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 8
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West Brattleboro,.
Jan. 14, 1901,
P.
P.
LICENTIATES
North Pomfret,
S.
A.
Brainerd, Ezra,
G. O.
Carvell, Clinton W.,
A. Collins, Edwin D.,
G. O. Dierlamm, George H.,
Ch. Emerson, Samuel F.,
Ca. Fitt Arthur P.,
A. Hendry, Guy C.,
Southard, C. Eugene,
01. Wa. Woodbury, Carl V.,
G. O. Worcester, George S.,
Wright, Frank C.,
Roxbury, 'S
MINISTERS OF OTHER DENOMINATIONS Supplying Congregational Churches
Bennett, Charles H.,
M. E.
Hinesburg
Bapt.
Grafton
M. E.
Pawlet
Crippen, John W.,
Bapt.
Putney
Douglass, Glenn W.,
M. E.
Lunenburg
Gould, Walter H.,
M. E.
Cambridge
Green, Arthur J.,
M. E.
South Wardsboro
M. E.
Bristol
M. E.
Duxbury
M. E.
West Charleston
Kelton, Herbert L.,
M. E.
Middletown Springs
Mitchell, James C.,
M. E.
Tunbridge
Nye, Elmer I.
Bapt.
Hubbardton
O'Dell, Reuben S.,
Bapt.
North Pownal
Reid, David W.,
M. E. M. E.
Salisbury Williston Jamaica
Stevens, Elmer H., Suitor, S. G.,
M. E.
East Burke
Talbee, Frank E.,
M. E.
Milton
Way, J. Harold G.,
M. E.
Alburg
Westcott, George C.,
M: E.
Essex
Westford
P.
P.
W. C.
Feb. 7, 1906,
Sept. 2, 1909,
June 30, 1887,
Oct. 19, 1887,
July 2, 1896,
F.
P.
Westminster,
Oct. 27, 1914,
P. I.
Gaysville,
Dennis, Mass.,
East Arlington,
Newfane,
Apr. 30, 1890,
Brattleboro,
June 23, 1892,
P. I.
New Haven,
ORDINATION DATE RELATION
May 18, 1881, Miss.
Apr. 14, 1903, P.
Auburndale, Mass.,
May 27, 1904, W. C.
Aug. 30, 1900, P. I.
Feb. 23, 1887, W. C.
Sept. 10, 1903,
June 19, 1890,
Oct. 23, 1878,
Townshend, Schenectady, N. Y., Williamstown,
Zephyr Hills, Fla.,
Peacham,
Hardwick,
Uxbridge, Mass.,
May 28, 1896,
May 3, 1893,
Feb. 4, 1891,
Sept. 30, 1914.
P. W. C. P. W. C.
Middlebury, Pres. Em.
Fairlee,
S.
Prof.
Vershire,
S.
Prof.
Annisquam Park, N. J.,
Mount Holly, N. J.,
Coventry,
Northfield,
Thetford,
Y. M. C. A. S. Prof.
Richardson, H. H.,
Sprague, L. Huntley,
Bapt.
Bapt.
Simonsville
White, W. W.,
Bapt.
ADDRESS
Samokov, Bulgaria, Brandon,
Pittsford,
Post Mills,
St. Johnsbury Center, Union, N. H.,
W. C. F.
June 21, 1914,
A. Young, E. Vernon,
Beyer, Richard F.,
Congdon, George E., Corliss, C. L.,
Hagadorn, F. M., Hall, Josiah, Johnson, William C.,
Middlebury,
Burlington,
Vermont ·
Domestic Missionary
Society
ANNUAL MEETING 1920
Officers of Vermont Domestic Missionary Society President-GEN. NATHAN G. WILLIAMS. Vice-President-REV. L. A. EDWARDS. Secretary-REV. CHARLES H. MERRILL. Associate Secretary-REV. CHARLES C. MERRILL. Treasurer-JOHN T. RITCHIE.
Assistant Treasurer-CHARLES H. NEWELL.
Auditor-JOHN C. CLARK.
Office, St. Johnsbury, Vt. Directors
At-Large-Gen. N. G. Williams, Bellows Falls; Rev. Ed- ward G. French, Johnson; Mrs. M. H. Buckham, Burlington; Mrs. W. J. Van Patten, Burlington ; Hon. Charles I. Button, Middlebury; Rev. Stanley Cummings, St. Albans; Jonas H. Brooks, St. Johnsbury.
Term expires 1921-P. T. H. Pierson, Bennington ; John E. Tinker, Danville ; H. D. Howe, Burlington; March M. Wil- son, Randolph ; Rev. F. W. Day, Swanton ; Rev. R. A. Hamil- ton, Orleans; Rev. George E. Ladd, West Woodstock.
Term expires 1922-Rev. William F. Frazier, Vergennes ; Rev. Donald Fraser, Wells River; Carlton D. Howe, Morris- ville ; Rev. William A. McIntire, Danby ; Rev. William J. Bal- lou, Chester ; H. Gordon Woodruff, Montpelier ; Rev. Herbert P. Woodin, Brattleboro.
Executive Committee
Hon. Charles I. Button, Mrs. M. H. Buckham, Rev. Wil- liam A. McIntire, Harry D. Howe, Rev. Stanley Cummings. Finance Committee
John T. Ritchie, Jonas H. Brooks, John E. Tinker, Rev. Charles H. Merrill.
Members of C. H. M. S.
For one year-Rev. C. H. Merrill, St. Johnsbury ; Gen. Nathan G. Williams, Bellows Falls; Rev. Edward G. French, Johnson.
For two years-Rev. C. H. Smith, Ludlow; Prof. C. B. Wright, Middlebury.
For three years-Geo. L. Dunham, Brattleboro; Rev. Henry C. Newell, Middlebury.
ACT OF INCORPORATION
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont :
Section 1. James W. Hickok, Joshua Leavitt, William H. Lord, Theaddeus Fairbanks, J. G. Stimson, and Charles S. Smith, with their associates, being members of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, a Society heretofore existing and organized for the purpose of aiding Congregational Churches and communities in the State, in need of assistance in sustain- ing the preaching of the Gospel, are hereby created as a body politic and corporate, by the name of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, with all the usual appropriate corporate rights and privileges, and with full power to acquire, hold and convey personal and real property, and to use the same in pro- moting and securing the aforesaid objects and purposes of their corporation.
Section 2. All doings of said Society, while heretofore existing, all gifts, grants, bequests, and donations made to it, and all grants, appropriations, and conveyances made by the said Society are hereby confirmed and made valid.
Section 3. Any two of the corporators aforesaid may call the first meeting of said corporation by giving notice thereof in some weekly paper published in said State, three weeks be- fore the day of said meeting.
Section 4. This act shall take effect from its passage.
Passed, October 25, 1872.
LEGACIES TO THE V. D. M. SOCIETY
Form of a Bequest
I bequeath to my executors the sum of. dollars in trust, to pay over the same to the Treasurer of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society, incorporated in October, 1872, to be applied to the charitable uses and purposes of said So- ciety.
CONSTITUTION
NAME Article I. This Society shall be known by the name of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society.
MEMBERSHIP
Article II. Any person may at his request, become a Member for Life of the Society, who shall at one time pay twenty dollars or more into the treasury. The membership of the Society shall consist of Life Members made previous to 1905, and the members of the Congregational Conference of Vermont annually meeting with the Society. All such mem- bers shall be entitled to vote.
OBJECTS
Article III. The object of this Society shall be to supply the destitute towns of the State with the preached Gospel, by the labors of missionaries, and to aid the Congregational Home Missionary Society.
OFFICERS
Article IV. The officers of this Society shall be a Presi- dent, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Auditor and Board of Directors. (1) The President, Vice-President and Auditor shall be elected annually by the Society. (2) The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected annually by the Directors. (3) The Board of Directors shall consist of not more than 21 mem- bers, including ex-officiis members. In the choice of Directors the Rules governing the election of Directors of the Vermont Congregational Conference shall be followed. (4) There shall
75
CONSTITUTION
be a Nominating Committee of three members, and this com- mittee shall present as its first nominees for the Board of Di- rectors of the Society the persons elected to the Board of Di- rectors of the State Conference. (5) An Associate Secretary, an Assistant Treasurer, and an additional Auditor may be ap- pointed by the Board of Directors. (6) Vacancies in any office, Board, or Committee may be filled by the Board of Directors for any unexpired term.
DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
Article V. It shall be the duty of the President, or, in his absence, of the Vice-President, to preside at all meetings of the Society, and of the Board of Directors.
DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
Article VI. It shall be the duty of the Directors, nine of whom shall constitute a quorum, to act upon applications coming from Churches asking for aid ; make appropriations of money ; fill temporarily any vacancies occasioned by the death or resignation of the Secretary, Treasurer, or Auditor ; appoint a Finance Committee, and to have a general superintendence of all the Society's affairs and make, through the Secretary, a report of their doings at each annual meeting.
There shall be an Executive Committee of five chosen by the Board of Directors and this Executive Committee shall have full power to act for the Directors on all matters that may come before them, when the Directors are not in session.
DUTIES OF SECRETARY
Article VII. The Secretary or Secretaries shall take charge of the books and correspondence of the Society and of the Directors ; keep a true record of their doings, and call meet- ings of the Society, Directors, and Executive Committee.
76
VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
They shall secure, as far as possible, collections and dona- tions from Churches and individuals ; visit destitute communi- ties to ascertain their needs; direct itinerant missionaries to their fields ; draw orders upon the Treasurer for all moneys ap- propriated by the Directors or Executive Committee, and make an annual report to the Society of the doings of the Directors, and the condition of the missionary work.
DUTIES OF TREASURER
Article VIII. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to re- ceive and hold the property of the Society ; take care of and in- vest the permanent funds, under the advice of a Finance Com- mittee appointed by the Directors; lease or convey by deed, real estate belonging to the Society, when so ordered by the Directors or Executive Committee; and exhibit at the annual meeting an audited account of the condition of the treasury, make a statement of the amount of permanent funds, and how they are invested. He shall hold his books open for inspection when requested by any member of the Society, and shall give bonds when required by the Executive Committee.
DUTIES OF AUDITOR
Article IX. The Auditor shall carefully audit the Treas- urer's book every year, before the annual meeting of the So- ciety, 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 So- ciety, for the election of officers and the transaction of any nec- essary 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.
0
77
CONSTITUTION
The statistical year of the Society for Directors' Report and Treasurer's Report shall close January 1st.
MEETINGS 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 Secretary 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 Mission- ary 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 re- quest of seven members.
MEETINGS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall hold meetings at such time and places as they may appoint, and whenever the Secre- tary may call them together; and they shall have power to call meetings 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 Con- gregational 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 ted 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 excep- tional 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 As- sociation 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 mem- ber ?
(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?
(12) What is the entire Grand List of the Church?
79
RULES ADOPTED BY THE DIRECTORS
(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 ser- vices? 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 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 mis- sionary 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 payments from this Society till they have made a written re- port to the Secretary of their services for the period for which such payments is due. Those who may wish quarterly pay- ments 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 102nd annual meeting of the Vermont Domestic Mis- sionary Society was held in the Center Congregational Church at Brattleboro May 12, 1920, and was called to order by Pres- ident Nathan G. Williams at 10.05 A. M., in accordance with notices duly published in the Vermont Missionary and the Burlington Free Press.
Prayer was offered by Rev. M. W. Hale of Cabot.
The President nominated and the Society elected the fol- lowing Nominating Committee: Rev. Henry L. Ballou, Rev. Chauncey C. Adams, John R. Aiken.
The report of the Treasurer was presented by the Assis- tant Treasurer, Charles H. Newell, and together with the Auditor's Certificate was accepted.
The report of the Directors was presented by the Secre- tary, Rev. Charles H. Merrill, and was accepted.
The Nominating Committee reported through Chairman Rev. Henry L. Ballou the following list of officers :
President, Gen. Nathan G. Williams; Vice-President, Rev. L. A. Edwards; Directors-at-Large, Gen. Nathan G. Wil- liams, Bellows Falls; Rev. Edward G. French, Johnson ; Mrs. M. H. Buckham, Burlington; Mrs. W. J. Van Patten, Bur- lington ; Charles I. Button, Middlebury; Rev. Stanley Cum- mings, St. Albans; Jonas H. Brooks, St. Johnsbury.
Representing Associations, Term expires in 1922-Addi- son, Rev. William F. Frazier, Vergennes; Grafton-Orange, Rev. Donald Fraser, Wells River ; Lamoille, Carlton D. Howe, Morrisville; Rutland, Rev. William A. McIntire, Danby ; Union, Rev. William J. Ballou, Chester ; Washington, H. Gor- don Woodruff, Montpelier; Windham, Rev. Herbert P. Woodin, D. D., Brattleboro.
The report was accepted and adopted.
Addresses were made as follows:
"A Winter in Eden," Rev. Frank L. Stacy ; "Ventures in Vershire," Rev. George H. Dierlamm; "Boy Scouting in Hart-
81
ANNUAL MEETING
1
land," Rev. Edward C. Fellowes; "Pastoral Calling in Simons- ville," Rev. Elmer H. Stevens; "A Winsome Message and a Winning Program," Pastor-at-Large, A. S. Bole; "The Ob- ligations of Victory," Assistant Secretary Charles C. Merrill.
After notice that the Directors would meet at the close of the evening session of the Conference, the Society adjourned with prayer.
CHARLES C. MERRILL, Associate Secretary
The Board of Directors met according to notice at the close of the evening session of Conference May 12th, 1920, and elected the following officers and committees :
Secretary, Rev. Charles H. Merrill; Associate Secretary, Rev. Charles C. Merrill; Treasurer, John T. Ritchie; Assistant Treasurer, Charles H. Newell; Auditor, John C. Clark; Exe- cutive Committee, Hon. Charles I. Button, Mrs. M. H. Buck- ham, Rev. William A. McIntire, Harry D. Howe, Rev. Stan- ley Cummings ; Finance Committee, John T. Ritchie, Jonas H. Brooks, John E. Tinker, Rev. C. H. Merrill.
CHARLES C. MERRILL, Associate Secretary
DIRECTORS' REPORT
It is customary to begin this report with a brief memorial of those who have passed away in the service of the Society during the year. It is a cause for deep thanksgiving that during the period under present reveiw, there has not been one break in our ranks.
CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR
The Society voted at its last Annual Meeting to change its fiscal year to conform to the calendar year. Hence the present report is only for nine months i. e., from April 1 to December 31, 1919. It is possible therefore to make no worth- while comparisons with the preceding year either as to finances or as to statistics of work. With regard to finances a suggestive comparison can be made between the actual expenditures and what was estimated in the budget that was made out for the nine months period.
INVESTED FUNDS
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 $43,198.00 of which $8,000 is in the Permanent Fund and $32,673.00 in the General Fund (legacy reserve account) . This is an increase of $183.96 in the Permanent Fund and an increase in the General Fund of $956.80 the net increase in the total invested funds belonging to the Society being $1,140.76.
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 $4600, an increase of $100.00. The attention of persons who wish their money safely invested, with a guaranteed rate of interest and with a reversion to the Society at death, is called to the advantages of this Annuity Fund plan.
83
DIRECTORS' REPORT
The amount of funds which the Society holds in trust for the churches is $44,447.96 an increase for the year of $158.96. The rate of interest is five per cent. The Directors 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 advantage of the Society's banking facilities unless they have better facilities themselves.
1919
(April 1-Dec. 31)
Budget Estimate
From contributions from
churches and individuals, in-
cluding Woman's Home Mis- sionary Union and net adjust- ment of receipts with Congrega- tional Home Missionary Society
$7,210.90
$5,700.00
Interest, less trust and An-
2,223.31
2,250.00
nuity Fund interest
3,666.00
2,250.00
Legacies
Total,
$13,100.21
$10,200.00
This excess of $2900.21 over the budget estimate is made · up of an excess of about $1500 in contributions from churches and individuals (although the budget estimate called for an increase of $1800 from that source over the corresponding period of the year) and about $1400 from legacies. Following an increase from the same source last year the increase in con- tributions from the living is especially a cause for satisfaction. For the first time in history the "apportionment" for the Society seems to have been raised. The interesting fact about legacies is that they have come back after an entire lack last year. The balance in our favor this year goes about two-thirds of the way in cancelling the balance against us on that account last year.
84
VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
EXPENDITURES
1919 (April 1-Dec. 31)
Estimate
For church work (44 Churches
and fields)
$6,183.96
$5,714.00
Salaries of officers
2,831.82
2,738.00
Expenses of officers
1,163.45
1,095.00
"Vermont Missionary" deficit
432.74
150.00
Other printing, including "Min-
utes" and Stationery
118.43
160.00
Middlebury Convocation Travel
and board of Pastors
277.77
175.00
Every-Member Drive
125.00
Miscellaneous and Margin
43.80
43.00
Total,
$11,051.97 $10,200.00
With reference to the excess of $851.97 of expenditures over the budget estimate it should be noted that a considerable portion of this is for the "Vermont Missionary" deficit against which can be reckoned subscriptions coming in at another time of the year. The excess in the church work item means that larger salaries have been paid and in the Middlebury Convocation item, that a larger number of men attended.
PASTOR-AT-LARGE ACCOUNT
Receipts
From contributions of 15 individuals
$1,480.00
Expenditures
For salary, one Pastor-at-large five and one-half months, $687.50
Expenses 277.72
Middlebury Convocation Speakers,
arrangements and promotion 469.18
Office equipment and rent Associate Secretary, 122.00
Budget
1,556.40
85
DIRECTORS' REPORT
An additional contribution of $100 in this account re- ceived since January 1, makes the receipts exceed the ex- penditures by $23.60. Since the money raised on this account was to increase the efficiency of our entire field work and since it was to include all money sought from individuals the items for office equipment and rent of the Associate Secretary and the Middlebury Convocation expense were included under this heading, though not expenses incurred by the Pastor-at- Large himself.
Your Directors feel that the first six months of this Pastor- at-Large plan has abundantly justified itself. Although the Society authorized the securing of two Pastors-at-Large, it has not seemed best to secure but one, viz. Rev. Andrew S. Bole, formerly pastor at East Hardwick. Mr. Bole's energy, good sense, knowledge of the State and appreciation of its needs, and his unstinted devotion to the great work in hand, have shown him to be the right man in the right place.
Grateful mention should also be made of the sixteen men and women whose generous contribution has made pos- sible the starting of what is sure to prove a most important feature in the future work of the Society. As is generally understood, it is proposed henceforward to care for the ex- penses of the Pastor-at-Large work in the larger budget which the World Movement Canvass will make possible.
WORK ON THE FIELDS
Thirty-seven missionaries labored in thirty-six fields, giving twenty years, three months and one week service. Ordinary fields 28, itinerant 11, duplicate 3, leaving 36. Mis- sionaries in ordinary fields 26, in itinerant 11, total 37.
Eight other fields were helped on the dollar for dollar plan, making the total number 44, or over one-fifth of the active churches of the state. This total is one more than last year.
The additions were: . By confession 81, by letter 29, total 110. Removals: By dismissal 32, by death 18, by revision 20, total 70. Net gain 40.
86
VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Though the report is for nine months only the additions, both by confession and by letter, were greater than for the twelve months reported last year or the twelve months re- ported the year before. The additions by confession were increase of 57%. There was a net loss reported last year of nearly twice as many as reported last year and the total is an exactly the same as the net gain reported for these nine months.
Although these statistics are suggestive of an upward trend we turn even with greater interest to the following ex- tracts from reports from the churches.
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