Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-04-18

portance but only one death during the
year, the Rev r. c. Z. Mackenzie of West
Berlin. The church at Putney has been
closed for the past six months.
Mr.. Smithers paid tribute to the Rev.
A. l.. Cooper, -. D.. of Randolph. say
ing: ut Is an occasion for rejoicing that
God has permitted some Of those 10
longer able TO engage actively in service
for Him as hcrnlds of gospel TRUTH to
remain among us scattering sunshine and
showing the world how the aged Christian
can grow old sweetly. The Rev. A. L..
Cooper, n D.. though past his SSth birth
day. is able to be at this conference and
j.. still an active worker In his home
church at Randolph. Long may he re-
main with us. with glory In his soul and
flalelutahs on his lips
/ Superintendent Smithcrs reported no
special material development on the dis
trict. neither church nor parsonage hav-
ing been erected. Two churches have
been sold. at Qucchee and Wilmington,
and the moneY placed in the hands Of
the trustees of the conference. Some re-
pairs have been made on nearly every
charge. At Ludlow pipe organ has been
installed The Porkinsvie church has
been thoroughly renovated. Many other
improvements have been made but these
are perhaps Of the most Importance
growing interest In Bible study has
been evidenced. More emphasis has been
laid upon the bringing in of the men
and this affects favotably the whole
school The home department shows a
, decided increase IN attendance in several
| churches. Nearly all the schools are or
ganized into missionary societies but only
. few into Temperance societies.
There are ~ Epworth Leagues on the
district, most Of them doing excellent
work a boys club known as Co. H.
Knights Of Methodism, has been organ
lied at Weston
DIR. BISHOPS RESIGNATION.
MIR. Smthers reported that Montpelier
Seminary in attendance and general re-
suits is maintaining a good average.
The resignation of the Rev. f. a. Bish-
op, d. D.. who has given go many faith
full years of service to the school as prin-
cipal" said Superintendent Smithers.
and who has done so much in opening
the way for its future prosperity by Sc
curing so large an endowment. will be
sincerely regretted by "A great many"
To get churches to adopt business like
methods in providing for finances and
then faithfully work this plan Is one of
the difficult problems, said Mr.. Smithers
who said. however. that the churches
where finances are kept in splendid shape
are increasing in number Regarding the
work OF evangelism Superintendent
Smithcrs reported that some of the rea-
sons given by pastors for lack of greater
results were, Inconsistency of Chris
tians." general wordliness." ''indiffer-
ence and love Of amusements.' lack OF
cooperation on the part of the member
ship" "sclf-satisfied. community d.
vorced from the church, Sabbath
breaking membership not united"
lack OF deep conviction, IAN indiffer-
ont world and a passionless church." "ab-
sorption In other things" and "lacls Of
loyalty"
Superintendent Smithers closed by
gratefully acknowledging the sympathe
cooperation of the brethren of the dis
trict
SUPERINTENDENT LOVES REPORT
The Rev. Ralph F. Lowe. superintend-
| ent of the St. Johnsbury district, reported
that he had visited at least three times
every charge on which "A pastor is sta
toned and had endeavored to give special
! attention to the weaker places.
| The prevalence of smallpox interfered
materially with the work in a number Of
| churches in Caledonia county. 10 churches
| being closed from one to three months
| during the winter when activity Is at its
| maximum. Regular collections of course.
were almost nothing. benevolences went
| behind ana all aggressive work had to be
| abandoned
! Ono death has occurred, tho Rev. Hora ce
| ", Worhon of St. Johnshury Center. SUI
| perintondent Lowe. also referred to the
| death few weeks ago of Hiram y. Tur-
ner. for many years general manager of
| the Fairbanks Scale company at St.
John bury. as a loss to Grace Church,
the conference, and the state at large
of a valuable and Interested church mem
| Der and patriotic citizen
Several pastoral changes were reported.
At the Lyndonville camp meeting l6
adults came forward for prayers. some of
whom have since Joined the church.
REVIVAL AT BLOOMFIELD.
Among successful evangelstic work re-
ported was an old-time revival at Bloom
field the means used not being spectacular
but purely spiritual. curious fact was
that most of those converted were mature
people, heads of families between 40 and
SO years old.
Thcro Is on the district growing in
tcrcst in Sunday school work. A growth
| IS noted in organized classes. Super
intendent Lowe reported that he had at
tended many gatherings and banquets OF
mems classes and brotherhoods, all Of
| which were well attended and inspiring.
Said Mr.. Lowe: Men from almost every
nationality under the blue sky, who never
attended a prayer meeting, have been
eager listeners at the supper table Allied
to this Is the Boy Scout movement and
other valuable organizations for boys"
! Much ~ value has been accomplished
in the way OF material Improvement 70
church property Among some Of the
churchos where quite sum Of money
has been expended are tho church ut
Barton where about sl,10o has been paid
out; the installation of a new pipe organ
at IIardwck and the making Of other i'm
provcmcnts which represented an outlay
of 5000, all paid; practically, q now