USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > Essex Junction > Minutes and reports of the 124th annual meeting of the Vermont Congregational Conference and the 101st annual meeting of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
For C. H. M. S., Individual,
318.56
Nov.
Interest,
303.25
Dec.
Interest,
25.00
Dec.
Supply,
25.00
1919
Jan. Interest,
874.16
Jan. Supply,
30.00
Jan. For C. H. M. S., Individuals,
730.75
Feb. Interest,
480.28
March Interest,
10.00
March
Supply, y,
March
For C. H. M. S., Individuals,
25.50
Westminster-Dec., $20.88. March, $20.50. For C. H. M. S., April, W. H. M. U., $10.00 Westminster, West-For C. H. M. S., July, $12.00. Dec., $15.40. Feb., W. H. M. U., $10.10
37.50
Westmore-July, $7.50. Oct., $5.00.
12.50
Wilmington-March, $20.00. For C. H. M. S., Dec., $4.00. Jan., W. H. M. U., $3.00. Miss Reitinger, $4.55, Mr. Cowman Windham-March,
20.00
12.25
5.00
727.00
April For C. H. M. S., Individual,
12.00
Sept. Legacy, Memorial Fund of Orrin and Martha Hubbard,
343.00
Dec. For 'H. M. S., Increase Salaries,
March,
Weathersfield, 1st-For C. H. M. S., Oct.,
1.50
APPENDIX
A
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Four meetings of the Directors and one of the Executive Committee have been held during the year. The Board numbers twenty-one. An average attendance of fourteen is evidence of the interest with which the work of the Con- ference is taken.
We regret to report that four members have resigned owing to absence or removal from the State,-Rev. S. W. Anthony, Rev. C. F. Echterbecker, Rev. S. F. Blomfield, and Rev. R. H. Clapp. The following have been elected to these vacancies: Rev. F. W. Day, Rev. F. G. Alger, Mr. H. G. Woodruff, and Rev. A. V. Woodworth.
FINANCES
The following budget for the year 1919-20 was adopted as a recommendation to the Conference:
National Council Dues, 4c per member, (including non-residents) $929.52
Board of Pastoral Supply 11/2c per member, (in- cluding non-residents) 348.57
Printing Minutes
200.00
Other Printing 30.00
Meetings of Directors and Committees
75.00
Treasurer's expenses 20.00
90.00
Expenses of Annual Meeting
50.00
National Council Delegates
Statistical Secretary, salary and expenses 85.00
Interest 24.00
$1,852.09
107
APPENDIX
TER-CENTENARY
The past year two features of the Ter-Centenary Cam- paign have been stressed: Our Missionary Apportionment in the Every Member Drive, December 8, and Evangelism. For the Every Member Drive the Directors were the State Committee, the Association Directors serving as Chairmen of their respective Association Committees. The arrange- ments for carrying on the Campaign of Evangelism were placed in the hands of the Committee on Evangelism and the Secretary.
MINISTRY
Scarcity-In view of the scarcity of Ministers the Di- rectors recommended to the Churches the sharing of their Ministers to nearby Churches that are pastorless; and in- structed the Secretary to give preference, in trying to se- cure pastors for vacant Churches, to Churches that are substantially alone in their communities.
Convocation-The Convocation at Middlebury has passed the experimental stage. Our ministry has found that these days of intensive training under experts give a splendid impetus for the year's work, and fresh light upon religious problems in a time of reconstruction. With this conviction the Directors have authorized the Secretary to arrange for a Convocation this year.
In this connection something should be said concern- ing the source of income for this particular object. Thus far the expense has been met through the generosity of one man. Now that the experimental stage has passed, it is felt that others should share in the privilege of maintain- ing a work which is so vital to the leadership of our Churches.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are made to the Con- ference :
108
VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
1. That a contribution of 8 cents per member be asked from the Churches for the Conference year 1919-20, the basis to be upon the total membership instead of resident membership as in previous years.
2. Amendments to the Constitution:
(1) That Article 4, Section 3, paragraph C be amended by striking out in the second sentence the words "two per- sons, one a minister and one a layman" and substituting therefor "one person," and by striking out in the last sen- tence of said paragraph the words "two such persons" and substituting therefor, "one such person," so that the second and third sentences of said paragraph shall read:
"For subsequent elections each Association shall be asked at a duly called meeting of the Association to name one person for any vacancy occurring in its representation in the Board of Directors. In case an Association shall not name one such person the Nominating Committee shall provide a candidate for such an Association."
(2) That Article 4, Section 3, paragraph E of the Con- stitution be amended by striking out all in the paragraph after the word "thereafter" and substituting therefor the following:
"The Nominating Committee shall arrange and the Secretary shall send to the Association a schedule of such approximate alternation between Ministers and laymen in the nominations for Directors from the Associations as shall result in at least one-half of the elected members from the Associations being laymen," so that said paragraph shall read:
"In reporting nominations for Associations for the Board of Directors, it shall name at least seven laymen the first year, and thereafter the Nominating Committee shall arrange and the Secretary shall send to the Associations a schedule of such approximate alternation between Minis- ters and laymen in the nominations for Directors from the Associations as shall result in at least one-half of the
109
APPENDIX
elected members from the Associations being laymen."
(3) The Directors have requested the Chairman in this report to present a plan, including the necessary amend- ment to the Constitution, of having the annual meeting so arranged as to include a Sunday, thereby making possible a larger attendance on the part of the laymen and a greater emphasis upon the spiritual and fellowship side of our State work.
It is, therefore, proposed and recommended that the Conference shall meet on the third Friday of May, and that Article 8 of the Constitution be amended by striking out the word "Tuesday" and substituting therefor "Friday" so that the article shall read:
"The Conference shall meet annually on the third Fri- day of May, at 2 o'clock P. M."
3. The Chairman of the Board of Directors is also asked to incorporate in his report the following suggestion:
That our committee on Civic Justice and Community Service co-operate with similar committees from other State bodies of Churches in having a representative of the Churches at the State Capitol during the session of Legis- lature in order to give definite and effective expression with regard to legislation effecting the moral life of the State.
4. The Directors present the nomination of Rev. Charles C. Merrill, as Secretary of the Vermont Congrega- tional Conference for the year 1919-20.
C. C. ADAMS, Chairman.
B
COMMITTEE ON INTER-CHURCH FEDERATION
Inter-Church Federation is coming to its own in these days. It is with a feeling of great satisfaction that the committee is able to report a continuance of the excellent work accomplished last year under the leadership of the secretaries and superintendents of the Baptist, Methodist and Congregational churches of Vermont. Last year fifteen
110
VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
federations or unions were effected through the broad Christian statesmanship of these men and this year they have added the following list which makes a total of thirty changes in twenty-eight towns.
The federations or unions effected the past year, in which Congregational Churches were concerned, have been:
East Burke
Congregational-Methodist
Derby
Congregational-Baptist
Hubbardton
Congregational-Baptist
Milton
Congregational-Methodist
Putney
Methodist-Congregational-Baptist
Sheldon
Congregational-Methodist
Stockbridge Gaysville
Congregational-Methodist
Stowe
Congregational-Methodist-Church of Unity
Westford
Congregational-Baptist-Methodist
West Rutland
Congregational-Baptist-Methodist
Whiting
Congregational-Baptist
Supplementary to this list are plans for federation under consideration at Randolph Center and South Hero and Grand Isle.
In addition to these unions in which the Congregation- alists of Vermont have been concerned, there are four which have been effected between the Baptists and Metho- dists, namely :- Mt. Holly, Reading-Felchville, Sheffield and Lincoln. At Hinesburg and Middletown Springs where there were federations last year between the Congregation- alists and Methodists, this year it can be reported that the Baptists have also joined. At Essex Center where there was a federation between the Baptists and Congregational- ists last year, the Methodists have now joined.
A pamphlet has been issued by the Conference of De- nominational Superintendents and Secretaries which con- tains very interesting developments. From this report the committee quotes the following significant facts.
Since about May 1, 1917, the total number of commun- ities where unions or federations have been effected is thirty in twenty-eight towns. The number of towns given
111
APPENDIX
over entirely to the care of one Protestant church by these changes is seventeen.
Number of Baptist Churches affected 15
Number of Congregational Churches affected 26
Number of Methodist Churches affected 22
Number of Universalist Churches affected 2
Total number of Churches affected 64
Number changes effected on "Federation" plan
9
Number changes effected on "Exchange Fields" plan 20
Number changes effected on "Immediate Total With- drawal" plan
1
Number Baptist Ministers serving these united or federated Churches 8
Number Congregational Ministers serving these united or federated Churches 10
Number Methodist Ministers serving these united or federated Churches 12
Number full-time Ministers freed for service else-
where, who would have been required to man
these Churches if they had remained separate Number Churches now receiving full-time service,
21
when part-time service was received before 6
Salary increased in practically every case.
The committee cannot commend too highly these efforts of Secretary Merrill in conjunction with that of the secre- taries of other denominations. They have not only recog- nized the value of more efficient organization but have pre- sented to the Churches a more efficient program of service, having in mind the definite responsibility of the church to each community and the sense of stewardship in matters . of religious education and faith. It is proposed to hold a series of Church Leaders' Councils during the fall of 1919 at which these principles can be discussed and their adop- tion furthered.
The committee recommends the heartiest endorsement of the Inter-Church World movement and commends the
112
VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
united effort of the executive officers of the several denom- inations, including the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese and the Superintendent of the Universalist church by which legislation in the interest of dependent children was ma- terially aided at the last session of the Vermont legislature. FRAZER METZGER, Chairman.
C
THE COMMITTEE ON BENEVOLENCE AND MISSIONARY EDUCATION
While this committee has not as yet accomplished everything that it has mapped out, nevertheless the outlook is very encouraging.
During the fall, prior to the Every Member Drive in December, quite a little work was done with a view to mak- ing the Drive, as far as possible, a success.
The apportionments were sent out on October 16, 1918, to all Association Chairmen. The suggestion was made that on account of the Drive, December 8, they be sent to all Pastors and Church treasurers as early as possible, that they might be prepared for the canvass at the appointed time. The percentage to apply for 1919 were, in a few in- stances, changed and are as follows:
American Board 27 per cent
Women's Board
14 per cent
Congregational Home Missionary Society,
(including Vermont Domestic Missionary Society) 27 per cent
American Missionary Association 13 per cent
Congregational Church Building Society 8 per cent
Congregational Education Society
6 per cent
Congregational S. S. Extension Society 3 per cent
Congregational Board of Ministerial Relief 2 per cent
Woman's Home Missionary Union
14 per cent
The above percentages conform to the so-called Na-
113
APPENDIX
tional Percentages with a few exceptions. For the most part where changes have been made it was with a view to furthering the work in our own State.
The committee this year abandoned its plan of last year, by which it was proposed to ask Churches to reach their full apportionment by successive steps of advance. Instead, we asked that the full amount apportioned be the goal.
That we are making progress in the right direction is indicated by the fact that in 1917 we raised about 73 per cent; in 1918 about 75 per cent.
On the basis of returns resulting from the Every Mem- ber Drive made last December, it looks favorable for nearly 85 per cent this year, which shows that we are warming up and expect to go "over the top" 100 per cent strong in 1920.
Respectfully submitted,
H. D. HOWE, N. G. WILLIAMS, MRS. M. H. BUCKHAM, MRS. W. J. VAN PATTEN, J. M. COMSTOCK, J. C. CARPENTER, M. E. STEARNS.
Committee.
D
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
Referring to Article 5 of the Constitution of the Con- ference, relating to the Secretary, his duties as there set forth may thus be numbered and paragraphed:
1. Executive: "He shall be the executive representa- tive of the Board of Directors among all the Churches."
114
VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
2. Committee work: " . and shall serve ex officio on all the Committees of the Board."
3. Representation: "He shall represent the Conference in all denominational and inter-denomination gatherings, unless representation is otherwise provided for."
4. A Repository of Information: "It shall be his duty to become broadly informed concerning every phase of work undertaken by the Conference."
5. Organization, direction and coordination: "It shall be his special duty so to organize, direct and coordinate all the work of the Conference that each part may be given proper importance and all of the work may be done with the greatest efficiency and economy of time and money."
6. Relative to pastorless Churches: "He shall visit and advise with pastorless Churches."
7. Fraternal counsellor: " . shall assist, when re- quested, with fraternal counsel, a pastor or Church."
8. Clerical duties: Keep the records, make a report to the Conference, announce meeting of Conference and send credentials therefor, notify those who have been elected to office, notify Registrars when nominations for their repre- sentatives on the Board of Directors are due, "And he shall perform whatever other dutes naturally pertain to his office."
In this connection it may be well to recall the state- ment in the first article of the Constitution as to why the Conference, whose executive officer the Secretary is, exists: "The work of the Conference is to promote the harmony, fellowship, and efficiency of the Churches and their co-op- eration in Christian work."
Perhaps the simplest way for me to make the report which the Constitution requires me to make is to indicate
113
APPENDIX
some of the ways in which I have tried to perform the sev- eral dutes outlined above. Since I unwittingly violated the Constitution last year by reporting through the Directors rather than directly to the Conference, it may be fair to include the two years of my service in the statements that follow, which are intended to be illustrative rather than complete :
1. As the executive representative of the Directors among the Churches I have aimed to carry out the policy of the Board as formally declared. For example, in the large amount of time given to unions or federations of Churches, I have been acting in accordance with a very strong and definite declaration of the Directors. Again, when during the past fall and winter I have, in recommend- ing pastors to Churches, given preference to those Churches which were in communities where practically the only Protestant service was rendered by our Church, I have acted in accordance with a definite instruction of the Board.
2. While I have given more time to some committees than others, I have tried to take a friendly interest in all, since these committees represent the different departments of our Conference work.
3. I have represented the Conference at the Mid-Win- ter Conference of National and State Officers at Chicago and also was the only Vermonter of any denomination at the New England Regional Conference of the Inter-Church World Movement, which ought to be the greatest inter-de- nominational movement North America has ever known.
4. "To become broadly informed" about every phase of work of the Conference is no easy task, but I hope I have made a beginning in these two years.
5. With regard to the organization, direction and co-
116
VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
ordination of the work of the Conference, it may perhaps be said that here, too, a beginning has been made. Per- haps the best illustration can be found in the meetings of the Board of Directors, where, in one meeting lasting through the afternoon and evening, it is possible to deal much more economically both in time and money with the questions that were formerly considered in a number of separate committee meetings or else were not considered at all.
6. As I get on in life, I find myself much more inter- ested in doing work than in keeping a record of it. So I have no figures concerning the numbers of pastorless churches I have visited during these two years nor of the number of miles I have traveled nor of the number of sep- arate beds I have slept in. By running over the list of Churches in the Minutes, I conclude that I have been of some help during this period to approximately 44 Churches in securing pastors. And while I have had the Minutes in hand, I have also discovered that in some fashion I have visited, at least once, about 170 (or 80 per cent) of the 216 Congregational Churches in the State, and many of them more than once.
7. I like the phrase "fraternal counsellor." It is a good Congregational term. It represents my ideal for my work, and I do not wittingly depart from it. I should like to help the Churches do what at their best they really want to do. For example, when a Church called me in to help arrange its meetings for worship in the two Church biuldings which were respectively nearest the two groups of people that composed its membership, I hope I aided them to do away with a custom of alternation which meant the disruption of its Sunday School and a lesser service to the two communi- ties, and to inaugurate the plan of a meeting for worship in each building every Sunday, which has permitted greatly increased attendance and interest.
117
APPENDIX
8. As to the clerical duties of a Secretary, it suffices to say that I have tried to perform these constitutionally.
During the past year I have three times made a round of the Associations: once at the regular Association meetings, again in connection with the Every Member Drive, and fin- ally in connection with the Retreats for Evangelism. I be- lieve most profoundly that we need to deepen the fellow- ship of our Churches and our Ministers not so much for the purpose of creating a "denominational consciousness" but for the very practical purpose of helping each Church and each Minister to do their work with greater vision, courage and fruitfulness. If I may in some degree act in deepening this fellowship, I shall be very grateful.
Some suggestions concerning the year ahead will be made in the address for which I am appointed in the pro- gram of the annual meeting of the Missionary Society.
CHARLES C. MERRILL, Secretary.
E
THE COMMITTEE ON EVANGELISM
So far as Vermont is concerned two of the three objects proposed by the Tercentenary Committee of The National Council have been largely accomplished. Our Benevo- lences have been by the majority of our Churches put on the basis proposed and the quota assumed by us for The Pilgrim Fund has been secured in a wide area of the State. There remains the third and greatest object of our Ter- centenary program, "The campaign for an increased mem- bership." In this also a significant beginning has been made.
Your committee desire to survey the reports submitted by the Association leaders by the following standards of Church efficiency.
118
VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
(1) Discipleship is our paramount business.
(2) Our Churches must be constantly recruited.
(3) We should seek to possess our community for Christ.
(4) Success will follow effort.
(5) Religion is a business proposition.
These statements may be summed up by saying our Business is Discipleship. Pulpit oratory, religious teaching, pastoral visits, financing, devotional meetings, one and all fail of their objective unless by them we extend and pro- mote Discipleship. Our temptation in the pulpit and in our Church agencies is to generalize. We must resolutely discipline ourselves and our work to objectives, to the gain of definite territory.
The Reports submitted by the Association leaders prove that Results follow effort. This law may fluctuate in Business and in Agriculture, but in our business it is an absolute law. Intelligent Religious effort produces Disci- pleship. In this law every one of us can find both inspira- tion and rebuke.
The Association leaders report as follows, and these reports were given in answer to three parts of our suggested method of membership campaign. (1) The Retreat. (2) The Fellowship work. (3) The Response of Pastor and Churches.
COUNTY Addison Leader, H. C. Newell Middlebury, Feb. 12, 13 Good attendance. Serious purpose.
RETREAT
FOLLOW UP WORK RESPONSE
Weather condition adverse. Plan for Easter Ingathering post- Mr. Isaacs took Southern poned. half, Messrs. Taylor and Newell, Northern half of County. Committee on Evangelism appointed at New Haven. Work will be continued when roads are better.
Bennington Leader, Geo. S. Mills
At Bennington. All pastors C. C. Merrill and G. S. Mills Preparatory class at Bennington 2d present except two, who visited at Dorset, East Dor- Congregational Church resulted in were on sick list. Splendid, set and Arlington.
helpful suggestions. Fine spirit manifested.
13 additions on confession, older people approached by personal visits. No special services.
Chittenden Leader, C. C. Adams
At Burlington, Feb. 3.
All but three Churches rep- Visiting of Churches by s. Results followed wherever program resented. G. Barnes, Wm. Miller and pushed.
C. K. Tracy and C. C. Ad- Twenty-five additions at Essex at Easter, making 40 recent additions. Win 'one more fellowship' and pas- tor's classes effective.
ams. Nine out of 16 Churches visited. Cordiality, but only 3 or 4 Prayer must lie behind success. pushed programs.
Burlington First, 44 additions, 22 on confession.
COUNTY Caledonia Leader, F. A. Poole At St. Johnsbury. Well attended.
RETREAT
FOLLOW UP WORK RESPONSE
Program of Evangelism pre- sented to five Churches with cordial receptions. Look for good results.
Coos and Essex No report
Franklin and Grand Isle Leader, A. C. Ferrin
Mr. Price, East Berkshire, reported 150 persons for Special Services to be held at Easter dealing with number of in these Churches. Swanton, 38 additions, 22 on con- fession. workers enlisted. Mr. Vradenburg, Enosburg Falls, gathered 10 to meet Leader. Cordial reception.
Grafton-Orange J. Lambert Alexander Bradford.
Well attended and fine ited and responsive.
Leader,
spirit.
Practically all Churches vis- Cottage Prayer Meetings in nearly every church. Wells River had Evangelistic Team from Dartmouth College. Holy Week Services at Bradford, Newbury, Wells River, Post Mills, Corinth, Fairlee and North Thet- ford. Go to Church Campaign in last two. Twelve additions by con- fession at Wells River.
Lamoille Association Leader, T. R. Hyde
Meeting with Churches
Realization in Churches that we need characterized by earnestness awakening in work of Discipleship. and gripping of local prob- Additions in Morrisville 27, of these lems.
18 on confession.
COUNTY
RETREAT
RESPONSE
Held with other
Orange Leader, Fraser Metzger
tions.
FOLLOW UP WORK Associa- Six Churches without Pas- East Braintree and West Brookfield 15 additions. tors. Bethany Church 47 additions, of these 35 by confession.
Orleans Leader, L. A. Edwards
Visited North Troy, Barton. Weather and roads pre- vented full visitation.
Lack of Church reports noted by Leader.
Additions. Coventry held 11 special meetings. Twelve additions, of these 10 by confession.
North Craftsbury, 9 by confession. Newport, 20 additions, 16 by con- fession, all but 1 adults. No special services, only personal work used. North Troy, 33 additions, 17 by con- fession. Expected accessions in other Churches.
Rutland
Leader, G. A. Buttrick At Rutland, Jan. 28 and 29. Visiting shared by 8 local Response in accessions are expected Fine spirit of Reconsecra-pastors, most of visits by in many Churches. Pittsford, 20 additions, 18 on con- tion. Leader. All but 2 or 3 Churches vis- fession.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.