Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1920-05-14
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES MEET.
Continued from Page ~

| Noohblnueu from rage III
sessment on its total membership instead
OF its resident membership This is caus.
ing a thorough revision in order to re.
duce the assessment. One church cut off
l4l names by revision.
There was loss of 500 in Sunday school
membership, but an improvement in young
peoples societies and mems and bows or.
CARNATIONS. Benevolent contributions
showed large increase and home expen.
ses increased 100000. Mr.. Comstock re.
ferred to the fact that this was the sixth
conference in Brattleboro and that he
gave his first statistical report in 1891 in
this town.
The chief address Of the evening was
made by Rev. DR.. Frank L. Goodspeed of
Barre, whose theme was The Call Of the
Present Hour.
On Wednesday, morning following
discussion Of business matters, Rev. Paul
Dwight Moody of New York spoke briefly,
setting forth the great opportunity of the
churches and encouraging the pastors to
magnify their calling keeping in mind the
words of the Lords prayer, 'Thy will be
done"
Rev. Charles c. Merrill of Burlington was
reelected secretary. Rev. Henry l.. Bal
lou of Chester reported for the nominal
ing committee and the report was accepted
and adopted, electing these officers: Pres.
ident, Rev. Edward G.. French of John
son; vice president, Judge Frank L. Fish
OF Vergennes; statistical secretary, John
Nj. Comstock of Chelsea; treasurer, +. w.
Baldwin OF Barton; auditors, w. II. Gilpin
OF Barton and John C. Clark of st. Johns
bury. Various boards and committees also
were elected The reporter for Windham
county is Rev A. V. Woodwork Of West
Brattleboro. Rev G.. s. Mills Of Benning-
ton was elected delegate to the National
Council term to expire in 1925, Rev.
Chauncey c. Adams of Burlington alter
| nate. ....,1'
| Rev. IT. p Woodin Of Brattleboro and
w. A. Graham of Bellows Falls were
| elected directors of the board of pastoral
supply. Rev. j. G.. Prince Of Bellows
Falls and c. d. Howe of Morrisville were
| elected to. represent the state on the di-
rectorate of the church extension board.
| 1t was voted to meet next year in Yer
GENES and Rev. G.. A. ButtriclS of Rut-
land was elected to preach the annual SER
mon, Rev. j. B. Sargent of Northfield al
| ternate.
| At this point the annual meeting of the
| Vermont Domestic Missionary society was
begun, President Nathan c. Williams of
Bellows Falls in the chair.
Treasurer John r. Ritchie's report
showed receipts of $22,74l, including last
years balance of 1926. This years bal
ance is $l,ll3
Secretary Charles II. Merrill, D. D., of
st. Johnsbury and Secretary G. c. Mere
rill of Burlington reported for the direc-
tors.
After the report of the directors these
officers were reelected: President, Nathan
G.. Williams of Bellows Falls; vice pres
ident. Rev Leland A. Edwards of New
port; secretary. Rev. Charles II. Merrill,
d. D., of St. Johnsbury; associate Sec
rotary, Rev Charles c. Merrill of Burling-
ton; treasurer, John T. Richie of St.
Johnsbury; assistant treasurer Charles
II. Newell of st. Johnsbury. The society
/ also elected George l.. Durham Of Brat
tleboro and Rev. Henry c. Newell of
Middlebury members of the Congrega-
tionaI Home missionary society.
Then followed several short addresses
by pastors dealing largely with personal
experiences and revealing in particularly
interesting way the energetic and self
sacrificing work that is being done in the
smaller communities.
The closing address of the morning was
given bysSecretary Charles G. Merrill on
The Obligations Of Victory.
After speaking of the success of the re-
cent statewide canvass for increasing mis-
sonary contributions by ITO per cent in a
single year, and the remarkable degree of
cooperation that had been developed by
it, Mr.. Merrill said that this success ought
not TO be used as a ribbon to stick in
ones coat but that no time should be
lost in taking the fullest advantage of it
for pushing ahead to other and more i'm
portant victories. = -s*-
He also referred to the necessity Of
wisely developing the principle of team
work Through which success in the recent
financial canvass had been gained.
II would also be necessary to deal rad
ically with the question of ministerial sup
ply. Now that we can offer increased
support, we must make more definite and
a more systematic effort to recruit the
ranks of the ministry for the strongest
young men obtainable
Tn the afternoon Wednesday the con-
ference met at l.30, half an hour earlier
than usual, to consider further the rec
ommendations of the committee on civic
Justice and community service relative
to Sunday observance and marriage
laws. There was much discussion and
these recommendations besides others
relatige to other subjects, were adopted:
"Rrognizing the Sabbath as one of
Gods best gifts to man, we urge upon
all or people by precept and example
TO conserve the higher spiritual and re-
ligious values of the day, and at the
same time approve and recommend a
change in our state laws relating to Sab
bath observance which will leave ques-
tions of recreation on that day to the in
dividr,al conscience and to local option,
subject to such regulations as will pre-,
vent an Infringement on the right of all
to quiet day of rest and worship. We
desire, however, to go on record as being