St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-06-14
MINISTERS AND CHURCHES.
The Ninety Ninth Annual Convention of
ConereeatfOnaIfsts atthe South Church
4 Good Attendauce-SessiOn Full of
Interest for Clergy and Laymen.

ConereeatiOuaIistS at the South Church
A Good Atteudauce-SesSion Full of
Interest for Clergy and Laymen.
The ninety-ninth annual conven-
tion OF congregational Ministers
and Churches of Vermont began its
sessions here on Tuesday afternoon
at two o'clock, with a goodly num-
Der of delegates present.
The opening exercises of the CON
ventiOn proper were held in the yes
try, the church auditorium being
gallantly surrendered to the ladies
of the Home Missionary Union,
Rev. Edward T. Fairbanks called
the meeting to order, and gave a
brief but cordial word of welcome.
Vice President Gleed of Norris
vile opened the business session and
called on Rev. Mr.. Seymour of Ben
nington to offer prayer. The chair
man then gave careful direction to
the business Of the afternoon in a
few words.
Secretary Bates read the roll of
the convention, and during this pro-
ceeding some little discussion result
ed over the question whether the
pastor of a church is member of
the convention without formal ap-
pointment as such by his church, or
whether he should be chosen as
other delegates are. The matter
was finally laid upon the table to
await the complete organization of
the convention.
Rev. H. L. Bailey was elected
scribe, and Rev. Mr. CovelI as as
sistant scribe.
Rev. Thos. lyric presented the
greetings of the Methodist denomi-
nation to the convention, saying
that his early training in the Con-
gregational church made him feel a
close relation to such an assemblage.
He gave a pleasant address includ-
ing some interesting statistics, and
concluded with a cordial expression
of Christian good will. The re
sponse by the chair was effective and
full of admiration for loyalty to
ones own denomination and kindly
! fellowship for others.
The report of the Fairbanks relief
fund showed receipts amounting to
$234S, 90, and disbursements to -
benefciares and for other expenses
amounting to 1856. The balance
! l. IL l.
90.
The Fairbanks board of education
report showed receipts amounting
to $S97. 7.2S, and expenses amounting
to $3.50; eleven students have re-
ceived aid.
Rev. H NJ. Douglas was intro
duced and presented the greetings OF
the Baptist denomination, who, he
said serve the same Master and
! work for the same end. He congrat-
| ulated the convention and the
/ churches on all the successes achieved
and the prospects of future achieve
ment He pleaded for that church
unity which has its beginnings in
Christ, and aptly illustrated his re-
marks by reference to cOlors of the
rainbow. The chair responded fit
tingly to this greeting,
The committee on the Vermont
Chronicle reported at some length,
by Henry F. Field. and recommend
ed a decided change i'll makeup and
form of the paper, the discarding of
! all plate matter and a closer at
tentiOn TO the best interests of every
department of church and Sunday
| school work in this state.
TUESDAY EVENING.
The convention sermon was de-
livered on Tuesday evening, before a
| large audience, by Rev. c. 0. Day of
! discourse on "Reconciliat alton" The
preacher took his text from John
xiii: So Lord, whittier goest
thou ?" He pleaded for a revival of
first principles-for a reconciliation
between God and man. between
science and theology, between church
| and state; for the bringing of man s
| spirit and conscience into close rela-
tion with God. without attempting
to unravel the mystery or invade the
sanctity of that relation.
Rev. c. w. Longren of Barre as
sisted in the service, and ex-
cellent music was furnished by the
choirs of the North and South
churches, and the Mahogany Quar-
! tette.
Following the sermon the COM
munion was administered by Rev. c.
R. Seymour of Bennington and Rev.
DIR. Phillips of Rutland.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
After a devotional service condnct-
ed by N. 6. Williams of Bellows
Falls the roll of delegates was called
by the secretary.
The report OF the corresponding
secretary, Principal John M. Com
stock of Chelsea, followed. He be-