Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-06-14
STATE HEADQUARTERS HERE
Congregationalists Prepare for
an Active Year.
County Advisory Committee for "Sus-
tentatiOn Fundr-New O6icers
Elected BY Convention
Thursday.

Congregationalism in Vermont That is
the meaning of the coming here next
August of the Rev. c. c. Merrill. former
New England secretary of the Laymen's
Missionary movement and now associate
! secretary Of the Vermont State Congre-
gational conference. The latter office is
one newly-created. Mr.. Merrill Is really
secretary. inasmuch as the secretary, the
Rev. c. H.Merrill. Is no longer active
The denomination will be more ener-
getic than In severa, years, II present
signs say anything. Early next Septem.
Der a school Of instruction and quasi re-
treat will be held at either Montpelier or
Middlebury for all the Congregational
pastors in the state. The Rev. c. c.
Merrill is now preparing for 1t.
At the annual convention Of the
churches in Chittenden county, concluded
Thursday at the First Church. the advis-
DRY committee recommended that here
after a minimum salary of $500 year
with parsonage be established for all
ministers in the county. which has Is
churches The denomination Is the first
in the State to take such action, II is be-
lieved. The committee consists of Dr. C.
M. Ferrin of Essex junction and Burling-
ton. the Rev. s. G. Barnes and the Rev.
c. c. Adams. The committee has recon-
mended that the churches vote on the
question. and has expressed itself in favor
of the so-called sustentation fund. The
referendum recommended similarly at the
convention year ago was not completely
carried out. Both Of the local churches
are back of it, although they are probably
the strongest congregations In the county.
Favorable action would mean that the
stronger churches would aid the weaker,
which have lost families repeatedly to
- 49,
wishes the plan to be given three years
trial. The committee also recommended
an every-church visitation by Mr.. Mer-
ril who in that way would bring the
churches into closer union.
THREE ADDRESSES
Dean ]. L. Hills of the State university
college Of agriculture spoke during the
morning on THE Industrial Life of the
Community" the Rev. F. w. Hemen-
wa. of Hinesburg on THE Social Life of
the Community" and the Rev. c. K.
Tracy Of Richmond on THE Spiritual Life
of the Community"
Dean Hills said that the Vermont type
was Notwithstanding proposition,
that naturally and properly 1t had be-
come such and would doubtless so re-
main. Its dollars flow from creamery,
lumber and produce buyers to the farmer.
from him to the merchant and feed store,
from them to the wholesale centers, from
these to the creamery. lumber and prod
uce buyers 1ndustrially the commun-
ity's life is on the upgrade. Despite la.
Dor shortage and high grain prices. speak
ing broadly the former is better off than
he was Is or 20 years ago. He is putting
more money into the savings banks. The
banks of all sorts are backing him in his
of tho
mont banks are on record as willing to
extend every possible aid In the devel-
opment Of Vermont's farming interests.
The several industrial operations are
largely based on credit. The country
merchant, feed dealer and fertilizer deal
er holding the bag" and often for a long
time. The trend in industrial rural life Is
toward community action, as evidenced
by 40 cow-test associations in Vermont, II
farm bureaus, the large and active mem.
bership Of the New England Milk Pro.
ducers association, the several co-opera-
tive buying and selling organizations
among the farmers. and the considerable
development of the qualities of leadership
in many directions.
The speaker particularly commended
the way in which the town of Hardwick.
Mass. had found itself in a community
way during recent years and cited the in
dustrial. social and ethical advances made
as result of the Hardwick people work.
ing in unison.
THE CONVENTION THURSDAY.
Next to the advisory committees re-
port and the addresses mentioned
in significance was the election Of
officers. as follows: Moderator. the Rev.
S. Fl. Barnum of Jericho Center; scribe,
| the Rev. D. II. Strong of Milton: regis
trar. the Rev. c. f. Hayward Of Winoo-
ski, treasurer, CIV. Kempter of Buring-
ton: advisory committee, DIR. C. M. Fer.
| rim elected for three years; benevolences
committee. elected for three years, Miss
Mary w. Lemon of Burlington: committee
on ministerial standing, elected for three
years. the Rev. I. C. Smart. DR.. Ferrin,
Mr.. Kempter and Mr.. Smart are new: the
others, including Mr.. Hayward, who was
registrar pro tenn. reelected.
Colchester was decided upon for the
next meeting. the following to act: Com.
mittee to arrange it: The Rev. Stephen
Smith. now pastor there: the RevF. W.
Hemenway Of Hinesburg; and !. v. Cob
| leigh of this city: preacher, the Rev ID.
| H. Strong of Milton: alternate. the Rev.
c. e. Hayward Of Winooski; delegate to
the national council. for four years, the
Rev s. Fl. Barnum; Mr.. Hayward, alter
\ nate committee to assist the registrar,
the Rev. Messrs. Adams, Hemenway and
Barnum.
| F. w. Nash Of this city reported for the
benevolences committee. He urged that
each church make special efforts to meet
It's apportionments to the various socie-
ties.
The womans hour from 1870 to $50,
brought out several interesting reports of
raithrul work for foreign and home mis-
sions. A representative gathering attend
ed IL. Ihe home mission book. Mission.
airy Milestones." was mentioned and the
book for foreign missions world Missions
and World Peace" was highly commend.
! ed. NeXt fau hool will