USA > Vermont > History of the Baptists in Vermont > Part 36
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These considerations, together with that of a world lying in sin and wickedness, and perishing without the knowledge of sal- vation, have impelled the Board to call upon you in this manner, in the hope of exciting you to greater exertions.
Our missionaries require immediate assistance in order to continue their operations. The resources of our brethren, which
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were called into action for about three years from the formation of the General Convention, manifested that they were both able and willing to do much for the spread of the Gospel. If, then, for any reason, we have become inactive and indifferent, let us not remain so. It is time to awake and put forth our energies in the best of causes.
Does not He, who gave His life for us, require it at our hands? Consider how large a portion of the church in America is made up of our brethren; and shall we withhold our portion from the treasury of the Lord? Let each one now act with eternity in view. And let it not be found, in the Great Day of accounts, that for the sake of leaving a trifle more to his heirs, he has withheld from immortal souls the Gospel of salvation.
As united and concentrated action is most powerful and suc- cessful, to this we now invite you. We confidently hope that ministers, deacons and private brethren will take an active part in this good work, and exert themselves in forming in their respec- tive neighborhoods, societies auxiliary to the State Convention. That all monies and other property may be at the disposal of the united wisdom of the whole; unless when a special object is named by the donors; in which case, it will be faithfully applied to that object, whether foreign or domestic missions, or the support of our literary institutions.
We trust that it will be obvious to every one, that a State Convention on the general plan marked out by the constitution, supported by the different auxiliaries, is the best means of pro- motion, the great object we have in view.
We have, therefore, appointed Rev. John R. Dodge, as a traveling agent, to make the necessary explanations-to assist in organizing societies, solicit donations and subscriptions, and receive whatever is contributed to the funds of the Convention; who will make returns to the Board at their next annual meeting, at Bethel, the third Wednesday in October, 1825, at ten o'clock A. M.
Done by order of the Board,
JOHN CONANT, Chairman,
JOSEPH W. SAWYER, Clerk Pro Tem.
Randolph, February 9, 1825.
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FORM OF A CONSTITUTION FOR AN AUXILIARY SOCIETY
Article 1. This society shall be called the Baptist Benevolent Society, auxiliary to the Baptist State Convention of Vermont and vicinity.
Article 2. The sole object of this society shall be to raise money, or other property, annually, to aid the funds of the State Convention.
Article 3. Any portable property may be taken in payment for the subscriptions of those who sign, but no property may be taken on a subscription, above the current price of such property, at the time when it is paid into the treasury.
Article 4. All persons, belonging to this society, shall have the privilege of designating the object to which the Convention shall appropriate their subscriptions or donations; and the same privilege is by the Convention, given to each auxiliary society.
Article 5. It shall be the duty and the right of every society, which adopts this constitution, to send an agent to each State Convention, to act in all their deliberations.
Article 6. The officers of this society shall be a chairman and scribe, a treasurer and collector; who shall perform the fol- lowing duties, viz .:
The chairman shall preside in all the meetings of the society; the scribe shall keep the records and conduct the correspondence; the treasurer shall take charge of the money or property collected, and pay it out by order of the society; the collector shall make collection of the same for the society.
Article 7. The annual meeting of the society shall be on the third Wednesday of October. The meeting shall be opened by prayer; and, if practicable, a sermon shall be delivered, before the ordinary business of the society commences. The report of the treasurer shall be presented, and audited by a committee, ap- pointed for that purpose; and the funds transmitted to the treasur- er of the State Convention; together with directions for its appro- priation, unless it be left at the disposal of the Board.
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1824-1840
At its next session, October 19, 1825, the Convention began to assume the proportions of a State organization, and its con- stituency, constitution, its appeal to the churches and the begin- nings of its work become the objects of interesting study, in com- parison with more recent developments.
The following associations and auxiliary societies were repre- sented: Woodstock Association, Rev. Daniel Packer and Rev. R. M. Ely; Vermont Association, Rev. Abel Woods, Rev. Joseph Sawyer, Gibbon Williams, Rev. Jonathan Merriam, Jr .; Leyden Association, Rev. Phineas Howe; Manchester Association, Rev. C. M. Fuller; Barre Association, Rev. Isaac Sawyer, Rev. Timothy Spaulding, Rev. Elijah Huntington; Warren Baptist Missionary Society, Bissell Phelps; Bethel Female Mite Society, John Billings, Jr .; Bethel Baptist Missionary Society, E. A. Fowler; Putney Female Mite Society, John Townsend; Putney Baptist Benevolent Society, John Townsend; Manchester Female Mite Society, C. M. Fuller; Grafton Female Mite Society, C. M. Fuller; Brandon Flock Society, J. W. Sawyer; Townshend Baptist Missionary Society, J. M. Graves; Townshend Female Missionary Society, J. M. Graves; Jamaica Baptist Missionary Society, J. M. Graves; Jamaica Female Missionary Society, J. M. Graves; Hartland Baptist Missionary Society, Rev. T. Grow; Halifax Female Mis- sionary Society, P. Howe; Vermont Baptist Missionary Society, Rev. Pharcellus Church.
There is nothing in the records to show how many attended the Convention besides the appointed delegates, but it is evident that the attendance was not large, as the morning session, which was doubtless held in the meeting-house, adjourned for one hour, "and then to meet at Deacon Fowler's."
Rev. Nathaniel W. Williams, R. M. Ely, Deacon Abner Forbes and Brother John Billings were appointed to prepare a circular, make the necessary alterations in the constitution and superintend the printing of the minutes.
Elected Rev. Isaac Sawyer, president; Rev. Abel Woods and Rev. Daniel Packer, vice-presidents; Rev. Joseph Sawyer, cor-
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responding secretary; Rev. Richard M. Ely, recording secretary; Deacon Abner Forbes, treasurer; Brother John Jones, sub-treas- urer.
Rev. Joseph Sawyer and Cyrenius M. Fuller were appointed delegates to the General Convention of the United States, to meet in New York, in April, 1826.
The business transacted by the Board of Managers makes a very brief report. The churches of Dresden, Grafton and Putney were the first to receive appropriations; to Dresden, the sum of twenty dollars, that the Rev. Isaac Fuller might continue his labors with them; to Putney, fifteen dollars, to be paid their pastor, Rev. M. McCullar; and Elder Sweet, a missionary for the town of Grafton, was allowed to receive the money still retained by the society there (auxiliary to the Convention), for his labors while in the service of the Convention.
One hundred dollars were ordered sent to the treasurer of the General Convention. Note the small beginnings of State work and the relatively large appropriation for the general work of the denomination.
Several agents were appointed: Rev. Timothy Spaulding, for the term of six months, to labor in the northern part of the State and vicinity; Brother Gibbons Williams for four weeks; Rev. Isaac Sawyer to labor one-fourth part of the time till the next meeting of the Board; Rev. C. M. Fuller, for four weeks; Rev. J. M. Graves for four weeks.
The first treasurer's report is in two columns, one for the cash receipts, mainly from associations and societies, amounting to $184.45; the other for clothing, etc., amounting to $166.561/2. The items in the clothing column are exceedingly suggestive of the primitive conditions in those early days of the Convention. They are not unworthy of permanent record in these pages. "Two boxes of clothing, etc., for Carey Station, in the hands of Asa Bill- ings, Royalton, from a few females of Thetford and Fairlee, $61.00; Brandon Religious Flock Society, 141/2 yards fulled cloth, $15.35: 9 yards fulled cloth from Manchester Society, $9.00; 1 pair shoes, do., $1.50; sundry clothing from Grafton Female Missionary Society, $17.52; Putney Female Society, sundry socks, etc., $4.25;
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Jamaica Missionary Society, sundry clothing, $2.08; Do. Fem. Society, 15 yards cotton cloth, 121/2 yards flannel, 5 pair socks and 1 handkerchief, $10.38; Townshend Missionary Society, 2 pair socks, etc., $4.81; D. Female do., sundries, $4.09; Elder Dodge, 2 pair shoes and 3 pair socks, $2.10; 10 volumes sermons and pamph- lets collected by Elder Dodge, $15.00; 1 pair Satin Den shoes, $1.50; 1 pair child's morocco shoes, $.75, and 1 cotton shawl and two silk handkerchiefs, $3.1212; 1 pair shoes and 2 pair socks, $1.311/2; linen and two yarn $.94. From individuals in Plainfield, 41/2 yards fulled cloth, $4.50, diaper, $.50; Middletown Female Missionary Society, 4 pair socks and +1/2 yards fulled cloth, $6.85."
Contributions of goods and articles of value continued for some years to form a large part of the income of the Convention. The work of collecting, appraising, transporting, storing and dis- tributing these articles became at times burdensome to the treasur- er and his assistants, especially when the contributors were not careful to give a careful inventory of their boxes, or properly to label them, and more than once they had to be reminded of this important duty.
The women bore their full share of the Convention burdens, giving their money, time and toil for the cause. The "Female Mite Societies" and "Female Missionary Societies" are con- spicuously in evidence in the treasurer's reports. They carded, spun, wove, knit, sewed and sacrificed to supply the needed re- sources. Many of them parted with their personal ornaments, strings of gold beads, necklaces, finger rings, ear knobs, watch seals and watches, jewelry of every kind. These were sold in Boston by the agents of the Convention, and the receipts turned into the treasury.
Articles of other kinds bear witness to the devotion of the men. Sermons, pamphlets, sole leather, axe helves, found their way to the treasury. An older and his family contributed "two dozen boxes of pills, appraised at four dollars."
Children put in their offerings, juvenile societies and Sunday school scholars are credited with contributions, and old people cast in of their slender income. Among the most interesting entries, occurring several times, is "a tenth of an old Revolutionary soldier's pension, sacredly consecrated."
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THE SECOND CIRCULAR, FIVE HUNDRED COPIES OF WHICH WERE ORDERED PRINTED IN 1825
After a comprehensive review of the missionary movement that began with Pierce and Carey about the year 1790, the circular continues :
"It is probably known to you all, that a Convention of our denomination was formed in this State one year since, having for its object the promotion of the interests of true religion. This object they aim to attain, not by an exclusive attention to any one method of exertion, but to embrace in the design, foreign and do- mestic missions, and the instruction of pious young men called to the Gospel ministry. Which of the three may be considered the most important, it is difficult to say. The design is to afford aid to them all, and, from time to time, to bestow the greater atten- tion to that object, which appears to need the greater assistance. At the present time it is conceived that a considerable portion of attention is needed in our own State. Many of the churches are destitute of pastors, and are suffering for want of constant, faith- ful preaching and discipline, and other parts of the State, where no churches exist, or where destructive errors and practices are prevalent, need the faithful and judicious labor of pious mission- aries.
"Many of our churches and societies are too small and too poor to support a minister themselves, but where they lie con- tiguous to each other, by combining the means of two or three churches and societies, they might support a respectable preacher, who should devote his whole time to prayer and the ministry of the Word in their service.
"In this way our churches may be brought into a more reg- ular and systematic state, and it is believed that by the constant labors of pastors the cause of religion would be more extensively promoted. We know that, in a state which is comparatively new, it cannot be expected that every desirable object should be at once accomplished, but every object should be prosecuted in a manner adapted gradually to secure the end proposed. The sup- port of faithful and well informed missionaries, to labor within the
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State, is thought to be one of the best which we can employ. And if we would have missionaries qualified for their work, our young brethren, who are generally unable to bear their own expenses, must be furnished by the hand of christian charity, with the means of cultivating and improving the gifts which God graciously be- stowed upon them.
"Nor must we overlook missions among the red men of our forests, and the many millions of idolaters which live in foreign countries. To carry the Gospel where it has never been known is an apostolical work. To engage in this work, the providence of God is particularly inviting us. Great facilities are afforded in the translation of the scriptures, and very pleasing success has of late attended some of the exertions which have been made. It is true that the peril of our dear friends in Burma have been great, and for the safety of some of them we have many fears. Yet, even there it is believed the way is preparing for much more extensive efforts, and with far greater safety, than were made before the war.
"A more perfect translation of the New Testament is now preparing in Calcutta, with which the brethren will return to Bur- ma as soon as the war shall have ended. Beside the missionaries, who have been for several years in India, our worthy Brother Boardman, with his wife, have probably reached their destination about this time. Other brethren are ready to go when the Board or management shall think fit to send them. In view of all these circumstances, it must be obvious that large expenditures are re- quired and larger ones will be required.
"How desirable it is that missionary funds should be increased. But we have to lament that for several years the spirit of missions has declined, so that it has been with difficulty the Board has been able to support their laborers in the field. We do not, however, think that this defect has been wholly owing to the want of feel- ing, but chiefly to the want of system and cooperation among our churches. The practice of forming distinct societies is not suf- ficiently prevalent. To remedy this evil the Convention has been formed in this State, and it is ardently desired that, in each and all of our churches, societies may be formed speedily, auxiliary to the Convention, and reported without delay. This Convention
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will be likely to become auxiliary to the General Convention of the United States, and thus a regular channel of communication be formed from the individual contributions to the general treasury.
"And now, beloved christian friends, we have only to exhort you to think of the millions of precious souls that are destitute of gospel instructions and liable every moment to drop into etern- ity! Let the question come home to your own mind, 'How much owest thou unto my Lord?' and if your hearts are grateful for the love of Jesus for you, do all in your power to make known the same love to others. Govern your charity by this apostolic rule: 'Let every one of you lay by him in store, on the first day of the week, according as God has prospered him.' And while you give, dear friends, do not forget to pray that a blessing may attend your gifts. 'Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.' Imagine yourselves and your children in the same situation in which the disciples of Jesus in Burma are. Would you not desire and justly expect the favored inhabitants of America to send the gospel to your perishing countrymen? Bear, then, on your hearts the poor heathen before God, and in view of that day when you must need the assembled nations before the Lord, now act as you will at that time wish you had done."
ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION OF THE VERMONT BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION
PREAMBLE
At a day when the christian church is impressed with the great importance of spreading the Gospel of Christ, the Baptist churches of the State of Vermont, being desirous of aiding the same cause, delegates from different parts of the State, pursuant to a circular missive, from brethren convened at Montpelier in October, 1883, resolved that it was expedient to form a State Convention, and proceeded to the adoption of a constitution, which, being altered and amended by a committee appointed by the Convention for that purpose, at their annual meeting in Bethel, in the present month of October, 1825, the following is the revised :
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CONSTITUTION
OF THE BAPTIST CONVENTION OF THE STATE OF VERMONT AND VICINITY
I. This Convention shall be called The Baptist Convention of the State of Vermont and Vicinity.
II. The object of this Convention shall be to unite the wisdom and energies of the Baptist Denomination in this State and vicinity, thereby to facilitate their union and cooperation in supporting missionary labors among the destitute, and to devise and execute other important measures for the ad- vancement of the Redeemer's kingdom.
III. This Convention shall be composed of delegates annually appointed, by the different Associations, Missionary and Education Societies within the State and vicinity, i. e., each Association contributing to the funds of the Convention shall have the right of sending one delegate, and for a con- tribution of $50 or more, shall have the right of sending two delegates. Each Missionary or Education Society, which shall contribute to the funds, shall have the right of sending one delegate, and for a contribution of $50 or more, two delegates; and each individual contributing $5 annually, shall be a member for life, and anyone who shall contribute $50 at one time, shall be a member of the Board of Trustees for life.
IV. The Convention shall meet annually at such time and place as shall be appointed, at which time a sermon shall be de- livered by a person previously elected, at the close of which a collection shall be taken up for the benefit of the Con- vention.
V. At the annual meeting of the Convention there shall be chosen by ballot a President, two Vice Presidents, Corres- ponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and one Trustee, who shall constitute a Board of Managers eight of whom shall be a quorum to transact business.
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VI. It shall be the duty of the President to preside in all meet- ings of the Convention and Board of Managers, and in his absence one of the Vice Presidents shall fill his place.
VII. The Corresponding Secretary shall maintain correspondence with such individuals and societies as he may think proper, or the Board may direct, with a view to aid the great ob- jects of the Convention.
VIII. The Recording Secretary shall register every society which becomes an auxiliary, and every member's name, and shall keep a fair record of the transactions of the Convention and Board of Managers, which shall be liable to their inspection whenever requested.
IX The Treasurer shall receive all donations made to the Con- vention, and give a sufficient security for the funds in his possession, and shall pay out on the written order of the Board, signed by the Secretary, and shall render an accurate statement of accounts at each meeting of the Convention, or oftener if required by the Board.
X. In regard to the funds, contributed to the promotion of the general objects here contemplated, the Board shall exercise discretion in their appropriation, but no moneys, contributed for any specific object shall be otherwise applied. They also shall have power to make appropriations, from time to time, to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomi- nation in the United States,-to employ missionaries, de- cide on their qualifications, designate the place of their labors, and dismiss them at their discretion, and they may draw on the treasurer for the amounts due such missiona- ries,-appoint agents to collect funds, and at their annual meeting shall make a report of their proceedings for the past year.
XI. The Convention shall recognize the independence and liberty of the churches of Christ, and shall not in any case interfere with their spiritual or secular interests; and no decision of this body shall be further binding on any church or association, than the decisions of the Associations are upon the churches which compose them.
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XII. Whenever a General Convention from State Conventions throughout the United States, shall be formed,or designed, it shall be in the power of this Convention to send delegates to meet in such Convention and to instruct them to enter into any arrangements to promote the interests of religion not inconsistent with this Convention, nor with the general declaration on which it is founded.
XIII. It shall be the duty of the delegates, from each Association, to present to the Convention a full and correct list of all the churches belonging to the Association which they repre- sent. This list shall specify the number of churches and of members at present, the numbers added, dismissed, ex- cluded and deceased, since the last meeting, the number of licentiates, and the number of destitute churches, belonging to the Association, together with such other information as the Convention may, from time to time, request.
XIV. Any alterations may be made to this Constitution at any annual meeting of the Convention, by three-fourths of the members present.
XV. This Convention may make such by-laws, from time to time, as may be thought proper, not incompatible with this Constitution.
In 1826, the Convention met in the Baptist meeting-house in Poultney. Rev. Isaac Sawyer presided.
Deacon Forbes, Rev. Alvah Sabin and Rev. John Ide, were chosen a committee to obtain from the legislature the grant of an act of incorporation for the Convention.
The Board of Managers reported that the agents appointed at the last meeting had organized seventy-five societies, from which an income of $1,651 was expected; $20 had been appropriated for the church in Dresden, N. Y., for the support of Rev. Isaac Fuller; $15 to assist the church in Putney, and $60 to the church in Rut- land, to enable them to obtain a suitable minister to preach in East Village, in the court house.
The treasurer's report showed receipts in money and goods amounting to $1,248, received from no less than fifty-four societies and associations.
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At this session a resolution was passed earnestly recommend- ing to the churches and ministers to take immediate measures to promote the systematic study of the sacred Scriptures. An elabo- rate plan for systematic instruction was presented by Mr. Merriam, which was endorsed by the Convention.
In 1827, the Convention met at Mount Holly, October 17. Aaron Leland presided and preached the concluding discourse.
Ira M. Allen was authorized to carry into effect the plan of forming county societies, auxiliary to the Convention, to be com- posed of primary societies, in order to establish a uniform system of operation throughout the State, and it was resolved to employ Mr. Allen as agent, until he had passed over the State, agreeable to the plan on which he had commenced, and pay him according to the agreement made with him by the committee of the Board.
The Board, in their report at this session, complain of their lack of success, and yet show a commendable amount of missionary work done. They say, "The principal object of this Convention is to amass together all the pecuniary resources of the denomina- tion, for the purpose of rendering the most immediate and ef- fectual aid to the cause of general benevolence. This object has therefore been viewed by us as one of primary importance, and when attending to it, we have felt the necessity of having an agent constantly employed in forming societies auxiliary to the Conven- tion, and promoting a spirit of liberality in the churches. But after making diligent and unwearied efforts to obtain a person suit- able to act in such a capacity, it is with regret that we state to you that we have not succeeded to our wishes."
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