Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-05-22
CT.CONGREGAT|ONAL
CONFERENCE OPENS
24th Annual Meeting Being
Held at Essex JunctiOh-Rev.
G. H. Merrill Moderator

Essex Junction, May 20.--Over 100 pas
ional Churches in the State were present
i the opening session of the Path annual
heeting of the Vermont Congregational
difference at the Congregational Church
his afternoon and continues until Thurs
lay noon. More pastors and delegates are
expected tomorrow and the church was
lied at both the afternoon and evening
essions.
The Rev. DR.. C. II. Merrill of ST. Johns
Jury is the moderator and the convention
organized by electing the Rev. Edward
+. Hayes of Greensboro scribe and the
Rev. George e. Dodd of West Woodstock
assistant. The pastor of the church, the
Rev. William Millar. cordially greeted
he conference to his church and the
Moderator happily responded.
The early part of the afternoon was
pent in presenting reports of commit
ees.
The report of the committee on benevo-
ence and education announced the per-
Fentage of benevolonces for 1919, which
konformed to the so-called national ..
tentages with few exceptions
hurch receives early in the year its
bortionment for benevolences and in iyiI
he Congregationalists churches of the
state raised 70 per cent. In 1918 the
churches raised 70 per cent. The outlook
Tor 1919 is promising for raising So per
Fent. and the committee expects the
thurches to go over the top in 1920 100 per
cent. strong.
The Rev. C. C. Merrill, the secretary of
the conference attended the mid-winter
conference of national and State officers
1t Chicago. and was the only Vermonter
bf any denomination at the New Eng
and regional conference of the inter-
,hurch world movement. At least once
luring the year he has visited 40 of the
PIG churches in the State, and many of
hem more than once.
The committee on evangelism presented
comprehensive report of what had been
accomplished in every county in the State
where retreats" had been held by IL sof
the Is associations, followed by vista
ions from ministers to many of the
churches and in many instances most
gratifying results in addition to the
churches. The committee Is gratfied at
he increased membership already report
I'D and urges a large enlistment of per-
sonal work to invade the whole commune
y,
BIZ the church to bring more into the
churches.
The committee on religious education
Ind the ministry presented a carefully pre-
pared plan for keeping up the standards
and requirements. of candidates to the
ministry. Their statement of principles
hnd methods included lcensure and
ordination for entrance into the ministry;
he maintenance of ministerial standing,
and the relationship to the churches.
The committee on inter-church fed
eration reported that l6 federations or
unions were effected last year, making
3O in % towns in the State since May /,
9l7.
All the reports except that of the COM
mittee on civic justice and community
service were printed and not read on
The floor of the convention. George L.
Dunham of Bratteboro in reporting
Tor the civic justice and community
service committee commended the last
Legislature for the numerous laws
passed enlarging the powers of the
board of charities and probation. lie
hlso referred to the law giving women
all the property rights of man, the bill
Tor the teachers pension and the vari-
bus bills relating to public health,
The Rev. DIR. A. j. CoVell of Boston
reported for the board Of pastoral sup
ply, stating this board had rendered serv-
hce in 38 churches in Vermont,
The moderator announced the business
committee as follows: The nev. f, b.
Richards of st. Johnsbury, the Rev
e. H. Smith of Burlington and Prof
Charles b. Wright of Middlebury.
There was a distinct military tone to
the addresses, Chaplain Chauncey A.
adams of the 101st Ammunition Train
spoke in the afternoon and the Rev. j.
Duke King of Rupert. who drove a truck
overseas and preached on occasions
spoke in the evenir'-. Both were enthus-
Iastically received.
The communion sermon was preached
by the Rev. Walter Thorpe of Brandon
and two inspirational addresses of deep
-.s,A-x~laip and vision ware given by the