The Newtown bee., 1895-01-11
Affairs About Town.
CONGREGATIoNALIsTs CONVENE

CONGREGATIoNALIsTs CoNVEN
 IN ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING.--A DI
 LIGHTFUL GATHERING.-THE OFFICER
 ELECTED AND REPORTS READ.
 Despite the uncertain weather of Mor
 day and Monday evening, the annua
 meeting of the Congregational church a
 the vestry was largely attended, and wa
 thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present
 Never in the history of this church hay
 so encouraging reports been presented
 and there was general congratulatiol
 over the pleasing result. The compan,
 first gathered round the festive board
 and enjoyed an excellent supper prepar ed by the ladies of the church. At eacl plate was a souvenir in the shape of ribbon, with the words"Annual meeting
 1s95,'' printed in gilt letters. This wa
 accompanied by copy of the Congrega
 tional Hand Book, which is used in tn,
 prayer meetings. l At about s.30 o'clock, Rev MT Barke
 rapped for order and announced the frs
 number on the program, the report on th' election of church officers, the vote hay ing been boiled previous to Monday night. The result was as follows:
 Clerk and treasurer, M. s. Otis.
 Sunday school superintendent, Allison P Smith.
 Church committee, Mrs L. c. Morris, Mrs Polly Taylor, c. B. Taylor, the pastor, super l. iutendent and deacons.
 Chorister, Arthur J. Smith.
 Owing to poor health, M. s. Otis, who has served so efficiently as clerk for sev eral years, asked to be excused and George F. Duncombe was chosen as his successor. M. s. Otis, the clerk, then reported briefly on the church benevo- fences, which showed a marked increase over the preceding year. Rev MT Bar. ker proved an ideal toastmaster, and the member of the church from Taunton dis trict, William Fairchild. MT Fairchild in opening touched briefly on early mem- ories, mentioning the days 60 or 65 years ago, when each family carried their foot stove, passing it around during divine service. Coming down to the time of the pastorate of Rev Mir Atwater, he told of the heroic effort put forth to provide a lecture room for the church, and of the success. In closing he brought out the thought that although the workers die the work of the church goes on forever. The genial treasurer of the ecclesiastical society was next called up,and his report was the feature of the evening. MT Nor ris showed that the entire receipts of the year had footed up a grand total of $2l32.06, with balance of $4 .46 remain ing in the treasury. This included the $700 for the organ, which had entirely been paid for. MT Morris stated that this was the largest amount the society had raised in any year in it's history. His report was received with great applause.
 MT Barker next called for the superin- tendent of the Sunday school, who pre- sented his report. MT Smith said in part ::
 The Sunday school has been called the child of the church, but in many instan. ces it is feared it is lone orphan, cold, shivering and hungry upon the streets, without shelter for it's head ,and no fire of sympathy on the part of it's supp orters. The Sunday school is like Oliver Twist of Dickens fame. It has had touch of sympathy from all, but it eagerly stretch es forth it's hand and calls for more, more. The ideal church and Sunday school is where pastor, superintendent and mem- bers work unitedly together, using their influence to bring all within it's pale. want to on the outset to thank all who have so cordially supported this school by their attendance and interest in the year that is passed. If the study of the Bible is still factor in the development of Christian character, and take it it is so accepted by us all, then the place for every Christian is within the ranks of the Bible school. In the cities I think the tendency is to null tiply organizations at the expense of those that now exist. But here in New town hardly think that any of us will be stricken with nervous prostration by attending too many services on Sunday. want to especially commend the work of Miss Scudder in the primary depart ment, and of the course of instruction employed. The membership of our school is at present about 122. We have raised during the year $100, of which $39.O5 went into missionary channels. I would be false to myself if did not tes- tify to the hard work put in for the Sum- day school by our pastor, MT Barker. Always willing to do anything for the good of the work, to sacrifice personal wishes if need be, it has not been his fault if the highest ideal has not been at tained. expect many of us fall short of the high ideal we would attain to in Christian service and this has been my experience. Conscious of mistakes and blunders, crave your kindly forbear- ance, assuring you of my desire to ad- vance the Kingdom of Christ in this school.
 Mrs W. M. Reynolds reported for the Ladies' Aid society, which has raised S2e7 90 during the year, by suppers, membership fees and other means.
 Miss Susie Scudder was introduced to speak for the primary department of the Sunday school, giving an excellent re port. Among other things she said The Biakeslee lessons have been used in teach. ing. We used during the past year the first course in the series, ''Old Testament Stories.' They were much enjoyed by the children and helped to give them g definite idea of the most important events narrated in the Old Testament. We fol low these lessons during the coming year l by "A year with Jesus.'' The contents I of our birthday box amounted to $1