St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1914-04-29

tend some one of the Methodist
schools
Supt. Lowe Against Church Fedora
ton
superintendent R. F. Lowe, in pre-
senting his annual report for the St.
Johnsbury district, opposed inter-de-
nominational church federation, say
ing:
THE time has about come for a
frank discussion of this much ad-
yertised term. There was a time
when was rather favorably disposed
1 toward federation, when l listened,
open-eared, to we'll intentioned theOr-
lists, but after three years of expert
ence and observation, l must conclude
that, for the most part, federation is
failure. theoretically, it looks
plausible for two or three denomina-
lions to sink their differences and
unite under one pastor Practically,
it does not work. Perhaps it would
if all the people entering into it were
broad-minded and intelligent.
! THE trouble seems to me that the
than vital. The people are forced
together on account of circumstances
rather than drawn together through
an inner compulsion. The cen
tripetal is not stronger than
the centrifugal force So long
as members of the different de-
nominations that worship together
really believe that their own form is
far preferable and would be delight
ed to have the federation overthrow
not much can be expected.
1.-The original and we'll meant en-
thusiasm cannot stand out a long
time in our chilly New England con-
servatism. There is required the
well seasoned and experienced or
ganizatiOn with a history a creed
yes, I repeat it-a creed, a policy,
and often invested funds to back up
church in this part of the country.
1t is easy and it sounds liberal to rail
against denominations, but when the
shouting and the tumilt dies the
familiar UNCONVENTIONAL society will
still be doing her steady, everyday
work.
"On the other hand it must be
kept in mind that there is demand
for consolidation. that old-time war
cries, such as Calvinism and Armin-
ianism, are now meaningless, that
the demand for an applied Christian
ity is every day growing more insist
ent and that the time is rapidly ap-
preaching when two or three strug-
Cling denominations in the same viii
lage will not continue to receive mis-
sionary aid from their respective
home boards. Under these stressful
conditions is there any via media?
The most practicable plan is an ex-
change method. > 1t would seem
as though we might go so far as to
state that we as Methodists stand |
rrfC hon inn
tions and give and take just as much
as seems wise and practicable in any
given instance. -
At the outset of his report, Super
intendent Lowe said:
Dear Comrades:
The work of the st. Johnsbury dis
trict was somewhat handicapped at
the start, because of changes and un-
certainties in the personnel of the
ministry. Two of the appointed
preachers failed to appear in the body
and some time was consumed in find
ing their successors.
On Sunday morning, July 6, Rev.
w. E. Allen passed away at Bright
look hospital, st. Johnsbury. Thus
died in the faith one of the best mem
bers of the Vermont conference.
On July rs the home of Rev. J. @.
AuS0u OIL west OuTh0 WAS UIOh0u ny
death. Although Mrs. Angel had
not been well for some time the end
came suddenly.
The already announced fact that
Rev. Peter Black has been transfer
red to the New England conference
and stationed at Lynn, will bring
regret to a large number of ministers
and laymen.
Changes and Material improvements
A few weeks ago the parsonage,
stable and practically all of the furni-
ture at Bloomfield were destroyed by
fire. The plucky little society has
taken steps to rebuild. Cabot has
made interior improvements in it's
parsonage at a cost of over $500.
Concord has altered and completed
the prayer room and dining room in
the church at an expense of over
$500. The church edifice at West
Danville has been thoroughly renOVa-
$1,000, all of which has been paid
or provided for. A reopening service
was held there last Sunday.
Since last conference a ''Commun-
ity church." so-called, has been es-
tablished at Glover. Tired of being !
supplied from a neighboring town, |
the people of Glover village petition
ed for a resident pastor who would |
unity the scattered religious elements /
of their community. Rev. Glenn |
Douglass was sent and thus far has |
run we'll.
Little Stannard has put a new |
metal roof on its church. HardWick /
has gotten rid of the unsightly part |
of it's horse sheds and made an in
conspicuous arrangement of the re-
mainder. A good number of i'm
provements have also been made on
the parsonage. Newport has an eX-
tensive transformation on hand for
which $4,000 has already been sub
scribed. Newport Center has been
the recipient of a new pulpit set and
chairs and the parsonage has been
lighted with electricity. Plainfeld,
after raising 50 00A last year has