upon the table. 1t was then voted not to
appoint the usual Committee Of Conference with
the editor Of the Chronicle, and thus a divorce
between the paper and the Convention was fairly
accomplished.
1t appeared from the report Of the Statistical
Secretary, that there are in Vermont one hun
dred and ninety-one Congregational churches,
with an aggregate membership Ct %, 81. The
aggregate average attendance on public worship
is II ,y07. The number Of pastors IS seventy
six, Of whom twelve have been settled within q
year. Eight churches have acting pastors, and
thirty-fye are destitute Of preaching. The
churches in Cuttingsyille and at Mt Holly have
become extinct, and those in Guilford, Jamaica,
Dover, Fairfax and Shelburn, are in not much
better case. Thirty-two churches have exper-
encei reyiyals more or less powerful; twenty
one Of which are on the Eas; side Of the noun
tain.
St Adams was selected at the next place Of
holding the Convention. Rev L II Ellington Of
Windsor. was elected to preach the opening SER
mon, and Rev Henry NJ Grout Of West Rutland,
was chosen substitute.