Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-04-27
Vermont Methodist Conference.

Inc tnirty-seventh annual session OF the YER
mont conference was held at the Methodist
church In Bradford-the third held at that place
and commenced Wednesday, April 20. Bishop
Andrews presided, Bishop Harris sitting with him
Rev r. Morgan Of Franklin was given his four
teenth annual election as secretary Never had any
previous conference had such momentous ques-
tons before II for action, but the one which over
Swallowed all others was to the retention OF the
Burlington district Its retrocession TO the Troy
conference. Our limits only admit Of n concise
sketch OF the proceedings relating to this matter.
As the result Of the incpent rebellion In that dis
trict. Rev. Merritt Hulburd was the only clergy
man present at the opening but was afterwards
Joined by others, and he insisted upon being re-
garded as spectator only, declaring when nom
mated for assistant secretary, that he was inegi
BILE to that office.
The boundary question was carefully heard by
the general convention OF 1880, and the decision
rendered must be accepted as final and binding in
the matter. There is no lawful appeal except to
the next general convention, width meets in 1888.
The question Of boundary lines between two con-
ferences can be lawfully setAed, however, by mu-
tual agreement Of committee appointed by the
conferences interested. With n view to the ad.
justment OF the difficulty In question the Troy
conference, through committee, asked the Yer
mont conference to appoint such a commission on
its part
In the afternoon OF Thursday special session
was held for the purpose Of meeting committee
from the Troy conference. This committee con-
sisted Of j. j. Noe, presiding elder Of the Burling
ton district, Homer Eaton, d. D., Revs. Huse,
Graham and Bowen. They presented a communi-
cation from the Troy conference asking for the
appointment Of a commission for the mutual con-
sideraton and arrangement of the pending mat
ter. Discussion in which these brethren partici-
pated brought out the complaints that the reten-
ton Of the Burlington district would occasion
great trouble; that many families would join the
Congregational church; that in many places the
churches would fail for lack OF support that any
pastor from the Vermont conference would fail to
secure support; and that, although the clergy had
some feeling In the matter, the movement sprang
from the lay members. These were backed up
by petitions from over thirty churches in that
district, pathetically appealing to be restored to
the Troy conference. No action was taken at
that time.
Friday morning the boundary question was
again taken up and general discussion ensued.
Rev. j. D. Beeman Of Swanton after giving his
torica review of the matter expressed the opinion
that 1t was OF such transcendent importance to
the whole church that it could only come before
the general conference for final adjudication
Bishops Andrews and Harris then made the follow
ing written statement:
STATEMENT OF BISHOPS
In view OF all the information we have been
l.lA faa1 mad k1xs.
following statement of our opinions concerning
the matter in controversy:
/. The harmonious union OF Methodsm in the
state OF Vermont in one conference organization
would greatly promote the interests and influence
OF the Methodist church within the state In this
opinion we are in full accord with the sentiment
OF the general conference Of 1868, uttered at the
time of the restoration Of the Burlington district
to the Troy conference.
2. We are unable to see any good and sufficient
reason why such union OF Vermont Methodisn
should not, and might not, be accomplished with
the hearty concurrence of all concerned
3. We entirely disapprove of all plans and ef
forts both to ALLEVIATE the churches and parsonage'
within the territory of the Burlington district from
the jurisdiction of the Methodist Episcopal oh urct
and to divert the benevolent contributions of the
churches in the same territory from their usua
channels, as revolutionary and uniustifiablt
means for the redress Of alleged grievances; ant
we do earnestly recommend to all parties con
corned, that where transfers of such property
| have been contemplated which have not yet beer
carried out all efforts to that end be at once aban
doned, and that in cases in which the forma
| transfer may have been accomplished, immediate
| steps be taken to restore the property to it.
| former and lawful relations to the Methods
Episcopal church.
L. From concurrent statements of brethren
both ministers and laymen, within the Burlington
| district whose circumstances afford them the
| fullest opportunity to know whereof they affirm
and whose character and reputation entitle theil
ST tarna ami tn ua oh adai
| that the opposition in the churches within that
district to its transfer to the Vermont conference
is so intense and widespread as largely to pre-
vent, II not entirely to defeat, the good results
| which would otherwise come to Vermont Method
| ism, and especially to the Vermont conference
| from the union of all the Methodist churches IL
the state in one conference organization.
| 3. We therefore commend to the earnest and
prayerfu consideration OF the brethren OF tn,
| Vermont conference, the prvprlvty and expedi
| ency OF appointing commission as requested BY
| expectation that the joint commission will agree
to retrocede the territory recently transferred
from the Troy to the Vermont conference.
| And we make this recommendation in the con
| fident hope and expectation that all the churcl
| property within that territory which may hav,
| been alenated from the jurisdiction Of the churci
| will be restored at once to its former relations
| and that the commissioners of the Troy confer
ence, and the body which they represent, will u.s.
| all legitimate and proper means to the accom-
plishment of this end. EDWARD G. ANDREWS
WILLIAM l.. HARRIS.
Bradford, VI, April %, 1881.
Rev. H. A. Spencer, in order to give the ver
mont membersa chance to present paper show
ing their views, moved to postpone further actio
till the next day. The motion, having bee
amended by making the time four O'Clock in tn
afternoon, was carried. At that hour commit
| tee Of the Vermont conference reported as follows
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
We have carefully considered the propositio
submitted by the Troy annual conference, askin
| for the appointment of commission by this cor
| ference to confer with commission OF its ow
| on the subject Of conference boundaries.
And while we would treat with profoundest re
spect any proposition coming from such a source
| and would express not only a willingness but
earnest desire to do anything in our power whic
we could reasonably hope would tend to promot
the peace and harmony of the church without i'm
pairing its efficiency, we nevertheless deem it In
expedient at the present time to appoint such
commission.
The action OF the late general conference, b
which the whole state of Vermont excepting tn
Poultney charge, was given to the Vermont cor
ference, we believe TO be both right and consttu
tional and also for the greatest efficiency of on
beloved church in the state. Wewould not there
fore do anything which would contemplate tn
immediate undoing of what the general confe
ence 80 justly and so wisely did In the case.
| To appoint commission favorable to a retr,
| Of tha I'm iutr NJ m