The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-23
SELECTED new Officers
Men Chosen by COngregatiOnalists at
Their State Convention.
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR
Show That There Has Bcen a Gratifying
Increase i'm the Growth of the
Churchcs-iiistory Of Early Con.
grcgationnIism in This State.
Special to the Scranton Tribune.

Special to the Scranton Tribune.
West PittSton, May 22.-At o'clock
this morning the delegates to the ninth
annual session of the State Congrega-
tional association met at the First Con-
gregational church, West Pittston,
when Rev. p. J. Kain delivered an ad-
dress of welcome in felicitious and cor
dial terms and expressed the hope that
the meetings would be fruitful Of much
practical benefit to the denomination
at large.
Rev. j. Alexander jenkins, of Mount
Carmel, conducted the preliminary de-
Votional exercises, after which the
business Of the day was taken up.
The annual statistical report showed
that four names had been added to the
association viz: Duryea. New Castle,
Vandling and Willies-Barre Tabernacle.
The names of BriJbn, Morris Run and
Sugar Grove had been omitted and the
church at West Bangor had been re-
moved to Delta. Ten churches had
failed to report. At the time of MAX
ing up the reports the total membership
was 10,0i3, showing a net gain of 752
for the past year.
The total addition to the membership
was 1874, being l,219 by confession, and
455 by letter. The largest number of
any individual church, viz: 11O, was at
tributed to the First Congregational
church, Pttston. The Puritan church,
Scranton, and Coal Dale were credited
with second position. The losses by
deaths reported were 1877, and the total
baptisms were POI adults and 59i in
fants.
Sunday School Reports.
Reports We're received from 1876 Sum
day schools, showing 1929 pupils, being
an increase of COZ. Forty of the schools
reported a special Sunday for children,
and q had a teachers meeting In
contributions to benevolent funds, AZ
schools report $l019, an average of S22,
and 56 50 ool reported 1882, an average
of 500 for home expenses. Fifty-three
Young Peoples societies were reported
with membership of 2,634, an increase
of 343 members. Last years statistics
showed a gain of $1,976 in the benevo-
lent contributions; the present years
statistics showed an increase of $843
In dealing with church property, 81
churches reported houses of worship
and land valued at $7l9,1 170. During the
year churches were built at Braddock,
Coal Dale Second; Delta, Forest City,
Pittsburg, Puritan and Vandlirg.
Twenty-Five churches report parson-
ages valued at SS6, ,112 The increase in
value of church property as compared
with 1890 was reported to be SlS5, ,730.
The ministers salaries as reported
averaged $S49 as compared with $771 in
1890
Daniel ]. Evans, of Scranton, treas
urer of the association, presented his
annual report, showing the amount re-
ceived to be $15573, and the eXpendi-
ture $103.16, leaving a balance in hand
OF $5257.
Address by Mrs. Bcnjamin
Mrs. w. Y. Benjamin, one of the off,
GERS of the National Woman's Chris
tian Temperance union, was introduced
to the meeting and delivered an excel
lent address upon the object and aims
of the union. Upon the conclusion of
her address a cordial vote of thanks
was given the speaker.
The officers for the ensuing year were
elected as follows: Moderator, Rev. j.
S. Upton, of Ridgeway; assistant, Rev.
Thomas Bell, of Plymouth church,
Scranton: scribe, Rev. Henry NJ. Bow
den, Braddock; treasurer. Daniel ].
Evans, Scranton.
AT the expiration of the time allotted
for transaction of business, the moder-
ator called on Rev. Thomas Bell, of
Scranton, who read a paper on Chris
tian Education" in which the reverend
gentleman said: THE subject which I
am to bring before you at this hour is
one of commanding interest in this age
of discovery invention, revolution and
reconstruction of creed, revolution, and
method. Other subjects, like men,
come and go, they have their day and
influences, but this shall endure and be
of perennial interest while the ages
roll by.
There are today in this country two
classes of educationalists. First, that
large and influential. class who nyn