Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1905-06-16
The Congregational Convention.

The opening session of the Congre-
gational convention proper began IN
the Centre church Tuesday afternoon.
Organization was perfected by choos-
ing as president Rev Il. NJ. Chapman
of St. Johnsbury: scribe. Rev. c. r.
Putnam of Woodstock: assistant
scribe, Rev. A. C. Ferrin of Spring
field. This was followed by the ap-
pointment of the various committees.
Corresponding Secretary John NJ.
Comstock of Chelsea then made his
annual report for the year ending De-
cember 81. showing total member
shin of 21,731, a decrease of 50. The
membership in Sunday schools and
young peoples organizations also
shows a decrease. but there has been
an increase in benevolent contribu-
tions. The total value of property held
by Congregational churches in the
state is put at s1,769.115.
Following this business session came
the convention sermon preached by
Rev. Francis A. Poole of Barre. and
the remainder of the afternoons ses-
sion was devoted to the Sacrement of
the Lords Supper, Rev. r. Fl. Aber-
combie of Brookfield and Rev. e. q.
Francis of Lyndonville officiating.
Tuesday morning was given over to
a
Home Missionary union, which is re-
ported elsewhere At $50 Wednesday
morning a devotional service took
place followed by report from Rev.
w. r. Stewart. state evangelist OF the
Forward Movement. Mr.. Stewart urg-
ed the need of getting away from old
fashioned methods and emphasized the
importance of putting forth Christian
ity in an attractive form. He also
pointed out the need of better organi-
cation and more systematic work. The
discussion was led by Rev. II. }. hll-
bourn of Bradford. The remainder OF
the morning session was devoted 70
the annual meeting of the Domestic
Missionary society.
BOYS and the Church was the SUP I
iect of Wednesday afternoon and IT
proved to be one of the most interest
ing of the entire convention. The sub
iect was not only well handled by the
sneakers but there was much serious
discussion in which many different
delegates participated. Rev. r. w.
Roundy of Ludlow gave a mastery
paper upon the subject, The Power Oh
the Common Agencies of Our Churches
to Touch Boys. and 1t was ably dis
cussed by Rev. ]. B. Lyman of Barton
Landing. Under the topic. Special
Newbury spoke briefly on Boys Clubs.
Principal E. II. Dorsey of Ludlow up
on Boys Camps, Rev. c. c. st. Clare
of Morrisville upon The Boys Brigade
and Rev. F. l.. Masseck. pastor of the
JJniversalist church cf this town, upon
The Chivalric Idea in Work with
Boys Mr. Masseck is national king
of the knights of King Arthur and
has had much experience in this par
ticular line of work,
| Following the general discussion
came the report of the nominating
committee. the following officers for
| the ensuing year being chosen: Presi-
dent. Charles ]. Bell of Walden; vice
president. Rev. C. H. Smith of Pitts
ford: secretary. Rev. Evan Thomas oil
Essex Junction: corresponding secre-
| tarv, John NJ Comstock of Chelsea;
treasurer. D. NJ. Camp of Newport;
auditors. G. C. Averill of Brattleboro
| C. s. Adams of st. Johnsbury and q
F. Ranney of Newport: trustees, KEY
Henry Fairbanks of st. Johnsbury. y
w. Osgood of Bellows Falls. w. j. van
Patten of Burlington, John Barstow OF
Manchester and ]. B. Hollister of Rut-
land: members of the C. H. NJ. S. fol-
three years. Rev. C. H. Merrill. Rev
Henry Fairbanks. n. G. Williams;
Fairbanks board of education. Rev. T.
r. Fairbanks. Rev. L. II. Elliot. Hev
Henry Fairbanks. John T. Ritcnie
Rev. ]. K. Williams: Fairbanks board
of relief for ministers. c. F. Thompson
Rev. e. T. Fairbanks. Rev. c. III. Mer-
rill. F. S. Pease.
Reporters and receivers: Addlsor
conference. Rev. S. II. Barnum; Ben
nington. Rev. C. l.. Carhart; Gale
donia. Rev. Henry Fairbanks; Chitten-
don Rev. T. j. Harris: Essex. W. L
Jennings: Franklin and Grand Isle
Rev c. ]. Peterson: Lamoille, James
Holmes; Orange. Rev. W. Z. Pren,iss
Orleans Rev. r. ]. Barton: Rutland
Rev. I. H. Childs; Washington, Kew: r
b. Kellogg: Windham. Rev. q. r. Cha-
pin: windsor. II. W. Hildreth.
Following is a list of the standing
committees: Young peoples work, +
lG Osgood. C. V. Woodbury.. Miss Z
/ r Palmer. Miss Helen l. Graves. Rev
lR. w. Roundy; printing. Rev &. n
Merrill. ]. NJ. Comstock. Rev. EvaI
Thomas. Rev. F. c. Putnam Rev.
la French; Interdenominational com
ity. Rev. C. H. Merrill 6 yearsl. Rev
lI = Reed q years.: beneyolences
Rev BENJAMIN Swift. Rev. G. l. Car
hart Rev. s. G. Barrows. Rev. c. c
Adams Rev. w. l. Jennings. Rev. {
Il Peterson. Rev. C C. St Claire. Rev
In n. Strong, Rev. R ]. Barton. Rev
IA 4. Mckenzie. Rev. H L. Ballou
Rev- r II. Poole. Rev. l. NJ keneston
Rev. II. W. Hildreth: evangelistlc for
ward movement, Rev. H J. kiloourn
REV. @. Glenn Atkins. Rev r A Poole
ln n Ke-extou Rev g. s. Mills