The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-06-21
Congregational Convention.

The assembling of the delegates Of the
Congregational churches of Vermont for
their annual convention at Montpelier, on
Tuesday afternoon of last week, was
briefly reported in the WATcHMAN. On
Tuesday evening Rev. G. Il. Seymour of
Bennington preached very excellent SER
mon, followed by the sacrament of the
Lords Supper, at which Rev. l.. Tenney and
Rev. G.. w. Gallagher ofciated On
Wednesday morning the prayer-meeting
at half past eight was led by Rev. p b.
Fisk. The report of the secretary of the
convention, Mr. j, NJ. Comstock, followed,
giving the condition of the churches. APP
propriate reference was made to those min
listers who had died during the year. The
present membership of the churches is 90,
no, a gain of forty-one in the year. The
additions on confession have been SOB to 132
churches. Windsor has received the
largest number on confession, ffty-two;
Rutland the next largest number, forty
four The additions by letter have been
439 to ia churches. The total additions
have been 1,132, against l ,242 the year be.
fore. The additions are fewer than have
been reported in any year since 1885, The
removals have been-by death $50, by dis
missal 473, and by discipline 143. This num-
Der of removals has been exceeded but
twice in the history OF the churches. The
number of families reported is 1000, an in
crease over previous years. There is gain
ID.
benevolent contributions show gain over
last year of nearly $1,000, and, with the ex-
ception of 1888, the largest amount ever re-
ported, being S57 1903. Home expenditures
foot up S201. 221. Christian Endeavor socie-
ties exist in 14 churches, counting up 6 1873
members.
On Wednesday morning the Vermont
Domestic Missionary Society held its
seventy-fifth anniversary. Secretary Mer-
rlll reported that about the usual number of
churches had been aided, several students
have supplied destitute parishes, aud the
women evangelists have continued their
labors. A historical sketch of missionary
work in Vermont since 1898, prepared by
Rev. e. s. Smith, was read. The treasurer
reported that the receipts had been some
what less than last year, but expenses had
considerably exceeded receipts. The re-
serve fund had been drawn upon to the ex-
tent of $1,000.
The Christian Church" was begun AID
continued in the evening Papers were
read by Rev. Edward Hungerford, Rev. V.
M. Hardy, Rev. j. w. Lees and Hon. John
NJ. Mead of Rutland. Rev. L. E. Upper of
Williamsburgh, Ky, spoke of the work
lean missionary Association.
Wednesday evening Rev. n. H. Whittle-
sey OF New Haven, Conn, gave an address
in behalf OF the National Ministerial Relief
Fund. Miss Virginia Dox spoke for the
New West Education Commission. Re-
Stunning the symposium, Rev. w. G. Clark
spoke on " The Business Mans Need of
the Church." and the closing paper was
read by Rev. p Mcmillan on 1.-THE Church
and the School,"
Following is list of the officers for the
ensuing year: President, w. j. Van Patten
OF burlington; vice-presdent, p. X Geed
of Morrisville; secretary, Rev. S. l.. Bates
OF burlington; corresponding secretary, j,
Nj. Comstock of Chelsea treasurer, David
M. Camp of Newport trustees, Rev. Henry
air0anks, Mr.. c. W. Osgood, w. j. Van
Patten, Rev. c. w. Thompson and Mr.. r..
Barrett; Fairbanks Board of Education,
Rev. e. I. Fairbanks, Rev. Henry Fair
banks, Rev. W. S. Hazen, Rev. L. II. FL
lot and Joseph Poland; Fairbanks Board
for Relief of Ministers, j. G. Stimson, G. f.
Thompson, G M. Sykes, Rev. e. T. Fair
banks and Rev. c. II. Merrill; delegates to
Vermont Methodist Conference, Rev. J. W,
Lees and Rev j. l., Merrill; delegates to
Vermont Baptist Conference, Rev. E.
Thomas and Rev. j. E. Fullerton; commit
tees-on Vermont Chronicle, II. f. Field
Rev. l.. H. Elliot, Rev. C. II. Merrill, j. NJ.
Comstock and Rev. j. Z. Fullerton; on
Sunday-schools, Franklin Fairbanks, Rev.
j. III. Babbitt and Harrison T. Norton; on
evangelization, Rev. G. w. Phillips, H. f.
Field, Rev. c. H. Smith, Rev. G. II. Merrill,
w. j. Van Patten and Rev. G. o. Day; on
printing, j. NJ Comstock, A. j. Howe, Rev
@. III. Merrill land Rev. c. w. Longren; on
ministerial relief, Rev, e. Hungerford, Rev.
l.. b. Tenney, Rev. M. l.. Severance Rev,
p. Mcmillan and Rev. j. f. Fullerton.
The place OF the next meeting is st. Johns
bury; the preacher, Pastor c. o. Day; al
ternate, Pastor V. NJ. Hardy. A tax Of five
cents member was voted.