Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-15
CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH MEETING
Spiritual Descendants of the Pill
grims Assemble at Bellows
Falls in 18th Convention.


evidence. The occasion is the 1l6cN an
nual meeting of the Vermont Congrega-
tional conference which is holding its ses-
sons in the First Congregational Church.
Dr. Pratt, the pastor, and his corps Of
committees had everything In readiness
and the delegates were met with automo-
biles al the station and transported to the
church for the afternoon session. and
then to their places of entertainment the
ether denominations sharing in extending
hospitality to the guests.
At two o'clock this afternoon the con-
ference was called to order by the Rev.
George S. Mills Of Bennington. the presi-
dent. who ably welded the gavel over the
session. The Rev William C. Clark of
Barnet is the secretary and has his end
Of the work 80 well in hand that he can
often give pointers to other officials II is
worthy IF note that both Mr.. Clark and
his father, the Rev. Mr. Clark OF Geor-
ria, are delegates as are the Rev. Mr..
rlomhed, the pastor Of the church at
Montpelier. and his father. who Is pastor
of the church at Berlin. Not often are
two fathers and their sons clerical dele
safes to the same gathering.
CHANGES IN RULES.
The Rev D. S. G. Barnes Of the South
Church. St Johnsbury, for the committee
on rules: made lengthy report suggest
Ing various changes for the facilitation Of
the business of the conference sessions.
One of these rules was intended to smut
off all preliminary debate on the floor of
the conference prior to the reference OF
matter to a committee. This was OBJ.
or
might be looked upon as a species Of gag
law. but the matter was smoothed over
ny saying that if the conference so de-
sired the rule could be suspended to allow
of Immediate discussion and action on
important questions needing immediate
action. Another feature was the PROPOSE
ton to require all members introducing
any matter to refer the same to the COM
! mittee direct rather than through the
business committee. DR.. Barnes saying
that the members Of the conference would
have intelligence enough to know the
committee to which It should be referred
Later a laugh was had at the expense
of Dr. Barnes. as several of the leading
members of the conference did not seem
to be sure of the committee to which an
important matter should be referred.
On motion of the Rev. Frazer Metzger
of Randolph. the conference voted TO
elect delegates to the new, tentatively
organized federal council of churches
rather than to the old comfy commits
sion which has Just been merged into
the former body.
MOTION BY MR.. GUTHRIE.
A proposition made by the Rev. f. G..
Guthrie of Burlington to change the
time of the annual meeting from the
second week in June to the second week
In May brought forth opposition from
Dr. Fairbanks and others on the ground
that 1t would be at a time unadapted
to the delegates from the farming sec
tons The proposition was finally made
special order for $40 Wednesday morn
Ing
Treasurer D. NJ Camp of Newport
made his annual report showing a hand
somc balance In the treasury, after all
bills had been paid and also debts yet
due the conference from the county as
ISOLATION. The same was accepted and
approved for publication in the minutes.
Walter A. Davenport. pastor of the local
Methodist Church was introduced and
presented the fraternal greetings of the
Vermont annual conference of the Metho-
dist Church. of which body he Is the
secretary, \ response was made by Presl-
dent Mills following which "A recess was
taken.
After devotions conducted by the Rev.
Walter Thorpe of Wallngford the con-
ference sermon was delivered by the
Rev. Frazer Metzger OF Randolph. the
pastor of the Federated Church there.
NC ri1a al sCr
life of sacrifice and for a faith that
met the demand for n religion that is a
Mans job" The holy eucharist was
then administered by the BILE Geo.
+. Chaplin of saxtons River e. J. Lewis
of West Rrattleboro. and the deacons
of the local church after which the con-
ference adjourned.
ADDRESS BY c. c. Fits
The chief features of the evening ses-
sion was an address by the Hon Clarke
c. Fits of Brattleboro on the now famous
Better Brattleboro" movement which
had its inception last winter in a free
banquet given TO the members of the
Congregational brotherhood of that place
by its president. George l.. Durham. At
that meeting everybody was bubbling
over with enthusiasm. for more and better
work for Bratteboro This was fol-
lowed up by missionary work among the
other churches which resulted in uniting
all religious organizations, Catholic and
Protestant radical and orthodox. in a
week of meetings under the leadership
| of Frank G. Dyer of Chicago, secretary
of the National Brotherhood. At these
meetings all worthy interests OF the place
We're represented and prominent men of
the place, representing all Creeds and
| patries, got together and talked for a
bigger. buster. and especially for better
! Bratteboro.
As result OF all this mo" campaign
was waged that turned n narrow mo-
margin into vote against the saloons
| OF nearly two to one A movement was
also started to secure n building for a
common center for recreation and in
strucuon for men and boys. Not less
IMAM s3''ooo is to be used for this purpose.
Ihe movement has also provided for two
hddl'iohal parks, for the erection OF
oeauttul and sanitary tcnemonts for the
incoming mn hands, and for many other
needed civic improvements
VERMONT is PROGRESSIVE
Mr. Fits denied that Vermont was
| stagnant or decadent in most matters. and
| claimed that the state was more progres-
| sive in all laws relating to the Regulation
| of corporations than either New Uarn-
shire. New Jersey or Wisconsin. a,tbourb
those States have their Bass. Wilson ana
La Toilette. IN closing Mr. Fits desired
that Brattloboro might be beautiful and
righteous "a city OF God among men"
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