USA > Vermont > Windham County > Brattleboro > Minutes and reports of the annual 125th annual meeting of the Vermont Congregational Conference and the 102nd annual meeting of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society > Part 2
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Lyndon Lyndon-Lyndonville Manchester Marlboro. Middlebury Middletown Springs Montpelier Newbury Newbury-Wells River Newbury, West Newfane Newport Peacham Pittsford Pittsford-Florence
Pomfret, North Putney Randolph Center Randolph, Bethany Richmond Rochester Rockingham-Saxtons River Rockingham-Bellows Falls Royalton, South Rupert Rutland St. Albans St Johnsbury, North
Salisbury So. Hero & Grand Isle Springfield Strafford Townshend Townshend, West
Troy, North
Vergennes Vershire Wallingford Wallingford, South
Wardsboro, South Waterbury Weathersfield, First Weathersfield-Ascutney- ville
Westminster Westminster, West West Rutland Whiting Williamstown Wilmington Windham Windsor, Old South Woodbury, South Woodstock
Frank L. Stacy Richard A Burn Arthur Brotherston
G. E. Congdon A. V. Woodworth
Leland G. Chase Edward C. Fellowes
L. H. Sprague
Herbert J. Hinman
Frederick C. Taylor
Frank L. Stacy
Robert Clark Herbert J. Hinman
Sidney K. Perkins Henry H. Shaw
Chas. N. St. John
Henry S. Ives
Donald Fraser
William J. McNeill
F. B. Hyde
Leland A. Edwards
Edward P. Treat Edward P. Treat George E. Ladd J. W. Crippen
H. A. Barker
Fraser Metzger
S. G. Barnes (Acting)
George F. Chapin
John C. Prince
J. H. Moseley J. Duke King
George A. Buttrick
Stanley Cummings
Frederick B. Richards
David Reid A. B. Hoag
P. H Fisk R. H. Bosworth
W. F. Bissell
C. E. Hayward William F. Frazier
George H. Dierlamm Ola R. Houghton
Ola R. Houghton Arthur J. Green
Edward C. Hayes
O. W. Peterson Edward W. Wild Walter R. Curtis
B. L. Chase
Charles E. Walsh W. C. Clark I. H. Metcalf Burton A. Lucas Morton W. Hale
Faith Fairbanks Horace C. Pease
Mrs. E. C. Fellowes John S. Robinson
Fred H. Smith
Mrs. E. A Pierre
Mrs. C. S. Forsyth
Mrs. S. K. Perkins
Albert W. Dickens Mrs. Alice W. Gray
Mrs. H. S. Ives
Mrs. D. Fraser
Mrs. Lura M. DeWitt
Mrs. Laura Palmer
Frank S. Hewitt
M. M. Wilson
Mrs. E. C. Harvey
Fay S. Fuller
Dea. C. W. Osgood
Mrs. J. D. King
Henry A. Harmon Wm. D. Chandler
E. C. Smith
Mrs. A. B. Hoag
H. D. Casey
Mrs. P. H. Fisk
Rev. S. L. Vincent
C. J. Strand
Mrs. G. H. Dierlamm
Maybell A. Roberts
Mrs. W. B. Page
Miss May Lawrence Rollo Metcalf Mrs. W. R. Curtis Frank A. Morse
Miss Mary E. Waterman Mrs. W. C. Clark Mrs. Hattie P. Jones Mrs B. A. Lucas
Miss May Harvey
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MINUTES
MEMBERS EX-OFFICIO NOT OTHERWISE LISTED
President-George L. Dunham.
Secretary-Rev. Charles C. Merrill.
Statistical Secretary-John M. Comstock.
Treasurer-F. W. Baldwin.
Directors-Mrs. M. H. Buckham, C. D. Howe.
Committees-Rev. Henry L. Ballou, Dr. W. A. Ricker.
Vermont Domestic Missionary Society-President, N. G. Williams; Secretary, Rev. C. H. Merrill; Pastor-at-Large, Rev. Andrew S. Bole; Assistant Treasurer, C. H. Newell.
Summary-Pastors, 63; Delegates, 61; Ex-officio, 14; Total 138. Churches represented 93.
President George L. Dunham welcomed the Conference on behalf of the Brattleboro Church and Rev. Herbert P. Woodin, Chairman Committee of Arrangements, presented the program.
The Report of the Fairbanks Board of Education was pre- sented by Rev. F. B. Richards in the absence of Gilbert E. Woods, Treasurer. The report was accepted and approved as follows :
St. Johnsbury, Vt., May 7, 1920 Gilbert E. Woods, Treasurer, in Account with the Fairbanks Education Board
Dr.
1919
May 15 To cash on hand $270.56
To Income from Investments 845.36
Cr. $1,115.92
. By paid aid two students . $150.00 By amount transferred to savings account 300.00
By cash on hand 665.92
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VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
The invested funds are as follows :
5 shares E. & T. Fairbanks & Co. Limited $ 500.00
Mahaffey Mortgage loan 1,700.00
Hanson Mortgage loan 1,300.00
W. S. Rice, land 1,200.00
33 shares Fairbanks, Morse & Co. 3,300.00
12 shares Western Union Telegraph Co. 1,200.00
16 shares Pennsylvania Railroad Company 800.00 2 shares First National Bank, St. Johnsbury 200.00 First Mortgage bond, E. & T. Fairbanks & Co. 1,000.00
Anglo-French 5% bond 1,000.00
Russian Government, 612% credit 1,000.00
Second Liberty Loan, 414% bonds 1,000.00
Savings Deposit, Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company 1,481.93
Check Account, Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company 665.92
$16,347.85
St. Johnsbury, Vt., May 7, 1920
I hereby certify that I have examined the accounts of Gilbert E. Woods, Treasurer of the Fairbanks Education Board, for the year ending May 7, 1920, and find the same correct, there being proper vouchers for all payments, there being cash balance on checking account $665.92, and on Sav- ings Account $1481.93. The other securities belonging to the Board have also been examined and are all as set forth in above statement.
(Signed) J. C. CLARK, Auditor
The Report of the Fairbanks Board for Ministerial Re- lief, Alvin C. Noyes, Treasurer, was presented by Rev. C. H. Merrill, and accepted and approved as follows :
Statements of Account of Fairbanks Board for Relief of Ministers for Year Ending May, 1, 1920
Cr. Cash on hand May 1, 1919 $1,051.48 Received from churches of Vermont 273.94
Received from Congregational Board of Ministerial Relief, New York, on
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MINUTES
division of receipts from Vermont churches during the year 1919 Investments paid
363.07
2,000.00
Income from Investments
1,665.89
$5,354.38
Dr.
Aid rendered to fourteen beneficiaries
$1,372.50
Funds Invested
2,650.00
Interest paid on Investments purchased
9.52
Treasurer's salary
25.00
Sundry expenses
4.25
Balance of cash on hand May 1, 1920
1,293.11
.
$5,354.38
The amount of invested funds on May 1, 1920
$30,224.56
stands at (Signed) ALVIN C. NOYES, Treasurer
This certifies that I have this day examined the accounts of Alvin C. Noyes, Treasurer, and find the same correct with proper vouchers for all disbursements, and the balance of cash on hand as stated, Twelve Hundred Ninety Three and 11-100 Dollars ($1,293.11). I have also verified the above statement of investments.
(Signed) J. C. CLARK, Auditor St. Johnsbury, Vt., May, 1920
The report of the Committee on Benevolence and Mis- sionary Education, H. D. Howe, Chairman, was presented by Rev. A. V. Woodworth, and was accepted and adopted as printed. (See Appendix D).
The report of Committee on Recruiting the Ministry, Rev. Fraser Metzger, Chairman, was presented by him and ac- cepted by the Conference as printed. (See Appendix E).
The report of Committee on Civic Justice and Commu- nity Service was presented by George L. Dunham, Chairman. After much discussion, the report was recommitted.
After a short recess, Rev. Lewis T. Reed, New York, pre- sented "The Relation between the Annuity Plan and the Pil- grim Memorial Fund."
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VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
Rev. Clifford H. Smith, New York, presented the claims of "The International Congregational Council of 1920."
The Conference sermon was by Rev. Donald Fraser, Wells River, from the text, Luke 24:15 and was followed by the celebration of the Communion, Rev. Albert B. Hoag of South Hero and Rev. Stanley Cummings of St. Albans officia- ting, assisted by Deacons Henry Harmon, F. H. Smith, George M. Clay and George H. Clapp. Rev. C. H. Merrill pronoun- ced the benediction.
EVENING SESSION
Evening session was called to order by the President and the devotional service was led by Rev. Herbert J. Hinman, Lyndonville, the Male Quartette of Center Church assisting.
The annual memorial service for "Our Ministers Who Have Died During the Year" was conducted by John M. Com- stock, Chelsea, and Rev. William C. Clark of Wilmington, who offered the prayer.
Statistical Secretary Comstock then made his annual statistical report under the title "Vermont Congregationalism in the Tercentenary Year."
The address of the evening, "The Call of the Present Hour," was delivered by the Rev. Frank L. Goodspeed, Barre, after which the Conference adjourned for the day with bene- diction by Rev. J. D. King, Rupert.
WEDNESDAY MORNING SESSION
After the singing of a hymn the report of Committee on Evangelism was given by Rev. Edward P. Treat, Chairman, and accepted. (See Appendix G).
The amended report of the Committee on Civic Justice and Community Service was given by the Chairman, George L. Dunham, and after extended discussion it was voted that the Business Committee provide further time for discussion.
The Conference was led in Meditation and Prayer, on the subject, "Thy Will Be Done," by Rev. Paul Dwight Moody of New York City.
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MINUTES
The report of the Committee on Nominations was given by the Chairman. Rev. Henry L. Ballou, and Officers, Boards and Committees were elected in accordance therewith :
See list on pages 14-16, it being understood that members ex-officio and hold over members of Boards and Committees, and Committees of the Board of Directors, given in that list, were chosen at other times.
Rev. Charles C. Merrill was unanimously reelected Sec- retary of the Conference by a rising vote, on nomination of the Board of Directors.
The Treasurer's Report was presented by Frederick W. Baldwin of Barton, Treasurer, and was accepted as follows :
Frederick W. Baldwin, Treasurer
In Account with Congregational Conference of Vermont
Debit
To cash to balance as per Auditor's report $ 109.11
Cash received as follows :
Addison Association. dues
136.24
Bennington Association, dues
98.56
Caledonia Association, dues
200.24
Chittenden Association, dues 1918
181.50
Essex Association, dues
9.68
Franklin and Grand Isle Association, dues
90.72
Grafton-Orange Association, dues
74.96
Lamoille Association, dues
57.44
Orange Association, dues Orleans Association, dues
125.04
Rutland Association, dues
225.04
Union Association, dues
86.88
Washington Association, dues
162.56
Windham Association, dues
174.21
Windsor Association, dues
122.56
Borrowed money
900.00
$2,849.62
Credit
By paid orders as follows : National Council $1,193.92
94.88
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VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
Board Pastoral Supply
372.85
Conference Expenses 1919
78.90
Printing Minutes 1919
231.94
General Printing bill
52.01
Directors Expenses, Executive Committee
84.89
Rev. Charles C. Merrill, expenses National Council
44.06
Rev. Charles C. Merrill, expenses Dart-
mouth College Meeting 9.66
Committee Religious Education, expense
17.50
Borrowed money and interest on same
614.33
John M. Comstock, Statistical Secretary, salary and expenses
83.36
Frederick W. Baldwin, Treasurer, expense
18.30
$2,801.72 $47.90
Balance in treasury
There is due from Associations :
Chittenden Association, dues 1919
198.00
Union Association, dues 1919
1.12
$199.12
There is outstanding, unpaid, to Burlington Savings Bank one note of $300, and interest.
Auditor's Statement :
I have this day examined the books and vouchers and ac- counts of your Treasurer, Frederick W. Baldwin, as given above, and find them correct.
Dated at Barton, Vt., this 10th day of May, A. D., 1920. (Signed) WALLACE H. GILPIN, Auditor
At 10.00 A. M. the Conference adjourned to give place for the meeting of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The afternoon session was called to order at 1.30 for dis- cussion of the Report of the Committee on Civic Justice and Community Service.
The Report of the Committee was accepted and the rec- ommendations adopted, as amended, as follows :
I. Recognizing Sunday as one of God's best gifts to man, we urge upon all our people by precept and example to con- serve the higher spiritual and religious values of the day, and
25
MINUTES
at the same time approve and recommend a change in our state laws relating to Sunday observance which will leave questions of recreation on that day to the individual con- science and to local option, subject to such regulation as will prevent infringement on the right of all to a quiet day of rest and worship.
We desire, however, to go on record as being unalterably opposed to any measures that will legalize commercialized recreation of any sort on Sunday.
II. That we stand strongly behind our officials in up- holding the Constitution as regards prohibition.
III. That it is the sense of this Conference that the minis- ters and laymen co-operate in all possible ways with the State Board of Charities and Probation and be ready to act as in- vestigators or agents of said Board if requested to do so.
IV. That we recognize the strategic position occupied by the Red Cross toward contributing to the welfare of the com- munity in that it may enlist the interests of all the people of all sects in a common effort, and that we urge our Congregational churches to give the Red Cross their most cordial support.
V. That we favor such additional legislation relating to marriage as will eliminate abuses and perfect as far as pos- sible our marriage laws.
The Report of the Board of Directors was accepted and its recommendations adopted. (See Appendix A).
The Report of the Committee on the Interchurch Move- ment was given by Rev. Donald Fraser of Wells River, Chair- man, was accepted. (See Appendix C).
The Report of the Committee on Licensure was given by Rev. E. P. Treat of Pittsford, Chairman, and its recommenda- tions adopted. (See Appendix G).
The recommendation of the Business Committee was adopted as follows :
"That the two young people applying for aid receive such consideration from the Fairbanks Board of Education while securing their education to become missionaries as the condi- tions of the w .!! permit."
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VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
A Report of the Committee on Religious Education was given verbally by Rev. William F. Frazier of Vergennes and accepted. The report stated that the Committee had held a meeting and had carefully prepared and sent to the pastors a statement of principles and suggestions for religious educa- tion.
The Conference was led in Meditation and Prayer on the subject, "Thy Kingdom Come," by Rev. Paul Dwight Moody.
Two addresses were given on "The Men Who Sailed the Mayflower" by Rev. Merritt A. Farren, Secretary, of Boston, and Horace E. Pease of Hartford, Manager for Vermont of the Boston Seaman's Friend Society.
After a recess of five minutes, a report of the Congrega- tional Board of Pastoral Supply was given by Rev. Arthur J. Covell, Boston.
Miss Laura H. Wild, Professor of Biblical Literature in Mount Holyoke College, gave an address on "Our Pilgrim Mothers and the Task of Their Daughters.".
Then followed three addresses on "The Youth of Ver- mont":
I. "The Program of the Y. M. C. A." by Ernest L. Rand, State Director of Educational Work.
II. "The Program of the Y. W. C. A." by Field Secre- tary Miss Marion Gary of Rutland.
III. "The Program of the Pilgrim Churches" by Rev. Charles N. St. John of Montpelier.
The afternoon session closed with the benediction by Rev. George F. Chapin of Saxtons River.
EVENING SESSION
. The scripture was read and prayer offered by Rev. Sidney K. Perkins, Manchester. The choir of the Center Congrega- tional church sang and a solo was sung.
By unanimous consent Frederick W. Baldwin introduced the following resolution referring to action of afternoon re- garding the report on Civic Justice :
Whereas, this Conference in the report of the Committee
27
MINUTES
of Civic Justice and Community Service has recommended that the statutes of Vermont be amended looking to the better observance of the Sunday law and of the statute with relation to marriage.
Resolved, that the Secretary of this Conference and the Chairman of the Committee on Civic Justice and Community Service be instructed to keep in touch with the bills that come before our next Legislature, and see so far as in their power that the recommendations named above be carried out.
Rev. Paul Dwight Moody of New York City spoke on the subject, "Some Modern Factors for Church Unity."
The final address of the day was by Rev. Cornelius H. Patten, Boston, his subject being, "The Rising Tide of Chris- tianity in the Far East."
THURSDAY MORNING
A devotional service was conducted by Rev. E. P. Cutler of East Corinth.
An address on "We Ourselves Must Pilgrims Be" was given by Rev. Frederick B. Richards of St. Johnsbury.
The following resolutions were proposed by the Business Committee and adopted :
Resolved : That this Conference place upon record its hearty appreciation of the faithful and efficient service ren- dered to the Congregational churches of Vermont and to the Kingdom of Christ, by the Rev. Charles C. Merrill and all those associated with him in the management of the campaign now drawing to a successful conclusion, by which our quota of one hundred thirty thousand dollars will be contributed to the support of the Interchurch World Movement.
Resolved : That the Vermont Congregational Conference of 1920 wishes hereby to express to the Center Congregational Church of Brattleboro its most sincere thanks for the thought- ful care and generous hospitality extended,to it by the pastor and people of said church, during this its annual gathering.
George L. Dunham and Rev. Chauncey C. Adams were reelected representatives from this Conference on the Congre- gational World Movement Commission.
It was voted that the Conference endorse the action of
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VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
the Board of Directors in arranging for the participation of the churches of the state in the Congregational World Movement.
It was voted to refer the question of the eligibility of the director from the Grafton-Orange Association to the Board of Directors.
Rev. W. V. Lytle, recently appointed Religious Education Secretary for New England of the Congregational Education Society, was introduced to the Conference and spoke a few words of greeting.
An address on "The Interchurch World Movement in Vermont" was given by Rev. William A. Davison, Burlington, Chairman State Advisory Committee.
The final address was given by Professor. Samuel F. Emer- son, Burlington, on "The Pilgrim Contribution to Three Cen- turies of American Protestantism."
It was voted that the question of the widest possible cir- culation of the address of Professor Emerson be referred to the Secretary with power to act as he sees fit for the Confer- ence.
The Secretary referred to the retirement from the Board of Directors by constitutional limitation, of Rev. Chauncey C. Adams, George L. Dunham, Rev. Edward P. Treat, Justin R. Hoadley and Rev. L. M. Isaacs (who also leaves the state), who had served on the Board since the re-organization of the Conference and Missionary Society work in 1917 and had by their fidelity and efficiency rendered historic service to the churches of the state.
The Minutes and Roll were read and corrected.
The Conference closed with a hymn and benediction by Rev. Herbert P. Woodin.
GEORGE L. DUNHAM, President
O. R. HOUGHTON, Scribe
A. V. WOODWORTH, Ass't Scribe
REPORT OF STATISTICAL SECRETARY
Vermont Congregationalism in the Tercentenary
The 125th meeting of the body representing Vermont Congregationalism comes to Brattleboro, a town of much his- torical interest, not only in the political, but also in the reli- gious history of the state. Here was the first stated Congre- gational and Protestant preaching in the state. The Massa- chusetts troops who garrisoned Fort Dummer had a chaplain as early as 1728 and for a long time thereafter. He was of course of the Congregational order. There was no church or- ganization in the state until 1762, thirty-four years later, and none in Brattleboro until 1770, but the fort had regular re- ligious services for such time as the garrison remained here.
This is the sixth meeting of the state body in Brattle- boro, under various vicissitudes of name and composition. The first was in 1806, when nine ministers of the state, with two visiting delegates, composed the "General Convention of Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers of the State of Vermont," meeting in the house of the pastor of the First church. The subsequent meetings, in 1855, 1872, 1891, and 1905, have been with the church which now welcomes us, and in this its house of worship.
In paying the usual tribute to the ministers deceased dur- ing the year, it seemed likely that no name would be recorded of a pastor of a Vermont church dying in office or of any Con- gregational minister dying within the state, but the last week has witnessed the passing of Wesley W. Smith, pastor at Bakersfield and for fifteen years a highly regarded minister of Vermont churches. Edward B. Harris, the Methodist pastor ministering to the few Congregational folk joined with his own people at Waterville, has also died in the harness. Of former pastors of our churches dying within the year, Elihu Loomis dates back the farthest in time, as his service as the first minister of the North Pownal church began seventy years ago. In the next decade was Eldridge Mix, who was with the First church of Burlington five years in the sixties.
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VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
In the seventies, Orson C. Dickerson, Samuel B. Sherrill, George W. Osgood, and William P. Alcott had short pastor- ates in Vermont, and William S. Blaisdell's service of seven years began in that decade. Early in the eighties began San- ford S. Martyn's sixteen years in Vermont, and a little later O. Franklin Thayer's nine years of service. In the nineties began Oliver Brown's five years, the five years of John H. Reid, the six years of Gabriel H. DeBevoise, and Ernest C. Davis' brief service of less than a year. Of dates that seem recent to the younger men there is only Walter E. Baker, who closed a six years' pastorate in 1917. To these should be added three natives of the state whose work was elsewhere, --- Joseph B. Davison, born in Stratton, Frederick W. Greene, in Brattleboro, and William W. Ranney, in Bennington.
The number of churches reported in the annual statistics is 215, unchanged from last year. But since the beginning of the year the number has been diminished by the union of the First and Second churches of Brookfield, a union which has long been recognized as highly desirable, but which has been slow in accomplishment. A division resulting from a violent difference of opinion over seventy years ago has at last been healed. The members of Second church have been received into the First, and the house of worship of the Second, the orig- inal bone of contention, becomes the local habitation of the united body.
Local newspapers bring reports of the recent formation at Stowe of a "community church," but it does not yet appear how the status of our church and of the two others who have entered into federation with it is affected,-whether they go out of existence and a single undenominational body results, or whether the new organization is a sort of "superchurch," existing above the others but not superseding them. More light is wanted.
There is no change of importance in the condition of the churches as to pastoral supply. Owing to the many combina- tions now existing, the number of fields unsupplied with
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REPORT OF STATISTICAL SECRETARY
preaching has been perceptibly reduced, and further improve- ment is likely. Installation is not gaining in prevalence, there being now only sixteen installed pastors in the state, and one recognized by council. Two councils for ordination have been held during the year, one for installation, one for recogni- tion, and three for dismission.
In discussing the annual statistics, which are to appear in the national Year-Book and the state Minutes and apply strict- ly to the year ending December 31, the secretary must beg in- dulgence. In an unguarded moment he ventured to say in the report presented a year ago that in view of the large acces- sions to the churches at Easter of last year a substantial gain in membership during the year was assured. The outcome should be a salutary warning that history is a safer role for the reporter than prediction. No gain in membership appears, but rather a loss, the present total, 23,083, being smaller by 155 than the total of the preceding year. The explanation is two- fold. The additions for the year, 749 by confession, 508 by let- ter, total 1257, while larger than the average, are not excep- tional. The stress of pastoral evangelism of the year mani- festly had almost its entire effect in the pre-Easter campaign and in the churches participating at that time. The removals, 364 by death, 582 by letter, 466 by revision, total 1412, have never been equaled. The loss by revision is much the largest ever reported, and the number of dismissions by letter has been reached but once. There is a probable cause in a vote of the last Conference, changing the basis of the annual as- sessment from resident to total membership. This seems to have served to quicken the zeal for reducing the non-effective list by encouraging absentees to take letters or in default of this by resorting to more drastic measures. One church has removed 141 names from its roll by revision, and others have followed this course in a less degree. A similar phenomenon may be expected the present year. Naturally the non-resident membership is reduced in number, but the decrease, 108, is smaller than the decrease in entire membership, so that the
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VERMONT CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE
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