Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-09

IL IL lrnpOSS1Dle TO give accurate state
ments concerning the several bcnevolences
but 1t is expected that they will equal
those of last year. They have been repeat
edly presented by the presiding elder to the
pastors, and the pastors in most cases
have co-operated wisely and heartily, and
the people have responded generously.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary society
Is encouraged 1t has received additions
to its membership, and five new auxiiarcs
and bands have been formed. The Wom-
ans Home Missionary society is to be con-
graduated that 40 new subscribers havo
been found for its official paper, and l2
mothers jewels have been pledged. These
are facts full of Significance. They stand
for Christian intelligence, consecrated la
Dor and sacrifice for the years to come
AS close this my third annual report,
wish to return public thanks to God for
all the mercies which have crowned tho
year. | also desire to record my sincere
appreciation of the uniform courtesy and
helpfulness Of both pastors and people.
1t was voted that as each preachers
name was called he report the amount OF
collections for missions and conference
claimants and to state whether all collec-
tions were taken. The names of the ef-
fective elders of the st. Adams district
was called.
Rev Joseph Hamilton. presiding elder
in the st. Johnsbury district, passed in
character and presented his report which
is as follows:
THE ST JoHNSBURY DISTRICT.
For the first time In the history of the
Vermont conference, we meet In city.
n city scarcely two years old, securely
walled by granite mountains, and whose
chief industry is the making of granite
monuments. All hail to the Granite City!
Barre Methodist society is among the first
organized in Eastern Vermont. In 1904
Barre charge appears, for the first time.
in the minutes of the New England confer
encc. In 1905 1t had Elijah Hcdding for it's
pastor. In 1S2i the New England confer
cnce met in this town, with Bishop George
as presiding officer. The first session of
the New Hampshire conference was held
in Barre in 1890 and Bishop Heddng pre-
sided.
The fourth session of the Vermont con-
| ference was held with the Barre church
| in lSiS, and Bishop Heddng again pre-
sided. In 1861, the 18th session of the
Vermont conference was held In this place
and Bishop Scott was the presiding Of
| iicer. Bishop Foster held the 33d session
of the Vermont conference, in 1877. with
| the Barre society. And now, in 1886, we
! find ourselves again in Barre, in this new
| temple, built by a self-sacriiicing people,
holding our 52d annual session, with
Bishop Fowler, for the first time, presd-
| ing over us.
The Angel of Death has not visited a
| parsonage this year. and only once during
the last four years. Last August, Bro.
| Austin Scribncr "a superannuated MEM
Der OF this conference, after many years
of severe suffering, passed over the river
to his heavenly home. 1t has been a year
of general good health TO the preachers
| and their families. No serious sickness
has come to any of them. Last January,
| Bro. =. y. Granger fell and broke his leg,
on account of which he was unable to
leave the parsonage for ten weeks. The
pastors of the surrounding charges very
kindly supplied his pulpit
st. Johnsbury district has 40 charges,
and n regular preaching places. OF the
46 men who have been in charge of the
work. rs are members of this conference,
are on trial. and II are supplies. Three
have completed their fun term of five
years and out of 46 quarterly conferences
only six have asked for change in pastors
j. T. NJ. Stephens who Joined on proba-
ton last year. and was appointed to Cow
entry. asked last July to he released from
his charge, so that he might attend our
Theological school at Evanston.
O. T.. Aiken. a local preacher. was em-
ployed to take up the work for the rest OF
the year. j. ). Tupper, who was appointed
to Ncwbury charge last year, asked to be
released from his charge last October
on account Of failing health. Since that
time he has been preaching for a Conrre-
gational church in the western part of the
State, and recently has Withdrawn from
our conference ana Cn1rcn. n. w. EOrd,
IA local preacher. was appointed to servo
the charge the rest OF the year. With
very few exceptions, the pastors have
done excellent work, serving their
churches with commendabe fidelity and
zeal.
CHURCH PROPERTY.
Two churches, which were reported last
year as being in process of building, were
completed and dedicated last May,-one at
Barre and one at Lowell. over a year
ago. the small Methodist society at Wood
bury, began work or a new church,
which they have just completed.
This fine building will be dedicated we
hope, free from debt, in the early summer.
On Wlliamstown charge at a point called
''rhe cuarries," new chapel has been
commenced, which we expect will be COM
peted in few months
After repairing Sheffield church to the
extent of $780, it was rededicated in
June
Newport completed their new parsonage
last September. Since that time they have
sold 1t, and are going to build another on
n lot, which the society now owns. BY so
doing they will be able to remove all in
dcbtedness from their church property
, This charge has greatly improved during
DIR. Coopers pastorate there. South AL
bany has raised 5000 towards building a
new church this coming year.
, Quite a good deal has been done In the
way of improving church property AL
, bany. Barre, Barton, Guildhall, Lyndon.
Westfeld, Danville. Derby, West Burke.
and West Concord hav. made many and
varied improvements. They include re-
pairing and painting of churches. the re-
fitting and refurnishing OF vestres, besides
the purchase of furnaces, carpets and
electric lights. The entire amount raised
and expended on this district for the inn
provement of church property is over
$4,000. A great deal of this is due to the
earnest, faithful work of tho pastors.
SPIRITUAL WORK,
. While we cannot report any great re-
vival in the district during the year, there
; has been a good, healthy growth. Most OF
: the pastors report more or less conVer-
, sions and additions to the church. New
port Centre reports 80 conversions, which
is the largest number in any one charge.
/; Forty charges report 400 conversions, 275
taken on probation, and over 200 taken
into full connection,
The camp meeting at Lyndonville, last
fall, was a source of inspiration and help
to all our spiritual work.
There has been an increased interest
shown in the Sunday school work in the
district. Four hundred new members
have been added to 40 schools.
THE EPWORTH LEAGUE.
, There are 46 chapters of the Epworth
League in this district. The average at
; tendance at the prayer meetings of 30
; chapters is over 900, Two hundred new
, members have bppn added to the chaDters