USA > Vermont > History of the Baptists in Vermont > Part 43
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Miss Amy Haskins continued her work till June 1, 1906, when
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she resigned, and soon was married to Rev. H. C. Leach, and went with him to the mission field in Burma.
The pitiful need of many Vermonters dwelling in districts remote from the churches, brought another pressing obligation upon the Convention, which could only be met by providing and supporting an energetic and consecrated colporteur. On Novem- ber 1, 1906, was to be held a quarterly meeting of the Woodstock Association at East Wallingford, and Superintendent Davison had gone down the night previous, in order to be there for the morning session. He was entertained at the home of Pastor and Mrs. Morse, and, though the room was well ventilated and the bed all that could be desired, yet he could not sleep. The unsaved condition of a great multitude of people back in our rural commun- ities was upon his mind and heart, and after much thought and prayer, he decided that if a certain man was present at the con- ference the next day he would ask him to assume the support of a colporteur in co-operation with the American Baptist Publication Society, who were willing to pay one-half of his salary and all expenses. That same night God was impressing upon the heart of a man in Chester to attend this Conference, and during the noon hour, Mr. Davison laid the matter before him, with the result, that as he was about to step onto the platform to speak on "Prevailing Prayer," a note was handed him which read, "Trot out your horse and wagon and I will guarantee the salary." We then needed some man to give $450 to purchase the outfit, and two weeks later, in response to an appeal made in Brattleboro by our beloved brother, Dr. Charles H. Spaulding, a young man, Mr. J. H. Brink, who was brought up in a rural community and knew what it was to be denied religious privileges, went to his pastor, Mr. Lawson, and offered to give, as a loving memorial to his father, who was so interested in the welfare of Vermont, the $450 needed. Thus was secured the outfit and the money needed for salary, and now the work of finding the right man began. Finally Rev. C. E. Van Schaick, of Ulisses, Pa., was secured. Mr. Van Schaick, after serving in this important position a year and a half, resigned, to become pastor of the Baptist church in Pownal, and was succeeded by Rev. George H. Watt, of Barre, formerly pastor of the West Rutland church, who began at once traversing
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the highways and by-ways of Vermont, working in sections remote from churches, and besides doing faithful work in distribution of Bibles and christian literature, finding opportunity to do effective evangelistic work, sometimes alone, oftener in connection with the pastor of some rural church. In the years 1908 and 1909, Mr. Watt visited forty-five churches, preached 261 sermons, visited 980 families, sold 138 Bibles, 701 books and distributed 11,700 pages of tracts. During the winter of 1912, he held evange- listic meetings with eight churches, and in almost every instance additions by baptisms resulted.
This survey of the work of the Convention partially reveals the remarkable extension of Convention work since the present century began. In the resolutions passed at the Convention in 1910 is this reference:
"That we gratefully recognize hereby the splendid and un- tiring service of our efficient superintendent of missions, Dr. William A. Davison, who has at this Convention presented his eleventh annual report. We are constrained by the strongest impression of thanksgiving as we calmly review the steady growth of the Vermont Baptist State Convention during the past ten years. In 1900, the Convention stood alone and unaided by any of our great missionary and benevolent societies in any specific measure. Today, as for a number of years, the American Baptist Home Mission Society and the Publication Society have co-operat- ed with our Convention in a vast amount of extension work, mak- ing possible, within the limits of the last years, the carrying on of a blessed and fruitful work among the foreign population of our State, the establishing and maintaining a work of the Gospel and for Christ among the Swedes, the Italians, the French, and backing up a splendid work accomplished by a State Convention Colpor- teur, evangelist and Sunday school worker. With about $1,500 from the Home Mission Society and $450 from the Publication Society, our own churches have been encouraged to lift hard and surely for the extending of our borders of service. In the last ten years the permanent fund has nearly doubled, aside from the gifts of the Daniel Sharp Ford Fund, by the munificent gifts from within our own State. The churches have been caught forward by this mighty stimulus, and the offerings of the churches, which
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in 1900 were $2,400, we have learned today, are in excess of $4,500. Thus we have seen the offerings doubled within the memory of many of our Vermont pastorates. For all these things we are glad and praise God that out of our own midst He has chosen him who has been a wise leader, counsellor and friend to the friends, members and pastors of our beloved churches of Vermont."
From 1900 to 1912, the number of special workers has in- creased from one to six or more. In 1900, twenty-nine churches were receiving aid; in 1912, fifty-four were on the list. In 1900, the amount appropriated for the mission churches was $3,018. In 1912, the aided churches received, $7,920. The total appro- priations of the Convention increased from $4,746 to $22,423. The permanent funds increased from $24,791 to $218,601. In 1900, the average salary of the missionary pastors was $400 and house, while that of all the pastors in the State averaged $550 and house. In 1911, the average salary of the missionary pastors was $600, while the average of all the pastors in the State was $736 and house. During most of this period, the churches cheer- fully contributed on an average of seventy-five cents per resident member. Successful effort secured to the Convention reversionary title to nearly all the church edifices and parsonages.
No. churches aided
Amt.
Total Exp.
1900
29
3,018
4,746
1901
.31
3,775
6,716
1902
32
3,328
6,825
1903
.35
3,560
7,029
1904
38
4,605
9,338
1905
36
4,430
10,537
1906
37
4,595
11,510
1907
46
6,059
14,789
1908
51
7,256
15,780
1909
47
7,216
15,789
1910
55
7,225
19,889
1911
51
7,169
22,088
1912
54
7,920
22.423
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
By the appointment of Seeretary Davison on the nominating committee of the Northern Baptist Convention, and the election in 1912, of Vice-President Henry Bond to the presideney of that body, the Baptists of Vermont came into a position of national influence in the denomination.
Vermont Baptists promptly and loyally endorsed the signifi- cant denominational movement that gave birth to the Northern Baptist Convention.
The following resolution voiced the sentiment of the Con- vention in 1809 and 1810:
" Resolved, that we endorse the action of the Northern Baptist Convention, at Portland. First, that Christian Stewardship, with special reference to systematic and proportionate giving, be made a leading feature of the work of all our missionary or- ganizations throughout the coming year; Second, that the churches be requested to lead the largest possible number of their members to form the habit of laying aside at least a tenth of their income for distinctively christian work.
"Resolved, that we instruct our State Secretary and Steward- ship Committee to carry out in our State a campaign of education with the definite objective that 1,000 Vermont Baptists be com- mitted to the practice of proportionate giving.
" Resolved, that the following secretaries in our several Associa- tions be appointed by the Convention to serve for the ensuing year: Addison Association, Rev. Thomas Davison; Danville, Rev. G. H. Chambers; Shaftsbury, Rev. H. E. Wetherbee; Vermont Central, Rev. L. J. Bamberg; Windham, Rev. G. W. Russell; Woodstock, Rev. J. W. Moore; Lamoille, Rev. L. L. Holmes.
"Resolved, that we share in the general gladness over the birth and development of The Northern Baptist Convention; that we note with satisfaction the evidence of its power in stimu- lating and organizing the benevolent and missionary activities of the churches; that we approve in general the Budget Plan, and commend it to our churches.
" Resolved, however, in view of the wide missionary character of the work of our Vermont Baptist State Convention and the imperative need of the full amount called for in the secretary's
HENRY BOND Vice President of Convention President of The Northern Baptist Convention, 1912
.
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report, we suggest that the Apportionment Committee, when sending out to the churches the apportionments for the Budget, the opportunity for emphasizing the needs of the State Convention and of adding the weight of their appeal to the churches to raise if, possible the seventy-five cents per resident member for the work of the State Convention.
"Resolved, that we hail with delight the increasing signs of Baptist unity as disclosed in the organization and continuance of the Northern Baptist Convention; that we acknowledge with gratitude this new and divine call to larger service for God; that we believe that such unity will aid us greatly in conserving the missionary fruitage at home and abroad; and that we pledge anew our loyalty to Jesus Christ who is thus manifestly leading our denomination by a new and living way."
The Committee of Christian Stewardship entered heartily into the work, of which the following is a report:
"At the session of the Vermont State Convention a year ago, a resolution endorsing the 'Standard of Efficiency for Baptist Churches' as adopted by the Northern Baptist Convention was formally accepted. All the important features of the stewardship work are here emphasized; and your committee, in the firm con- viction that the 'Standard of Efficiency' as a whole presents an excellent working program applicable to any church and making definitely for a larger life and service, have made a determined effort to bring the matter to the attention of every Baptist church in the State. To this end we have had printed in attractive form five thousand copies of the Standard, with an appended foot note earnestly requesting pastors to present it to their people for adop- tion. From twelve to twenty-five copies, with the offer of as many more as should be needed, were mailed to every pastor, with the exception of the enterprising few who had anticipated the action of this committee in having copies printed themselves for their churches. Through the Associational secretaries, Minis- ter's Conferences have been requested to discuss it. This has been done by some with interest and profit to our certain knowledge. Probably in every ministers' conference in the State the subject has been introduced at some time. A place was asked for on the
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program of each Association for the presentation and discussion of the subject, and our Superintendent of Missions consented to add to his already heavy burden of service that of presenting the subject at these meetings, as opportunity offered. And Dr. Davison has had his opportunity, for some of the program com- mittees took kindly to the idea and made place as requested. In fact, Dr. Davison this year has been the Stewardship committee in the field and we are duly grateful to him for his splendid service in this particular. An ample supply of the leaflets were forwarded for use at the Associational gatherings.
"The churches adopting the Standard were requested to report the fact to Dr. Davison and the number will doubtless be given in his report."
The Budget Plan was not only endorsed by the Convention by resolutions, but its secretary and representatives made special effort to instruct the churches and to stimulate them to adopt the plan and raise the amount apportioned. In 1911, inspirational institutes were held in Wilmington, Brattleboro, Chester, Ben- nington, Poultney, Rutland, Vergennes, Montpelier, St. Johns- bury, Newport, Hardwick, St. Albans and Burlington.
The Standard of Efficiency, commended by the Northern Baptist Convention, also received careful and cordial attention, and earnest effort to promote its adoption. The record of this effort was given in the annual report of Secretary Davison in 1912, as follows:
"Early in the year we planned conferences which reached nearly every church in the State. These meetings had afternoon and evening sessions and were held at Townshend, Readsboro, Manchester, Ludlow, Bellows Falls, Fairhaven, Brandon, Middle- bury, Vergennes, West Derby, Richford, St. Albans and Essex Junction. At these meetings the standard of efficiency, adopted by The Northern Baptist Convention and by the Convention last year, was discussed in the afternoon, placing especial emphasis on the reduction of the non-resident membership, the adoption of the every-member canvass and more personal work, and more than one-third of the churches have already adopted the standard of efficiency and are trying to work it out. These meetings were
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HISTORY OF THE BAPTISTS IN VERMONT
also preparatory to the Stackhouse campaign which followed a week later with banquets at Burlington, Barre, Newport, Brattle- boro, Rutland and Bennington, and special Sunday services at Poultney and Fairhaven. Your Superintendent was ably asisted in many of the meetings by President Bond of the Northern Bap- tist Convention and by Pastor Braker of Burlington and the distriet secretaries of New England.
"The results of this month's campaign are already manifested in three ways. The reduction of the non-resident membership, the increase in benevolent offerings and a greater desire for the salvation of souls."
From the beginning, the Convention sought, by many agen- cies, to stimulate the churches to generous missionary offerings and efforts. It has not ceased to keep the great commission always in view, and has always had some representatives among the mis- sionaries in the foreign field. The gifts of our churches to foreign and home missions has been made the subject of a separate chap- ter and need not be mentioned particularly here. Not long ago it touched hands with the Baptist missionaries of the world by send- ing its secretary, Dr. Davison, to the World's Baptist Congress, held in London in 1907. It is perpetually echoing every Macedon- ian call and striving to extend the helping hand.
The attitude and the altitude of the Convention may be judged in part, at least, by the men whom it has invited to address it and the themes on which they have spoken. In 1907 and again in 1910, Rev. O. P. Gifford, of Boston, spoke in his own unique and impressive manner upon the need and possibility of a life of spiritual power, in the first instance, and upon winning souls, in the second. The same year, Rev. A. F. Ufford, the latest gift of Vermont Baptists to the foreign mission work, spoke from recent experience upon the "Problems of Rural Life." In 1908, Rev J. E. Norcross, district secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, addressed the Convention upon "Evangelizing the Foreigner;" Rev. L. L. Henson, D. D., of Providence, R. I., upon "The Northern Baptist Convention and its Allies, " and C. C. Earle, of Boston, Mass., on "Saving the Masses." In 1909, Rev. J. E. Norcross was again present and spoke on "How to reach men;"
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Rev. T. S. Barbour, representing the Foreign Missionary Society, had for his theme, "The Development and Progress of the King- dom in the East, especially in China and Japan;" Rev. J. M. Moore spoke upon "Missionary Education," and a closing address was delivered by Prof. Walter Rauschenbusch, of the Theological Semi- nary, Rochester, N. Y., upon "The Church and the Social Crisis," a remarkable series of addresses by men of unusual gifts. In 1911, the principal address was by Rev. Cortland Meyers, D. D., of Boston, who dwelt upon the necessity of meeting the prevailing spirit of materialism and socialism and agnosticism with a right conception of God, the atonement of Christ and the facts of chris- tian experience.
The anniversary of the Convention, in 1912, was one of special interest throughout. The speakers from abroad were Rev. Guy C. Lamson, representing The American Baptist Publication Society, Rev. A. W. Anthony, who brought before the Convention once more "The Northern Baptist Convntion," and Rev. C. H. Wool- son, D. D., of Philadelphia, Pa., who gave a practical illustration of the "Art of Illustrative Teaching." Besides these, Rev. W. T. Stackhouse, D. D., of New York, secretary of the Layman's Missionary Movement, was present. For two years previous, he had been scattering the light of his knowledge and the fire of his zeal throughout the State in the inspirational meetings planned by Secretary Davison, and no man could have been more welcome and no one's words could have been awaited with greater expec- tancy. Dr. Stackhouse brought this exceptionally impressive Convention to a climatic close on the evening of the twenty- fifth of September. The meeting was held in the spacious and beautiful auditorium of the North Congregational church, which had been courteously offered for the occasion. As he stood before the representatives of the Baptist churches of Vermont, and others assembled with them, he seemed to stand as upon some lofty height, and gave the people a vision of vantage and of possibilities, show- ing how the Lord's work could easily be done, and the world come to know Christ in this generation, if the church could be brought to realize the importance of the call and the crisis in which we live.
JOHN A. GREENWOOD, Chester President of Convention, 1911-1912
CHAPTER XXIII
EDUCATION
MINISTERIAL EDUCATION
Vermont Baptists were somewhat slow in awaking to the importance of an educated ministry, and to the need of concerted action to secure one. In the early days a deep-seated prejudice existed in the minds of many against educated ministers. The training of college and theological seminary was thought to foster pride and to unfit one for the humble ministries of a pastor among common folk. This prejudice was never universal, but it was suf- ficiently general to prove a serious stumbling block to many pious young men who felt the need of special training for the sacred office of the christian ministry.
An illustrative incident occurred in the life of Elisha Andrews. Mr. Andrews was a great lover of books, and this was urged against him when it was known that he desired to preach. He had a cousin, Mr. M -- , about his own age, who did not love books well enough to incur the displeasure of the most conservative, and who felt it his duty to preach.
A church meeting was appointed to hear Mr. M-improve his gifts with a view to his being licensed to preach. After the usual introductory exercises, Mr. M-named his text, but that was absolutely as far as he could go; the attempt proved an entire failure. To relieve the embarrassment, one of the deacons in- quired if Brother Andrews would not like to speak to them on that occasion. He consented to do so; took the text that had proved an over-match for his cousin, and delivered what turned out to be a very acceptable discourse. Whereupon, a meeting was appointed the next week, at which Mr. Andrews was to preach, with a view of being licensed; but on that occasion he succeeded but little better than his cousin had before him, finding himself obliged to
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stop before he had finished the introduction. His cousin was then called upon to speak, and, taking the same text, preached an acceptable discourse. This so balanced the case as to leave the church just where they were before in favor of licensing Mr. M- and opposed to Mr. Andrews, on the ground that he was bent upon being a student.
Soon after, Mr. Andrews left Galway to visit his parents in Vermont, and on his way called on a minister in Granville, N. Y., who, having heard his story, detained him a few days, and put him to the exercise of his gifts among his people. The result was that when he was about to leave, the minister said to him, "Go, and preach as you go, and I will see that your license is forthcoming in due season." This occurred in 1787.
By degrees the early prejudices were overcome. The in- creasing number of pastorless churches, and their importunate call for competent leaders, aroused more general interest in ministerial education. Pious young men were encouraged to enter upon full courses of study. Funds were contributed by individuals to as- sist them. As there were no theological institutions exclusively under Baptist control in this State, men and means were sent to such institutions in other states, principally to Hamilton, N. Y. Organized effort naturally followed.
In 1817, Vermont Baptists swung into line with the Baptists of the other New England states in a general educational move- ment, of which Rev. Jeremiah Chaplin, of Danvers, Mass., was a leader. He had been accustomed to receive into his family young men studying for the ministry. He gave them instruction, and they assisted him in his pastoral work. Meanwhile, he was perfecting himself in the knowledge of Hebrew and in exposition
of the Scriptures. The trustees of the Maine Literary and Theological Institution at Waterville, chose him as the one best qualified to take charge of the enterprise of founding the new institution, Waterville College, in which there was to be a theolog- ical department. While his mind was burdened with this enter- prise, Mr. Chaplin prepared the corresponding letter of the Boston Association, making an urgent appeal to New England Baptists to
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organize for the assistance of worthy young men studying for the ministry. This letter was read in the several Vermont Associa- tions and had the desired effect.
The Vermont Association took up the subject and, after careful inquiry, recommended the organization of an Education Society. As there were then several young brethren who urgently needed some assistance, a resolution was passed recommending that subscriptions be opened in the churches that year for their benefit, and Elders Clark Kendrick, Henry Green, Samuel Rowley and Isaac Sawyer, were appointed for the purpose. The next year an Education Society was formed. There is nothing further in the minutes of the Vermont Association concerning it.
From another source we gain further information.
From an obituary of Clark Kendrick, written by Nathaniel Kendrick, and published in the Baptist Missionary magazine, July, 1824, we learn that the society formed in the Vermont As- sociation adopted a resolution to establish a theological institution for the gratuitous education of indigent young men having the gift of God to preach, as soon as adequate funds could be obtained. Mr. Kendrick acted as agent for the society in collecting funds, until he became convinced that one institution for several states, well endowed, would be preferable to several small ones, and upon the first proposal he was ready to relinquish the design of having one in his own State in favor of the one established in Hamilton, N. Y. The practical result of combining the New York and Ver- mont Education Societies in all respects equalled his anticipa- tions, and afforded him the most entire satisfaction. The last two years of his life he acted as general agent for that section of the country, superintending the concerns of the society, as far as the impaired state of his health would admit.
In the Woodstock Association, the topic of the circular letter, in 1817, was on the question of devising some plan whereby those pious young men who possess talents that promise usefulness in the Word, and who we have reason to believe have been called of God to preach the Gospel, may receive some assistance in procur- ing an education. The next year a constitution was presented by the committee appointed for that purpose, and a society organized,
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with Joseph Elliott, secretary, and Abner Forbes, treasurer. In 1820, there was in the treasury, $201.45. The treasurer's report, in 1822, indicates a very general interest in this branch of christian work, the items being numerous, including, besides generous cash offerings, a variety of useful atricles for students-sheets, pillow- cases, flannels, cloth, socks, shirts, fulled-cloth, etc. Two of the donations were for B. Stowe, doubtless Baron Stowe, who was then a student at Hamilton. The corresponding letter of 1822 is an in- teresting document. After expressing regret that they cannot report a general work of grace, it expresses gratitude for the divine influence in this special line. "We have reason to praise the great Head of the church that some begin to feel impressed with the im- portance not only of a pious but of a learned ministry. While we have witnessed, with a kind of horror, the prevalence of the anti-christian sentiment, that learning without grace is sufficient qualification for the gospel ministry, we lament that our denomi- nation has verged to the other extreme, and the importance of scientific knowledge has not been appreciated. We rejoice to note the increase of more correct views upon the subject, generally, and that corresponding exertions are making to assist young men, whom God has called into the ministry, in acquiring a useful educa- tion.
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