Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-05-30
ECCLEsJAsTICAL COUNCIL.
Rev. l.. q. Brastews Pastoral Hcla-
ton Dissolved.


The ecclesiastical council, called TO dis
solve the pastoral relation of Rev. L. o.
Brastow, DID, with the Winooski avenue
Congregational church Of this city, met, in
the chapel of the church, yesterday morn
ing. Rev. II. B. Putnam read the letter
of invitation, and called the council to order.
The following Congregational churches
were represented by their pastors and an
associate delegate Charlotte, Rev. A. W.
Wild, j. S. Shaw Winooski, Rev. E-A.
Squer, J. Parsons Colchester, Rev. 5. II
Amsden Jericho, Rev. ID. b, Bradford, w.
F. Mouton Burlington, Third Congrega-
tional church, Rev. II. b. Putnam, II. Q.
Wheeler Richmond, Rev. Ii. Ii. Frere
Hinesburgh, Rev. A. G. Field, G. Boynton
Essex, Rev. J. Cowan, +. p. Sawyer.
The council organized by the choice OF
Rev. II. b. Putnam as moderator and Rev.
j. Cowan as scribe. Tn clerk OF the Wi
nooski avenue Congregational church then
read the minutes of the church meeting at
which action was taken upon the resignation
of DR.. Brastow and following, the clerk of
the society read the minutes of the meeting
Of the society where action was taken upon
the same. The minutes state that DIR. Bras
tow was requested TO withdraw his rcslgna-
ton, but upon his refusing to do so, the
resignation was accepted
The matter having been thus officially
brought before the council, the moderator
called for any additional information or in
struction which the church or pastor should
desire to entrust to that body. Rev. DIR.
Brastow said that, as no reason had been
assigned, either in his Communication to the
church, or In the minutes OF the church or
society, he felt that the council ought to have
81 statement of the considerations
which had led him 10 tab, tne s.ur " w III
had He spoke Of the length OF his pasto-
rate, its visible fruits andths work which the
circumstances Of the case had led him to
perforn-chiely a pulpit work, he said, and
not, as he would naturally have desired, an
aggressive social work. He felt that he had
done what he could fot the church. The
community 10 changing It's Clearwater the in
dustr!al and commercial element is gaining
precedence and predominanee which
demands q different kind OF Christian work
than the Notwithstanding more In
the line OF the Young Mems Christian asso-
citation work, perhaps. On the whole, said
DR.. Brsstow, 1t seems to me that another
man, who ihoull be my supplement, would
be able to serve the church better at the
present. time DR. Brastow bore testimony
to the high Chrlstian character and earnest
helpfulness OF the people with whom he had
been associated; to the community, as "a
community Us noble aud good as any in the
country = to the fsc'ilty and students of the
college, as those from whom The most
cordial sympathy had always been received,
and among whom some OF his most congenlal
work had been done and to the sympathy
OF the Christian churches Of the community.
The council then voted to lie by itself and
those in attendance withdrew. The follow
ing motion was made and carried That
this council do recognize and approve the
act of the pastor and people of this church
and that we do declare the dissolution of the
pastoral relation accomplished.
A committee of three was then appointed
to draw up suitable resolutions, and after
elaboration the following resolutions were
presented
Whereas This Council has been asked to review
ne action Of this church aud society and their
pastor, within reference tC cissolvlng the pastoral
relations between them, and If deemed wise. TO
Rcsolued, FIRST That, in view OF the facts sub.
mited TO us, we consider 1t advisable That tine pas
toral relation be dissolved.
Second-That in coming TO this decision we nnd
nothing to impair the integrity OF the retiring pas
tor, and we afectionately recommend him 10 the
confidence OF the churches as a faithful and wise
pastor and teacher and an emlnently able
preacher Of he gospel
Thrd-Tnat we gratefully recognize the tokens
OF divine favor which have attended this pastorae,
In the strengthening Of this church by numerous
accesslons TO its membership, by its continual
works OF faith aad love, and Its increasing spirit of
benevolence.
Forrtn-That we express 10 this church and
people our sincere sympathy In It's present eSper-
ence our earnest nope for the prevalence among
them OF spirit Of prayer and OF harmony, that the
work Of the Lord ana the interests OF the Re-
deemer's Kingdom he constantly pr ,no:ed.
The above resolutions were accepted and
adopted and it was voted that a copy of
the minutes of the council be sent to the
Vermont Chronicle for publication.
The council then adjourned sine die.