Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-25
CHURCH Comfy
Four Denominations Working
along This Line in Vermont.
The ncv. q. r. Wells Report" Excel
lent Results from His six Months
Service As Representative Of
the state Commission.

Commission has finished his first SIX
months's work in this State with splendid
results. Five representative men from
each of the Baptist Congregational, Free
Baptist and Methodist denominations
compose the comfy 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 3N
PERSONS of the total population. Calculat-
ing for the seven leading Protestant
denominations. Vermont has 10 COM
munities with one church each. But
there are 1877 communities with two
churches each: 81 with three churches;
Is with four churches; six with i've
churches; two with seven churches and
one with six churches; all of these
churches being one OF seven deromina-
tions only. More than 5000 of domestic
missionary funds are expended each year
ir Vermont fields where there are two
or more churches. Such is the mis-
sion larry cost of church rivalry. 1t IS
claimed that too many ministers are
living at starvation rates in continuing
this unchristian strife.
Following is part of Mr.. Weiss
report:
Twenty sermons were preached. i6
pulpit addresses and nine lectures de-
livered. 43o0 miles travelled, 7T letters
mailed. IA articles printed. six others
accepted and many more called for OF
the As cases of difficulty between or con-
rerning local churches reported Il have
sought for no cases of difficulty Is have
been visited and many others studied
ar q c1ked
consider actively six Of the great
problems which face the general Christian
unity movement and extensive investiga-
tons are necessary in the handling Of
them. A problem in church location has
ieen solved which will save and multiply
the efficiency of two new mission
churches. One denomination has discon-
tnued the project of building a church
In one overchurched community. Many
rhurches have been stimulated to ag-
pressive but brotherly service. Several
other cases Of difficulty are in rapid
progress Of adjustment. Not only has
the largest photography on church and
Christian unity in America been gathered,
but as we'll. the most complete body of
data upon local instances Of federative
and union work These, with an ex-
tensive directory of practical federation
workers throughout the country. will be
Of untold value to the growing move
hlent.
The settling OF two Of the above men,
toned cases has already saved to the
churches Of Vermont ten times the ex.
pense Of the research secretary thus far!
The comfy commission Is In the field
for results. We seek to promote such
work as Randolph township represents
AS-A
churches and nine ministers struggling
90 do the work which. to-day. nine
churches and six ministers are doing &c
better advantage We want more
Instances as at Fairlee where. by fedora.
fior, a resident % stor has taken the place
In stronger parish service Of two former
nonresident supplies. One denomina
tionai leader refused recently to permit
a struggling church to federate because
kaid no, II would be ashamed TO confess
while am In ONCE, that that church 60
30 weak that II must fedsrate to live.
Another leader would not permit q still
weaker church to organieally unite with
other churches In the formation Of on
etrong community church because n
feared to face his denomination havini
given UP one Of It's churches. Must com
Snunities suffer FOR the sake Of denomna
tional records? The fact that there ar
too many churches in small places Is no
the fault usually of the present lead
ers, but II the disease contin
Ies who more than they arc re
eponsible. We seek to open ever,
case OF narrow unchristian. bigoted an
wasteful sectnrian record-sesking t
the lime-light OF wholesome public opin
Ion. AS a clearing house OF the best In
formation on these subjects we seek t
help the denominations to DO Christian
We would heal the curse OF ovsrlookn
and overlapping
Comfy Is preventive. Federal ton Is a
active process Of remedy. Cooperate
and organic union call for the simple sery
ice of churches in community building
The comfy commission is the churches q
work in the redirection Of her fundamer
tai resources for the highest efficiency
We seek to get the churches to perform
necessity Of so numerous reform soc!'
ties"
Vermont to-day with Ga instances Of IL
raj interdenominationala action Is ahead {
every other state in the Union.
Mrs, Louie Kite, AIS Outlen ST., Dar
VILE H., writes, October LIST: "Foley
Eidney pills started me on the road I
health was treated by four doctors ar
took other kidney remedies but gre
worse and was unable to do my no us'
work, and the doctor told me ! onl
could live wdom two to six months.
am now SO much better that do all m
pwn wrok. and shall he very glad
tell any one afflicted with kidney
bladder trouble the good results r
solved from taking FoIey's Kidnt
Pills Commence to-day and be we
Do not risk having Brights Disease
Diabetes. j. w. C'Sullivan "a Churs
street.
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