Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-09-21
llclhodI.L Episcopal Convention.

Methodist Episcopal Convention.
Convention Of the Methodist Episcopal
Society Of Vermont, met in the NJ. w. Church
in Montpelier, on Tuesday Sept. goth, at o
o'clock, M. Rcy b. Eaton, Presiding FL
der Of Burlington District, called the Convon-
ton to order, and the following temporary
organization was effected
Rev b. Eaton, President pro tenn
Rev II. A. Spencer, Sec, pro tenn.
The meeting was then opened by prayer
and reading Of scripture, by Rev. J. McAnn.
On motion it was re,o,rel that Commit
tee Of two from each dstrict--a minister ami
a layman be appointed on permanent orglu-
ization.
II was further rcsolrel that all members Of
the NJ, f. Church present not regularly elect
ed delegates to this Convention, be invited to
seats as corresponding members Of the Con-
ycution.
A Committee Of three, consisting Of }. C..
W. Coke, Of Springfield s. r. Norris, Of
llarlwcs and H. Howard Kellogg, of Benz
som, were appointed Committee on Crcden-
tials.
The permanent organization Of the Conycn-
ton was effected as follows
S b. Rockwell Of Midilebury, President.
YicE PRrsonNrs-L. Hill, A. NJ Dickcy,
st. Johusbury District; II. s. Jones, Paul
Dillingham;, st. Adams District o. Gregg.
G. Hunsden Burlington District; II W
Worthon, Ira Richardson, Montpelier Dis
trict A. g. Button, W. Ncwcomb, Spring
field District
SrmmRms-ll. II. Spencer, j. W. c..
Coke, A. r Bailey, j D. Bccman, p. Mcr.
rin.
A Business Committee Of five consisting
Of the Presiding Elders, were appointed
Members and Ministers from Canada were
invited to seats as corresponding members.
The Convention then listened to the read
ing Of paper by Rev II Eastman of Gull
ford, "The Historical and Statistical Sketch
Of Methodsm in Vermont
The time for adjournment having arrived,
the completion of the sketch was postponed
until afternoon.
AFTERNOON.
Opened at with singing by the Convon-
ton, and prayer by Row. Mr.. Jones Of Enos-
burg. Voted that the Secretary preserve in
permanent shape the proceedings of this Grst
Vermont State Convention.
Rev. H. Eastman then concluded his adj
dress-uaming many Of the eminent preachers
given by Vermont Mothodism to the cause Of
Christ, and saying that laborors went fire.
quontly from among us to answer ." the Mae
edonian Cry from other States lie gave
further historyof the formation ofthe present
Vermont CONFERENCE.-THE many statistics as
to the strength and growth of Methodism in
the State.
Its membership which was at the begin
ming of the century 1896 has increased to
1929 As the discourse will doubtless be
printed We omit any analysis of it.
At its close thanks were returned the au-
thor, and general desire expressed to sec it
in print Nessrs. Button of Bellows Falls
Granger Of Randolph Hubbard and the Pres
idcnt of the Convention followed with per-
sonal and interesting "reminiscences of the
trials Of early Mcthodism in Vermont.
The subject Of Church Finance was then
taken up out Of its regular ORDER plan
was presented by A. NJ. Dckcy, Esq, OF
Bradford, the substance Of which is to give
the raising of funds into the hands of an Tx
ecutiye Committee Of three members in each
church--one to be Of a class Of people the
church desires to reach, but which is not
yet wholly identified with the Church the
other two members to be of the Church. Mr.
d. thought this would give the Society the
aid of efficient and worthy men who are now
willing to contribute, but who can, under the
present arrangement, have no voice beyond
their giving. Rev. Mr.. McAnn presented
another plan, now in use in the st. Johnsbury
/ District, the principal feature Of which is to
sub-diydo the labor Of raising church funds
endeayoring 10 lessen in that manner the bur.
den of collection, and still toprcserve the per-
sona interest ofoach collector to see that his
portion Of the work is thoroughly done.
Roy j. l.. Barrows, of Weston, gave the
outlines Of system that has worked well in
Massachusetts, Rev c. b. TopIin supported
Mr.. Dickoy's proposal and the subject was
further and fully discussed by Rev. Mossrs.
Merrill, Billiard Harlow, Hitchcock and
Bailey, the last named presenting the view
that the Methodist people needed TO be edu-
Gated in this subject, and saying that the
Roman Catholic strength lies greatly in the
education of her children to the knowledge of
their pecuniary obligations to their religion.
The discussion resulted in the appointment
of a committee of seven to prepare a plan,
which is to be reported to the Convention.
The Importance of the Denominational Pc
culiarities of Methodism, was then presented
by Rev. |. McAnn. These peculiarities he
claimed were seven. The class meeting
the system of developing talent by requiring
the new convert to speak of his experience,
The use of Female Labor for the saving Of
souls. The Camp-meotiug. Extemporaueous
Preaching. ltiuerancy and the Doctrine Of
Christian Holiness. His presentation of the
subject was admirable, as were the remarks
following by Rev Mr.. Armstrong of the
West Canadian Conference. The President
presented " earnestness" as further peculi-
arity and the Secretary spoke Of Lay Preach
ing" as still another Messrs, Merrill, Bull