Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-01-09
County HHissIoa"ry's Report.


To the Windhdm County Conference Of Con-
gregational Churches:
DEAR BRETHREN.-Cancelli Septem-
ber-as but a fraction Of that month is
charged by your agent--the first quarter of
onr third year ended with December. A
tabular statement acquants the conference
committee TO whom our regular monthly
reports are made) with the actual condition
and progress of the field aad work and a
daily diary Is kept always open for re err
ence, that the past may be called up by
record at our will. As will be seen at Il
glance, the difficulties OF such an enter
prise must be manifold. The held is large.
So to speak, seven towns tako hold on one
man. Religious apathy, error and diversity
have often the field in advance. Vacancy
and disuse, that damage more than war
may have been there, land the things that
remain be ready TO perish" Capital and
confidence not seldom have been turned in.
10 other channels, and the house of God
with many Is no longer held "a the place
where holy power dwelleth. These are but
The natural consequences of any long in
terregnum of public worship. Therefore.
that we sometimes meet them ia Wind
ham, occasions sorrow but not surprise.
The situation such, we cannot but rejoice
in view Of the gracious results. Our labor
has not been in vain in the Lord Loudly
and in the always accredited language of
pnblic fact do the long enfcebled, too long
neglected, hill towns of Windham testify
love in you that bears one another's bur-
dens, land so fufils the law of Christ"
Surely ii WisdOm seeks first for ourselves
the kingd, IN of God and His righteous
ness, lore ill seek the same for our broth
en- This your joint and willing outlay is
doing for these; and the vindication of
nearly one hundred conversions, ore new
church entire, the resuScitatiOn of others.
aud the stated ministry of Gods word
again in all 1--WE believe) is given us.
Just here a word 10 the communities and
churches thus aided. Dear brethren, re.
spond with the ability God gyeth, if but
"a widows mite" The aid given is de-
signed as a stimulus TO life and action, not
an ecclesiastical bankrupt law, to cancel
obligation. We are all but grown up chill
dren. Now If you carry child literally to
the years of manhood, he is uudone-help-
ed 10 death. But aid him just enough, and
what %eallh Of manhOods strength NAV be
called fUrlhI | know you, aud speak as
unto wise men for q sturdier, nobler man
hood Of heart, brain and Drawn than dwells
in our mountain towns, the cities them
selves may not BOAST.
Brethren of the churches, stronger and
weaker, remember yours truly" the pas
tor at large, though always busy, with more
than mau can do about him to be done. is
ready at your call for you or any energen-
cy, aud anxious TO know and do, first, the
most needed work. Already in path Of
many returns and windings, mountainous.
and through storms and drifts aud gorge.
Gus scenery, he has travelled over O555
miles In til is field, making by The way 1887
! FAMILY visits, long or short, preaching 1884
times, delivering 1913 shorter addresses, and
holding l40 prayer meetings. Ministers,
earnest and efficient, leaning over upon the
Stale society of domestic missions. are se-
cured end At work in our feebler churches
as far as practicable; and We NAV truly
say, not lQr ye2rs-many years-has the
gospel of Jesus beeI diffused as generalIv
through our county, lover against our own
dUor." as now. Lazarus at sDpper. win
bis Savior In sight, was not more real wit
ness Of tue power OF God unto salvation.
than one ar two towns we wOt of in this
county, where the cave of his" Come forth -
was some long closed church.
Brethren, all these thoughts reach You In
the week oil prayer. Forget not our own.
But pray, OBJ, pray, that the Holy Spirit of
salvation effectuRta oar love til these
wastes Of Windham blossom as Tho rose,
and our handful Of corn In the top of her
mountains shall shake like Lebanon.
o. c. DTcxERsoN