St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1908-06-17

| NhN ciQOlllOUS exceeded
5 sne removals by 10. The discrepancy is
uue, II is thought, to more accurate
count in some church. Seventv-one
churches showed no addition, but fifteen
TOOK IN ten or more by confession.
among the latter number was the Barre
church, which took in % by confession
otal Sunday school membership was
IL, liz, an increase of 222 overlast wear
The total benevolent contributions for
the year were SCI, 61S, gain of SIO.551
over last year Church property is now
valued at S19,970,965, which IS S113..
9oO larger than the year before.
The following labor resolutions were
unanimously adopted on Wednesday
Whereas, The charge is repeatedly
made that the Church is indifferent to
the needs of the workingmen, and that
the latter are becoming estranged from
the Church because of the alleged lack of
sympathy: and
Whereas, Congregationalism has
always been actively allied with all wise
movements for social amelioration, and
by reason of the democracy of its spirit
and organization is especially adapted
to adjust itself to meet the needs of the
workingman; therefore, be it
Resolved, That this convention af
firms its sympathy with efforts of the
working class for emancipation from
poverty, ignorance, and selhshness, and
with that ideal of cooperation whereby
all men may become the unsel6sh ser
wants of society. Further, be it
Resolved, That this convention rec
ommends that pastors and churches
make special study of the social teach
ings of Jesus with view of seeking to
apply them to modern industrial prob
lens; that they strive to come into closer
touch and cooperation with the humani-
tartan efforts being put forth by labor
organizations.
Rev. w. c. Clark of Lyndon reported
for the committee on polity. Ii was
suggested that the name OF the state
organization be changed to the Vermont
Congregational Conference and that
advisory committees be appointed by
county conferences, and the report was
adopted. A resolution was passed
directing that the legislature be asked
to change the name of the organization
as suggested.
During the convention there was
good deal of discussion of the liquor
law which resulted in the adoption of
the following resolutions;
Whereas, the investigation made by
our committee on civic justice indicates
that it is an open question with our peo-
pie whether progress in Punishment OF
the saloon is to be best obtained through
the unit of the town or by state legisla
tom
Whereas, referendum would afford
opportunity for a useful agitation OF the
subject: and
Whereas, the licensed saloon is an
evil which cannot be permanently toll
Grated in a Christian community;
Resolved, That the Congregational
convention of Vermont hereby requests
all political parties at their next state
conventions to insert in their platform a
plank favorable to a referendum.
Resolved, That our secretary be in
structed to bring this action to the at
tention of the state committees of the
different political parties in Vermont
officers were elected as follows Pres
ident, Rev. DR.. Rufus c. Flagg, of
Newport; vice president, NJ. H. Buck
ham, of Burlington; secretary, Rev, w.
c. Clark, of Lyndon; corresponding
secretary, John NJ. Comstock, of Chel-
sea; treasurer, David Nj. Camp, of
Newport; auditors, John c. Clark, of
St. Johnsbury, and c. F. Ranney, OF
Newport; trustees, Rev. Henry Fair
banks, of St. Johnsbury, c. W. Osgood,
of Bellows Falls, W. ]. Van Patten, OF
Burlington, Alexander Gordon, OF Barre,
Rev. X. II. Ball, of Fair Haven; delegate
to the Vermont Methodist Conference,
Rev. L. A. Wilson, Hardwick; delegate
to the Baptist state convention, Rev W.
!. Ballou. of Ludlow visitor to Andoyer
Theological Seminary, Rev. N. R.Nichols,
of Sudbury; committee on polity, Key.
w. c. Clark, of Lyndon, Rev. Dr. {. II.
Merrill, of St. Johnsbury, Rev. J. II.
Morley, of Springfield; committee on
printing, Rev. DR.. c. H, Merrill, OF st.
Iohnsbury, Rev. E. G.French, OF Lyndon
vile. Rev. D. II. Strong, OF Williams
town; committee on inter-denomina-
tional comfy for five years, +. W. Bald
win. of Newport, for tour years, Kew
Fraser Metzger, of Randolph, for three
wears, Rev II. K. Miles, of Brattleboro,
for two years, Rev DR.. c. H. Merrill, OF
ST. Iohnsbury, for one year, Rev. }.
B. Sargent. of Mortified. Two names,
those of F. H. Brooks, of st. Johnsbury,
and Rev. c. c. St. Clare, OF Morrlsvllle'
were proposed and accepted tor members
of the American Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions. 49,,
The convention will meet in Randolph |
next year. ,.., -:-
On Wednesday the ninetieth arniver-
sary of the Vermont Domestic Missionary
Society was observed. The Rev. Henry
Fairbanks of St. Johnsbury presided;
Iohn T. Richie of St. Johnsbury presented
+ he report of the treasurer, which showed
total receipts of $19093.55. The sec
retarv. Rev. DR.. c. H. Merrill OF ST.
Iohnsburv, presented the report OF the
directors. He told of a steady forward
movement and a small increase IN
revenue. Two churches, at Hardwick
and at West Charleston had become
selfsupporting. He said that made,
ouate salaries continue and intlmated
that the society was ready to aid IN the
increase of salaries of pastors OF needy
Churches. officers were elected as fol
lows: President, Rev. Henry Fairbanks
of St. Iohnsbury; vice-president' N. "
Williams of Bellows Falls; auditor,
Charles S. Adams of St. ohnsbury;
directors for three years, D. M; Camp OF
Newport. Rev. H. r. Miles OF brattle-