Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-07-10
CHURCH FEDERATION.
Program of the Comfy Com m s.
sion. A New Task.

SION. y view ASK.
The time has come when the Vermont
Interdenominational Commission must
be something more than name. Since
its establishment in 1899 its chief func-
ton has been that of an organized SEM
timent against excessive UNCONVENTIONAL
zeal within the State. Its research and
advisory work has thus far been but very
slight.
At the last meeting of the commission,
Jan. 10, 1908, at Montpelier, it was voted
to instruct the executive committee to
secure a research secretary who should
be able to give some time to the "care
full study of the situation, that he serve
without pay, but empowered to raise
money for necessary expenses, such
funds to be expended under the super
vision of the executive committee
Even this at its best is but humble
beginning of more positive work in be-
half of united and effective Christian
work in Vermont, especially at time
when church federation is recognized
as the most necessary and significant
reform in organized Christendom.
Immediately after this last meeting
of the county commission the executive
committee began correspondence with
the Rev. George Frederick Wells, pas
tor of the Federated churches of Lin
coin, to secure him as the research Sec
rotary of the commission. Mr.. Wells
has had both scientific and theological
training, being a Bachelor of Science
from the University of Vermont and
Bachelor of Divinity from Drew Theo-
logical seminary. For three. years he
has been pastor of union or federated
churches. Perhaps no one in the State
has made more thorough study of the
local federation needs. his principal in
vestigation in this field having been
made for the National Federation of
churches. AT the present time he has
charge of Investigations of county
church conditions for the county de-
partment of the Young Mems Christian
Association and for the Carnegie Insttu-
ton at Washington.
1t was not until after two months,
when an associate pastor was engaged
for the Lincoln Federated churches, that
Mr.. Wells consented to do the work for
the commission, and then under slightly
modified conditions. His work for the
comfy commission will form a part of
larger study, the field work of which
will occupy July and August, 1908, and
aside from the annual report, the
investigator is to have first right to
the material secured. The scope of the
work of the research secretary of the
comfy commission, which is already
begun, is about as follows
l. study and classification of coun-
try communities according to their
social and religious conditions to get a
basis for determining the advisability of
federation work. This study will not
be confined to Vermont towns.
2. study Of local church declarations
and unions to determine the means and
the methods Of the practical work. This
phase of the work, also, will not be con-
fined to our State.
8. Special studies in Vermont will be
made to determine the best use of do
nestle missionary moneys, and of the
means of adjusting the salaries of pas
tors in the smaller communities.
| A. The separate State denominational
propagandas will be studied impartally
and in detail, with reference to the
presence of excessive sectarian zeal.
8. Mr.. Wells especially desires to be
consulted in regard to peculiar local
conditions where there is apparent over
tapping or the presence of sectarian
strife. Personal attention will be given