Extracted from the Second Annual Report of the Baptist Convention in that State, held at Mountholly, October, 1827.In the Fairfield Association there are nineteen churches, eight ordained preachers, and two that are not ordained. The whole number of members is 1064. The state of religion in thie Association is somewhat more prosperous than usual; harmony prevails in the churches; and they manifest an increasing willingness to aid the cause of Christ. A few churches have enjoyed revivals the past year, particularly the Hinesburgh church, for the accommodation of which a decent house for worship has just been completed. There is also a work of religion at this time going forward in the town of Waterville; but the church in this place, as well as several others, are destitute of stated preaching.
There are seventeen churches belonging to the Danville Association, furnished with nine preachers; the whole number of members is about 709. The state of religion is not very prosperous, there being scarcely a single church which is constantly supplied with publick means of grace. Three missionaries who were employed by the Convention to itinerate within the limits of this Body, the past year, have preached among most of the destitute churches, but no very interesting change in the state of things has followed.
The Barre Association consists of fourteen churches, supplied with eight or ten preachers, a part of whom are superannuated; the whole number of members is 556. Either from the want of ability or disposition, there are none of the churches in this Association that support preaching constantly; they are, generally, in a languishing state.
There are seventeen churches in the Woodstock Association, belonging to Vermont, consisting of 1697 members, and
[p. 89]
supplied with twelve ministers. No very considerable alteration has taken place during the past year, except it be a revival of religion in the Townsend church, and the formation of another small church in that town.In the Vermont Association there are twenty five churches, fourteen preachers, 1608 members; five churches are destitute of stated preaching, seven are supplied with preaching half, and one a fourth part, of the time; seasons of refreshing have been enjoyed by some of the churches, and in some places Sabbath schools and Bible class instruction are attended to. But there is a want of more religious fervour and activity in the cause of Christ.
There are eight churches in the Manchester Association, three ministers, and 574 members. The state of religion here is perhaps less encouraging than formerly.
In the Shaftsbury Association, there are seven churches within the state of Vermont. Some of these churches are regularly supplied with preaching, and are in a flourishing state. The church in Stanford has recently built a meetinghouse, but has no pastor.
In the Leyden Association, there are 13 churches within the limits of Vermont, and ten preachers. Interesting revivals have been experienced in some of these churches during the past year; thirty-two have been added to the second church in Brookline, and twenty-four to the second church in Dummerston. There are 1058 members in these churches, ninety-eight of whom were added the past year.
From the whole, it appears that there are in the Baptist denomination of Vermont, 119 churches, consisting of 7760 members, and supplied with 71 preachers; the net increase of members the past year is 181.
=============== [From The American Baptist Magazine, March, Volume VIII, 1828, pp. 88-89. Document from Google Books. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
Baptist History Homepage