Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-06-30

General Convention.

: The General Convention of Con
gregational ministers and churche
met in tho Congregational Chnrc'
of this place Tuesday morning
2 last week and continued in session
at intervals until Thursday after
noon. At the opening the prospect
were bright. and everything seem
ed favorable fora pleasant and large
gathering. II proved to be as an
ticlpated. The weather continued
: pleasant and nearly two hundred
= ministers and lay delegates awaited
, themselves of the opportunity tt
attend. Our citizens had prepared
ample accommodations to receive
all in h0spitable manner, so thai
each and every one was well enter
tanned during their stay. Mucl
credit is due the Executive Com
: mittre and others who had duties
to perform, for the efforts made tn
have all things Il success. And, il
anything can he judged by appear
ances, most certainly all strangers
seemed satisfied with the treatment
Siven them.
Tuesday, june 10.
At II o'clock the delivery of the
opening sermon by Rev. q. b. SAT.
ford of Burlington was commenced,
having been preceded by a service
of prayer and praise under the
charge of Rev. Il. q. Reed of Ben.
nington. The text was taken from
LIST Cor. Mi: II. "But all these
worketh that one and the self same
spirit, dividing to every man sever.
ally as he will" The speaker ably
presented the ways in which the
Spirit works. and his discourse was
excellent throughout, deeply inter
eStiue all present. After the ser.
mon was finished the Convention
was regularly called to order by ID.
NJ. Camp, E"q. Of Newport, in alb
sencc of President ilurlbut of Mid
dlebury. The following temporary
officers >were then chosen: Scribe.
Rev. ii. b. Emmons Asst Scribe.
Rev. J.. g. Partridge; Auditor of
Accounts, Dpa. j. NJ. Hazen. AT
this point of the proceedings, it now
being noon, IA motion was made to
adjourn until = o'clock in the after
noon. which was carried. At which
tim" Rev, p. S. Pratt, Correspond
ing Secretary, gave Il report upon
the state of religion. 1t showed an
increace of church members exceed.
ing 100. for the last year. Other
reports upon the same subject were
afterwards present d. Then follow
ed ira sactions of business until
five o'clock. At 1870 business was
again resumed. AS the hour of
eight arrived it was suspended, and
II discussion upon the best methods
of terminating church membership
was opened by Rev. L. o. Brastow
of Burlington and Rev. G. Van
Norden OF st. Adams, followed by
Rev. G. Walker and Rev. Ii. Fair.
banks. The speakers mainly advo,
Gated two methods, namely, volun-
tary separation, and excommunica-
ton. 1t WAS ably argued as it seem
ed to be a living question which is
continually perpleXing many of our
churches. 1t was soon apparent
that several persons were quite in
lerested and doubtless would have
prolonged the discussion, if the late
ness of the hour had not demanded.
and received an adjournment before
the question was finally settled.
Wednesday,, june 20.
The exercises of the day com
mcnced with a prayer meeting in
the vestry. 1t was conducted by
Rev. II. Fairbanks, and was fully
Notwithstanding it was
held at the hour of 6 A. NJ.
The Convention regularly assem-
bled at $50, for the transaction of
business, which was of a
nature that particularly interested
the gentlemen, as it pertained to
changes of the Constitution, Bye.
Laws, &c. :
During the time, however, Sun.
day School report was presented by
Rev. Il. u. Hall. 1t was full of sta .
Iistics, and good counsel, strongly !
recommending a reform in the man
agement. 1t showed the existence :;
Of 1874 schools. and membership =
exceeding $4,000. In short it was !;
and indicated good de- =,
gree Of prosperity in the work. :
While this meeting was occur
ing. the ladies' met at the vestry of
the M. e. Church, where devotion ,
ii exercises were conducted by Mrs. :
Gov. Fairbanks. 1t was a pleas INT =,
gathering, and the remarks made !,
were very excellent. ,
At 10, all assembled in the Cong.
Church to listen to exercises of the /
Vermont Domestic Missionary So !;
ciety. 1t was called to order by :,
Vice President l.. II. Elliot, the :.
President being absent. =
After singing by the choir, and !
The Offering of prayer by the Rev. 9
$. G. Reed of Bennington business :
was in order. The following off y
GERS were elected for the year:
President, Hon. Franklin Fair ;
banks; Vice President, G. B. HUI =
bert, ID. D.; Sec, Rev. G. e. Smith f.; y
Treas, j. 9. Emory, Esq.
Reports we're then read by the :
Treasurer and Director, showing !,
hat the Society was in good con-
lition, although the hard times had :,
Effected some. of the contributions :,
hus making them smaller than u.s. y
lal. After remarks by few, pre- =
enting the cause Of Home Missions :
II a very stirring and impressive :
manner, an adjournment was made -
Until afternoon. e.
Accordingly the Convention met, ~ ~
nd the Sacrament of the Lords .
,,,,,nnp ,,,,, =, Il Dn,, 10