Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-05-08
VERMONT CONFERENCE.


In the Vermont conference Friday,
Rev. A. l.. Cooper, presiding elder of the
Springfield disCi.ot, made his report, show
ing that nearly all the debts of the
churches in his district were paid during
the year. The characters of superanuated
preachers were passed upon, the old men
addressing the conference in Il touching
manner. Revs. Messrs. Houston and
Wells were reported as having died, and
Messrs. Clapp and Currier restored to the
effective list. Rev. II. A. Bushnell preach
ed the missionary sermon at l:30. The
anniversary of the New England Educa-
tional society was held at 3 p. m, with
addresses by w. 5. Smith and b. X
Pierce of Boston. Last evening occurred
the anniversary of the missionary society
with principal address by DR.. Fitz-
gerald OF New York, secretary of
the Foreign Missionary society, who
gave an outline of the society's work and
needs, urging more activity and greater
work in the cause. Rev j. +. Scott a re-
turned missionary from India, also spoke
of the work in the field, giving personal
experiences. The visiting Bishop Harris
of New York sat with Bishop Bowman
during the morning business session.
Sundays Proceedings of the Conference
at Bellows Falls. %
The annual Vermont conference love
feast was held at Q a. III =, and was pre-
sided over by Rev. Peter Merrill |, follow
ing which came the ordination sermon by
Bishop Bowman, from Acts Xxx 3d. The
sermon was followed by the ordination of
Deacons by the Bishop assisted by the
presiding elders. Bishop Bowman never
prcided over this conference, before but has
won the respect and good will of all its
members by his kindly yet dignifel bear
ing, making, as it is often remarked, one
of the best presiding officers the confer
ence has had. His sermon to-day was an
able and scholarly one in all res poets.
Memorial services presided over by G. p.
Cushing, were held at . o'clock in the af-
ternoon for the dead of the past year,
Rev. II. Morgan and Bishop Bowman
delivered memorial addresses on Bishops
Wiley and Simpson, and papers were read
by other members of the conference upon
four conference members and three pas
tors wives, who had died during the year
These were y. f. Perry, Daniel Lewis,
Gerry b, Houston, Nathan w. Scott, Mrs.
A. b. Wright, Mrs, j. a. Sherburn and
Mrs; p. Frost; Fitting tributes were
! rendered to each.
/ AT O'Clock in the afternoon the ladies
/ held II conservation service for the
women's foreign missionary society, Mrs.
j. W. Guernsey, the president, presiding.
The anniversary of the church extern
/ sion society, was addressed in Intervening
| by Rev. j. ID. Beeman and others.
Final Adjournment of the Vermont Con-
ference.
At Bellows Falls Monday afternoon, the
Conference Missionary society elected
Rev. A. S. Cooper president and r. Nor
gan secretary. Visiting brother f. d.
iiandee of the East Maine Conference was
introduced and rendered seat with the
members Rev. +. w. Lewis made a re-
port of the statistics of the society in the
State, not including the Burlington dis
trict. There are in full membership H.,
423, decrease during the year of $50
probationers, l249, Il decrease of 50 chill
dren baptized during the year, II adults
baptized 456; Sabbath-schoolS 10; teachers
and officers 1890 scholars Il, 700, paid dur
ing the year for church buildings and inn
provements S24,773, probable value OF
church buildings So $50, not including the
parsonages; indebtedness upOnEthe church
property, Sl2,999, an increase during the
year of Sl410 The conference came to Il
final adjournment at $3.50 p. m, the read.
ing of appointments being the last bust
ness.