Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-20
GAIN IN MEMBERSHIP.

Falls.
GAIN IN MEMBERSHIP
The meeting of the society opened
at ten o'clock with the report of the
treasurer, John T. Richie. Cash on
hand April /, 1914, was $493.32; total
receipts for the year amounted to S32,-
S5775, and a cash balance of s767.CO
is retained. Secretary c. H. Merrill
who has served in that capacity for
the past 81 years, reported slight
gain in membership.
The following program was carried
out in its entirety the Rev Thomas
Hail. the last speaker, making an espe-
cially strong appeal for laymen to go
into evangelism. Reports from work.
ers by the Rev. c. $. Haynes, state
missionary, Miss Grace A. Cruff and
Miss Elizabeth r. Roby; discussion,
Federation of Churches of Our own
Order" the Rev Rufus c. Flagg and
Rev. Benjamin Swift; discussion,
Qualifications Now Needed for the
Passionate in Rural Church." the Rev.
L. NJ. Isaac; Opportunities for Evan
gelism." the Rev. Thomas Hall.
At the opening of the conference r.
W. Baldwin presented his report as
treasurer which was accepted. Cash re-
ceived from the fifteen associations in
the State amounted to sl.5o61 and the
amount due from q few associations
amounts to $242.8S. The largest amount
paid out was the dues to the national
council, SOLOS The treasurer recon-
mended that the Essex association which
Includes but four churches, be joined
with Chittenden or some other near as
l.
work The report showed a gift Of SITS
from O. T. Ray of Burlington. executor
Of the estate of Amelia L. Marsh late
of Jericho, said sum being left for the
relief of disabled ministers and their
families
A motion was made and carried that
the committee consisting of Arthur F..
Stone OF Springfield. Walter II. Crockett
of Montpelier and Wallace II. Gilpin OF
Barton be authorized to publish and sell
the book History of CONGREGATIONAL
ism" which they were instrumental in
preparing
CONCENTRATIONS ADOPTED.
-Four of eight recommendations con-
aimed in the report of the advisory COM
nittee, the Rev. f. +. Treat of Pitts
lord, chairman, We're adopted without de.
bdlt DS lIlt CONFERENCE anu htLioIl tenn
porarly deferred the remaining four
suggestions.
The suggestions adopted follow
That the advisory committees be urged
to do everything possible In dev1sing
methods whereby larger churches may
through federation or other forms of co.
operation, he of greater assistance to the
smaller churches in their neighborhood
Such cooperation would be of great
value to the smaller churches, while
Offering wider opportunities for the larger
ones.
That the association advisory commit
tees seek to act as the agents of the
churches in securing pastors.
That the conference instruct the ad
'visory committee to present at its mex
annual meeting n suggested uniform pro
,edure for the licensing of candidates fol
the ministry and standard of require
nents for such candidates.
That the conference instruct the advis
.ory committee to make careful stud.
IF our existing Congregational State or
ganizations and to report findings to
gether with recommendations at tn
next annual meeting.
Another recommendation was late
adopted suggesting that churches hav
the option of paying the expenses of tn
delegates and pastor to the conference
thus insuring a wider representation.
The report of the committee on cvl
Justice made by the Rev. James b, Sar
gent OF. Northheld commended In genera
the passage of several laws by the las
LEGISLATURE which touched on social prob
lens in the state, The report touche
upon the "Bible bin" which was kile