Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-06-20
General Convention OF Congregational Minister
and Churches Of Vermont.


The General Convention of Congregation
al Ministers and Churches of Vermont as
scmbled at Middlebury, Tuesday, June H.
The. interesting services consisted of a
prayer by Rev. j. G. johnson of Rutland,
and sermon by Rev John II. Worcester,
D. D., of Burlington.
DR.. Worcester's text was Think moi
that am come to destroy the law or the
prophets. | am not come to destroy, but to
fulfil" Matt. 5:l7.
Using these words the Doctor launched
at once into line of thought. bold. sound,
logical and fervent. According to an abb
stract which we find in the Rutland Herald,
he made a mastery plea for the study OF
nature There were those who erred IN the
the reading of nature as though there were
no God, and Others just as unwise who per-
sisted in treating of God as though the light
of nature was nothing. As we would not
leave the Old Testament to the Jews only,
so neither should we leave nature to the
scientist. The Scripture taught " that the
heavens declare the glory Of Cod and
and the Christian minister cannot afford to
ignore the voice, for Nature everywhere
spoke of God. The same was true of our
|
annul one line of this elder or inward
Scripture, but to fulfil it. Christ's minis
ter will be in sympathy with his age, and
avail himself of the advancing light of
science, if he is wise for Christ and souls.
| Christ entered as a new and quickening
power the realm Unnatural law. When all
the powers, appliances and provisions of
nature and grace failed, as they would fail,
then the Holy Spirit came, and they are
clothed with divine regencrating efficacy.
Rev. L. H. Cobb, Of Springfield, was
chosen Moderator for the session Rev. Z.
P Wild, of Craftsbury, Scribe and Rev.
j. II. Babbitt, of Waitsfeld, Asst Scribe.
j. D. Wellington, of Middlebury, was
elected auditor of the Fairbanks Fund
AFTERNOON.
The following committees were appointed.
On Overtures-Revs. j. &. Hale, Chester;
Henry Fairbanks, St. JOhnsbury c. c.
Torrey, Charlotte Deacons c. B. Rice,
BrattlebOro and j. Smith, Waterbury.
To Nominate Delegates to Foreign Bodies
-Revs. c. b. IIurlburt, Bennington; c.
NJ. Southgate, St. Johnsbury; and Bro. W.
B. Stafford.
On Place and Preachers-Reys. c. B.
Drake, Royalton; n. Mighill. Brattleboro;
j. &. johnson, Rutland ". W. Win
chester, BridpOrt and Bro. c. W. Swift.
On Devotional Exercises-Revs. f. p.
Hooker, Middlebury; c. f. Ferrin and a.
W. Wild, Greensboro.
On Attachments and AsseSsments-Dea
cons c. F. Thompson, Brattleboro. j. 5.
Chapman and Bro. j. d. X. Collins.
Rev. 7. II. Archibald, of Bristol, dele
gate to the Vermont Baptist State Con-
yention, rendered the lraternal greeting of
thatlbody which was appropriately respond
ed to by the Moderator
Rev. Joseph Torrey of llardwick made q
report on the history and condition of the
churches during the year. Eight ministers
died, two of whom had previously removed
from the State. Twelve pastors had been
dismissed. five installed and two ordained.
OF one hundred and ninety-eight churches
reported, iiity-cight only have settled pas
tors, ninety-three have acting pastors, and
thirty eight churches are destitute of pas
tors. There have been five hundred and
twelve additions during the year. The en-
tire membership Is now ls.45s.
Rev IL. +. Leayitt of Middlebury, reE-
dered a report in behalf of the committee
appointed in 1871 to procure an act Of in
corporation Of the convention. The report
was referred to a committee of seven. viz |
Reys. H. Fairbanks, \. b Dascoml, ~
Mighill, p. B. Fisk, 4. Stevens. j. Torrey |
and \. Walker.