The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-06-30
VERMONT Comfy COMMISSION
Makes Announcement Of Its Plans For
The Coming Year.

The report of the Vermont Comfy
Commission, just made public, is al
follows;
The time has come when the Yer
mont INSTRUMENTATION Commission
must be something more than a Iame
Since It's establishment in 1890 its chief
function has been that Of an organized
sentiment against excessive denomina-
tional zeal within the state. It's research
and advisory work has thus far been
but very slight
| AT the last meeting Of the commits.
sion, Jan 10, 1908, at Montpelier II
was voted TO instruct the executive
committee to secure research seere-
tary who should be able to give some
time to the careful study OF the stu
alton, that he serve without pay, but
empowered to raise money for neces-
sary expenses, such funds to be expend-
ed under the supervisor Of the execu-
tive committee" Even this at it's best
IS but humble beginning of more posi-
tive work in behalf of united and eff
fective christian work in Vermont, es-
| pecially at time when church fedora
tion is recognized as the most neces.
sary and significant reform in organi:-
ed christeudom.
Immediately after this last meeting
Of the comfy commission the execu.
tive committee began correspondence
| r,stb Abn Da,s Cnnr,,x Lrro1.ss.I- vffntt,
| pector Of the Federated churches Of
| Lincoln, TO secure him as the research
secretary Of the commission. Mr.. Wells
has had both scientific and theological
training, being 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 had 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 country
church conditions for the country de
partment Of the Young Mems Christian
association and for the Carnegie Insti.
tuition at Washington.
It was not until after two months
when an associate pastor was engegad
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
viii occupy July and August, 1908, and
aside from the annual report, the in
vestigator 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:
/. A study and classification of eoun-
try communities according to their So
cial and religious conditions to get a
basis for determining the adyisability
cf federation work. This study win
not be confined to Vermont towns.
2. A study OF local church federation
and unions to determine the means and
the methods Of tho practical work. This
phase Of the work, also, win not be
confnedt our state.
3. Special studies IN Vermont will be
made to determine the best use of do
nestle missionary. moneys, ard of the
means Of adjusting the salaries of pas
tors in the smaller communities.
4. The separate state denominationnl
propogandas will be studied impartial
ly and in detail, with reference to the
presnce Of excessive secretarian zeal.
S. 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 Personals ttention win be CIV
en- to these cases az far as the time and
means at hand will permit.
1t is estimated that this specific in-
vestigation fer the Vermont Jnterde,
nominational Comfy commission will
cost for necessary expenses alone not
less than $500. This item is but
slight item by the side Of the present
wastes az church funds in religious over.
tapping and inadequate administration
The sole purpose Of tie investigation
shall be that of securing up to date,
practical information as to our own
conditions and needs. The results OF
the study will be given to the public
through the general press and IN q
printed report Of the years work, which
will be given toe ach contributor Of 81
o. more toward the expenses of the
study A prompt response from
churches, pastors and laymeu is asked
for this appeal in behalf of the great
est need Of the churches. in the small
towns Of Vermont. Remittances may
be made direct to the research secre-
tary or. to any member Of the execu.
tive committee
Rev. Frazer Metzger, chairman. Ran
dolph, Rev. F. D. Penney. D. d., Bur
Iington, Rev. Lewis Dexter. West Top
sham, Rev. w. S. Smithers. Montpel-
Ter, executive committee; George Fred
erick Wells, Lincoln, VT, research sec
rotary.
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