The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-04-23
LARGEST GAIN
IN OVER DECADE
Made by Montpelier District
Of Vermont Method
ist Conference
SUPT. LOWE OPPOSES
CHURCH FEDERATION
Plan Does Not Work Out
Well Among Different
Denominations

| Hardwick, April 23.--The Vermont
Methodist conference was opened this
morning with devotional exercises con-
Quoted by Rev. J. T. Baxendale of Mont.
gomery, after which vocal duet was
given by Mr.. and Mrs. Howard J. Smith.
ers, who recently were married at Ran
dolph. The song was so well received
that Bishop Leete announced that Mr.
and Mrs. Smithers would sing at each
morning session FOR the remainder of the
conference.
Bishop Leete then gave an address to
ton" At the business session, which
followed, Rev. E. C. Z. Dorion, repre-
senting lions Herald, presented the con-
ference check for SSS in behalf of the
Wesleyan association.
Supt. Lowe Against Church Federation.
Superintendent r. f. Lowe, in pre-
senting his annual report for the st.
Johnsbury district, opposed inter -denom-
national church federation, saying;
"The time has about come for frank
discussion of this much advertised term.
There was a time when | was rather
favorably disposed toward federation,
when / listened, epen-eared, to well in
tentioned theorists, but after three years
of experience and observation, ! must
conclude that, for the most part, fedora
ton is failure. Theoretically, it looks
plausible for two or three denominations
to sink their differences and unite under
one pastor. Practically, it does not
work. Perhaps il would if all the peo-
pie entering into it were broad-minded
and intelligent.
"The trouble seems to me that the
amalgamation is mechanical rather than
vital. The people arc forced together
on account of circumstances rather than
drawn together through an inner com
pulsion. The centripetal is not stronger
than the centrifugal force. So long as
members of the different denominations
that worship together really believe that
their own form is far preferable and
would be delighted to have the fedora
tion overthrown not much can be ex-
pected.
''The original and we'll meant enthu-
siasm cannot stand out long time in
our chilly New England conservatism.
There is required the well seasoned and
experienced organization with history,
a creed-yes, | repeat it-a creed, pol
icy, 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 tumult dies the fa-
miliar denominational society viii still
be doing her steady, every day work.
~ al \. l..
in mind that there is demand ior CON
that old-time war cries, such
as Calyinism and Arminianism, are
now meaningless, that the demand for
an applied Christianity is every day
growing more insistent and that the
time is rapidly approaching when two
or three struggling denominations in the
same village will not continue TO receive
aid from their respective
home boards. Under these stressful con-.
ditions is there any via mediaY The
most practicable plan is an exchange
method. 1t would seem as though
we might go so far as to state that we
as Methodists stand ready to meet with
sister denominations and give and take
just as much as seems wise and prac-
tica BILE in any given instance. :"
At the outset of his report, Superin.
tendent Lowe said:
Dear Comrades:
The work of the st. Johnsbury district
was somewhat handicapped at the start
because of changes and uncertainties in
the personnel of the ministry. Two of
the appointed preachers failed to appear
In the body and some time was con-
sumed in finding their successors.
On Sunday morning, July 6, Rev. w.
2. Allen passed away at Brightlook hos
pital, st. Johnsbury. Thus died in the
faith one of the best members of the
Vermont conference.
On July % the home of Rev. J. Q.
Angel of West Burke was broken by
Death Although Mrs. Angel had not
been well for some time the end came
The already announced fact that Rev.
Peter Black has been transferred to the
New England conference and stationed
1T Lynn. win bring regret to a large
number of ministers and laymen.
Changes and Material improvements.
A few weeks ago the parsonage, sta
Die and practically all of the furniture
1t Bloomfield were destroyed by fire.
The plueky little society has taken steps
o rebuild. Cabot has made interior i'm
in its parsonage at cost
If over $500. Concord has altered and
completed the prayer room and dining
.oom in the church at an expense of
,ver $500. The church edifice at West
)anyille has been thoroughly renovated. !
The expense has been over $1,000. all of |
which has been paid OF provided for A |
service was held there last |
Sunday.
Since last conference Community !
hurch," so-called, has been established |
It Glover. Tired of being supplied from |
neighboring town. the people of Glover
-illage petitioned for resident pastor |
vho would unity the scattered religious
dement's of their community. Rev. |
Ilenn Douglass was sent and thus far
las run well.
Little Stannard has put new metal /
oof on its church. Hardwick has got
en- rid of the unsightly part of its horse
heds and made an inconspicuous ar
of the remainder. A good |
lumber of improvements have also been |
made on the parsonage. Newport has
N extensive transformation on hand for