Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-06-23

land
The 9th meeting of the Congregational
ministers and churches Of Vermont con
Voned in the First church in this city Tues
day afternoon. The convention was
called to order by Mr.. i. {. Crosby of
Brattleboro, vce-presdent. The roll was
read by the secretary, Rev. S. l.. Bates of
Burlington, and showed about - present.
The vice president offered prayer and Rev.
C. IL. Peck Of North bennington chosen
scribe, with Rev. II. i. Bailey of Middle
town Springs assistant scribe.
The report of the committee on arrange
nents was made by Rev. Edward Halves of
burlington, and a supplementary report
was made by Rev. S. S. Martyr of Windsor.
The following committees were appointed;
On busness-Rev. Henry Fairbanks of
st. Johnsbury, Rev. c. W. Thompson of
Westminster and Deacon G. NJ. Sykes of
Dorset
On nominations-Rov c. r. Seymour of
Bennington, Rev Austin Ha1en Of Rich
mond and A, j. Howe of Montpelier.
On flnance-Deacon C. i. Thompson of
Brattleboro, Hon. Franklin Fairbanks of
St. Johnsbury and Deacon Henry Mcneil
of Charlotte.
The Fairbanks board reported through
Deacon c. i. Thompson and he was elected
auditor. The treasurer's report of the board
was made by Rev. Henry Fairbanks, The
fund now amounts to $50, 600.
The report Of the committee on the Yer
mont Chronicle was made by Rev. l.. II.
Elliott of Waterbury.
The report of the committee on Sunday
schools was made by Rev. j. II. Babbitt of
West Brattleboro. The report showed that
the Sunday schools Of the State were steadily
decreasing in number, attendance and con
tributions, the decrease in total attendance
amounting to $50 in the last five years,
The report caused some lively discussion
to the cause OF this falling Oil Rev a. ID.
Barber of Williston said 1t was due to the
formation and existence of Christian Eu-
deayor societies. but the other speakers did
not share this opinion. Rev. Henry
Fairbanks Of ST. Johnabury said
that in Caledonia county the fall
ing of among the older
members and members OF the Christian
Endeavor societies were also regular at
PENDANTS at Sunday school. G. +. Thomp-
OF Brattleboro spoke Tor Wmdham
county, which he said showed a gam in
Sunday school attendance and i'll Christian
Endeavor membership. Rcv. MIR. Bubhitt
gave as apparent reasons for this decrease
the fact that removals by death and other
further fact that It is impossible to got
many parts of the State stirred up to the
Importance of holding meetings where top
les of an interesting nature may be dis
russed. Several others spoke on tho sub
jec..
The report of the committee on the Chris-
tan LndeGyor movmeut was made by " e..
j. Van Pstten Of Burlington. lie reported
rapid increase in Tho number and mem
bership and made several recommendations
for tine advanccmen; of the order. On mo-
ton of kov. DR., Halves, q committee, con
sistlng of Rev. 1 ii. Smith of 1owushend,
W. j. Van pattsn and Row. c. ". Longren
Of Barre was appointed II consider the su5
ges tions made i'll the report.
Tne report Of the committee upon the
empioym of Suulay school evangelist
was made by G., W. Lougren of Barre.
Rev. Dr. W. :. Roberts, pastor of the
First Baptist church in this city, was then
introduced, and made some felicitous re-
marks referring to the friendly feelings that
exist between the two denominations,
Rev. G. W Gallagher of Montpelier made
MS report as delegate to the ermout Meth
3dist conference
Rev. Henry Cummings OF StralTorl re
ported for the Free Win Baptist yearly
meeting.
Rev. DR.. Hawes gave an interesting
sketch of the London Congregational coun-
I'll last summer.
Rev. f.. +. Stone brought greetings from
the Michigan Congregational churches
a paper on Oasis of Representation, -
presented by Rev. {. S. Smith of Monlpel
Ter, was read by Rev l.. IL. Elliott ot
Waterbury. The paper brought up tho sub
iect of direct Representation of the churches
and resolutions from the Orange and Chit.
tendon county conferences fuvorIng such
representation, were read. Tho question was
discussed at length, and a committee con
sisting Of Rev. c. N. Lamson Of st. Johns
bury, Rev. =. 5. Pratt of Dorset aud Ed
ward Simpson Of Randolph was appointe,
10 consider the matter and report during
the convention. This closed the Afternoon
session.
EVENING SESSION.
The chnrch was we'll filed at the evening
session. Rev. Dr. W. S. Smart of Brandon
conducted the opening services and the au
nual convention sermon was preached BY
lev. q. w. Phillips, d. ID. OF Rutland
Taking bis text from tho third verse Of
Jude, DR.. Phillips made faith the subject o
his sermon, considering, first what tn
faith is and, second, what contention tn
faith asks for itself at the present time. Ii
word, the sermon was an appeal for up
piled Christianity rs opposed to that whcl
l. ritualistio and dogmatic.
A communion service followed, Revs. G
X, Seymour of bennington and c. W
Thompson of Westminster.