The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-07-16
STATE OF RELIGION ~ BENNINGTON
COUNTY.

Below we give the very able paper
prepared and read by the Rev. p. $.
Pratt, Of Dorset, before the second an
nual meeting Of the Bennington County
Conference at Rupert:
seycnty.three years have passed since
the churches have met in this place
for their annual convocation. In the
FIRST year OF this century, on the "a day
of June, 1901, the Consolation Of the
Western District Of Vermont, aud parts
adjacent, held its annual meeting in
Rupert. The sermon on that occasion
was preached by the famous and cody
Lemuel Haynes, who was also chosen
as moderator. The scribe was John b.
Preston, pastor Of the church, and the
register, William jackson, pastor at
Dorset. Thirteen churches were there
represented, including sandgate in the
south and Cornwall in the north. Prob
ably not less than thirty Congregational
churches had been organized at that
time, but the territory being extended,
repeated divisions Of the representative
body have since been made, for the sake
.oi convenience Of meeting and coop.
Grafton. The Bennington County Con.
ference in its present form was organ
lied at Manchester, in December 1879.
and held its first annual meeting one
year ago at Bennington Center, the
Oldest Of the churches in this State
We there took a general survey of the
field Of Christian labor furnished by the
seventeen towns Of this county, con-
sidered our means and advantages for
this work, discussed some Of the prin-
ciples Of sriritual wisdom and gospel
duty, and together we prayed the Mas
ter TO give more grace in our hearts,
and to graut larger blessing upon our
work.
After one more year Of church life
and Christian service, we meet here to-
day and inquire to what extent our
prayer has been answered and our work
prospered. And in the review here
presented we shall doubtless see that
the blessing Of the Lord has at least
been IN full proportion to the fidelity
of our work and strength Of our faith
The gracious presence and saving in
bueuce Of His spirit have not been de.
MED us. Very decided announcement
in this respect has been given. At the
Bennington meeting IL was an occasion
of sorrow that so few persons had, dur
inglthe previous year, openly renowned
sin and confessed Christ before men.
In most Of our churches there had been
no additions by profession, and only
eleven in the whole conference. This
year we find that nearly an the SUD.
piled churches report additions by pro.
icssion, in all 81, an average Of over
eight to each of the seven churches
thus reporting. This is a larger aggre.
gate than has been reported previously
since the year 1867, in which year there
were l07 professions II, now, in this
apparent advance in our spiritual pros.
perity, We inquire for the particular
means blessed Of the Spirit, we may
learn that these aceessious are In part
the appropriate, though delayed, re-
suits Of quiet, patient, faithful seed
sowing 10 the past months aud years,
when bat little fruit appeared. Seed
time aud harvest are sometimes scpar.
ated by long intervals. Some who have
bat recently united with the church be.
Hevc they were converted in previous
yeam, One Of our churches. Rupert.
bad the assistance Of Rev. 3Ir Potter.
40 evangelist, for one or two weeks
last fall, and il was thought much good
was accomplished. Ia many Of the
churches the religious interest Of the
year has been intensified by the obser-
vance Of tho week ofpraycr. the quick.
eaei feeling Of which continues thro'
tho season. The awakening IN Man.
chester seemed 10 have lbs rise ia the
cooperation Of the Young aleu's
Christian Association. aud the principal
and students Of Burr Seminary, 10 their
prayer meetings. There resulted, as
is believed frgn - 20 rs hopeful con.
versions, d wAem 10 have united with
The church It's matter q rejoicing
that tbs Seminary Al Manchester
proves bot oniy a superior school q
learning. bat aursery 81 most, health.
ial moral aal religious influence. 50