The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-11-22
BRINGINc cHURcHEs ToGErHER.
Too Many Vermont Ministers Are Living
at Starvation Prices.

Burlington, Nov ~. The Rev. George
Frederick Wells Of the Vermont interde.
nomnational comfy commission has tin-
ished his first six months work in this
state with splendid results. Five repre-
sentative men from each Of the Baptist,
Congregational, Free Baptist and Meth
odist determinations compose the comity
commission, and by unanimous vote
at the last. annual meeting Mr. Wells
was asked to devote one year TO the
promotion Of comfy mutual credit and
the active cooperation Of the churches
of Vermont.
Vermont has one church for every 1874
persons of the total population Call
culating for the seven leading Protestant
denominations, Vermont has ITO com
there are l27 communities with two
churches each; "a with three churches;
IS with four churches; six with five
churches; two with seven churches, and
one with six churches; all of these
churches being one Of seven denomina-
tions only. More than $4,000 of domes-
tie missionary funds are expended each
year in Vermont fields where there are
two or more churches Such Is the mis-
sionary cost Of church rivalry. II 4
claimed that too many ministers are liz,
ing at starvation rates in continuing this
I'M Christian strife.
Mr.. Wells reports partially as follows:
The settling Of two of the above mon
toned eases has already saved to the
churches of Vermont ten times the ex-
pense Of the research society thus far
The comfy commission Is in the field
for results We seek to promote such
work as Randolph township represents,
where, five years ago, there were ten
churches and nine ministers struggling
to do the work which, to-day, nine
churches and six ministers are doing to
better advantage We want more in
stances as at Fairlee, where by fedora
tion, resident pastor has taken the
place in stronger parish service Of two
former nonresident supplies. One de-
nominational leader refused recently 60
permit a struggling church to federate
because, said he II would be ashamed To
confess, while / am in office, that that
church got so weak that il must federate
to live" Another leader would not per
nit a still weaker church 10 organicaIly
unite with other churches In the forina-
tion Of one strong community church. be-
cause be feared to face his denomination,
having given up one Of its churches.
Must communities suffer for the sake OF
denominational records? The fact that
there are too many churches in small
places is not the fault. usually, OF the
present leaders but, If the disease con.
times. who more than they are RESPONSE.
bleY We seek TO open every case Of mar
row. um-Christian, bieoted and wasteful
sectarian record.seeking to the lime light
of wholesome public opinion AS clear
ing house Of the best information on
these subjects, we seek to help the de-
nominations to be Christian. We would
heal the curse OF overlooking and over
tapping.
Comfy IS preventive Federation is an
active process Of remedy Cooperation
and organic union call for the simple
service Of churches IN community build
ing The comfy commission is thu
church a work IN The redirection 81
her fundamental resources for the high.
eat efficiency I'VE seek to get the
churches to performing their full fnnc.
tions to remove the necessity of so
numerous reform societies.
Vermont to-day with Ct instances of
local denominations action i ahead
Of every other state in the union