Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-12-21
CONGREGATIONAL CLUB.
The Churches of Western Vermont Form
an Association at MiddIobury.



The Addison County association of Con
gregatiunal ministers at its January meeting
in 1888 voted chat tho registrar be instruct
ed to take preliminary steps toward the or
ganizaton of a Congregational club of
western Vermont. The correspondence
with clergymen and laymen scattered over
these western counties developed a general
and hearty interest in the movement. At
later meeting a committee was appointed
to call convention for the organization of
such club. The plan adopted was to send
a printed invitation to each Congregational
pastor in western Vermont, and with it like
invitations to he given to such male mem
bers of his church as he deemed likely to
take deep interest in forming and main
tanning the proposed club. The basis of lay
representation was one for every 100 resi-
dent members in "a church, and one add
tional for a fraction of 100 equal to, or larger
than one-half. The convention met i'll Mid
dlebury on Monday, December 10, at 10 a.
M, in the veStry Of the Congregational
church. Representatives. We're present from
Addison Chittenden, Grand Isle and Rut-
land counties
The convention was called to order by
Rev. NJ. c. Stebbins of Cornwall. Rev. C.
+. Carter OF Burlington, was chosen presi
Stebbins, secretary. The president read
scripture selections and Rev. c. c. McIn-
| tyre, d. D., of Pittsford, offered prayer
NJ. G. Stebblns for the committee, made a
brief statement of the action that had led to
the calling of the convention and of the
! method adopted. The convention voted that
| it is eXpedent and wise to proceed to the
| organization of the proposed club. Rev
! Ezra Braincrd for the committee reported
| for the consideration Of the convention a
draft of constitution and bylaws. The CON
venton took up the report article by article.
discussed, amended and adopted the report
in detail and collectively. The president, in
accordance with vote Of the convention,
appointed the following as a committee to
nominate list of officers for the "Congre-
gational club of western Vermont: Ezra
Branerd, c. s. Colburn and II. r. Titus.
This committee reported as follows:
For president, Rev. G. F. Carter of Bur
lipgton; vice-presidents, Hon l.. +. Knapp
of Middlebury, Dr.. John Avery OF Wallng-
ford Rev George L. Byington of Shoreham:
secretary, Rev. NJ. c. Stebbins of Cornwall;
treasurer, Rev. A. W. Wild OF Charlotte
executive committee, lin addition to the
above namedl Ezra Brainerd, LII. D., Of
Middlebury, Rev. c. c. Mclrtire, d. D.. OF
IltlstOrd, Kew. A. +. keith OF MlddleburN
membership committee, Rev. James A
Bates Of Williston, Rev $. J. French OF
Walingford Deacon Samuel James OF
Weybridge; outlook committee, Dr. O. NJ
Bump of Salisbury, Rev. H. &. Pillsbury OF
Nergennes, Rev. w. b. Hague of New Hav
en-; auditor, Deacon c. d. Lane of Corn
wall.
The report was accepted and the secretary
/ 1s-aCi i'm ct cd tn ST n nj fnr
list of officers as reported. This was dom
and they We're declared elected. The con
vention then dined at the Addison house.
Upon the reassembling after dinner brie
addresses We're made by the president, tin
secretary, Rev. A. F. Keith and DR.. Brain
erd. The club then adjourned to meet OIL
the fourth Tuesday in January. 1t is prob
able that that meeting will be held in Bur
liuCtOn.