Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-06-16


denomination, who came to attend the
10th annual meeting of the Congrega-
tional Convention of Vermont, the 18th
annual meeting of the woman's Home
Missionary Union and the S7th annual
meeting of the Vermont Domestic Mis-
sionary society 1t was thought that the
attendance might be somewhat smaller
than usual, on account of the convention
being at the extreme end of the state,
but such was not the case. The dele
gates were particularly warm in their
expressions of appreciation of the way in
which they were entertained, and as to
the convention in general those who have
grown old in the work characterized ii
as one of the most helpful they ever at
tended. Doubtless some who planned to
entertain delegates but did not receive
them were somewhat disappointed, but
in all such cases the reason was either
that the delegates assigned did not come
or that they did not report, preferring
rather to go to a hotel than to place
burden upon anyone.
With the exception of a brief session
of the convention proper Tuesday after
noon all of Tuesdays session was de-
voted to the annual meeting of the
Woman's Home Missionary Union, the
day sessions being in the vestry and the
evening session in the church. There
were about 70 delegates present, which
is the largest attendance recorded for
several years. and the entire session was
helpful and inspiring. Mrs, Rebecca P.
Fairbanks Of st. Johnsbury, president,
presided. Mrs. G. s. Mills of Benning-
ton opened the meeting with a service
of prayer, after which Mrs. K. L. Water
man Of Brattleboro welcomed the visitors
and Mrs. Fairbanks responded. Greetings
were extended from the Vermont Branch
by Miss Susan Clark of West Brattleboro.
Mrs. Evan Thomas OF Essex Junction,
recording secretary, reported lit auxiliary
societies, with a total membership of
1852, q gain of 141 over last year. The
list Of societies last year was revised,
bringing the number down from 1913 to
III, so that decrease is apparent, but not
real. Three new auxiliary societies were
added during the year. St. Johnsbury
has the largest society, with a member
ship of 1856.
Mrs. Charles H. Thompson Of Brat
teboro, treasurer, reported that all
pledges were met, leaving a balance OF
S34 on hand. in addition to 800 which
was received as a special thank offering
because the pledges were paid.
The report of the nominating commit
tee was made by Mrs. ]. E Drew of
Waterbury, and these officers were elect
ed: Honorary president, Mrs. ]. e.
Swift OF Orwell; president, Mrs. Rebecca
+. fdlTDdnkS OF JOnnSDury. vice
president, Mrs Edward G. Osgood of
Bellows Falls; recording secretary, Mrs.
Evan Thomas of Essex Junction; cor
responding secretary Mrs. John B.
Stearns of Burlington; secretary of
young peoples work, Miss Mary Drew of
Waterbury; secretary of junior work, Mrs.
Robert Mackinnon of ST. Johnsbury;
treasurer, Mrs Charles H. Thompson Of
Brattleboro; assistant treasurer, Miss
Ellen L. Ware of Brattleboro; auditor,
Rev. H. r. Miles of Brattleboro.
These conference officers also were
elected: Addison conference, Mrs. s. j.
Northrup Of Shoreham; Bennington, Mrs
w. b. Sheldon Of Bennington: Caledonia,
Mrs. G. H. Cross Of St. Johnsbury; Chit
tenden, Mrs W. z. Stevens Of Burlington;
Essex, Mrs w. L. Carpenter of Cranky;
Franklin and Grand Isle, Mrs. H. c. Allen
of st. Adams; Lamoille, Mrs H. c. How
ard of Jeffersonville; Orange, Mrs. ]. M.
Comstock of Chelsea; Orleans, Mrs. E. F.
Spaulding of Newport; Rutland, Miss
Eleanor L. Manley of Pittsford; Union,
Mrs. George H. Gorham of Bellows Falls
Washington, Mrs c. D. Edgerton OF
Mortified; Windham, Mrs A. E. Park OF
Townshend; Windsor, Mrs. Levi Wild of
Royalton.
Under the discussion of the plan Of
work for 1905-19O6 it was voted to give
to the six Congregational societies as
heretofore, namely, the Vermont Domes-
tic Missionary society, the Congregational
Home Missionary society, the American
Missionary association, the Congrega-
tional Church Building society," the Con-
gregational Education society and the
Congregational Sunday School and Pub
fishing society.
Miss Theodore Auman, field secretary,
spoke on "Our School in Utah" She had
just returned from Utah, where she came
in touch with the Mormon question Miss
Of Ind
senting the American Missionary associa-
ton, spoke on Life Among American
Highlanders"
The delegates met in the afternoon and
discussed methods of work. in an infor-
NAL way Mrs. Fairbank led a devotional
service, following which was a memorial
service for Mrs. Mary L. Paine, who died
in Elkhart, Ind. Mrs. Paine formerly lived
in Windsor and for eight years was Sec
rotary OF the Vermont union. Mrs w. J.
Van Patten of Burlington reported for
the program committee The plan of
having a continuous course of study,
which was begun last year by the use
of the book "Leavening the Nation" will
be continued this year with the book
Some Epoch-Making Changes in Our
Country"
The Young Peoples Hour" brought
out some interesting reports from the
secretaries of that department. Three
excellent addresses were given: young
peoples work from a secretary's point OF
view" by Miss Anna p. Moore, young
peoples secretary of Massachusetts,
Boys and girls of our southern noun
tains' by Miss Leavens, and Missionary
experiences Of a 17-year-old girl" by
Mrs. H. s. Caswell Broad of Boston.
After the customary resolutions ac-
knowledging the hospitality of the Brat
tleboro church and people the meeting
was adjourned to unite with the con-
vention, which was in session in the
church.
In the evening three exceptionally in
teresting addresses were given In the
church, following Scripture reading and
prayer by Rev. ]. T. Stocking of Bellows
Falls. The subjects were as follows:
"Christ's Message to the American Peo-
pie" by Rev. L. Payson Broad Of Boston,
THE White Mans Book" by Mrs H. S.
Caswell Broad, and The Outstanding
of America" by Don o. Shelton OF New
York. young peoples secretary of the
Congregational Home Missionary society.
Rev. Mr.. Broad was for 15 years Sec
rotary of the Home Missionary society
in Kansas, and 1t was largely through
his efforts that the work became self
sustaining in that state. Mrs. Broad
formerly was national secretary of the
womans department of the Home Mis-
sionary society. They are engaged in
home missionary work in New England
and the West, and while their head
L.,