The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-06-18
General Convention of Congrega =
tiOnnl Ministers and Churches
of Vermont.

mont commenced its session at the Con-
gregational Church in NIiddlcbury, on
Tuesday, June nth, at 10 o'clock a. m.
The attendance was quite large and the
assembly presented the appearance of men
of intelligence and culture.
After voluntary under the direction of
Prof L. II. Higlcy of Middlebury College,
the opening prayer was offered by Rev.
James Gibson johnson of Rutland
CONVENTION SERMON.
After Introductory exercises, the annual
sermon was preached by Rev. John II.
Worcester, d. d., of Burlington, from the
text:
Think not that am come TO destroy the
law of the prophets am not come to de-
stroy but to fulfill Matthew sir.
The speaker said Christ came not to sli-
percede the law, but to fulfill or complete
the teachings of Moses The teachings of
Christ relate not only to the teachings of
of the masses but to the whole scheme of
salvation. There is prior revelation to
Moses, the law written on the hearts and
in the heavens and nature around us. The
Heavens declare the glory of God. If rea-
son is the gift of the Heavenly Father its
teachings are His teaching. 1t matters not
whether God is the author of the bible, He
is the author of human conscience, and we
need the moral reason for the proper in
depreciation of the Scriptures, There is no
necessity OF going back to the days of
Christ to find dogmatical error. Witness
the dogma of the divine right of kings in
in our own times.
The speaker gave other pertinent exam
pies in which the church dashed to pieces
the tablets of the law written by the finger
of God on the heart, and asked when men
would understand that none have the right
to erase the handwriting of God on the hui
man soul. Christ did not accomplish all
the wo.k to be done, he left much to be ac-
complished by after generations There
are other lights of nature beside this inner
light of the soul. All the lovers of nature
are lights of Gods revelation but christians
should not depend upon scientists for the
explanation of the truths thus shown by
these lights of nature. Man needs this
knowledge for right understanding of the
holy word, but he must stop short of scen-
lists, for nature knows no forgiveness, but
the scriptures do and they must be studied
in the light of each other. Regeneration is
not taught in nature but only in the Bible,
as proceeding from God, by His holy spirit
which is natural result from precedent
condition of the soul of man along the lines
of natural law. All the laws of nature are
framed by a God of infinite holiness and
are the true revelation of God and His will
to men. Christ came to complete the law
of nature and fulfill the will of the Father.
The sermon was very bold and able
announcement of essential truths and will
have great influence.
The concluding prayer was offered by
Rev. Joseph Chandler, of Saxtons River.
The convention then proceeded to its or
ganization, and the roll of delegates from
the several associations in the State were
Called
OFFICERS.
The following officers were elected
Moderator-Rev. l.. II. Cobb. Spring
field.
Scribc-Rcv. A. p. Wild, North Crafts
bury.
Assistant Scribc-Rev j. ii. Babbitt,
Waitstield.
The rules of the convention were read
by the Register, Rev. Joseph Chandler.
The hours of meeting were fixed at $50 a.
M, and $50 p. m. After disappointment
of an auditor, and the transaction of routine
business, after singing the doxology the
convention adjourned.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention convened at 2.3O p. M.
After the appointment of committees,
Rev. T. ii. Archibald of Bristol, delegate
from the Baptist State Convention, was
presented. He reported that there were
100 Baptist clergymen in Vermont and 0
in the Province of Quebec 70 churches,
with a membership of 5000. The con-
vention is enlisted just now in the work of
education in building up first class academies
and are endcavoring 10 raise 100000 to
endow the Vermont Baptist Seminary
at Saxtons river, of which amount $780,
900 had already been subscribed.
The report of the secretary was then
presented of which the following isa
SUMMARY.
Eight ministers have died during the
year.
Addison conference has fourteen
churches and all but three have pastor;
|
church in Middlebury and the same num-
Der in New Haven. Orwell has lost five
Shoreham has lost 81 families and been in
creased by only four
Chittenden conference has IS churches
with ministers. There have been 63 deaths
and ~ members have been added during
the year; 10 churches report no infant
baptisms one thousand dollars has been
contributed for benevolent purposes.
Franklin and Grand Isle Conference
churches are supplied but one and all have
suffered by death and contentious
Orleans Conference has IS churches and
10 ministers Q vacant. Net loss during
the year members.
Essex Conference has churches and all
supplied net loss members.
Caledonia Conference has IA churches
ID of which are supplied, vacant, and G3
members have been added during the year.
The church at st. Johnsbury has received
II members by profession ii by letter.
Several churches have suffered much by
removals.
Lamoillc Conference has 8 churches. 8 of
which are supplied net gain during the
year 10; total additions 81. The confer
encc is not as prosperous as last year one
dollar and fifty seven cents for each mem
Der has been donated during the year for
benevolence.
Orange County Conference has 10
churches net loss B; 0 churches have
supply.
Windsor Conference has 25 churches, 10
OF which are supplied ; net loss 81. The
church at Woodstock has had net gain of
several members.
Windham Conference has "a churches.
10 supplied net gain 10.
Bennington Conference has.S churches
and Independent churches which have
Just united with the Conference net loss
II members. I,1
Rutland Conference has II churches: 8
are vacant net gain II members
The total membership of the Congrega-