Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-06-10
Vermont Congregational Conference,
lContinued irom PAGE ID

would certainly please those without
titles and it was accordingly adopted.
1t was also resolved that the conference
accepts the offer OF the librarian of the
Verne mt Historical society to become the
custodian Of volumes Of old manuscript
records of the conference, subject at any
time to the recall OF this body; and that
the holders of records OF extinct confer
ences, associations and churches in the
state are advised to deposit these records
for preservation with the said librarian.
Arthur Stone, editor OF the St. Johns
curry CALIFORNIAN, appeared before the
conference to call The attention OF pastors
to the order Of special service prepared by
the Terceutenary commission for July 4.
probably the real anniversary day of the
discovery OF Lake Champlain, and to be-
speak their efforts for general observ-
ance Of Champlain Sunday throughout
the state.
Rev. Benjamin Swift explained the ap-
portionment plan Of the COMMITTEES on
benevolences, which at its meeting in
Rutland decided on apportioning associa-
tions on the basis of current expenses,
averaged for the last five years, and the
plan has been favorably received. This
is believed to be the only business-like
way Of getting at the matter, and the
success of this SCENE is largely in the
hands of the ministers. The committee
found the expenses throughout the state
for five years amounted to S22, 500.
Where an association paid 10 per cent of
that sum, 10 per cent Of the s42, 722 asked
from the state by the National Council
was apportioned to that association, and
so on according to the per cent figured
for the
Rev. F. B. Kellogg OF Waterbury was
called upon for report OF the committee en-
civic justice, but that committee, having
previously reported its work in regard to
license, had nothing further to add at
this time.
SECRETARY COMSTOCK's REPORT.
John NJ. Comstock of Chelsea. CORE
spending secretary, gave the following
clear and interesting account of condi-
tions in the church,
This is the second time the state body
has held its annual meeting in Randolph.
The former meeting was in 1856, a time
not so remote as 20 prevent the attend
ance of good number at this gathering
who were present at the former. This
I 1855 meeting was noteworthy for the at
teDtjon given to the topic OF state evan
gelization. centering about the statistics
Of religious conditions prevailing in the
state and the map graphically illustrating
these conditions which had been prepared
by Rev. Henry Fairbanks and were pre-
sented by him at the anniversary OF the
Vermont Domestic Missionary society.
This discussion had important and last
ing results.
The list OF ministers deceased during
. . ~. = II
contains some well-known names. One
pastor has died in active service in the
state, Milton l. Severance, who. after
long pastorates with two Of our larger
churches, finished his % years of service
in a smaller field. Harry E. Merrill had
become widely known as a representative
Of the sabbath Protective league. Elias
w. Hatch was 80 years in the active min
istry in his native state. Samuel J. NJ.
Lord, five years minister OF two Vermont
churches half century since. had but re-
Gently returned in his old age to his ma
tive state. The following have died With
out the state-Robert d. Miller, % years
in the Vermont ministry, with six
churches; Lewis c. Partridge. Il years in
two Vermont churches; Solomon p. Gid
dinCs, nine years with three churches
John ID. kingsbnry, the eloquent renre-
sentative Of the National Home Mission
airy society, nine years pastor in Yer
mont; Austin Dodge, six years in the
state; Charles w. Emerson and John ].
Hall, five years each; ID. Sage Mackay.
four years; Moody A. Stevens, three
years; Reuben Hatch, two years; Gilbert
A. Curtis and William G. Sexton, each
one year in Vermont service. There is
also one native Of the state who was never
in the psstorste here, Warren n. Dun
ham, born in Milton. In special honor
we shall hold the name OF Daniel Miner
Rogers, who so lately left his brief but
effective work in Vermont for the foreign
field, where he has won the martyrs
crown.
NO CHURCH ROLL CHANGES.
There is no change in the roll OF
churches. No new organization has vet
resulted from aggressive work in I'M
ehurcbed communities. No church has
actually expired, though q few remain
with only nominal life. West Dover was
reduced to a scanty membership, all non
resident, but vigorous work OF the state
missionary, Mr.. Stewart, has resulted in
additions both by confession and by let
ter and a renewal Of life. This church
has constituency of considerable size
ana Is the only organization in its viii
lage, and its demise would be a serious
loss. West Milton now has but one resi-
dent member and apparently no prospect
OF restoration to activity. There is regu-
lar preaching in the meeting house once
occupied by this church, but it is entirely
disconnected with the organization. At
Alburg, where the church has been for
some time dormant, work has been re-
opened with much announcement.
Federation, while apparently successful
wherever it has been attempted, has been
undertaken in but one new field. At
Fairlee, the Congregational and Metho-
dist churches united April / in a union
patterned after that formed at Randolph
Center. A pastor was called and was
about to begin work when be was sud
denly taken away by death. The union
here has a somewhat different motive
from that in the other federated fields.
The two churches have for many years
occupied the same building, supplying
the pulpit alternately from neighboring
towns and holding all services in COM
mon. The change to which the new