Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-10-08
ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCIL.
A Meeting of Delegates from Baptist
Churches held at the Berean Chapel.

A council composed of 10 delegates from
various Baptist churches, met with the
Berean church in this city "Wednesday af
ternoon, to consider the propriety of
recognizing that body as a regular Baptist
church. The following churches were
represented Burlington First Baptist
church, st. Adams Georgia Plain, John
son, Brandon, Rutland, and East Char
lotte. Montpelier, Essex, Fairfax and
Bennington were also invited, but failed
to send representatives. Rev +. Dodge,
d. d., president of Hamilton, n. y, Theo-
logic Seminary, and Rev. NJ. A. Wilcox,
d. d., of Oswego, n. Y, were present as
advisory members of the council. The
council organized with Rev. G. A. Reese of
Rutland rs moderator and Rev. K.
r. Mott of Charlotte rs clerk. Rev DR..
clerk of the Berean church. Mr.. Albert
Butler, presented the action of the Bereans
in calling the council. The roll was then
called, and churches and delegates re-
sponded to their names.
Pastor Gould of the Berean and Rev. f.
j. Parry of the First church presented
statements of reasons tor the call of the
council, and Il sample letter of dismission
from the First church to the Berean was
read also articles of faith and covenant
of the Berean church, with all of which
the council voted entire satisfaction. DR..
!
Gil, spoke of the work and status Of the Sun
day school; and Rev. f. p. Gould showed
the membership of the church to have
doubled during the past year and half,
being now over 40-five having been add
ed by baptism He also showed the
| church to be in full sympathy with all de-
nominational objects of benevolence, con.
siderable sums having been raised and
devoted to these objects since the church
organized. Rev. Mr.. Parry proved to the
satisfaction of the council that his church
and the Berean were now in perfectly mar
monious relations.
1t WAS finally moved by DR.. Wilcox and
seconded by Deacon BigwOod of the First
Baptist church, that 1--WE recognize this
church as a regular Baptist church, en-
titled to full fellowship with sister
churches" Carried unanimously.
A committee appointed by the modera-
tor to prepare and present programme
for recognition services in the evening re-
ported as follows:
Anthem NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. .Choii
Responsive reading led by the pastor
Prayer Rev. Mr.. Crudginton of johnson
Scripture Reading
Rev. j. G. Lorimer of Georgia PlaiI
Singing
Sermon ..... ........,...............D DIR, Dodg,
Anthem
Prayer. ................... ..... Rev. DIR. Wilco,
Hand OF Fellowship, ...,...... Rev. F, j. Parry
Charge tC the church
Rev. George S. Pratt of St. Adams
Singing
Benedlction ...................R Rev. f. =. Goul,
This programme was carried out. DIR
) Dodge preaching a very able sermon from
Johnx 10, 81 am come that he might hay,
J life and that we might have it more abund
antly" The ladies' of the Berean church
provided delightful tea in their handsom,
basement for delegates and visitors. Fol
| lowing the tea, and in response to call'
p from Rev. +. =. Gould, hearty words o
4. cOngratulaton and good cheer wer,
:; spoken by Drs. Halves, Ware and Buck
! ham and Rev. Messrs. Carter and Parry
The Bereans thus start afresh with re
newed courage and zeal in their work il
this city, and the denomination in whicl
I they now have full and regular standing