USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Brandon > Minutes of the annual meeting of the Vermont Congregational Conference; Annual report of the Vermont Domestic Missionary Society > Part 8
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ARTICLE V. Omit the last phrase, "and of the Board of Directors."
ARTICLE VI. For the words, ""five of whom shall con- stitute a quorum," substitute the words, "nine of whom shall constitute a quorum." For the paragraph beginning, "At their annual meeting" substitute the following : 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 no't in session."
ARTICLE VII. After "Secretary" insert "or Secretaries." After the word "He" insert "or they."
ARTICLE X. For the phrase "at 10 o'clock, a. m." sub- stitute the phrase "at an hour designated by the Directors." For the sentence beginning "They may adjourn" substitute "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."
The changes were presented by the committee, and, after discussion, it was voted to adopt, more than two-thirds of those present voting in the affirmative.
Vice-President, Rev. Paul D. Moody, chaplain of the First Vermont Regiment, was called forward and made brief re- marks concerning his experiences as chaplain.
Adjourned to meet at the call of the President.
The President called the Society to order at 4.30 P. M. of the same day, and the Nominating Committee presented the following report: Honorary President, Rev. Henry Fair- banks ; President, Dea. N. G. Williams ; Vice-President, Rev. L. A. Edwards; Auditor, John C. Clark ; Directors at large,
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Rev. C. C. Adams, Rev. E. P. Treat, Mr. George L. Dunham ; Directors for two years, terms expiring 1919, Mr. P. H. T. Pearson, Rev. A. S. Bole, Mr. H. D. Howe, Dea. John M. Comstock, Rev. S. M. Anthony, Mr. J. C. Carpenter, Rev. C. F. Echterbecker ; Directors for one year, terms expiring 1918, Rev. F. W. Hazen, Mr. J. R. Hoadley, Rev. S. F. Blomfield, Mr. Malcolm Straus, Dea. C. W. Osgood, Rev. Donald Fraser, Rev. L. W. Isaacs ; Directors ex-officiis, Dea. N. G. Williams, Hon. Chas. W. Gates, Mrs. W. J. Van Patten, Mrs. M. W. Buckham. Members of the C. H. M. S. for three years : Hon. J. E. Weeks, Rev. R. H. Clapp.
The report was accepted, and the above officers were elected.
Adjourned to meet at 7.30 P. M.
Met according to adjournment, and the committee on reso- lutions submitted the following by their chairman, Rev. Dr. Flagg :
The Vermont Domestic Missionary Society in view of the statement of Rev. Charles H. Merrill, D. D., who now com- pletes thirty years of service as secretary of this body, that the report rendered by him at this meeting is his final report, wishes to put on record their high and constantly growing regard for him as a man, a Christian brother, and as the chief executive official of this body.
Through the long period during which he has gone in and out among the churches of Vermont, dealing with matters the most vital connected with their life and work, he has com- mended himself as a brother beloved, a true friend and a faith- ful servant of his Master and ours, and we extend to him the assurance of our grateful affection that will follow him through all the coming years.
As a society whose members have come into most inti- mate relations with Dr. Merrill we adopt and reaffirm the resolutions of the Conference at its meeting in 1916 :
"As secretary of the Vermont Domestic Missionary So- ciety for thirty years, Dr. Merrill's parish has been the whole state. He has labored with a singleness of purpose, a sound- ness of judgment, a Christian statesmanship of rare quality. To our churches large and small he has been a bishop in the true apostolic succession, to our ministers a counselor in whom they have safely trusted."
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ANNUAL MEETING
"We therefore hereby gratefully place upon record our unfeigned sense of obligation and our testimony to the abiding worth of Dr. Merrill's ministry. We thank God for the fruit- ful years now past. May his future years be like the path of the just which shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
The resolutions were adopted by rising vote, and in response to call Secretary Merrill spoke briefly.
Adjourned.
The first address of the evening, Rev. C. C. Adams, President of the Conference presiding, was by Rev. C. C. Mer- rill, Associate Secretary, upon "A Practical Ideal for Vermont Congregationalists."
C. H. MERRILL, Secretary.
At a meeting of the Board of Directors held subsequently the following officers and committee were elected : Secretary, Rev. C. H. Merrill ; Associate Secretary, Rev. C. C. Merrill ; Treasurer, Dea. John T. Ritchie ; Assistant Treasurer, Mr. C. H. Newell; Executive Committee, Rev. C. C. Adams, Rev. S. F. Blomfield, Rev. A. S. Bole, Mr. J. R. Hoadley, Mrs. W. J. Van Patten; Finance Committee, Dea. John T. Ritchie, Rev. C. H. Merrill.
C. H. MERRILL, Secretary.
DIRECTORS' REPORT
The year has been one of transition, pending changes that are in process of inauguration. The new executive officer, an extension of whose duties is planned, was not elected until past the mid-year and did not begin service in time to give more than one month to his work. While this was entered upon vigorously and a large number of fields visited, naturally the results would not appear in the year under review. Nevertheless with the exception of the Women's Work, which has been less in amount than any year since it was begun, all departments have been carried on with the customary activity, and the balance sheet both in finance and membership shows no loss, though the gain is barely nominal.
Death again has entered the ranks of our missionaries and taken one of the most promising. Arthur E. Hartwell began his ministry in our state in one of the mission fields, and was called from there to prominent positions in the West. Failing health led him to return to his old charge in the hope of re- gaining strength. He made a valiant fight, during which his people sustained him loyally, but in vain. The wife who was his stay through his long struggle has continued in the service in which she had, during his sickness, been his faithful assistant.
FINANCE
The figures reported by the treasurer show an increase in Trust Fund and Annuity account, a diminution in Legacies, and a slight balance to the good in receipts accredited to the Apportionment Plan. The funds now held by the Society have increased from $79,787.23 to $86,198.18. While the larger part of this increase is in the Trust Fund, a substantial amount has been added to the Legacy reserve. The current account is as follows :
THE STATE SOCIETY
From Churches and Individuals $3,065.91
Woman's Home Missionary Union 1,080.99
Interest, less Trust Fund interest
2,958.91
Adjustment of percentage with C. H. M. S. 678.50
Legacies
2,100.00
Total
$9,883.46
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DIRECTORS' REPORT
THE NATIONAL SOCIETY
From Churches and Individuals
$2,306.30
Woman's Home Missionary Union 1,246.40
Total
$3,552.70
For the third year the National Society has received no legacies from the state. It was noted two years ago, when this first occurred, that the omission was unprecedented. That it should continue is a fact to be considered.
The total thus for Home Missions in the state is $12,757.66, leaving out the $678.50 adjustment of percentage. Of this there came from legacies and interest $5,058.06, leaving $7,699.60 gifts from the living. .This is $4.39 in excess of the year before. A larger amount came to the state society and a somewhat smaller to the national. The income available for the state, including legacies and interest, was $9,883.46, and the expenditures for the different departments and executive work was $7,466.48, leaving $2,416.98 to be carried to the legacy account.
There is much still to be desired in bringing up the rank and file of the churches to the full apportionment. Of the 176 churches contributing, out of our 215, some 61, or 34 per cent, gave the full amount or more. Here certainly is abundant chance for improvement. Of the non contributing churches some have little more than a name to live, some were without pastors, and some were without excuse. Of those that fell short of the goal were many abundantly able to assume their full share of responsibilities. Moreover if we ever come up to our portion of the Centennial goal of $2,000,000, some of our churches must go the "second mile."
THE WORK
Forty missionaries have labored in 39 fields giving 26 years, seven months and three weeks service. This shows a slight diminution in all particulars ; in missionaries six, in fields three, and in service one year and five months. The shrinkage has been in the Itinerant and Women's Work. Fewer fields were supplied by students in the summer, and the time appears to have gone by when the work of the women can be carried on
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
in the way that yielded such large fruitage in former years. This will be one of the problems for the new administration to solve.
THE RESULTS
Additions were made to the mission churches during the year, of 50 by confession, and 39 by letter, total 89. Removals were 54 by letter, 32 by death and two by exclusion, total 88. The chief significance of this result appears to be, that the record of more than thirty years has not been broken by a loss in the membership of our mission fields. Little more than this need be said. That the additions are so small may be accounted for in part by the fact that in no instance was there any special revival work. The efforts employed by the larger churches in the state for ingatherings at Easter, and a system- atic harvesting of seed sown and cultivated, seem not to have thus far been commended to our smaller fields, and no substitute has been found for the old evangelistic methods. In this respect also we await a new day.
CHANGES
One old field never heretofore aided has come upon the mission list, though for a long time it has needed assistance to pay an adequate salary. This is the church in Peru, which thus joins Windham and Hinesburgh, which came upon the list a year ago. Three other churches have returned, Lunenburg, after 57 years of self-support, Fair Haven, Welsh, after 30 years, and West Fairlee not aided for seven years. The church in Guildhall appears again after a year's absence, with the prospect that something of a permanent nature can be done here, now that federation has failed and the field has been left to our care. The Swedish church in Proctor has left our fold and is now provided for by the Union church of that place. Other fields not appearing upon our list temporarily are Albany, Londonderry, and Lowell.
IMPROVEMENTS
With the exception of a parsonage purchased by the church in East Charleston, and funds accumulating for one in Warren, there have been few additions to the church plants. But repairs and improvements to a greater. or less extent have been made
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DIRECTORS' REPORT
in numerous instances. Indeed it is the exception rather than the rule where repairs upon the parsonage, in some instances quite extensive, have not been reported.
SALARIES
Some progress has been made towards the increase of salaries. At the last meeting of the Board of Directors the minimum was raised from $700 to $800 and parsonage, in ac- cord with the plan of the National Society, and the calls made upon our "Dollar for Dollar" offer are increasing. How inade- quate this all is, with the present increase in the cost of living, it is needless to emphasize.
COMITY
While the plan for employing a state evangelist jointly with the Baptist and Methodist bodies, proposed last year, did not materialize, our relations with those bodies show an increasing spirit of comradeship, and give promise of working out our common problems in the state without "overlooking or over- lapping," whether it be by federation, by exchange or by assignment of territory.
So far as quality of service is concerned the year may be characterized as good; as for quantity it leaves much to be desired.
FOR THE DIRECTORS
Thirty Years' Review
In this the final report of your present secretary it seems fitting that a review of his administration be made. Thirty years ago the coming first of October, at the call of the Directors, I entered upon the service of the Society, first as field secretary and then on the following anniversary taking over the full du- ties of my predecessor, Rev. C. S. Smith, who had served most faithfully in that capacity for twenty-five years. Of the board of directors who appointed me none are now in active service and only two are living, Rev. Henry Fairbanks, our Honor- ary President, and Rev. V. M. Hardy, D. D. Of the pastors of churches one only retains his old charge, Rev. G. F. Chapin,
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
still held fast in the affections of his people at Saxton's River. Quite singularly another, who during most of these years has been out of the state or engaged in teaching, has recently re- turned to the same fields he held in 1887, Rev. L. E. Tupper, of Post Mills and West Fairlee. Four others, Rev. Messrs. Flagg, Ramage, Strong and Warner, are still in service in the state, having changed pastorates each of them several times.
In addition there are thirteen resident ministers within our limits, who have retired or are engaged in other occupa- tions. This gives some indication of the extent to which in the brief space of a generation the personnel of our body has undergone a change. It may also serve to show some of the difficulties under which we labor with so frequent changes in the pastorate.
CHURCHES AND MEMBERSHIP
During these thirty years the number of our churches has increased from 197 to 215, and the membership from 20,271 to 23,128. Twenty-six churches have been organized and eight have been dropped, leaving a net gain of eighteen. All of the churches organized, with the exception of one, Randolph, where a union organization took the place of a former, were under the fostering care of the Missionary Society. At the beginning of this period there were 57 churches and six mission fields under the care of the Society. The list is reduced this year to 38 and one. Only 19 of the 63 fields now appear. Why so great a re- duction? Two causes have been operative. One has been the bringing of churches to self support through increase in num- bers and strength, The other has been through endowments. It is difficult to draw a line between the two in the attempt at classification, for in many both are to be found. But roughly in the former class may be found such churches as Island Pond, Bethel, Hyde Park, Jeffersonville, Ludlow, Post Mills, South Royalton, Williamstown and Wilmington. And among the new churches organized are Bristol, Hardwick and Wilder. In the latter class, among the endowed churches, are East Burke, Danby, Fairfield, Ferrisburgh, Hubbardton, Pittsfield and St. Johnsbury Centre. As you will see this does not account for but part of the 44 fields that have dropped from the list during the past 30 years. Of the others, two churches are dead, five
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THIRTY YEARS' REVIEW
are now inactive, six are temporarily dropped, and the remain- der are supplied by neighboring pastors, by other denomina- tions, or through combination of forces. It should be said that in no case has aid been refused to a church needing assist- ance, or to field that was worthy. Any limitations of work has been due to the lack of men rather than means.
FINANCE
At the beginning of the period under review the treasurer reported funds to the amount of $13,645.51. At the close we report funds to the amount of $86,198.18. But it should be said when this $13,645.51 was reported there was an indebted- ness, consisting of note and overdrawn account, of $2,958.62, and later there was found to be a shrinkage in valuation of securities amounting to about $6,000.00. Added to this, the payment of the missionary grants during that year was about six months in arrear of their reports, so that it may be ques- tioned whether the Society was much more than solvent. At that time only one small trust fund was held by the Society, and that was not kept separate from current account. Nor were the comparatively small amount of permanent funds, those of which the income only can be used, kept distinct. As showing the changes we have now a Trust Fund of $40,203.62, a Permanent Fund of $7,500.00, an Annuity Account, or Conditional Gifts of $3,700.00, a Memorial Fund of $500.00, and General Fund, or Legacy Reserve of $34,294.56. This shows in some measure the way in which the Society is becoming a banking institution for the churches.
An analysis of figures shows that apart from the money that has come in to be held in trust, the larger portion of the increase has come from legacies. At the beginning of this period, few legacies came to the State Society. In the year 1887 only $50.00. The year previous only $29.66. The National Society received during those years $2,905.24, and $6,200. These conditions have been reversed. For the last three years the National Society has received no legacies, while the State Society has received $2,100, $5,567.36 and $11,000. The causes of this are not apparent, unless it be that success of the work near at home has made its appeal. No special efforts has been made to secure this. On the other
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
hand it should be noted that the gifts from the living fell from $7,479.10 for State work to $4,760.40, nearly $3,000 or 36%. What are the causes of this? Several. Chiefly a loss of in- dividual gifts. In all parts of the state there were in those days men and women who gave liberally from year to year as individuals, sums ranging from $50 and $100 to $1,500. Their tribe has become extinct. Secretary Smith said that for 20 years up to 1887 there came from St. Johnsbury alone more than $2,000 a year. A manufacturing company there gave frequently, in the name of the firm, gifts of $1,000. Further- more under the apportionment plan special appeals for the work are infrequent, and gifts that once came to us are now divided among other societies. Then too, it may be fair to conclude that we are suffering from the increase of our endow- ments through legacies, as so almost inevitably is the case with our churches. The remedy for all this I bequeath to my suc- cessor.
Among the salient features of the period under review may be mentioned the organization of the
WOMEN'S HOME MISSIONARY UNION
at the very beginning, in the spring of 1888, which gradually took over the work done by "Female Societies" in various forms working for Home Missions since 1804. While the organization became auxiliary to the Domestic Missionary Society, placing this society at the head of its list and con- tributing $1,000 annually to special departments of work, this naturally became only one of the group of Home Societies, all others of national scope, for which it worked and to which it has liberally contributed. The first object to which its special gift to us was directed was the employment of
STATE EVANGELISTS,
under the commission of our Society, who should be at the service of all the churches. Mr. A. L. Parsons, Rev. Hollis Jordan and Rev. E. L. Walbridge succeeded one another in this work, and each in his way was instrumental in securing results which brought in some instances large additions to our churches. Especially was the work of the layman, Mr. Par- sons, coming to us from Y. M: C. A. service, markedly effec-
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THIRTY YEARS' REVIEW
tive during the first years. Following this, the Women's Home Missionary Union took up the support of our
WOMEN WORKERS,
and to this department they have contributed until the present day. The employment of women began in 1891, in response to a demand that some special effort be made to meet the conditions in the state disclosed by a survey that had been published revealing religious destitution in parts unreached by the churches. These workers were first sent out two by two, with emphasis placed upon visitation and personal appeal, to be followed by such meetings in cottage, or school house, or abandoned church, as might be demanded. Their stay in a community was brief, and their work intensive. Large results followed. It is not too much to say that during the larger portion of this period no one agency has contributed more to the organization of new churches and the resurrection of old than this. In all, 65 women have been employed. On the honor roll are many names that have become household words in homes in the state. Conditions have changed of late years both with regard to workers available and to openings for their service. Here again a problem presents itself for future solution.
Another unique experiment was the employment of a
FINANCIAL EVANGELIST
for several years in the person of Rev. L. C. Kimball, whose duty it was to bring a spiritual awakening to the churches by cultivating the grace of giving and of sacrifice. In a remarkable way he accomplished this. There are places today which show the fruit of this propaganda. This was during the early nineties. He in fact anticipated what of late has been sought for in the call for a "Financial Efficiency Expert," and in the use of the "Every Member Canvass."
Brief mention also should be made of the work done by our
STATE MISSIONARIES,
employed in conjunction with the Sunday School and Publish- ing Society. The first of these was Rev. F. F. Lewis, who
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VERMONT DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY
was followed later by Rev. W. R. Stewart. Mr. Stewart's recent work will be remembered by many. He will be recalled as a most tactful and wise counselor of our mission fields, and as remarkably successful in the organization of new churches.
The publication of the little paper called
THE VERMONT MISSIONARY
has had an important part in promoting a closer fellowship among our churches. Begun in 1888, and designed at first to be sent out free as a monthly bulletin of missionary informa- tion, using material first contributed to the Vermont Chronicle, it was forced by the postal authorities to put a nominal sub- scription price upon its modest appearance, and as the Chronicle went the way of the old religious state papers, it has taken its place with the little sheets sprung up in many of the states which are subsidized by the missionary societies. Here once more a problem confronts us. In view of the greatly increased cost of publication, recently stressed, what shall be done? Shall the circulation, at one time exceeding 5000, be sacrificed by increasing the price of subscription, shall the missionary subsidy be raised, or shall the publication cease?
The relation of our state organization to the
NATIONAL SOCIETY
has undergone a change, radical in its nature, which may be regarded as the most important event of this period. It is now ten years since the reorganization of all the Home Missionary work for which our churches are called upon to contribute. Formerly there were two appeals, one for the state and the other for the nation. The state society was independent, an older organization than the national, serving only as auxiliary to that and contributing of its surplus if it had any to the west- ern work, leaving that to make its own and separate appeal. Now the two are one, organically one, with defined relations, making a common appeal and pooling the returns. Contrib- utors are free to make special gifts if they desire, legacies are accounted special, and the support of the Woman's Home Missionary Union; but all others are shared on a percentage annually agreed upon and determined largely by the interest shown by contributors. Interest shown in this readjustment
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THIRTY YEARS' REVIEW
has been overshadowed in these last few years by the move- ment to consolidate other of our Benevolent Societies, as well as by the steps taken towards centralization in the changes in our church polity. The apportionment scheme has come in also to effect revenues, and it is too soon as yet to attribute any great change in financial support to any of these changed conditions. Machinery awaits the power. In the new order may the power be not wanting.
A personal word may be permitted as I make this my last report. While the duties of the office have brought their full share of care and anxiety I wish to bear testimony to the kindly treatment I have received from all those with whom I have been brought into official relation, and the patience borne with me in the attempts made to discern the Divine will in all our leadings. Few men, I am convinced, in my position have been subject to less unkind criticism in public or in private than has been my lot during all these years. While I have at times been blamed for what I was in no ways responsible I have at others received credit for what was in no sense my due. The one has more than counterbalanced the other. Especially do I wish to record my gratitude for the more than generous way in which I have been treated in the transition of responsibility now in progress. No one could transfer his mantle to another under happier auspices than I am now per- mitted to do.
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