The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-01-02
TESTIMONIAL TO REV. DowNEY.
Was Adopted at Meeting of Universal
ist Church-Business Not Completed.

The annual meeting OF the First Uni
versalist church opened last evening at
o'clock with a parish supper in the
yestry by the ladies aid society to near
In 100 persons. At some tables covers
were twice laid. and the event was one
( of the most enjoyable church reunions
held in some wears. For number OF
reasons, however, the attendance this
year was somewhat lighter than on pre-
Sious occa sionS.
Directly after supper, the annual bus
iless meeting convened with :. ID. Al
lel in the chair and Clerk George II
Bates acting as secretary. Rev. George
+ Fortier of Rutland, superintendent OF
the Universalist churches in Vermont,
was also present, and spoke at some
length at different times during the
meeting. The reports of the various
church officers were read at the call OF
the chair. although action usually tax
en- AZ that time was sometimes suspend
ed The regular parish meeting will be
held later, when it, is likely that bus
mess not handled last evening will be
transacted. Superintendent Fortler IN
discussing some of the problems which
are now facing the local church organ
ization. said that the Universalist church
in Barre was one of the most important
If not the greatest point of vantage
which the denomination has in Vermont.
IRON it's peculiar position, the nature OF
the field in which it is located, and the
strong grasp which it has already exert
90. he said that the church was blessed
with a splendid opportunity. He urged
that the members present more unit
ed front in its everyday life and that
the relations between pastor and people
b. cemented firmly
Other members of the church, includ-
ING several of the trustees. voiced their
opinions at one time or another during
the meeting Discussions regarding the
present status of the church were often
times marked by spirited utterances and
were usually followed by applause. Aft
or several attempts to elect some Of the
officers. the meeting finally began to ae-
complish results, although rather late in
the evening.
The resignation of the pastor, Rev.
Edward c. Downey, was at length ac-
cepted. A resolution expressing the sim
cere regret at his decision and at the
same time voieing the highest hopes OF
the meeting that success might attend
him, was passed with the unanimous
consent of everyone present. The reso-
luton as moved and carried forward to
the clerk, follows: Whereas, it has
seemed expedient to our beloved pastor
to sever his pastoral relations with this
church. be it therefore resolved: That
AZ this parish meeting we extend to him
our heartfelt appreciation for his splen-
did work among us and deep regret at
his going, and that it is the wish of this
meeting that nothing less than the real
ization of his fondest hopes may attend
his future activities"
The new officers to serve during the
coming church year were selected only
in part. s. d. Allen was reelected mod
orator. George Fl. Bates was again ap-
pointed in the capacity of clerk and c.
Y. Kenyon was reelected treasurer.
The meeting adjourned until Monday
evening, when further business will be
brought to attention and trustees elect