St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-10-09
Vermont Branch, W. b. n.

mont Branch of the Woman's Board of
Missions was held at Woodstock
Wednesday, Sept 80, in the Congrega-
tional church.
A prayer-meetng at 8 O'Clock on the
morning of September 80 opened our
days service. This meeting was accept
ably led by Mrs. L. II. Hemenway, OF
Manchester, vice president for Benning-
ton county. She emphasized our need OF
more prayer for the work and for the
workers. This was followed at 0 80 by
the regular session, Mrs. G. G. Benedict,
president, presiding.
The opening hymn was Come Holy
Ghost followed by prayer by Mrs.
Byington Of East Hardwick. Mrs. Ben
edct in her Introductory words struck
the keynote Of individual responsibility
i'll mission work as members of the Yer
mont Branch, which was felt through
the entire meeting, taking the lesson
given by the calling of the apostles.
The address of welcome by Mrs. T. 0.
Seaver of Woodstock was a beautiful
expression Of the gladness which the
ladies of Woodstock ielt in entertaining
the Vermont Branch, saying missionary
ladies as visitors were like "angels
visits" Mrs. Benedict responded with
the wish that the meeting might prove
blessing to all.
Mrs. NJ. K. Paine of Windsor for the
Home Missionary Union of Vermont,
said "We heartily appreciate the work Of
the Vermont Branch; we recognize one
work, that of His kingdom, in whose
Word there are no such terms as foreign
or home"
Miss Abbie B. Child of Boston brought
greeting from the Womans Board, say
ing the Branches are the strong right
arm ofthat organization, and emphasized
the personal work of the auXiliares
Vermont could always be depended
upon.
Mrs. S. P. Leeds OF Hanover president
of the New Hampshire Branch, was
cordial in her greeting and made very
touching allusion to Mrs. Horace Fair
banks, who had served the Vermont
Branch so long and faithfully as its presi-
dent, who sixteen years ago referred to
our dear Miss Ely as zone whom not
having seen we love- Mrs. Leeds gave
beautiful simile of the drifting logs in
the Connecticut. SO long rs Christian
workers keep active in the current they
cannot become like the stranded log,
useless.
Miss Cummings OF South Africa brought
greetings from the missionaries there
and from Natal, telling of the pitiful
cry ofthe natives which goes up after
hearing the words Of salvation; "lf you
have known of Christ so long why
haven't you told us before?'
At this time the following telegram
was received from Mrs. Horace Fair.
banks, which was read: Loving greet
ings to the Vermont Branch and all the
missionaries. May each hour be rich in
blessing"
The annual report of the treasurer,
Mrs. T. NJ. Howard, from September 3,
1895 to September 10, 1896, showed
total receipts to be So, 352,71, gain OF
nearly 5000 over last year.
The report of Mrs. H. c, Newell, rcord-
ing secretary, was an excellent review, by
counties, of the work done in the state.
This report was an inspiration to those
present and closed with the following
ION our sixteenth anniversary we
received the gift of a beautiful silken
banner bearing the word, Forward.
At each meeting this has been our watch
word. The giver still bears us in loving
remembrance. Could she greet us
today, with still greater emphasis would
the repeat the same message, Forward
Taking the dear Lords command, go
We, let us go forth into the untrled with
new courage and zeal, ever remembering
that the past and the future are in Gods
keeping"
The following committees were APP
pointed by the president: On place of
meetings, Mrs. w. W. Eaton of Middle
bury, Miss Smith of Rutland Mrs. L, S.
Hayes of Bellows Falls; nominations,
Mrs. c. NJ. Stone of St. Johusbury, Mrs,
T. H. Rabbit of West Brattleboro, Mrs.
N. G. Williams Of Bellows Falls; on
resolutions, Mrs. Henry Bailey of Mid
dIetown Springs, Mrs. A. B. Dascomb of
Westminster and Mrs. Baxter OF Sharon.
The report of Miss Mary c. Torrey of
Burlington was a most comprehensive
review of the years work i'll foreign
lands, especially showing all our mis-
sionaries are doing and suffering, and the
terrible strain upon them of the past
wear. She also introduced interesting
letters from Miss Gleason with thankful
ness for the boxes OF Christmas gifts
received, and from Mrs. Montgomery on
her arrival at Constantinople.
Mrs. Benedict gracefully introduced
Miss Child, who spoke mainly of her
recent visit to China and India. She