The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-26

called at the parish house between the
hours of and 10 o'clock, and were re-
ceived by Rev. and Mrs. Rogers Israel
and Rev. and Mrs. F. NJ. Kirkus. 1t
was great pleasure for the callers, as
well as a pleasure for those in whose
honor the people assembled. Rev. and
Mrs. Israel have a strong hold upon
the affections of the people of this COM
munity, and it can also be said that the
rector and his wife have warm feel
ing for the people of the first parish in
which they were located. The ladies
served light refreshments during the
evening"
Visiting by the Pastor.
On Tuesday evening at the Mems
league of the Penn Avenue Baptist
church, A. L. Collins raised the inter-
esting question of systematic visitation
of church members. He referred to the
system of benefit societies, and sug-
gested a similar armethod in church work.
which drew forth the remark from
Luther Keller that several sick mem
bers in all churches complained of the
pastors neglect without making any
effort to notify the pastor or church
officials of their illness.
This was supported by DR.. Gates,
who explained that If members of bene-
fit societies neglected to inform the Of
ficials of their Illness, their contribu-
tions would not be forthcoming. If the
church, he jocularly remarked, would
organize benefits the notices of sick
ness would soon flow in. The question
is an interesting one, as it forms one of
the most harrasslng functions of a
pastor. How to visit my people sys-
tematically' is a difficult question to
solve, and prob ably an impossible one,
unless the laymen are organized as an
auxiliary.
In large church 1t Is simply impos-
sibe for the pastor to follow up each
individual case, however willing and
energetic he may be.
Events in Church Work.
The annual report of the Tabernacle
church, Hyde Park avenue, was pub
lished during the week, showing an in
crease of forty-one members Six hun
reduction of the church debt. The new
officers are: Howell j. Rees, Richard
ID. Thomas and ID. b. Evans, trustees;
Evan j. Evans and Richard ID.
Thomas. deacons, and Howell j. Rees,
Sunday school superintendent. The
new year has begun most auspiciously
and there Is every prospect of good
record of valuable work being estab-
llshed.
Arrangements have been made by the
new board of deacons of the Jackson
Street Baptist church for a campaign
of work. The church members will be
districted among the deacons, who will
be responsible for a regular and sys-
tematic visitation of the members. The
deacons are: John owens, ID. G.
Thomas George Coombs, w. o. Jen-
kins, william Protheroe and John
Davies.
Splendid audiences have attended the
mission services at the Plymouth Con-
gregational church during the week
| and the pastor and members anticipate
a large accession of members. Rev
| Thomas Bell, the new pastor, who con.
ducts the services, has already won the
esteem and affection of the congrega.
ton by his preserving and methodica.
work. which Is contributing materially
to the growing Importance of this
church.
A very pretty Methodist Episcopal
church was consecrated in Wilkes
Barre on Sunday last. The new addi
| tion to that city's churches Is situated