Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-06-24

STATE CONGREGATIONAL CONVENTION. "
The Seth annual meeting of the Congrega-
tional ministers and churches OF this state
began its session at St. Johnsbury on Tues
day afternoon. The attendance was small
at the opening exercises, but it increased
rapidly and the conycntion was fuller one
than was expected, The convention organ
lied by the choice of Rev. +. W. Olmstcad
of WilistOn rs Moderator lsevs. Lawrence
Phelps of Barton and Geo. +. Hall of Yer
genncs, were appointed Scribes; Geo. May
of St Johnsbury, Auditor of Accounts. Re
ports of committees were then heard. The
Committee on Change in Constitution report
ed in favor OF change in the composition OF
the convention, increasing the representation
of tho conferences and decreasing that from
associations, thus giving more laymen and
less ministers. but keeping the total member
ship about the same. The change was adopt
ed by vote of Al to = Committees were
appointed rs follows: business Commit
tee, Rcvs DIR. Hubert. A. b. Lambert,
Austin Ilazcn; Nominating Committee,
Rev DIR. A. Stevens, Rev. q. G. Lyon, &.
NJ Stone; Finance, Franklin Fairbanks, e..
ii. Clapp, II. II. Frary Devotional Exer-
tlslS, News. IL. w JbuCS, H.
Richard Hicks. Tuesday evening, Rev +.
G. Reed of Bennington delivered the con-
vention sermon on "Spiriiualism. The sub
ject, if not its treatment, was rather dislp-
pointment to many.
On Wednesday morning came the anniver-
sary of the Domestic Missionary society.
The secretary, Rev G. $. Smith of Mont
peler, presented his report which was an ex-
cellent and instructive one which was FOL
lowed by remarks by Rev. +. }. Ranslow of
Wells River Rev Mr. Thurston of Con
necticut, Dea. c. F. Thompson of Brattle-
boro and others The report showed that
the contributions to the society were insuific-
lent for the increasing demands. The i'm
portance of sustaining the feeble churches
was urged with much force by the secretary,
who showed that Vermont has been largely
tributary To the work of cvangclizing the
| West as well as foreign lands. This State
has given the American Board IA mission
aries for the Sandwich Islands and Al ior
| Turkey, and these missionaries are doing
more for the regeneration OF Turkey than al
the diplomats of Europe. Secretary Smith
is an able and devoted man, whose personal
influence as well as his official work, is Of
| high value To the churches and the commune
| w. The old board of officers was reelected
corresponding secretary Of the convention
was read 1t was full of valuable statistics
An admirable essay followed by President
Buckham on the Relation Of the Family Il
the State" Wednesday evening was dcvO
ted to the Representatives of the co-opcra
| tive benevolent societies, and the exercises
were of remarkable interest. An able address
was made by Rev. A. L. Dunnng, Sabbath
School Secretary. Rev. NJ. =. Parmelc,
of Turkey and Rev. NJ. Tyler of the Zulu
mission, spoke for foreign missions. Rev.
Mr.. Woodwork presented the claims of Tho
American Missionary Association with his
accustomed carncstncss. Rev. |. n. Tarbo,
spoke for the College Education Society, ant
Rev. Leonard Tenney for the Bible Society
Yesterday forenoon was To he devoted to ,
discussion on "'rhc Council and Ministerial
Associations as safeguards Of doctrinal pur
iiy. opened by Rev. DIR, Stafford and Rev
J. q. Hale.