The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-05-19
THREE DAYS CONFERENCE
l4aaa.I Conference Of CoaEreK2t'onsi
Curehes Of Vermont Held ai Ver-

The annual conference Of the Con
xrexationAl Churches Of Vermont,
~hieh aosad three days session last
Thar7-day morning. was one Of the
most successful ever held, from the
point Of attendance, interesting ad-
dresses, and accomplishment Perfect
~eather for al three days added
greatly 70 the pleasure Of the coea-
slon, and the clear air enabled the Wis
stors, many of whom had never been
in yergrnnes before, TO get an idea OF
the beautiful scenery IN which this
region abounds
n vas the I26th annual conference
II The churches, the Vermont Mission
zry Society also holding It's meeting
At the same time. All the sessions
~~re held In the vergennes consregs-
tional Church
The first meeting on the program
-As scheduled for 2 o'clock Tuesday
afternoon. Judge Frank L. Fish was
% deliver the address Of welcome, but
a. he was presiding over an important
term Of court At st. Albans. could not
b. present. The Rev. W. =. Frazier,
oastor u the church, therefore spoke
the words Of welcome.
The reports Of boards and commit
t..s occupied q good part Of the after
soon session.
The committee on evangelism re-
ported 1920 as the banner year Of the
church, there having been more mem
oers added by confession than for 2b
years previous, namely s2s: and BY
letter, 6s4.
The Rev. c. c. Adams Of Buriing-
ton, chairman Of the committee on re-
rruitina for the ministry, reported q
churches having some plan in this
direction.
OF 2i5 churches in the state, 200
we're reported as giving funds for gen
er.l purposes, while 205 contributed TO
me or more Of the regular benevo-
lenees, the total amount being
si2s.s92.
Since the last annual meeting four
tederations have been perfected'
namely, Grafton church, Congrega-
,ional and Baptist; Lowell, Congrega-
.ionai and Methodist; Pawlet, Con-
xregational and Mctho,'s.; Franklin,
Congregational and Methodist.
The board Of directors recommend a
per capita contribution Of ii cents
from the churches for the 1921 cam
paign Of the Congregational World
Movement.
The reports were followed by ad-
dresses by the Rev. G. Z. Robbins
secretary state Sunday school conven-
ton. In which he outlined the associa-
ton program for the balance OF the
wear. An address was made by Mr
Laing, the state superintendent OF the
Anti-Saloon Leogue. The conference
sermon was preached by the Rev
George A. Bu,trick OF Rutland.
One Of the essential matters, ac'
cording to Secretary c. c. Merrill, Is
the immediate necessity Of recruiting
Young men for the ministry. At least
ls more ministers are needed righ'
now. and "man's job" and living are
ASSURED II they can be found. Mr.
Merrill presented as topic for con
alteration. which is the Better
Month for the Benevolent Canvass
December or May" He also favorec
the movement for weekday religioui
education
Tuesday Evening
The evening service opened at 7;S'
o'clock with scripture reading an'
prayer by the Rev. +. 7. Ford Of Hart
ford. The first address was by th'
Rev. Leland A. Edwards Of Newport
and was a memorial for the minister
~ho died during the year.
John NJ. Comstock, statistical secre
tAry Of the conference, gave a repor
Of what had been accomplished b.
Vermont Congregationalism IN IN
past year II showed among othe
things a total Of 2I3 churches tw'
less than last year Present tota
membership Is 23.04o. loss in mem
bership Of IS, but the additions b,
confession. s2s, have been eNeelle'
only once in 3 years and the total ad
aitions. 1878. have not been eIoelle
since 1876; the removals By death, 45l
and the removals By letter, 10. tn
loss Is membership Is caused b. r.
vision q church rolls, 555 names hay
tng been dropped. The Sunday schoc
nemberhip IS less b. i2l than las
vear The entire reported gifts 70
henevoleaoos we're Sl2sss2. Thirty
one ehurshes received legaeies % q
amount q ever $4,000. The ehuru
property IS row appraised Al $3.50
s55
A feature q the evening prograr