Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-05-03
Its Fifty Ninth Anniversary.

The annual meeting of the Second
Congregational Church was held in the
chapel last evening, with good attend
ance of members. The Ladies Aid So
ciety served a supper from 6 to o'clock
when the regular meeting was called to
order by the pastor, and prayer offered
by Deacon Albert Walker. There was
music, few remarks from the pastor,
and the calling of the roll of the men,
bers. Following this came the report of
the statistical secretary and the pastor.
The report of the statistical secretary,
Mrs. A. b. Valentine, was quite interest
ing, and very detailed. She reported
that during the year two new organiza-
tons had been formed in the church.
The first was the Young Mems Club,
formed July 10th. The club furnished a
good course of entertainments during
the winter. March oath, last, a set of by
laws was presented and signed by ii
charter members. The organization is
known as the Young Mems Club of the
Second Congregational Church, and has
bright outlook for the future. The
second, "The Brotherhood of Andrew
and Phillip enjoys the distinction of
being the first chapter organized in the
State. 1t is an outgrowth of the young
mems bible class at the Guide Board and
numbers 16 members. Meetings are held
every Friday evening alternating between
the Guide Board and the village. OF
the older organizations connected with
the church the Junior Endeavor con-
tinues about as before, numbering At
members. Two have advanced to Senior
membership. During the winter the So
ciety published a weekly paper "The
Congregational Doings," which Melted
the treasury So. The Senior Young Peo-
ples Society of Christian Endravor re-
ports a membership of 1O7, against "a a
year ago. OF these 70 are active, 9 asso-
ciates, and % honorary members, The
society holds the county banner for max
ing the largest gain during the year. In
that time the society gave S15 to the Tus-
kelo missions, to Sunderland, $40; to
Fort Berthold, $40; to Hardwick, Vt,
$40; and to China, so.
The Sunday school at the Guide Board
reports over one hundred members and
an average attendance of G5. Nine men,
bers of this school have united with the
church during the year, and the superin-
tendent reports progress in every direc-
ton. The Secretary of the home Sab
bath school reports, that during the year
SO regular sessions were held, with an
average attendance of 1904, decrease of
four during the year, From the 81
teachers there has been an aggregate at
tendance of 1T. Fifty-six percent of the
scholars have attended church services
The primary department has an enroll
ment of 90, a gain over last year of 49,
The total membership of the school is
974. During the year there was an ex-
cursiOn to Saratoga, an entertainment in
the chapel and the school participated in
Union picnic.
The Ladies Home Missionary Society
has held 8 meetings during the year. A
box valued at S13l.37 has just been sent
to Rev. Turner Wright of Ashland, Ala.
April 10th, the women held thank Of
fering service in the chapel, which real
lied $10.24. This was sent to the Yer
mont Home Missionary Society. The
society has donated in all, S173. The
WOmans' Church Aid Society has con.
tinued steadily on its way during the
year and in that time has disbursed for
the benefit of church and parsonage S245.
Social teas were maintained during the
first half of the year at fortnightly inter
walls. Forefathers' Day was observed,
and the usual sugar festival given.
The choir has been chanped from a