Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-02-08
Religious Intelligence.

The largest contribution ever given by an
individual while living, to the American
Baptist Home Mission Society, has just been
paid BY member in Vermont. The sum
was $1,000
Several conversions were among the re-
suits Of a four days meeting held last week
by the Baptist church 10 Windsor.
Among the Sabbath school teachers in Mr.
L.rd's church in Montpelier are such men
as Hon. {. ". Willard, Hon Z. p " alton.
Hon. Jgseph Poland and j. I. Thurston,
gentlemen widely known in the State
Should the prominent men OF other towns,
IN like manner, connect themselves with the
the Sabbath schools, how much better inter-
est wonld be apparent in the schools and
how E1uch more good accomplished
The Methodist Centenary collection now
FOOT up oven $780, 900, and it is not yet
all IN |; will undoubtedly reach $4,000
900. OF this sum Daniel Drew of New
York, gave $500 900, and Mr.. Baldwin of
Ohio 100000.
Revirsis are in progress at Burke under
the preaching Of Elder Clifford of New
Hampton Institution; and at Island Pond,
under tie labors Of Rev. Mr. Stiles, Metho-
dist.
The RELIGIOUS AwAKESISG IN CALIFORNIA
The religious people OF San Francisco, hear
ing last winter Of the good work among
their brethren on the Atlantic side. felt q de-
sire 10 do something more 10 advance the
cause among themselves. One measure was
the formation, last spring, Of the San Fran
cisco Ministerial Union This Union now
embraces from thrty-fve 10 forty ministers.
and is making its influence ielt over all the
coast Through this organization the MEM
bers lave come to know and love each other
as never before. While sbating nothing Of
their UNCONVENTIONAL views, they have made
common cause in seeking to promote a gen
eral revival Of religion.
Early in July they commenced q uOOnday
prayer meeting, which soon increased in its
attendance, interest and power. Christians
were revived, wanderers were rec aimed,
and in a little tune anxious sinners we're
found asking the way Of life. In the eourse
OF three months, it is believed that from
two hundred to three hundred pers .us pro-
fessed conversion, as the direct fruit Of this
meeting. A better religious life was mani
Tested in all the churches, and there Was
more religious interest in the city than ever
before
In the course of the summer it was agreed
TO invite Rev. A B. Earle, Bsptist evan
gelist, widely known in the Northern States,
to come and hold d series OF meetings under
the auspices OF the Ministerial Union. lie
arrived in October, and at once commenced
his labors. Az the design was to reach, if
possible, the masses who are seldom or never
found in our churches, the two largest halls
in the city were secured for the meetings.
In these halls Mr.. Earle preached FIVE weeks,
to immense congregations. Men went there
and got converted who had not been in
churches for SIX, eight or ten years. The
natioDalities represented in the meetings
were almost as Numerous as on the day Of
Pentecost
The good effects were great and various,
SURPRISING the expectations of those who
planned the enterprise. The expense, about
$4,000, including the passage Of Mr.. Earle
and his wife to the coast. was cheerfully and
promptly met, and considered good outlay
Mr.. Earle soon had numerous invitations to
visit places in the interior. These invita-
tions, in every case, were for union meetings
among the Baptists, gregationalists,
Methodists and PresDyterians, and in few
instances, the EpiscOpalians. They came
from all parts of California, and from Ore
gon and Nevada. The report from every
quarter is that the g fields are white already
to harvest He has more invitations now
upon his hands than he can FIJI the next six
months.