USA > Vermont > History of the Baptists in Vermont > Part 42
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Mr. Cull took a course in college and theology, mostly at Madison University, and settled as pastor first in Malone, N. Y., in 1862, one year before closing his theological course. Rev. John Peddie supplied the church while Mr. Cull was finishing his studies. This pastorate continued four years, after which he went to Adams Village, N. Y., and to the Tabernacle church, Albany, two years each. Then he went to Stillwater, N. Y., where a fine new church was built. There were frequent baptisms in all these churches. The Stillwater pastorate lasted between three and four years. From Stillwater he went to Middletown, Ohio, and remained be- tween six and seven years, and from there to Greenwich, N. Y., remaining there over fourteen years, baptizing three hundred and thirty candidates during the time. The Middletown church was also frequently blessed with tokens of divine favor. Mr. Cull en- tered on the work of missionary of the Vermont Baptist State Con- vention, January 1, 1895.
At the session at Bristol in 1896, for the first time since 1885, the Convention entered upon a new year with a debt of $1,520. Retrenchment seemed necessary. Five churches relieved the Con- vention materially, by attempting to carry on their work without assistance. The number of aided churches was reduced to twenty- seven, and the appropriations were reduced below the usual amounts. Gradually the debt was cancelled, and, in 1899, the Convention treasury was once more free from debt. Meanwhile, the permanent fund had been increased by bequests, $3,606.
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Some advanced steps were taken at this period. In 1896, after an address by the Rev. T. J. Morgan, D. D., upon "The New Plan of Cooperation in Christian Beneficence." a committee was appointed of seven brethren, to cooperate with the Commission of Systematic Benefience, created at Asbury Park, in May, 1896. The committee consisted of Rev. D. D. Owen, Ludlow; Rev. C. R. B. Dodge, Bellows Falls; Rev. L. D. Temple, Brattleboro; Mrs. S. A. Andrews, Vergennes; Miss Abby Baldwin, Ludlow; J. J. Estey, Brattleboro; John N. Feasey, Rutland. This was the beginning of that special educational and inspirational work in the line of Systematic Benefieenee, which has been continued since, and which must be regarded as an important branch of Convention work, essential to its highest success.
In 1899, the Convention observed its seventy-fifth anniversary at Brandon, and Rev. T. H. Archibald, D. D., delivered an his- torical address, which was ordered printed in the minutes.
At this session Rev. T. H. Archibald was formally recognized as the historian of the Convention by the following vote:
"Whereas, the Vermont Baptist Historical Society has by unanimous vote asked T. H. Arehibald, D. D., to enter at once upon the preparation of a reliable and authentie history of Vermont Baptists with a view to publication and dissemination of said his- tory; therefore
"Resolved, that this Convention endorses the action of the Historical Society in this matter; and
" Resolved, that this Convention approves the raising of a sum not to exceed $300 for defraying the expenses of the preparation of such a history, and appoints Rev. R. Nott, J. J. Townsend, D. D., and Rev. W. A. Kinzie a committee to have charge of raising the same."
The attention of the American Baptist Home Missionary So- eiety and the American Baptist Publication Society was called to Vermont as a promising home mission field, and as a result, in 1898, the Italian mission in Barre was begun under the leadership of A. B. Bellondi. The opening of this mission, and the coopera- tion of the Convention in the work among the foreigners of the State, was a long advance step in its important work.
WILLIAM A. DAVISON, D. D. Secretary of Convention Board Superintendent of Missions
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In 1899, a committee was appointed to represent this body in the Anti-saloon League work in the State. Rev. W. H. H. Avery, D. D., Rev. W. S. Roberts, D. D., and Rev. F. E. Marble, Ph.D., were this committee. Later the appointment by the League of C. J. Ferguson, of Burlington, as its State superintendent, brought this work still closer to the Convention, and it has been a stanch supporter of that important work ever since.
A committee on Denominational Comity was appointed at the same session, consisting of Rev. Gibbs Braislin, of Rutland, Deacon J. J. Estey, Brattleboro, and Rev. C. R. B. Dodge, of Bellows Falls. This initiated a department of effort from which much was expected, and comparatively little has resulted.
1900-1912
REV. W. A. DAVISON, D. D., EVANGELIST, SUPERINTENDENT OF MISSIONS, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD
With the beginning of the twentieth century the Convention entered upon a period of unprecedented activity and development. The anniversary was held that year with the church in Brattle- boro. The most eventful action reported by the Board that year was the appointment, at the February meeting, of Rev. W. A. Davison, as evangelist, at a salary of $50 a month and expenses. Mr. Davison had attended Brown University two years, and spent three years in Colgate Theological School, graduating from that institution in 1896. He had served as pastor of the Calvary Bap- tist church in Utica, N. Y., and also at Montpelier, Vermont, and had given evidence of special qualifications in him for the work in which Mr. MacGeorge and Dr. Cull had been engaged. In 1905, he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Middlebury Col- lege. Immediately upon his appointment by the Convention, Mr. Davison entered upon his work as evangelist, and during the eight months before the Convention met, he held special meetings with thirteen churches, and visited thirty-six fields, becoming quickly acquainted with the needs of the mission churches. A remarkable expansion in the conception of the work of the State Convention
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marked the beginning of the twentieth century. It no longer divided the churches into the dependent and the self-supporting, limiting its care to the weak and dependent ones, but it came to re- gard the larger churches, even, as needing its fostering care, that they might continue strong and be incited to missionary activity. It began to define the State Convention as the Baptists organized for work. Accordingly there was a corresponding change in the conception of the offices and duties to which Dr. Davison was called in 1900. He was then regarded as State evangelist and his duties were described by that name. As the missionary enterprises of the Convention broadened, his work ceased to be exclusively evange- listic. Administrative duties claimed a large share of attention, and special evangelists were appointed for that part of the work, and although Dr. Davison did not give up evangelistic work, yet the title, superintendent of missions, became the title appropriate to his work. The need of his presence and influence in the Board becoming evident, he was chosen a member, and, later, the secre- tary of that body, and became designated by the double title, superintendent of missions and secretary of the Board. A large amount of administrative work naturally fell to this office, financial problems, the raising of funds, the planning of wide educational and missionary measures, besides the care of all the churches. The raising of salaries for pastors of mission churches, the improve- ment of church property, the securing of titles with reversionary clause, insuring to the Convention valuable property in case a church becomes extinct, assistance in finding pastors for vacant pulpits and parishes, roll calls and anniversaries, and countless other duties and obligations, gradually crowded upon the incum- bent of this office of superintendent and secretary till the physical powers of a man of well-nigh gigantic strength were often overtaxed.
The increase in permanent funds rendered it possible for the Convention to broaden its missionary work. At the beginning of this decade the permanent fund was $24,791.99. The following table exhibits its remarkable increase from year to year, partially by personal bequests of Vermont Baptists, anxious to prolong their beneficent work for Vermont churches, through the Convention,
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and especially by the gradual payment of the Ford bequest, the announcement of which made eventful the session of 1900:
1900.
$ 24,791.99
1901
49,480.89
1902
89,372.55
1903
111,746.19
1904
131,106.70
1905
151,168.57
1906
171,020.08
1907
195,205.56
1908
211,066.61
1909
212,266.95
1910
213,462.51
1911
215,962.51
1912
218,601.51
At a meeting of the Board, in Brattleboro, in 1900, preliminary steps were taken for the disposition of a portion of the Ford legacy. At the next meeting of the Board, in April, the following action was taken:
Vermont Academy
"For several years this school, founded by the direct instru- mentality of this Convention, has been in financial difficulty. Building faster than funds were procured for the same, the under- taking to give the best at a price below what it could be afforded at, resulted in serious deficits for several successive years, and to crown the misfortunes, the death of a liberal friend who had been relied upon to extricate the school from its financial embarrass- ments, all resulted in complications that threatened the longer existence of the school. Influenced by these considerations and believing that Vermont Academy was such a part of our work as to justify the assistance thus rendered, the board passed the follow- ing vote:
"That the Finance Committee of the Vermont Baptist State Convention be authorized to loan to the Vermont Academy from the Ford Special Fund, a sum not exceeding twenty-five thousand
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dollars ($25,000), for the term of ten years, with interest, at the rate of four per cent per annum, if said Academy will secure the same by first mortgage on all its real estate in Vermont, and keep the buildings thereon well insured for the benefit of said Conven- tion as its interest may appear.
That the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) annually for the next ten years, is hereby appropriated for the support of the Vermont Academy."
The Barre Church
"It is well known that this church has been struggling for years with a heavy debt incurred in building. While the church has had many evidences of prosperity and healthy growth, yet this burden of debt has been felt as an hinderance, which should be removed at the earliest possible moment. At its meeting in June, the Board passed the following:
"Resolved, that the Board hereby appropriate from the Ford Special Fund, $5,000, to apply as a subscription upon the debts of the First Baptist church of Barre-on condition that the church shall secure pledges, acceptable to the Board, for a sufficient sum above that amount to cancel its indebtedness, and that said ap- propriation shall be paid in sums proportionate to each $500 paid in upon the pledges secured by the church."
At the session of the Convention in 1910, the following resolu- tion was adopted:
"Whereas, on April 19, 1901, the Board of Trustees of the Ver- mont Baptist State Convention, by vote duly recorded, loaned the Vermont Academy from the Ford Fund the sum of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) secured by first mortgage upon all its real estate for the term of ten years;
"Whereas, the said loan becomes due and payable within the next year and it is deemed just and wise thus early to determine the attitude of the Board in reference to the payment or extension of said loan; therefore
"Resolved, that it is the desire of the Board that the loan be paid when due; but if the necessities of the Academy require that an extension be granted, then the Finance Committee of the Board
HON. J. J. ESTEY, Brattleboro General of State Militia President of Convention Board, 1885-1901 Born, 1845-Died, 1902
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are authorized to extend the time of payment of the present mort- gage loan for a period not exceeding three years, conditioned upon the punctual payment of interest thereon at the rate of four per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, with the understanding that the principal sum shall be raised and repaid within that period."
The above resolutions were unanimously adopted by the Board at a meeting held on Tuesday, September 27, and then submitted by Secretary Davison to the Convention on the morning of the 28th with his report, and with his report were unanimously adopted.
The Academy, a little later, having bonded its indebtedness, guaranteeing payment of interest on the same by the income of its invested funds, cancelled its debt to the Convention, restoring to the treasury $25,000,-as a part of its permanent fund for the general use of the Convention.
On March 2, 1902, Julius J. Estey, long president of the Board, "fell asleep," and the burden of his office was transferred to Rev. Gibbs Braislin, of Rutland. Affectionate memorial exercises marked the anniversaries in 1902. He was honored in life, alike in church and civic affairs, as a true man and a consistent christian. He was greatly beloved in the Convention.
In 1903, another efficient officer of the Board passed away, Deacon D. M. White, who, for sixteen years had been treasurer, serving always with fidelity.
In 1904, January 23, Rev. S. H. Archibald, secretary of the Board, died at his home in North Springfield. From the year 1877, till the time of his death, he was continuously upon the Board of this Convention, interested in its mission, thoroughly conver- sant with its work in every detail, and laborious in its behalf. From 1881 till 1902, he was secretary of the board of trustees. The records of this board are among his best memorials.
Evangelism became a dominant feature of this period under the energetic leadership of Dr. Davison. In 1903, circulars were sent out to all the churches in Vermont, requesting them to hold special meetings for the deepening of spiritual life and the saving of souls. Thirty-five churches held meetings every night for two or more weeks, and in every instance the church was quickened,
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and in most cases converts won. Many pastors willingly left their own fields and assisted their brethren in their special meetings.
In 1902, the American Baptist Home Mission Society offered to cooperate with the Convention in the employment of evangelists, on the same basis as then existed for work among the foreigners. Encouraged by this generous offer, the Convention determined to enter upon evangelism as a distinct branch of its work.
In December, 1904, Dr. Davison planned for eleven confer- ences, with morning, afternoon, and evening sessions in all excepting two. These conferences began Tuesday, December 6, and were held in the following places: North Bennington, Brattle- boro, Bellows Falls, Ludlow, Poultney, Rutland, Bristol, Burling- ton, St. Albans, Montpelier, and St. Johnsbury. The speakers from outside who assisted were Drs. Cook, McBride, Witter, Cummings, and Spaulding. The offerings taken at the conferences practically covered the traveling expenses of these brethren, so that the only expense to the Convention was the printing and dis- tribution of the programs.
In November, 1905, Rev. C. C. Maxfield of Springfield, Mass., a sweet-spirited, godly, consecrated minister of the Gospel, began work as State evangelist, but, after laboring seven weeks, was stricken down with serious illness, and compelled to return to his home in Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Leger were secured and labored faithfully till spring with good results.
May 1, 1906, Rev. Thomas N. Hafer, of Mansfield, Mass., became State evangelist, and continued in this position till April 1,1910.
In 1906, two evangelistic conferences were held, three days each, with Dr. A. C. Dixon, of Boston, as leader, and principal speaker. One of these conferences was held in Brattleboro, and the other in Burlington in April, these places seeming best adapted to reach all the ministers and churches in the State.
In 1907, ten missionary conferences were held, and Dr. Davi- son spent as much time as possible in evangelistic work.
After nearly four years of faithful and successful labor as State evangelist, Rev. N. T. Hafer resigned, and accepted the pastorate of the Trinity Baptist church, Brooklyn, N. Y. His preaching,
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singing, and personal work were very fruitful of good to the Bap- tist churches of Vermont. Rev. Henry R. Meyers was secured as his successor. In 1911, Mr. Meyers held evangelistie meetings at Newport Center, East Poultney, North Springfield, Burlington, Perkinsville, East Enosburg, East Hardwick, Johnson, Barre, St. Johnsbury, East Charlotte, Norton, West Rutland, Cavendish, Chester, Passumpsie, Groton, Georgia Plain, and Panton. In 1912, he held meetings in twenty-three places, preaching two hun- dred and fifty-seven sermons, making four hundred and fifteen calls, which resulted in two hundred and fifty-four professions of conversion, and one hundred and one baptisms, which is more than one third of all the baptisms reported in the State.
In another direction the work of the State Convention broad- ened. The need of work among the foreigners in Vermont be- came too evident to be neglected, and was cheerfully undertaken. The population of Vermont, by nationalities, in 1900, was as follows: Austria, two hundred and thirty-seven; Bohemia, twenty-seven; Canada English, ten thousand, six hundred and sixteen; Canada French, fourteen thousand, nine hundred and twenty-four; Den- mark, two hundred and twenty-five; England, two thousand, four hundred and forty-seven; France, one hundred and seventy-one; Germany, eight hundred and eighty-two; Holland, twenty; Hun- gary, one hundred and twenty-eight; Ireland, seven thousand, four hundred and fifty-three; Italy, two thousand, one hundred and fifty-four; Mexico, three; Norway, fifty-four; Poland, German, eighteen; Poland, Russian, three hundred and twenty-eight; Poland, others, one hundred and thirteen; Russia, three hundred and seventy-seven; Scotland, two thousand, forty-nine; Sweden, one thousand, twenty; Switzerland, ninety-eight; Wales, one thou- sand, fifty-six; all others, four hundred and thirty-seven. Total, foreign, forty-four thousand, seven hundred and forty-seven; native, two hundred and ninety-eight thousand, eight hundred and ninety-four. Total, three hundred and forty-three thousand, six hundred and forty-one.
In view of the facts, the obligation of Baptists to the foreigners of Vermont became apparent and pressing. The superintendent of missions urged the importance of this work.
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ITALIAN MISSION
The American Baptist Home Mission Society founded an Italian mission in Barre, about 1900, placing Rev. A. B. Bellondi at the head of it, and soon began to look to the Convention for co- operation. This society also offered, in 1902, to contribute $100 toward the support of Rev. Daniel Gyrtzell, Swedish mis- sionary, at Barre and Montpelier, for the year from June, 1902, provided the Convention contribute an equal amount. They were also willing to cooperate with the Convention for the support of a French missionary to labor where the French are thickly settled in our State. These offers were accepted, and the Convention en- tered upon this important branch of work. After attempting to manage the Italian mission jointly with the Home Mission Society, the impossibility of the method became evident, and the Conven- tion declined to have a divided responsibility in the control of the mission, and it was transferred wholly to the management of the Board, through its superintendent of missions. The chapel, which had been under construction for some time, Mr. Bellondi was unable to complete, and after his dismissal, the work was placed under the superintendence of Dr. Davison, who, with characteristic energy, brought the enterprise to completion, and the chapel was dedicated. Rev. G. B. Castellini was appointed over this mission, which promptly gave promising signs of progress.
In 1911, Mr. Castellini baptized three, one of whom was a young man who has entered the Italian department in Colgate University, at Brooklyn, N. Y., studying for the Gospel ministry.
SWEDISH MISSION
In 1902 and 1903, Rev. Daniel Gyrtzell, a Swedish missionary, was employed among the Swedes of Barre and Montpelier, but sorely handicapped because he did not have adequate financial support, and was compelled to work at manual labor, in order to care properly for his family.
In February, 1904, Rev. A. Kallgren took charge of this mission and began a good work, with increasing congregations.
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He continued his work there until the summer of 1906, when he returned with his family to Sweden. The Sunday school, how- ever, was kept up and efforts made to find a successor to Pastor Kallgren. After much effort and diligent search, a suitable man was found in the person of Rev. Augustus E. Johnson, who came in June, 1907, from Crozer Theological Seminary. He quickly made for himself a large place in the hearts of his countrymen, holding two services weekly in both Montpelier and Barre, the Home Mission Society cooperating with us in this work. He closed his work early the following spring to take up a larger work in Pennsylvania. One intelligent Swedish woman was converted under his ministry and baptized. Rev. William Kohler was secured as leader, in July, 1909,-a man of experience and ability,-and a religious interest was soon awakened and con- verts led to baptism. In 1910, he had an average of thirty-five at the preaching services, and a membership of twenty-five in the Sunday school. Three were baptized and united with the First Baptist church in Barre. During the year 1911, Mr. Kohler resigned, and accepted the call of the Swedish Baptist church in Bridgeport, Conn., and Rev. John Bjork, of Pittsburg, Pa., was secured, and before the year closed four of his countrymen had been received for baptism.
FRENCH MISSION
In 1902, the Home Mission Society expressed their willing- ness to cooperate with the Convention in the support of a mis- sionary among the French. In compliance with the vote of the Convention in 1903, the Board employed Rev. L. O. F. Cote as evangelistic missionary among the French. Mr. Cote was edu- cated for the priesthood and converted at the age of twenty-five, and for seventeen years, since his conversion, had been doing mission work in New England and Canada. He came to Ver- mont in November, 1903, and during the year labored at North Bennington, Websterville, Fairfax, Burlington, West Rutland, Bennington, St. Albans, Montgomery Centre, East Wallingford and other fields, doing good work on each field, so that conversions
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and baptism followed his efforts. He closed his work in Vermont, in April, 1906. This year a somewhat new policy was adopted. Concerning this mission the secretary of the Board reported: "Most of the French within our own borders can speak the Eng- lish language, and are to be won by personal love and personal work, and it is intended that Miss Brooks, who has spent most of her life in Vermont, will give most of her time and energy to the churches, Sunday schools, and communities in the northern section of the State, where these French largely reside. The labors of the past have not been in vain, for some of these people have been reached, brought to Christ, and are now members of our churches; but it is conceded by all students of this work that it is not necessary to talk the French language in order to reach these people, and in fact most of them prefer to be addressed in English." Miss Brooks made work among the French a part of her mission.
SUNDAY SCHOOL VISITORS AND PERSONAL WORKERS
In 1905, after much correspondence, and a visit to the train- ing schools in and around Boston, in search of a Sunday school visitor and personal worker, Superintendent Davison finally se- cured Miss Amy Haskins, who had been laboring for the Congrega- tionalists in this State several years, and was highly recommended as a christian woman and worker. She began her work in Novem- ber 15, and proved an efficient worker wherever she went. All the pastors agree that this house to house and heart to heart work is what is greatly needed, and amply repays for the money ex- pended. Invitations came from so many pastors and Sunday schools that it would have been impossible for Miss Haskins to reach them all within the year, and so upon the advice of the executive committee another personal worker was secured in the person of Miss Grace Brooks, who for three years had been studying in the training school at Northfield, and came to us highly recommended. She began work April 1, 1905, and con- tinued in the employ of the Convention as one of its valued and successful workers.
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