The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-04-27
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.

Twenty-Five persons were baptized by
immersion in Eagle Bridge, N. T., last
Sunday, and were subsequently received
in one of the churches there.
The Troy Times correspondent from
Round Lake, N. Y, says: There has
been great disappointment at the remov-
al of the pastor, Rev. A. E. Plue. The
new pastor, Rev. A. u. Heaxt, is one OF
the best preachers, and comes from Ben
nington, a first-class appointment Be-
sides, he has been presiding elder of the
Pittsburgh district"
The fifty-eighth annual meeting of
the Second Congregational church will
be held May Sd, from O'Clock p. m. I'M
til 8 o'clock. The different committees
are as follows: Supper, Mrs. H. S. Bing-
ham, H. l. Norton; invitation, Misses
Mary K. Rawson, Susie l. Rogers, Ed
ward G. Bennett; reception, Miss S. E.
Park, Mr.. and Mrs. j. s. Holden, Dea.
Walker, Mrs. 81. l. Norton, Miss Blanche
Sibley Mrs. Clement Fl. Cone, Mrs.
Frank Harwood; statistics, Mrs. E. Fl.
Scott; reports: Mrs. A. B. Valentine, S.
B. Hawks; music, John M. Burt; post
prandials, Mrs. G. r. Seymour, Chas II.
Mac Donough. 1t is hoped that every
member of the church will respond to
the roll call, either personally or by
letter.
The Woman's Auxiliary of the Y. M.
@. A. will give an entertainment at the
rooms of the Association Wednesday
evening, May End, at o'clock, consist
ing of paper on Folk Song" by Miss
A. E. Clark, illusted by French English,
Russian, Irish, Scotch, Tyrolean, Swa-
bian and American songs, and instru-
mental selections, the whole to be under
the direction of the Art Committee of
the Fortnightly Literary society, Mrs
John M. Burt, acting chairman. 1t is
hoped large number will avail them
selves of this opportunity not only to
listen to a rare literary and musical pro-
gramme, but also to assist in adding to
tho carpet fund of the Auxiliary. Tick
cts 25 cents.
Advance sheets of the statistics of the
Congregational churches of Vermont
shows that while there has been encOur-
aging progress in some directions and
many additions to membership, the net
gain during the year 1893, was only
twenty-six in the entire State. 1t also
shows that even Vermont women are
much more religiously inclined than
men. According to the figures given the
male congregationalists in Vermont
number 9,S73, and the female numbers
1885, making the total membership 90
TIL. The aggregate admissions during
the year numbered ,235, and the remov-
ais 1,211. The total membership of the
Sunday schools is 1850, and of Chris
tian Endeavor societies 1888. In view of
the fact that the Congregational church
is one of the strongest in Vermont, the
showing to the net growth can hardly be
considered as encouraging.
The Rev. S. Mclaughlin preached
his last sermon in Rutland last Sunday
evening. He took his text from John
xvi:S-11. The sermon has been quite
fully reported. In conclusion the rev.
erned gentleman addressed the congre-
cation substantially as follows: "These
are plain truths. mean to talk to the
point l tell you what think of you.
fear no man living. You may say that
meant you in my sermon, but be as
sured of one thing, and that is, will
never destroy the picture that l have
drawn. I have said things in my way
that no other man could say in that way.
Many of you laugh, and some people OBJ
ject to that in church. But laugh will
not hurt you. Many of you do worse
things than laugh. l mean to preach
Christ and Him crucified. l love mems
souls l have made a great many friends
in this parish. Many of you have
worked nobly and helped me along
Others of you have hindered me in nay
work. Some of you come to church and
look pious, but do not pay anything to-
wards the current expenses during the
year. There are officials in this church
who have not been to prayer meeting for
four years. What kind of men are they?
If they were manly they would have
withdrawn from the church, or what is
better yet, asked Gods forgiveness. So
you see that there is great deal of room
for improvement among you. But this
is all Satan's work. What you need then
is to take Christ into your heart, for the
prince of this world is judged Christ
alone can prosper you and finally fit you
for his glory"