Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-10
CONGRECA1|ONAl|STs GROW
Figures of Many Years for State
and County Associations.
1ss3nd Annual Conference In brandon
Nest Week TO Consider Union Of
Domestic Missionary society
with Conference.

The amalgamation OF the Vermont
Domestic Missionary society with the
Vermont Congregational conference will
he possibly the chief item of business
In connection with the conferences 122nd
annual meeting, to be held In Brandon May
15-17. Those who have been following the
history Of the proposed change believe II
will be effected Levi p. Smith of this
city Is member Of the amalgamation
committee which he has advised regard
Ing the legal aspects OF the move.
At present the two bodies have the same
directors, but they are legally distinct.
The secretary Of the society is super
intendent Of the missionary churches In
the State, but merely advisor with the
individual churches IN general. The two
bodies would have the same secretary IL
the conference charter were amended and
constitution changed.
STATE AND COUNTY GROWTH.
John NJ Comstock. statistical secretary
OF the conference, says there has been
''on the whole substantial growth
throughout the state" In church men,
borshp. The Chittenden ssociation.
which comprises not merely the county
but also the town of South Hero and
the churches OF Burlington have enjoyed
Il marked growth for many years. In 1897
the association had 7,139 members and
.672 resident members. while the city's
figures we're, respectively. &N and 6S4; in
1917 the figures were IDS and 1.'A. and
alS and GSA. respectively; in 1915, 2,4OS and
l.1S and LOSE and 736; in 1911 @41S and
Ina and 1,O66 and ,31.
The high cost of living may keep away
many, is Mr.. Comstocks guess, but even
so he expects 12o delegates. The pastor
and one delegate represent each church
and each has also several ex-officio dole
gates.
FEATURES OF PROGRAM
The Rev. Walter Thorpe. pastor of the
| Congregational Church of Brandon. has
| obtained some speakers of International
| repute. The Rev. DR.. Newell Dwight
Hills, pastor Of Plymouth Church, Brook
| Ign, Is one. Commissioner of Education
Milo B. Hillegas. President John NJ.
Thomas of Middlebury, who will conduct
sunset services on Mount Pleasant, and
W.. H. Crockett of this city, who will re-
port for the committee on civic justice,
and the Rev. J. ]. Banninga of India are
prominent participants.
PROGRAM IN FULL.
The program in full follows:
TUESDAY AFTERNOON, MAY Is
lfraternai greetings, the Rev G. A. Kerr
Methodist Church: the Rev. A. W. r
Mills: 2:30, reports of committees. Fair.
banks board for relief of minister's Fair.
banks board of education: 300. address
Educational Ideals" DR.. Milo b. Hille
gas. commissioner of education: address
ideals for the Church." the Rev. H. c
Newell of Middlebury: 400. conference
sermon. the Rev. f. p. Treat of Pittsford
sacrament of the Lords supper. off1ciat
ing ministers. the Rev. j. c. Prince o.
Bellows Falls the Rev. S. H. Barnum o
Jericho: $3.50. fellowship supper.
TUESDAY EVENING.
100 sunset service on Mount Pleasant
, Pres. J. NJ. Thomas of .Middlebury Col
lege; 800. report Of the corresponding sec
rotary. ]. M. Comstock of Chelsea: music
$3.50. address. the Rev. Newell Dwigh
Hills of Brooklyn, n. Y.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
S:45. devotional service. the Rev. C. H
Merrill of St. Johnsbury: 800. bushes
and reports. treasurer of the conference
f. w. Baldwin of Barton; Congregations
board of pastoral supply, the Rev. A. j
. Covell of Boston: committee on relation
. with Vermont Domestic Missionary SC
ciety. the Rev. A. H. Bradford Of Rut
land 1000. SSth annual meeting of tn
Vermont Domestic Missionary society.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
. $780, devotional service. the Rev. F. I
Richards of st. Johnsbury: 1:45 repoI
: of committee on civic justice. W.
: Crockett of Burlington; 200. address
n Community Ideals" J. p. Taylor of Bu
/. llington: 2:30. report of committee on n
4 lligious education; address. Three Gres
T.. Helps for Vermont Churches" the Re
8 A. w. Bailey of Boston; address, the Re
C. A. Boyd. secretary Vermont Sunda
School association: 3:15. report of the te
centenary committee. the Rev. DOna
Fraser Of Wells River: $3.50. report
q committee on benevolences, the Rev. F.
q Richards Of st. Johnsbury; $40. report
\. missionary education, Miss +. H. Wei
y OF Brattleboro; $3.50. report Of :nter-churt
federation. the Rev. Fraser Metzger
Randolph: 400. report of advisory cor
mittee. the Rev. 8. w. Anthony of s
Adams: 4:1O. address. Temperance Idea
State and National" the Rev. c.
4 Smith. superintendent of Vermont An,
Saloon League: $3.50. unfinished bushes
, $780, supper.
~ WEDNESDAY EVENING.
te 700 sunset service. Pres. John !
"A Thomas of Middlebury:. 800, address. :
in Practical Congregational Ideal. in L
nv World Field" the Rev. J. j. Banninga
N India: I'm the Vermont Field" the Re
a, C. C. Merrill. association secretary. Va
IN mont Domestic Missionary society.
A. THURSDAY MORNING.
s. S:%. devotional service; 800 busine
n and final adjournment.