The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-06-30

| "hi0h ""o luuehult'Iy IOs' uoutu, W Uc
settled 10y the people at their election 10
September
Voted to adjourn sine die.
G. W. WICKER, President.
L. Il. Knapp, w. s. Wright, Sec'ys.
II
Burlington District Ministerial As-o.
citation.
The Burlington District Ministerial
Association met at Middlebury last Tues
day, and held public discussions of sub
jects vitality aud at present important to
the church and the interests Of religion.
Presiding Elder Gregg presided.
Rev. j. II. Bond was appointed secre.
tary pro TEN. Tho order OF the time of
meeting was fixed from 9 to IL a. NJ. and
3 to pm Rev j. j. Noe was ap.
pointed chairman for the afternoon scs.
sion.
Rev. 0. Gregg read an essay Oh the
three years rule; discussion followed
Rev. II. +, Austin read upon Meth.
DDS Of public worship at camp meetings."
at the close Of which the session adjourned
by expiration Of time.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Opened by singing the 73lst hymn and
prayer by Rev, w. j, Heath.
Controversy of Ritualism BY Rev W.
j. Heath; followed by discussion.
After which, by vote Of the associa.
ton. Rev. Mr.. Bems, agent of the Yer.
mont Bible society, addressed the meet.
| inn in tho intoraSt of
An essay was read by Rev j. Ii.
Bond-"Does the Bible sanction the use
Of fcrmcnted wine ?" Discussion follow.
ing.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Session called at $50, Rev. w. j.
Heath OF Burlington, in the chair,
Religious exercises conducted by Rev.
u. w. S. Porter. The minutes OF the
previous session were read by the sccreta.
ry.
Revs. Porter, Noe and II. +. Austin
were appointed committee to prepare
the next programme.
Pittsford was selected as the next plsce
Of meeting.
The committee on programme prcscnt.
ed their bill, aud other pccuniary business
was attended to by the treasurer.
The frs. discussion was "Disciplinary
duty Of Stewards" by Rev. G. A. Ste.
vens. who gave resume Of the disciplina-
ny requirements Of stewards, viz; sys.
tematizing the financial work Of the
church and keeping correct aud disci.
plinary charge ofthe church The usual
discussion followed, in which the idea
ives brought out that the responsibility Of
the office was not understood
Next item, "Probatirnary member
ship" Rev. j. j. Noe The idea of the
writer was that the probationary system
was one of benefit, yet having many em.
barrassments TO the membership OF the
church. The discussion brought out the
expression of favor aud disiavor.
Rev Mr.. Mott of Pawlet read paper
entitled What can be done to bring more
young men into tho missionary field and
Christian ministry" saying the great
hindrapco is that small salaries do not
support their families, and other occupa-
tions offer greater inducements to them.
Another embarrassment is the small
missionary disbursements, owing to the
closeness Of the people. Our theological
schools should be better endowed, that
young men could be educated according
to their desires. If these hindrances can
be removed the question is answered. The
essay gave universal satisfaction The
discussion brought out the fact that Meth.
odist ministers are the best paid men in
any profession or ministry.
"Scieuce and the Bible" was discussed
by Rev. &. II. Dupton. He said there
was nothing strange in the assaults by
scientists upon the bible, and the result
has demonstrated the fact that the Bible
is always correct in its hints at philosophy
and science though it docs DO. always
coincide with every foolish hypothesis.
illustrations were produced which made
the subject very interesting
Sketch Of q sermon; text, Gal. II.
H.. by Rev r.. j. Davies, who gave a
very excellent exposition Of the subject
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The association met at 2 p, M, Rev.
q. II. Duntou in the clair. The devo-
tlonal exercises were conducted by Rev.
Mr.. Heath
The secretary, Rev. W. W. Foster,
Jr, read the minutes of the last meeting
Discussions were had on Mr.. Davies
sketch, and the Bible usury was discussed
by Rev, A. V. Marshall, who peculiarly
treated his subject and declared the Bible
did not sanction the exhorbitant interest
so frequently taken at the present time,
indeed it does away with interest and
every one is hounden to give TO any one
all he needs, hoping for nothing. Rev.
Mr.. Merrill following with an essay on
the same subject, but took different
view on the subject, viz; the Old Tesla.
ment scripture allowed usury to he re.
ceived Of strangers but not of their breih.
rem.
Rev. W. H. Meeker gave very able
article % The Christian Pulpit" Au
abstract ofwhch we cannot do justice,
but which we hope will be given TO the.
press at some future time.
Vote Of thanks given TO the people and
convention adjourned.
Ministers present were, Revs. o, Gregg,
ii. +. Austin, w. j. Heath. G. A. Ste.
vens, j. II. Bond, II. j, Davies, g. II.
Dunton, 7. W. Bennett, b. Cox, A. V.
Marshall, Mr. Merrill, w. w. Foster
Jr., u. G. Picket, w, II. Meeker, p.
Marshall.
The meeting was one Of interest, and
the most earnest efforts of the pastor, Rev.
W. ii. Meeker, were put forth that all
might be cheeriuly and pleasantly en-.
tertained /