The record-union., 1896-01-15
Bantfst Church Work.

Eds. Record Union: Believing that
all religious people are interested in
the advancement of their work, regard
less of the denomination or order
through which said advancement
comes, and that there is
certain portion of those who
take no especial part in that work,
but still are pleased to hear of its pros
perity, I give below some idea as to
work of the First Baptist Church dur
ing the year 1885, as well as it's pros
poets at the present time for work and
success in the future.
At present there are 100 members,
eighty of whom joined during the year.
forty-one of whom We're converted and
Joined, part of the remainder joining by
letter, and others by relation of eX-
perience and previous baptism. A few
have drawn out by letter and some have
been placed on what is known as the
drop list, but as to the exact number of
the latter classes L could not ascertain.
Three have gone to their last resting
place whence they shall never return
The financial condition is better than
ever before. there having been more
money raised topay regular expense and
back indebtedness than ever before since
the organization of the church in any
one year. The Ladies Aid Society
alone raised 1890, which has been used
for charitable purposes, to say nothing
of their having nearly doubled in mem
bership.
The Young Peoples Union holds it's
regular meeting and is prospering
finely, great interest being taken by
oil 7+e
always greeting the leader, whoever he
or she may be. Grand work is expected
from this source during the coming year
under the leadership of the new Presi-
dent, John Fechter.
The Sunday-school has an enrolment
of 150. with an average attendance of
about ninety. With the New Year new
interest is being taken, new classes
organized and new life seems to be
springing up in that work.
The Christian Culture class Can or
ganization for the study of the Script
ure) meets every Tuesday evening at
the parsonage. They have a course of
study planned out by their State and
General Convention for all of the classes
to read and study, which, as the name
implies, is to be of a beneficial nature
in the way of Improvement in Christian
work, and the ways and means of carry
ing it forward. This class has forty mem
bers. The regular prayer meeting has
increased IN attendance from about
twenty to a hundred or more, and at
nearly every service some one asks for
membership either by letter or baptism,
and many conversions have been the
results of these meetings.
The Junior Band, which meets every
Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, is for the
children, and is where all the little folks
are welcome. Tt has a good working
membership now of twenty -eight and
its influence is being felt through all
the church and all it's meetings, because
of the little ones showing a desire to
work in their Masters cause, and being
ready, several of them, to tell of His
goodness whenever an opportunity pre-
sents itself. Several have been con-
Verted through the influence of this lit
! tie band. Good will and harmony
reigns supreme among the members in
every department of our work. 1t is
hoped that such will continue through
the coming years, and that the church
Will prosper as it has in the past year.
The kindest of feelings are entertained
toward all the sister churches of our
own denomination, as well as others in
the city, and we hope their prospects
are as good as ours. BAPTIST