Vermont Conference and Camp-Meeting
By F. M. Dana
IN fond hope and expectation that the Lord would meet with his people as in their annual assemblies in the past, the Vermont camp-meeting and conference was held in Windsor, August 17-27, near a grove of stately elms, which added to the attraction of the grounds. The Connecticut River near the camp, and the beautiful hills of Vermont and New Hampshire on either side, with almost perfect weather during the ten days' meeting, made the occasion enjoyable as well as interesting. Elders Prescott and Colcord from Washington, D. C., and Elders Cottrell, Mattson, and Griggs from South Lancaster, with Elder Smith Sharp in behalf of the Southern work, and Brother Painter in the interest of the missionary work with our literature, together with our home workers, were excellent help, and the occasion was one long to be remembered. We were made glad by seeing some of the young give their hearts to the Lord, while some who had become careless and negligent regarding their spiritual interests again found their way with those who honor the Lord by walking in the way of his statutes. Four were buried in baptism in the river, the ordinance being administered by Elder Purdon, while others are waiting until a little later. The usual resolutions were passed pertaining to the work in our conference, while special consideration was given to the needs of the regions beyond. Aside from taking special work in China, we continue our support of a teacher in the academy at South Lancaster, Mass. While the conference is not large in members, nor rich in things of this world, yet there is a willingness and a love for the message which will increase as the days come and go, eventually fulfilling the will of the Lord. In the absence of a conference president, Elder Cottrell, our union conference president, during his visit with us took the chair by request of the conference. The officers for the year were elected, as follows:— President, to be supplied by the General Conference through the union conference; Vice-President, T. H. Purdon; Conference Secretary and Treasurer, also Tract and Missionary Department Secretary and Treasurer, W. E. Fortune; Sabbath-school Department Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. A. E. Taylor (Brownington, Vt.); Sabbath-school Department Field Secretary, Frank A. Page (R. F. D. 1, Hartland, Vt.); Canvassing Agent, A. W. Boardman (North Wolcott, Vt.); Educational Secretary, F. A. Page; Conference and Tract Committee, T. H. Purdon, F. M. Dana, A. W. Boardman, Dr. C. F. Ball (Rutland, Vt.), Geo. M. Dean (West Burke, Vt.). Full reports by the educational and Sabbath-school secretaries, together with statements and report by the conference secretary and treasurer, will be found in the Atlantic Union Gleaner. Ministerial credentials were granted to T. H. Purdon (Rutland, Vt.), honorary credentials to I. E. Kimball (now in New York State), and ministerial licenses to F. M. Dana and F. A. Page. The work in Vermont is nothing of which to boast, yet we believe that we are set for the defense of the gospel in this part of the vineyard; and as the Lord grants ability, we desire to do what we can to uphold the standard of righteousness in all parts of the earth till Jesus comes.