Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-06-08
CONGREGATIONAL CoNFERENCE.-a
The Churches of ChitteDden County Meet
Mt CharIotte-A Profitable Session.

The Chittenden county conference of
Congregational churches,continued its ses-
sion at Charlotte yesterday. Friday morn
ing dawned clear and beautiful. After
brief devotional services the conference
attended to items of business. The treas
ureI g report was presented by Rev. j. A.
Bates, and accepted. On the recommend
alton of the committee on assessments, a
tax af three cents per resident member
was voted, to meet the expenses of the
conference and its share of the require
ments of the State convention. The fol
lowing delegates were then appointed to
the meeting of this body, to be held in
Barre June 12; Rev. Amos Holbrook,
Rev. A. G. Field, Mr.. A. l.. Parsons,
Mr.. A. A. Byington, Mr. G. f. Green,
Prof G. II. Perkins and Deacon M. H..
Page. South Hero was reported as the
place for the next annual meeting, aud for
committee of arrangements the follow.
ing Rev. T. J. Harris, Rev. j. l.. Sewall,
Rev A. Holbrook.
The first topic of the morning was 1.-The
Family Altar in it's Relation, to Christian
Living" and was opened by a most
thoughtful paper by Rev. C. F. Carter.
This was followed by a paper from Rev.
J. X. Williams of Underhill on "The Per
sonal Element in Worship The two
themes were then thrown open for discus
sion.
At noon the conference took a recess,
and repaired to the vestry where ample
and delightful provision was made for all
to partake of a bountiful repast, eficit ntly
served by the young people connected
with the church
The concluding business WAS quickly
finished A change was made in the CON
stitution, allowing the committee of ar
rangement to select any days for the meet
ing during the week which contains the
last Tuesday in May. The following reso.
luton was favorably reported by the bust
ness committee and unanimously adopted.
ResOlred, That in view of the present state
of the temperance reform a sacred duty rest 8
upon the church of Christ collectively and
upon each member individually to ponder
wisely and employ foarlessIy all approved
methods for opposing the aggressions of the
saloon to recognize us our goal the eXtinc
ton OF both supply and demand for intOXIcat
ing beverages; to sustain by word auo deed
the laws of our commonwealth, and to make
the fullest application of conscience to ali du .
ties of citizenship; and to exercise Chrsty
charity toward those who differ from us in
method
The following resolution was then offer
ed in behalf of the visitors in the confer
epce, and after appropriate words by the
moderator, was adopted heartily by ris
ing vote:
Rcsolued, That this conference desires TO ey.
press and record cor victi0n hat our pray e :
for the presence of the holy spirit have been
answered at every stage OF our meeting "A rec
ognttion of 6 kill revealed in preparing a pro -
gramme of exceptional usefulness our graf
itude for the hearty welcome. and deigl tfu
hospitality of this people, ald their constant
presence ut the meetings and our determtn-
alton to carry hence To others and into our
own lives the truth which has stirred our
souls.
The pastor of the church, Rev. A. w.
Wild, responded most feelingly in behalf
of his people.
After devotional services led by Rev
j. A. Bates, DR. Halves preached the com
munion sermon from Phil. II5 upon the
theme, the Imitation of Christ; and this
was followed by the sacrament of the
Lords supper, administered by Rev. G. +.
Carter and Rev. Austin Hazen, Deacons
n X. Brown and l.. w. Landon assisting.
This was most delightful and fitting
close to a session of conference of ey-
ceptional interest and profit, and one
which will be long remembered
The local arrangements for this meeting
were most complete and admirably car
ried out the floral decorations in til
church were in exceeding abundance and
most excellent taste and the heartiuess
OF hospitality of the Charlotte church is
something which all their guests will
long remember. The prosperity of the
churches IN the past year gives good
promise of better work in the coming
months, and allows the hope that the
meeting year hence with the church In
south Hero Will mark even an advance
upon these delightful sessions