The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-04-28
LOVING CUP IS
GIVEN TO BISHOP
EDWIN III. HUGHES
Supts. w. r. Davenport
and E. W. Sharp of St.
Albans and St. Johns
bury Districts, Respec-
lively, Presented Annual
Reports in Barre To-day

Problems of the small church and
the under-paid clergymen were pre-
sented to the Vermont Methodist con
ference in 77th anndal session in Barre
to-day. The problems were furnished
in concrete form by the two district
superintendents, Rev. w. r. Davenport
of the st. Albans district and Rev. E
W. Sharp of the st. Johnsbury dis
trict.
"The problem of the Vermont con-
ference" declared Superintendent Wal
ter r. Davenport, sis the problem OF
the small church. The large churches
pay enough salary so that it takes a
superintendent only about two days
to induce desirable candidate to say
yes.' No Vermont conference church
pays a plutocratic salary and no pas
tor in this district, unless he has means
whereof the deponent knoweth not,
pays an income tax. But II is far worse
in the small charges, and how some Of
the heroic preachers support their fam
lilies and pay their bills is an unsolube
mystery to the district superintendent
Yet most of them do, and with little
complaint.
But WORRY as TO how ones coal bill
is to be paid, or how the store account
can be settled, or how fresh pulpit
suit OF clothes can be compassed, or
how new dress managed for the
mistress OF the manse does not tend to
eloquence on the Sabbath or successful
personal work during the week
Superintendent Davenport said the
large churches are growing, and have
been for some time, but many of the
smaller societies are decreasing in
membership and resources He report
ed that II congregations ministered to
by 10 preachers had an average at
tendance of 20 people; and those 10
preachers were paid by their people
total cash salary only three times the
salary paid to the pastor of the church
In st. Adams.
Speaking of the remedy, Superin-
tendent Davenport said: II will ven
ture but three suggestions. l. some
way must be found to increase the
meagre stipend paid in some Of the
smaller places, else the superintend
ents will be Obliged 10 leave them
without any shepherding whatever; ,,
the large churches must come 10 the
help of their weaker sister churches by
personal contact through visitation
and cheer as well as through financial /.
enrichment; 3, the preachers - the I
smaller churches should be taught that 4
IL is no more difficult to win men and I
women and boys and girls TO personal |
discipleship to the Lord on country /
farm than in a village store, and that /
every preacher is expected to come to
conference bringing his shesyes with I
him."
Continuing, Superintendent Daven-
port declared: THE problem Of the
small church is not simply the prob
lem of money; it is the problem Of
personal equation. Some preachers
show but little anywhere. Not all men
can do as well as some. bnt why
should any man wish TO remain in the
ministry unless he can follow in the
steps of his risen Lord and bring his
brethren to personal discipleship?'
Superintendent Sharp's Report.
In the st. Johnshlry district, Super
inteHdent Sharp was pleased to report,
there has been some gain in ministerial
support. He said that - churches have
advanced the salaries Of their pastors
TO the amount Of SlO.S02. which is the
greatest advance in ministerial sup I
port made in any one year in the his
tory Of the St. Johnsbury district" In
three years the salaries have increased
$40, ,l42. The superintendent then emu
the churches and gave the
amounts increased, the sums ranging ,
from $50 year to - 600. the latter
amount in St Johnshurv.
This is not all il should be or per
aaps will be-" remarked Superintend. !
mt Sharp. "but IL y an indication that !
he churches in the St Johnsburv dis .
.rict are going .on to perfection.,
Two new churches have been organ
zed in the district, one at Sheldon 2
springs and the other At Fitzdale. Con Z
iiderable building work Is under wav }
It various places in the district. and ,
lebt wing has been one Of the inpor S
ant features~f the past years actiyi-
les A total of sI4-302 was applied on :
I'd debts.
Furty-three churches import having :
scrired members duriug the year. and q
y Of tkesc show = net gain over the J
,,sSes Of last vEzr- The total number '
eeeived uas 1G7. Of which ~ were 2
'rUhatsUrrrs. Orleans ard 81 Johns q
'ury shared hgnurs IN recriving Ire {
reatsSs zumhsr. having 70 10 their n
refft. "
SuPeriuteasisus sharp spoke q good q
rord for Montpelier seminary, ssying