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 8
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DUTIES OF AUDITOR
Article IX. The Auditor shall carefully audit the Treas- urer's book every year, before the annual meeting of the Society, and report also on the amount of the permanent funds, and the form of their investment.
MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY
Article X. There shall be an annual meeting of this Socie- ty, for the election of officers and the transaction of any neces- sary business, on the Wednesday succeeding the second or third Tuesday in May, at an hour designated by the Directors, at the same place where the Congregational Conference of Vermont holds its annual meeting. Two several notices shall be given by the Secretary of the time and place of holding this meeting in some newspaper generally circulated in this State. The sta- tistical year of the Society for Directors' Report and Treasurer's Report shall close January 1st.
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CONSTITUTION
MEETING OF DIRECTORS
The Directors shall hold an annual meeting on the same day of the annual meeting of the Society, at such time as the Secre- tary shall give notice to the Directors, personally or by public notice at the annual meeting of the Society. At that meeting they shall nominate a man from the State to serve on the Board of Directors of the Congregational Home Missionary Society, in conformity with the rules of that organization. At least one other meeting shall be held during each year. A meeting may be called at any other time upon the written request of seven members.
MEETINGS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall hold meetings at such times and places as they may appoint, and whenever the Secretary may call them together ; and they shall have power to call meet- ings of the Society or Directors, in case of the death, resignation or absence of the Secretary.
REPRESENTATION IN NATIONAL SOCIETY
Article XI. At the annual meeting members of the Congre- gational Home Missionary Society shall be elected. At the first election three members shall be chosen to serve three years, two members to serve two years and two members to serve one year. Each succeeding year members shall be elected to fill vacancies of expiring terms and terms of members removed.
CHANGE OF CONSTITUTION
Article XII. The object of this Society shall not be changed, but this Constitution may be altered or amended, on a proposal of the Directors, at any annual meeting, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.
RULES ADOPTED BY THE DIRECTORS
Rule 1. Churches asking for aid must first subscribe one hundred per cent on their Grand List, unless in very exceptional cases.
Rule 2. No Church in debt for past ministerial services shall receive aid.
Rule 3. Appropriations shall not be made for a longer period than twelve months, and shall not, except in special cases, date back of the time of application.
Rule 4. A contribution for Home Missions is required from every aided Church each year. It is expected that con- tributions will also be taken by each aided Church for other leading objects of Christian Benevolence.
Rule 5. Applications shall be signed by a committee of the Church asking aid. They shall also be endorsed by the Asso- ciation of Ministers, or County Conference, within whose bounds they reside, or by a committee of these bodies.
Rule 6. Every application must contain answers to the following questions, viz :
(1) Is the application made by vote of the Church?
(2) The name of your Minister is
(3) Is he ordained ?
(4) Of what local Congregational Church is he a member
(5) Does he devote his whole time to the ministry?
(6) Is he to reside in your parish ?
(7) What is the whole amount of your salary you are to pay?
(8) Have you any parsonage? Is it included in the above amount ?
(9) What is the number of members in the Church?
(10) Of these, how many are males?
(11) What is the usual attendance at public worship?
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RULES ADOPTED BY THE DIRECTORS
(12) What is the entire Grand List of the Church?
(13) How much have the members of the Church sub- scribed for preaching ?
(14) How much have persons not members subscribed?
(15) Have you a fund? If so, how large?
(16) What aid is expected from other sources ?
(17) What is the least amount of aid with which you can support preaching ?
(18) Is your Church in debt for past ministerial services? If so, how much and to whom?
(19) From what date is aid asked?
Rule 7. On the expiration of an appropriation if aid is still needed, a new application must be made, containing an explicit answer to all the above questions.
Rule 8. All missionaries, when required, shall furnish sat- isfactory testimonials of Church and ministerial standing.
Rule 9. A statistical report shall be made by each mission- ary before the first of January of each year, and when he leaves his field, if it is before the close of the Society's year.
Rule 10. Missionaries shall not be entitled to receive pay- ments from this Society till they have made a written report to the Secretary of their services for the period for which such pay- ment is due. Those who may wish quarterly payments must make quarterly reports, monthly payments, monthly reports.
Rule 11. Missionaries must reside with the people to whom they preach. If they serve two or more Churches, they must live with one of them.
Rule 12. The Secretary shall engage itinerant laborers, as they may be needed for destitute fields.
Churches receiving aid are requested to arrange as far as practicable, their contracts with their ministers so that their year may commence with the first of January, in order that all applications for the renewal of grants may be made before the annual meeting.
Any Church wishing to apply for aid should send to the Secretary for a blank form of application.
ANNUAL MEETING
The 101st annual meting of the Vermont Domestic Mis- sionary Society was held at Essex Junction May 21, 1919, and was called to order by Pres. N. G. Williams at 10.00 a. m., in ac- cordance with notices published in two successive issues of the Vermont Missionary on dates next preceding the meeting.
Prayer was offered by Rev. R. A. Beardslee of Springfield.
The President nominated the following Nominating Com- mittee and they were duly elected : Arthur F. Stone, Rev. H. L. Ballou and Rev. C. C. Adams.
The Secretary, Rev. C. H. Merrill, presented the report of the Directors and it was accepted and approved.
The Assistant Treasurer, H. C. Newell, presented the report of the treasurer, together with the Auditor's Certificate and it was accepted and approved.
The following pastors gave addresses on "Purposes, Plans, Prospects": Rev. Charles O. Gill, Hartland; Rev. Mabel T. Winch, East Arlington: Rev. Leland C. Chase. East Braintree ; Rev. William J. McNeil, West Newbury.
The Nominating Committee, A. F. Stone, chairman, pre- sented its report, and it was accepted, electing the following per- sons to their respective offices: President, Dea. N. G. Wil- liams ; Vice-President, Rev. L. A. Edwards; Directors at Large, Rev. C. C. Adams, Burlington; Rev. E. P. Treat, Pittsford ; Jonas H. Brooks, St. Johnsbury ; Term expires in 1921, P. T. H. Pierson, Bennington; John E. Tinker, Danville; H. D. Howe, Burlington; Rev. F. W. Day, Swanton; March M. Wilson, Ran- dolph; Rev. R. A. Hamilton, Orleans; Rev. Geo. E. Ladd, West Woodstock. To fill vacancies in term expiring 1920, Rev. A. V. Woodworth, West Brattleboro; H. G. Woodruff Montpelier.
Rev. C. C. Merrill spoke for the Board of Directors in the
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ANNUAL MEETING
interest of procuring two Pastors-at-Large for the state, and the following motions were made by him and passed :
Voted, that the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society ap- prove the recommendation of its Board of Directors that two Pastors-at-Large be employed to serve the churches of the state, especially in the smaller communities. It shall be the duty of these Pastors-at-Large, under the direction of the Board and the Secretaries, to spend practically their entire time in the field, visiting pastorless churches and helping them to secure and maintain competent ministerial leadership, and visiting churches with pastors and helping them to formulate and carry out plans for adequately meeting the situation in their commu- nities. The name Pastors-at-Large is chosen in order to em- phasize the fact that they are to be workers with and for the churches.
Voted, that the details of carrying out this plan be left to the Board of Directors, including the choice of the men to fill these positions, and the decision of the question as to whether one or two men shall, immediately be put into the field, it being understood that adequate financial support must be in sight be- fore any appointment is made.
Rev. C. H. Merrill for the Board of Directors presented the following change in the constitution: Article X. At the close, in place of "April 1," insert "January 1," that it may read, "The statistical year of the Society for Directors' Report and Treasurer's Report shall close January 1." On motion the change was made by a two-thirds vote.
Voted that when the Society adjourns it adjourn to the call of the President.
An address was given by the Associate Secretary, Rev. C. C. Merrill, on: "New Occasions Teach New Duties." Fol- lowing this an address was made by Rev. S. W. Anthony, of St. Albans, on his experiences in France in War Work.
A closing prayer was offered by Rev. R. B. Simmons of Shoreham.
After notice that the Directors meet at 7 p. m., the Society adjourned.
The Board of Directors met at the call of the Secretary and elected the following officers and committees: Secretary, Rev. Charles H. Merrill; Associate Secretary, Rev. Charles C. Mer-
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
rill; Treasurer, Dea. John T. Ritchie; Assistant Treasurer, Charles H. Newell; Auditor, John C. Clark; Executive Commit- tee, Rev. Chauncey C. Adams, Justin R. Hoadley, Mrs. W. J. Van Patten, H. Gordon Woodruff, Jonas H. Brooks. Finance Committee, John T. Ritchie, Justin R. Hoadley, Rev. C. H. Mer- rill, Jonas H. Brooks.
At the call of the President the Society met in the after- noon, and on report of Business Committee of the Conference, by Rev. C. H. Smith, voted the following :
Resolved: That we place upon record our grateful remem- brance of the life and work of Rev. Henry Fairbanks, Ph. D., for 30 years President of this Society. His labors, his prayers, his generous financial contributions through a long series of years have been a potent influence in the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God in Vermont, the United States and the world.
Adjourned.
At a special call on Thursday morning, at the recommenda- tion of the Board of Directors, the following change in the con- stitution was voted: Article X, in the fourth line before "third Tuesday" insert "second or," so that it may read that the annual meeting shall be held "on the Wednesday succeeding the second or third Tuesday in May."
Adjourned.
CHARLES C. MERRILL, Associate Secretary
DIRECTORS' REPORT
IN MEMORIAM.
The death of Rev. Henry Fairbanks, for 30 years Pres- ident of the Society and at his decease holding the position of Honorary President, removed one who for active interest both in his personal and official relation to Home Mission- ary work in the state has been equalled by few and sur- passed by none in its entire history. Coming fresh from the Seminary he devoted his first years of service in the ministry to the Itinerant work inaugurated and financed by his family. Later, after a Professorship at Dartmouth Col- lege, on his return to the state, he took a prominent and most efficient part in the great revival under the auspices of the "Gospel Workers;" and following that he made at his own expense a religious survey of the state, which led to the employment of young women in the destitute regions. Un- failing in his attendance at all the anniversaries, ready with his counsel and liberal in his financial support, showing his broad range of sympathies and wide vision by an equal in- terest in the work of the American Board on which he served as Corporate Member, he demonstrated throughout his entire life that the welfare of the Church and the prog- ress of the Kingdom of God were uppermost in all his thoughts and aims. As an example of how a man of means and of leisure could turn aside from that which so often attracts, and devote himself to higher aims and the loftiest ideals, his career is one that should long be held in memory.
One of the force of missionaries has also fallen by the way during the year. Rev. Francis Parker, who had served several of our larger churches earlier in his ministry, closed a long and faithful career in his chosen work by a success- ful service in one of our mission fields. Those who knew him well speak of him as well equipped at the outset, thoughtful and studious during his mature years, and reaching advanced years in a youthful spirit, giving no in-
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
dication of having passed the "dead line." It was his priv- ilege to hear the summons while in active service.
TWO FACTORS
which have vitally affected the work of the year have been the increasing absorption in war duties during the first seven months on the part of all the people in our communi- ties and the state-wide prevalence of the influenza in the fall and winter. In noting any meagreness in the year's results these factors must be taken into account, for they have quite prevented anything like normal church life and growth in many or most places. At the same time, it can- not be doubted that they have laid the foundation for a deeper hold upon the realities of our faith, out of which will come a more vigorous church life in the period ahead of us. Especially must they have paved the way for that spirit of self-forgetting devotion to a mighty and eternal cause without which any ultimate conquest of the world by Christianity is but an idle dream.
FINANCIAL.
Following the precedent of the year before, the Board again adopted a budget for 1918-19 and the following state- ment shows how closely it was approximated and also how the receipts and expenditures of 1918-19 compared with those of 1917-18.
RECEIPTS.
1918-19 Budget 1917-18
From contributions from churches and individuals, including Woman's Home Missionary Union and net adjustment of re- ceipts with Congrega- tional Home Missionary Society
$5,502.04 $6,500
$5,046.12
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DIRECTORS' REPORT
Interest, less trust fund
interest
2,892.87
3,200
3,217.41
Legacies
3,300
3,700.00
Total
$8,394.91
$13,000
$11,963.61
The most notable fact in this statement is the well- nigh unprecedented lack of legacies. But through its "leg- acy reserve account" the Society is prepared for such an emergency as this and approximately $3,200 was taken from this account to meet the year's expenses. While fail- ing to come up to the budget estimate, the contributions were $455.92 greater than last year. (The budget esti- mate called for $1,000 increase in contributions from the churches and for the sum of $500 from individuals. An expected effort to secure the latter by special solicitation was given up, when it was decided to go out for the Pas- tors-at-Large Fund.)
The amount received by the Congregational Home Missionary Society (for work outside Vermont) was:
1918-19
1917-18
From churches and individuals (Less
adjustment of percentage)
$2,067.63
$1,753.19
Woman's Home Missionary Union Legacies"
1,518.66
1,372.40
1,397.64
Total
$4,983.93
$3,125.59
Leaving out the amount received from legacies, here again there is an increase of $460.70, which with the in- crease noted above in contributions for home missionary work in Vermont makes a total increase for both State and National work from living donors, in 1918-19 over 1917-18,
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
of $916.62, or 9.9 per cent in the total contributions of $9,088.33. This past year we have given to home missions fifty-four and one-half cents per resident member, of which thirty-three cents was for work in Vermont and twenty-one and a half cents for work outside. While, therefore, we must regret the loss from legacies we cannot help feeling that the gain in contributions from the living is more im- portant. Nevertheless, fifty-four and a half cents per res- ident member is not a goal for contentment; it is simply a spring-board for a contribution that should really signal- ize the transcendent worth of this effort to Christianize the State and the Nation.
The number of churches contributing in 1918-19 was 157 or 73 per cent of the total number.
EXPENDITURES.
1918-19
Budget
1917-18
For church work
(44
churches and fields)
$5,702.23
$7,159
$6,213.32
Salaries of officers
3,425.00
3,425
2,907.53
Expenses of officers
1,350.53
1,575
949.65
Vermont Missionary deficit
271.26
250
231.85
Other printing, including
"Minutes" and stationery
287.70
180
125.67
Middlebury Convocation,
travel and board of pas- tors
192.21
175
275.18
General Theological library
15.00
15.00
Campaign for Evangelism
less amounts repaid
224.01
Every Member Drive
145.59
Margin
236
Total
$11,613.53
$13,000
$10.718.20
It happens that the decrease in the amount appropri-
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DIRECTORS' REPORT
ated to church work is about $40 less than the amount es- timated in last year's report to be saved through these unions or federations. The chief reason for not appropri- ating up to the amount estimated in the budget for church work was the inadequate supply of men. The increase in the officers' salaries was due to the fact that this year the Society has carried the whole of the regular salary of the Associate Secretary, whereas the year before $500 of it was paid out of the treasury of the Vermont Congre- gational Conference. The increase in the officers' ex- penses is partly accounted for by the fact that all the Associate Secretary's office expenses have this year been paid by the Society, whereas last year they were partly carried by the Conference. In addition there has been an increase in the amount paid for stenographic help and for postage. There has been a notable increase in the amount received for subscriptions to the Vermont Missionary ($360.18 the past year against $301.85 the year before), but this was more than offset by the increase in cost of paper. (A reduction of $6.00 per issue in this item is promised for the coming year.) The principal item in the increase of "other printing" is the cost of printing the twelve-page booklet setting forth the Society's work, en- titled "Making the World Safe for Democracy. Some Foundation Work in the Green Mountain State." It was hoped that the amounts advanced for the Campaign for Evangelism, which made possible the State Retreat and several of the Association Retreats, would be paid back from offerings made at special meetings before or during Holy Week. This hope will scarcely be realized, although some offerings have been received since our fiscal year closed. The expenditure for the Every-Member Drive was obviously in behalf of all the Congregational Missionary Societies and was a part of the service which under the new State organ- ization this Society renders the National Societies and for which it receives an increased percentage of the apportion- ment.
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Had the budget estimate for legacy receipts been made good, all the current expenditures would have been met out of current receipts.
THE INVESTED FUNDS
of the Society, exclusive of funds held in trust for churches, and of Annuity Funds on which interest does not become available to the Society until the death of annuitants, now stand at $42,216.20, of which $10,500.00 is in the Perma- nent Fund and $31.716.20 in the General Fund (legacy re- serve account.) This is an increase of $100.00 in the Per- manent Fund and a decrease in the General Fund of $2,397.64, the net decrease in the total invested funds be- longing to the Society being $2,297.64.
The Annuity Funds (sometimes called "Conditional Gifts,") which do not revert to the Society's treasury until after the death of the donor and upon which the Society is paying him an annuity, amount to $4,500.00, an increase of $1,000.00. The attention of persons who wish their money safely invested, with a guaranteed rate of interest and with a reverson to the Society at death, is called to the advan- tages of this Annuity Fund plan.
The amount of funds which the Society holds in trust for the churches is $44,289.00, an increase for the year of $2,027.00. The rate of interest is five per cent. The Direc- tors have instructed the Secretaries to investigate the funds of aided churches whose interest yield is less than five per cent, it being obvious that aided churches should take ad- vantage of the Society's banking facilities unless they have better facilities themselves.
THE YEAR'S WORK.
Forty missionaries labored in 38 fields, giving twenty- three years, seven months and two weeks' service.
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DIRECTORS' REPORT
This is a decrease of four missionaries, five fields, and four years and nine months in service.
South Wallingford, after being on the Society's list for years, has boldly assumed self-support.
Six other fields were helped on the "Dollar for Dollar" plan, making the total number forty-four, or one-fifth of the churches of the State. This total is less by five than in 1917-18.
There were added on confession, forty-one; by letter, twenty-nine; total, seventy. The year before these figures were respectively, seventy-two, thirty-two, and one hundred and four. There were removed by letter, fifty-nine; by death, forty; by revision of roll and exclusion, eleven; total, one hundred and ten. The corresponding figures for the year before were sixty-nine, twenty-one, six, and ninety-six. The net loss of the year was forty, while for the year before there was a gain of eight.
These decreases are not discouraging when the factors mentioned in a preceding paragraph are taken into account and when it is remembered that there was a less number of aided fields. There is every prospect that there will be a fine gain in additions by confession and letter during the present year. Already one church has received twenty- nine by confession, within 12 of the total number received by all the churches by confession last year.
That interesting and vital work has been done in our churches is suggested by the following notes from reports:
Alburgh: "During the past fiscal year the work in Al- burgh has been very encouraging. The congregations are larger than they were, and a pleasing feature is the in- creased number of men present in the church services. A Sunday-School contest has increased our Sunday School membership."
East Arlington: "Special meetings through Lent. Par- ticipation in the Evangelistic campaign. Red and Blue con- test in the Sunday-School seeking to gain in membership.
4
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Things are brightening up just now. Two hundred and twenty dollars subscribed for Pilgrim Memorial Fund."
East Barre: "For two months in the summer we held on our church lawn 'Community Sings,' which were well attended and really enjoyed."
East Braintree and West Brookfield: "The full Mission- ary apportionment was met of $87, and the pastor's salary raised $100. We expect fifteen additions at next Easter. [The number actually received was 32, mostly middle-aged people. ] "
East Calais: "Interest in the services of the church is increasing happily in the East village and the immediate neghborhood. A few come between three and four miles to the meetings."
East Fairfield: "Our Literary and Musical Club for dis- cussions and general improvement has had interesting ses- sions lately and a large attendance. It includes some Cath- olics and Episcopalians as well as our own people."
Fair Haven, Welsh: "There's an increased attendance in all services, which proves that the interest in Christ's work is not flagging."
Guilford: "The members of the church form a very faithful, loyal and devoted group. Among them there has been good interest, and the church is in good condition. There is an exceptionally fine group of young people of High School age."
Londonderry: "The interor of our church auditorium has been repaired, redecorated, and furnished with a new system of lighting, at an expense of about $175. Debts of about $800 have been paid, leaving the church free from in- cumbrances. Every department is better organized than it was a year ago and more promising of spiritual results. With a calm trust in God and the transforming power of
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DIRECTORS' REPORT
the gospel; with kindness, patience and persistence, and the passion for souls that Christ had, the months ahead are sure to show results of progress."
North Pownal: "For the first time in its history the church contributed to all the missionary boards and met its apportionment. The addition on confession came from a pastor's class of Sunday school scholars held in January to March, 1918, and received in April. It contained all those of church age or near it."
South Wallingford: "This is a sort of valedictory mes- sage for the present, as this field assumed self-support on January 1st. The financial situation is very good and we shall be able, I think, to carry our own work and meet our missionary apportionment ($20) and a number of persons are giving regularly to the support of the work who have never done a great deal for it. The spiritual situation is hopeful. A Christian Endeavor Society meets Sunday night each week and carries on a very interesting and help- ful service. The Society has helped materially with the young people problem."
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