Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-06-10
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN 4. RICHIE. Treasur,
REPORT OF DIRECTORS.

AEIOhl Of DlhEO1OhS.
Rev. c. H. Merrill outlined the direc-
tors report, which noted first the death
OF a faithful missionary, the late Rev.
Milton l.. Severance, a typical Vermont
er. The little church In Lowell which he
served in his declining years, prospered
under his preaching and pastoral care,
while to his memory will stand an annex
to the church building secured through
his agency. There have been so workers
in 40 different Vermont fieIds-s of them
women; 12, students in the itinerant de-
partment, and one, the general mission
airy. Thirty-one find enrolment in the
ordinary department OF pastoral service,
10 in the itinerant and IA in the wOm-
ans department. A comparison with the
year before shows exactly the same mum
Der OF fields and two more workers this
year. The results as shown in additions
and removals during the year are as fol.
iow:-Additions by confession 81, by
letter %, total 81 +; removals by letter 40,
by death %, by exclusion 2, total, SO; net
gain, II. These figures are all smaller
than the year before, and in view Of this
and OF the fact that none OF the additions
are due to the revival interest that has
increased the membership of our larger
churches, 1t Is especially gratifying tC
find that the balance is still unfailingly
upon the right side. improvements and
additions to property are found in jana
ca where the parsonage has been repaired
and in South Woodbury., where the inte-
rior of the church has been renovated in
addition to the improvements made last
year upon the exterior. At Lowell, an
annex to the meeting house has beer
built, furnishing in the two stories ample
accommodations for social purposes. The
\ title to the parsonage In Eden from thu
/ generous donor, through whose liberalitl
the building that was purchased by hin
was thoroughly repaired, has been dur
/ ing the year legally vested in the incor
\ porated church. At Vershire, the meet
\ ing house owned by pew holders residen
/ ard nonresident. and formerly in contro
/ OF the Baptists, which has been used bl
/ our church for many years with the con
\ sent OF those holding interests in it, hal
\ recently been made over to us by the Bap
/ fist state missionary society, and prepar
atoms have been made for its repair AMI
renovation this summer. The annuity
\ funds held by the society have been large
4 ly increased during the year, and it i
reasonable to suppose that as the atten
/ ton OF those who plan to remember th'
/ churches OF the state in their wills i
called to this opportunity to carry GU
their purposes and to secure a safe iucom
during life, that more will take advant
age of it.
STATE MISSIONARIES REPORT.
4 Rev. w. r. Stewart gave an AMUSING
account Of his experiences as state mis-
sionary and also spoke very earnestly o
the deplorable condition of some parts o
the Vermont field. During the past yea
he has visited all kinds OF churches
churches without pastors, without dea
cons, without buildings, without mean
and even without members. He ha
served in every capacity except that
deacon and sometimes it seemed almos
necessary for him to fill that office, too
He has travelled 5515 miles, been in ever.
county except Essex, preached 143 ser
mons and made 500 calls. No new
churches have been organized but thos
OF AIburg and Bridgewater have been re
vived. He considers Vermont good hom
missionary ground and her mountain
incubation, while less illiterate, are not ?
MANY removes in civilization from tn
mountain whites of the South. The
need to have the truths of the gospel pre-
sented to them and some new Work ma
been started for their benefit throug
sunday schools organized in the outlyin
districts. The supreme effort in the IL
ture should Zoe to draw the rural CON
munities and the large centers OF churc
life into closer contact so that the o.
church will feel personal responsibilit
for, and take a personal interest m 10
little mission.
Rev. w. J. Ballou Of Ludlow, who 70
lowed Mr.. Stewart, carried on bis line
thought by suggesting that the well-ei
, tablished church should, with the help
the missionary society perhaps, supper
An assistant pastor to work in the outlJ
ing rural districts under the direction
the church and with the advice OF its res
Mar pastor. Mr.. Ballou has been cult
waiting the neglected corner OF Tyson VII
J most gratifying results aud bis deseril
. tion 81 his methods in reaching the PEI
I Ne revealed the wisdom of the serper
and the harmiessness of the dove. n
: storv Of q poor mountain family brougi
, into the light of true faith moved man
, Of his hearers to tears.