Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-31
THE lNIVEIsSALISTS.
ScrMons, Reports and Business Meet
ings.

The semi-centennal meeting of the Ver.
mont Convention Of Universaiss opened in
the Universalist church at Richmond on
Tuesday, August 2Sth.
The Vermont Convention of Universaists
was organized in Montpelier, January 10th,
1888, and its first session was held in Bethel
the August following, and it has held annual
sessions ever since in different parts of the
State. 1t is composed Of clerical and lay
delegates. All the pastors and churchmen in
fellowship and two lay delegates from each
organized parish make up the convention.
The session began on Tuesday evening at
o'clock, and was called to order by A. 4.
Foster, ESD, of Derby Line, president.
Prayer was offered by Rev. DR.. j. S. Lee of
Canton, n. Y, Theological Seminary, Rev. G.
$. Guernsey, Byron Goodwin and II. V.
French were appointed a committee ON cleo.
tons.
Rev. s. c. Hayford pastor of the Rich
mond parish, in few well chosen words,
gave cordial welcome to the members of
the convention and Others present, both from
within the borders of the State and without.
Stanford Mitchell, the celebrated vocalist,
from Boston, sang one of his devotional
songs, Rev. j. N. Emery of Bellows Falls,
offered prayer, and Rev. j. S. Gltdhll of
Ludlow, preached from |. Thessalonians, v :
20, "Provc all things; hold fast that which
is good"
The sermon was an earnest and appro-
PIRATE introduction to the work of the con-
vention. The church was nearly filed
Wednesday Morning.
AT 8 O'Clock a prayer and conference
meeting was held in the church, led by Rev.
L. +. Fortncy, of West Concord
AT 0, the holy communion service was ad-
ministered by Rev l.. S. Crosby, of Wood
stock, and Rev. Il. G. Russell, of Rochester.
Universalisis accept this us a memorial
service simply the influence of which is to
draw the communicate nearer to Christ and
fill his soul with the divine life.
At 10, the CONVENTION resumed business.
Rev. s. A. Davis, OF Hartford Conn, the
only clergyman present who attended the
first meeting fifty years ago, in Montpelier,
offered prayer Committees on nominations,
unfinished business, religious services, and
the trcasurers report, were appointed.
| The report of the secretary, Rev. S. A,
uihtl, was ltdu anu HnbNtu HttllUy
| financial condition. i 1893 SO were raised in
the State for missionary purposes during the
past year.
Report of the treasurer, William Chase, OF
Concord, in his absence was read by Rev
l.. f. Fortney. Rev. b. NJ. Tillolson, chair,
man OF the committee on fellowship, ordi
nation and discipline, reported. Rev. b. q.
Russell, of Rochester, made report on
missionary boxes.
The Sunday school interest was presented
by Rev. Walter Dole, of White River
Junction, and Rev. DIR. q. l.. Demarest
secretary..of the general convention of Univer
salists, and edIor of the Sunday School
Helper, of Manchester, N. III.
Wednesday Recommendations
Meeting.
| I Rev. j. III. Farnsworth, former State mic
sionary, addressed the convention on tn,
condition of the cause. lie was followed by
Rev. G. W. jenkins, present State mission
airy, who made his annual report, which ex
hibited the cause of religion in a favorabl,
aspect. In addition to his regular Sunday
services he has been engaged in the work o
raising SlO, 200 as n permanent missionary
fund. lie resigns his position and goes Sep
TENDER LIST to st. Johnsbury as pastor OF thu
church there. His place will be filled as sool