The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-02-25
REV. c. c. MERRILL GOING.
Is to Become Superintendent Of Con-
gregational Churches in Illinois.

| kiEkdLiuHdi lnultHCS III AAiinOio.
Burlington, Feb 25--At meeting
here yesterday of the board of direc-
tors Of the Vermont Congregational
conference and the Vermont Domes.
tic Missionary society, Rev. Charles 6.
Merrill, for nearly five years secretary
OF the conference and associate secre-
tary of the society, submitted his res
ignation to take effect ON or about
May first Mr.. Merrill resigns in or
der TO accept an urgent and unanimous
call to become superintendent of the
Congregational Conference OF Illinois.
In his letter Of resignation Mr.. Mer
rill said that he left Vermont relac-
! family and only in accordance with the
advice of UNCONVENTIONAL leaders and
/ under the conviction that ii 1t was
felt that he could in any way meet the
need for leadership in strategic state
! like Illinois, which was the largest
Congregational state open for super
intendency that included self-support
ing churches. he must accept the call,
which chad come entirely unsolicited.
He expressed his confidence in the vi
tally of the Congregational churches
Of Vermont as evidenced BY their
hearty response in recent years to
summons TO participate in forward
looking program which included an
ever deepening spirit Of fellowship
among the ministers and the churches,
closer cooperation with other denomi-
nations and stronger interest in mis-
sions as evidenced by a higher stand |
ard of giving. He felt that state In |
which such vitality could be shown |
was not decadent or dying but be- |
longed among the really progressive
states.
He went on to say: "And when once
the people Of Vermont become aroused
and there are signs that they are
being arousedthey will master the
art of state government. they will
more fully develop cooperating meth
DDS in agriculture, they viii release
still further her great natural re-
sources, they viii arrest the tide of
population away from the small towns,
they will insist that the state be no
longer base for the bootlegger's eff
fort TO supply the thirst of the states
south Of us, as well as our own. There
as tremendously urgen and difficult |
work ahead. IL can be done ii there j
De among the Nermonters to-day
enough of the resolute courage of the ,
Green mountain boys of the Revolu-
.ionary era and If there be enough of ,
he cooperative spirit which comes
,nly from the religion Of Jesus Christ. :
which promotes human brotherhood \
BECAUSE it teaches that we are all chill .
lren of God Aour Father. Any plans ]
or a 'GreateS Vermont that leave
eligion OUT of scoount are not worth
he paper they are written on. Real
overs Of Vermont win not stop until
n every small community in the state
here has been established as the very
enter of the community life one Wig
rous Christian church under the lead
rship of competent and yirile min
ster.'
Mr.. Merrill concluded his letter by |
Expressing his deep gratitude for the
Fay the Congregational people of he
tate had stood with him during these
We most interesting and perhaps hap
lest years of his life.
The election of new secretary will |
AXE place at the annual meeting Of
he conference and missionary society, |
lhich takes place at Springfield Nav |
to n. II is the duty of the board
( directors to present a nomination
1r the office and at the meeting to-
ay action looking toward making
ach a nomination was taken, though
o final decision was reached.