The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-06-11

VERMONT coNeREeATIoNALIsTs
Over 100 cIergymen and Delegates at
18th Annual MEETING


st. Adams, June 9.-The 18th an
nual meeting OF the Congregational
convention Of Vermont was opened In
the Congregational church In this city
at o'clock this afternoon. w. j. Van
Patten Of Burlington presiding. About
100 clergymen and delegates arrived
on the morning train and more came
this evening. Prayer was offered by
Rev. M. L. Severance Of Lowell, Rev
Mr.. Thorp of Wallingford was elected
scribe and Rev. c. G. Adams OF Essex
Junction assistant scribe.
Mayor N. N. Atwood delivered an
address of welcome for the city and
In the absence Of ex-Gov z. G. Smith
Walter H. Crockett for local church,
to which President Van Patten res.
ponded.
The president announced as bust
ness committee, Rev. II. II. Ball of
Fair Haven, G. II. Durham OF Brattle-
boro and +. A. Bond of Middlebury.
The report Of the Fairbanks board
of education was given by Rev. Henry
Fairbanks of st. Johnsbury. The re.
port Of the Fairbanks board for relief
OF ministers was presented by Rev.
DR.. c. Ii. Merrill of st. Johnsbury.
The later report showed that a consid-
cradle portion Of the funds available
for the year was not expended.
A committee on nominations was
announced by the president as follows
Rev. II. r. Miles OF Brattleboro, Rev
+. A. Poole OF Barre and w. II. Crock.
EFT of this city. Rev. Fl r Miles pres
ented the report of the program COM
mittee. Rev. l.. o. Sherbune then
briefly addressed the convention in
the interest Of Vermont Bible society
Rev. G. s. Mills of Bennington spoke
of the proposed evangelist campaign.
1t is suggested that about the middle
of November four weeks campaign
be begun under the leadership OF Rev
j. Wilbur Chapman. Probably the
work will be divided into sections,
east and west, confined to the larger
centers. The matter was referred to
a committee consisting of Rev. r. r.
Davies Of Vergennes, Rev. G. s. Mills
of Bennington and ID. NJ. Camp of New
port.
The report Of the committee on be-
nevolences was presented by Rev
Benjamin Swift of Woodstock and dis
cussed at length. better method of ap.
portionment being called for.
Fraternal greeting was extended by
Rev j. s. Brown OF st. Adams for
the Baptists and Rev. r. l.. Lowe OF
st. Adams fof the Methodists.
The report OF Treasurer d NJ. Camp
showed balance on hand of $780, 80
with $372.66 still due.
One of the most interesting features
OF the convention was the report OF
Corresponding Secretary John NJ. Com
stock of Chelsea. It shows the mum.
Der OF churches 10 be 213, an increase
over last year. There are four dor
mant churches, namely those at Lei
cester, East Poultney, Ripton and AL
bany. In regard to the pastoral sup
ply, 80 churches are considered va.
cant, six supplied by students for the
summer, and the remaining ia are
regularly supplied
The total membership January 1,
1908, was 22,055, decrease OF 80
from the year before Additions ex.
ceeded the removals. however, by 10,
the discrepancy of AZ being due to a
shrinkage caused by what purports to
be more accurate counting in sever.
al churches. The number of add.
lions by conversion was 555. which is
small, with 451 by letter, which is
about the average, making the total
OF 1905, Removals numbered 993 OF
which 442 were by death, 400 by let
ter and 172 by reversion.
Sunday school membership Is 49,.
liz, an increase OF 222 over last year
but IL fewer churches have young peo-
pies societies.
Infant baptisms numbered 291,
which Is the smallest In five years.
The total of benevolent contributions
was SCI ,61S, a gain Of $10,551 over last
year. Home expenditures were $685..
1926 which was $5S15 more than last
year.
Church property In the state is val
ued at $1.970,965, an increase OF $113,.
900 for the year. The number OF
brotherhoods and mems clubs is rap
idly increasing. One minister died
during the year.
The annual sermon was delivered
by Rev. Stephen G. Barnes of st.
Johnsbury which was followed by the
sacrament Of the Lords supper. The
evening address was Congregational
Efficiency" by Rev. c. H. Dickinson.
This was followed by q discussion Of
THE Over Churched Country Town"
by Rev. L. +. Reed Of Montpelier.
A reception was given by the Wom-
ems association Of the st, Adams
church after the regular program.