St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-05-19
AMONG OUR CHURCHES.
Religious News of the Past Week


The South church pulpit was oc-
cupied Sunday morning by Prof. B.
G. Northrop of Clinton, Conn, who
spoke of the ma aterial and religious
progress of Japan. The speaker said
there had been wonderful civil pro-
gress in Japan since their ports were
opened to the world extensive inter
nal Improvements: civil courts model
ed after our own, and fine army and
navy. Japan now has FIVE colleges
and one agricultural college; "a, 600
schools and compulsory school at
tendance; 500 newspapers; telegraph,
postal service and electric lights.
When the mikado renoupced his
divinity it was great help to Chris
tianity. The Japanese had abolished
their hereditary customs, including
the caste system. The government
observed the Sabbath and thus set
good example to their subjects.
The granting Of freedom of religion
and freedom of the press has been
followed by great religious awaken
ing. The japanese are more friendly
to the A americans than to any other
foreigners; hence our missionaries
are very well received. In closing
Prof. Northrop paid deserving
tribute to the work of the late
Joseph Neesima.
Rev. DIR. T. R. Stratton will be in
stalled as pastor of the Railroad
street Baptist church on Friday even
ing of this week, the exercises begin
ming at 73O o'clock, and the public
are cordially invited. The services
will be participated in by all the To-
cal pastors and several from out Of
town, the sermon being given by
Rev d. B Jutten, D. D., of Boston; the
prayer of conservation by Rev. ]. T.
Buzzell of Passumpsic; welcomes on
behalf of the state convention, the
Danville association, the town, the
church and the Sabbath school, re-
spectively, by Revs. R. L. Olds of
Newport, c. Gould of Derby, Edward
T. Fairbanks of ST. Johnsbury, g..
o. Webster of Montpelier, and the
children; other parts will be taken
by Revs. w. A. Pinkerton, A. 1. Davis
c. w. Bradlee, F. D. Buckley and c. M g.
Lamson OF this village, and Rev. H.
V. Baker of East Hardwick. At the
close of the exercises a reception will
be given the new pastor.
The Little Helpers" the youngest
missionary society connected with
the South church, gave a very
unique and interesting concert on
Sunday evening last, which was
largely attended. Several young
ladies appeared in costumes represent
ing countries where missionary work
is being prosecuted; the children
answered questions concerning the
work; letters from the several
foreign countries represented were
read, giving considerable informa-
ton regarding the customs and
habits of the people and incidents in
the lives of missionaries; the Little
Helpers" did some chorus singing,
and Miss Mabel E. Goodwin sang a
SOLO The concert was arranged
under the direction of Miss Lucy
Fairbanks and Mrs. A. w. Adams,
and passed off very pleasantly. An
offering of ten dollars was made.
The Methodist people passed a
very pleasant evening last Thursday,
the occasion being a reception to
their new pastor and the new presid
ing elder Nearly 800 assembled in
the vestry and among the audience
were several of the pastors of the
other churches Miss L. M. Sinclair
gave an address of welcome, to
which both Mr. Bradlee and Presid-
ing Elder Hamilton responded. A
pleasing feature of the reception was
the greeting given by about a score
of little children. The ST. Johnsbury
quartette furnished excellent music.
Light refreshments were served in the
church parlors.
The Christian Endeavor meeting
at the South church Monday night
was missionary meeting. Harry
G. Dwight of Constantinople ad-
dressed the young people on Turkish
missions. An offering of $11 was
made.
The Epworth league of the Metho'
dist church held a missionary service