Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-15
LESS
CHURCH MEMBERS
Present Number of Congregation
alists in Vermont Is 2,347-
Other Statistics.
CONTINUED on page 2.)

Bellows Falls. June 14.-Variable
weather greeted the Congregational
clergy and delegates as they assembled
to-day for their second days session.
Chairman Spencer of the business com
mittee reported against the resolution to
change the date Of the annual meeting
of the conference from the second Tues
day in June TO the second Tuesday in
May. This evoked considerable discus
sion. and the entire matter was referred
to a special committee, consisting of q.
w. c. Hill Of St Johnsbury. G.. l.. Dun
ham Of Brattleboro and p. F. Hazen of
St. Johnsbury, to consider and report
later.
Statistical Secretary Comstock Of
Chelsea gave his annual report, which,
as always, was a document of great in
terest. He stated that there has been
no change in the number of the churches
on the roll though branch church
with Is new members has been formed
in a rural section OF Bridgewster. the
same having been organized July 10,
1910 The churches at Kirby, Ripton and
Worcester were reported as inactive" d"
and the one at West Poultncy as holding
the same relation save that it contri-
buted for UNCONVENTIONAL missions.
Referring to the status of the clergy
Of that denomination of the State Mr..
Comstock said that there We're but II
men regularly installed by council and
three others recognized by council,
a smaller proportion than ever before.
OF the rest OF the churches Il had sum
mer supplies 90 were vacant, and lti
had. with more or less of regularity a
pastor of the church" hired by the local
church for greater or less length of
time.
The present membership Is 22,347 n
loss Of 80 over the previous year. But
as the number of nonresident members
is 10 larger than n year ago this makes
the total loss of resident membership A.
There had been $40 additions by confes-
| sion and 442 by letter, n total list OF 1,06a
| accessions. This WAS offset by al deaths
| and $50 dismissals. There was also n loss
! Of 81 in the Sunday schools and 1877 in
| the Young Peoples societies
Several legacies were reported for
| churches in Orleans county and else
where, and the total increase in In
vested funds for tho various churches
was nearly $4,000. A $4,000 marble
church had been dedicated at Dorse.
and concrete parsonage is under con-
struction at North Pownal
Treasurer Nebon OF st. Johnsbury
gave his report MS treasurer of the
Fairbanks board OF education. Dur
ing the year the board had expended
500 in aiding seven worthy students
to secure an education, and the board
had some money on hand at the close
| Of the year. The income is cerive1
| largely from invested funds. The con.
ference then suspended to allow tho
Vermont Domestic Missionary societ,
OF the treasurer showed total receipts
from the State society of s6,320.S2 ans
from the National society the sum o.
$201.57 IN adjusting the accounts be
tween the two societies, 30 that Sc,
02340 had been available for wort
during the past year The Nationa
society has received from the State
total of $1S,195.77. an Increase OF over
$1,000 over the previous year Thr
new suportionment plan is meeting
with increasing favor
| WORK IN 40 FIELDS.
| The report OF the board OF director,
| showed that AZ workers In 49 fields ha,
! given the equivalent OF 20 years and eigh
months OF service, OF these fields q hav,
been regular pastors. 10 itinerant pastor!