The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-05-13
OFFICERS ELECTED.
At Yesterdays Meeting of Congrega-
tional Conference.

Brattleboro, May l3.--The l25th an
nual meeting of the Vermont Congre-
gational conference and the l02d of the
Vermont Domestic Missionary society,
which have been held here since Tues
day, closed to-day. At yesterdays
meeting officers were elected and Ver-
gennes was decided upon as the place
where next years meetings should be
held.
Officers of the conference, as elect
cd yesterday are; President, Rev. Ed
ward G. French of Johnson vice-pres
ident, Judge Frank r. Fish of Ver-
gennes; statistical secretary, John M.
Comstock, Chelsea; secretary, Rev.
Charles c. Merrill of Burlington; treas
urer, +. w. Baldwin of Barton: audi
tors, w. II. Gilpin of Barton and John
c. Clark of st. Johnsbury. Rev. G. ),
Mills of Bennington was elected dele
gate to the national council, term to
expire in 1925, with Rev. Chauncey G.
Adams of Burlington, alternate At
next years meeting, Rev. G. A. But
trick of Rutland will preach the an
nual sermon. Rev. J, b. Sargent Is
the alternate.
Quite discussion took place dur
ing the meetings in regard to Sunday
observance, there being a decided feel
ing that law must have public senti-
ment back of it in order to amount to
much.
In the address of Rev Clifford H.,
Smith of New York, who spoke on the
international Congregational council, to
be held in Boston June 30, he 'tated
that Vermont has more Congregation
alists according TO population than any
other state in the union.
The annual conference sermon was
preached by Rev. Donald Fraser Of
Wells River and Rev. Albert B. Hoag
of South Hero and Rev. Stanley Cum
mings of st. Abans administered com
munion. Rev. Herbert j. Hinman of
Lyndonvile led in a memorial service
for ministers who have died in the past
year.
John NJ. Comstoek of Chelsea, the
veteran statistician, gave statistics IN
an address, vermont Congregational
ism in the Terceptenary Year, but
they were presented in an original
manner and were far from dry. He
reported total membership OF 230s3,
or l55 less than last year, there naVIng
been PSF additions, or more than the
average, and l.4l2 losses The losses
included 466 by revision of the rolls,
the largest number ever reported IN one
wear. This is not indicative of an lIn-
healthy condition, burt is due to vote
last wear basing each church's assess
ment on its total membership, instead
of its resident membership. This is
causing a thorough revision in order
to reduce the assessment. One church
cut off l4l names by revision.
There was loss Of 500 in Sunday
school membership. but an improve
ment in young peoples societies and
mems and boys organizations. Benevo-
lent contributions showed large in.
crease and home expenses increased
S530,00O Mr.. Comstock referred to
the fact that this was the sixth con
ference in Brattleboro and that he gave
his first statistical report in 1891 in
this town.
The chief address Of Tuesday even
in8 was made by Rev. DR.. Frank l..
Goodspeed of Barre. whose theme was
"The Call of the Present Hour
Yesterday afternoon the annual
meeting Of the Vermont Domestic Mis-
siouary society was held, the treasurer,
John T, Richie, reporting receipts OF
s22,74l, including last years balance
of 1886 This years balance is Sl,ll3.
The report showed an increase Of 81
40 in the invested funds Of the So
eiety. the total being S43. los in addi-
tion to S44.44s. which the society holds
in trust for the churches The diree-
tors, although authorized to engage
two pastors AT large, engaged only one,
Rev Andrew $. Bole, formerly pastor
at East Hsrdwick.
All the officers for the coming year
are collections. as follows; President,
Nathan G.. Williams Of Bellows Falls;
vice president. Rev. Leland A. Edwards
Of Newport: secretary. Rev Charles II.
Merrill. ID. d.. Of ST. Johnsbury; asso.
ciste secretary. Rev Charles G. Mer-
rill OF Burlington; treasurer John T..
Ritchie Of ST. Johnsbury; assistant
treasurer. Charles H. Newell Of st.
Johnsbury The society also elected
George L. Dunhsm OF Brattlehoro and
Rev. Henry {. Newell OF Middlebnry
members Of the Congregational home
missionary society.