The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-07-16

#t# nav AAsAHA WA "s#t Na#th-th
were previously members s. tbe sua-
day school. whose minds have for some
Nme been actively employed in tic
stady q ibe word, and whose hearts
Lare lecn un8cr the influence u Christ
fan teaching aud preparation. Some
persons II advanced age may also be
couused Ia the number.
We shall not be surprised thai an in.
creased attendance, both in the sun
day School and at public worship, is re-
ported, as well as q special interest IN
/ social services Last year the schools
reported, 1919 members; this year
1854 Last year the sum Of our aver
age sabbath congregations, not inolnd-
ing Bennington lst OF Rupert, was 1870
this year I goo are reported, exclusive
+ Of those churches aud East Dorset.
TIE pulp.ts are occupied mostly as
last year excepting that changes Of
acting pastors have been made IN Arl-
iugton, Peru and Rupert
Meetings for prayer and conference
have so far as we know, been well sus-
tanned. In some cases the repeating
/ of Scripture texts pertinent to the
theme Of prayer aud remark, by ladies'
children and men, has added TO the
usefulness Of our social meetings. To
some extent also responsive readings
from the Psalms, and the use of the
Apostles Creed have been adopted in
the public service of the Sabbath.
Comparing the sum total of admis-
sions to our churches by profession and
by letter from other churches, viz, IS,
with the removals from all causes, viz,
81, il is evident the actul membership
must be larger than last year, and yet
the tabulated report makes a difference
Of bat one-now 957-or of resident
members, sos.
Probably some Of the rolls have been
mere carefully revised, and it might be
we'll if this process were to 90 on until
each church shall know exactly how
many and who are its individual mem
hers. From the roll of the church in
Dorset six names have been dropped OF
persons who have been constantly re-
ported as "abscnt" from ten to twenty
years past. The real strength of a
church is not TO be estimated by the
length Of its roll, but by the actual
number Of those who count themselves
privileged and responsible members
OF the brotherhood of covenanted be-
levers.
OF the 81 persons who have been re.
moved from us the past year, is, or
just one-third, were called to their final
reward-we trust all sleep in Jesus
1t would be grateful service, if there
was time, to review the lives Of many
Of them and mark the various ways in
which God causes the earthly expert
ence of his children to sanctify and
make them meet for the inheritance of
the Saints in light. -.
One member has been excluded from
our fellowship, 35 have been dismissed
to other churches, some of whom, how
ever, have not gone out Of the bounds
Of the conference, and others remain in
the State.
These exchanges Of members among
our churches shows that we have a
vital interest in the character and pres
ent prosperity of our sister churches
1t is always question Of no slight in
terest when n new resident comes into
the parish, whether his training and
sympathies have been with religious
community or not, and if he proposes
to join our particular churches, whether
he belongs to the woSking and exem-
plary or the mere nominal style of
Christians. ... ......
There have been So baptisms /; Of
adults, IS ; of children, %. Whence
it appears that more than one-half of
those who have protested their faith in
Christ were first consccratcd in their
infancy by believing parents.
Three of our congregations have
been building or repairing their sanctu-
aries. That at North Bennington hay.
ing been completed and furnished at a
total cost Of $4,000, was dedicated
Aug. %, 1874. 1t proves an attractive
and convenient religious house for the
united company Of church worshipers
there.
The society at Bennington village,
undaunted by disaster, are pushing on
their enterprise and expect to finish
this year.
The congregation at Peru are i'm
proving their house Of worship.
The whole amount Of church prop.
erty reported in the conference, includ,
ing mecting-houses and parsonages,
is 1923. 300.
Al the churches report collections
for benevolent objects excepting East
Dorset, Rupert and sandgate. (Con.
tributions from Rupert were reported