The Somerset reporter., 1897-10-28
SOMERSET COUNTY CHRISTIAN
ENoEAvOR UNION.
Annual Meeting a. North Anson.

The fourth annual convention of the
Somerset County Christian Enfeayoi
Union was held In the Congregational
church at North Arson, Friday, October
22d. 1t was beautiful autumn day and
the down train and special up train
brought nearly a hundred delegates
from different parts of the county while
many others came by private convey
ance.
The ministers present we're Rev's.
Dairy, Wentworth, Kimball of Skowhe-
gan; Goodwin of Solon; Jones, Nor
ridgewock; Turner, South Norridge-
wock; Gregory, Bingham; Norcross,
Fuller, Hayden, Madison; Witter, Bos-
ton; Small and Laughton, North Arson.
The session opened at 9:45 with de-
votional meeting led by Miss Ella G.
Nash of Skowhegan; short service of
song was followed by prayer by Miss
Nash. The scripture lesson was from
Genesis Jacob wrestling with the
angel. Then came a season of prayer
led by Mr.. NJ. Cushing of Skowhegan,
several others offering brief petitions.
After singing at 1918, the address of
welcome was given by Rev. George K.
Goodwin, pastor of this church, which
was responded to by the president, Rev.
A. N. Dairy. The report of the last
meeting was read by the secretary, Miss
Ella G. Nash. The following statistics
were given Whole number of societies,
twenty-five, number reporting In July,
twenty-five; of these, eight are Baptists
five, Congregationalists, two, Friends,
and seven Union. Whole number of
members 845 of which $40 are active
members. Number of church members,
455, of these % have joined the church
during the year. Two societies have
recognized which may account for in
creased membership during the past
year. There are now seven junior So
cieties showing an increase of 8 from
last year. Amount given for benevo-
lence both home and foreign, $257.45.
The treasurer's report was read by
the secretary, as the treasurer was not
present, after which both reports were
voted upon and accepted. The evan
gelistic committee represented by Rev.
j. G. Gregory, made a very encouraging
report of the work accomplished. As
the press committee was absent no re-
port was given.
Following these reports was discus.
sion relative to amending the constitu-
ton so as to extend invitations to the
Epworth leagues of Somerset county to
become members of the c. +. Union,
and the secretary was instructed to for
mulate an amendment to this effect
Voted to adopt the basket lunch or pic
mic system for entertainment 80 as not
to prevent the ladies' from attending the
morning session of the convention.
The committees appointed by the presi.
den twere: On resolutions, Rev's. IA
Jones, b. G. Wentworth, Mr.. M. Gushing;
on nominations, Rev. b. f. Turner, Miss
Alice Whittier, Mrs. j. A. Jones.
At 10:45 addresses we're given on
"Work and Workers In the Master 8
Vineyard. The first was by Rev. j. A.
Jones, who gave some statistics showing
the vast amount of work accomplished.
The Congregationalists in the United
states have given $29,0O0,00O to send
the gospel to the heather. The home
missionary society is II years old and
employs 2026 persons which occupy Al
States and territories and have 391
churches and stations. The American
Missionary Association was organized
81 years ago and has expended $1,000
900 on home and foreign missions.
The next address was by Rev. b. r.
Turner, who spoke of the Baptist work
in foreign fields, especially of the Lone
Star mission in India. In the home
mission field there are two depaI tments,
one in the north the other in the south
The publication society has four de-
partments: Bible work, Sunday School
work, Colportage work, Chapel Car
work. The first chapel Car was bnilt in
1890, and was designed to meet the
needs of those isolated in places in the
west where there were railroads but no
church privileges. Permission was
given to run this car on all roads and
tHo WOnuoiluI diHOuub Oh ROOu accom-
plished, prompted the building of sec
ond car. There are now four chapel
cars and two more are being provided
The next speaker was Rev. b. G.. Went
worth who spoke encouragingly of the
great work which has been going on
since the Savior sent out his diciples
with the comment $50 We into all the
world and preach the gospel to every
living creature" 1t is 100 years since
the Methodsts began missionary work
in India, and now there are GO, 900 mem
bers and brobationers in that far away
land. Afterwards missionaries were
sent to China and as a result had in 1896
$4,000 members on probation. They
also have missions in Japan, Africa,
South America and the islands of the
sea. There have been 81, 74S,0 600 disburs-
ed half for foreign and half for home
missions.
The afternoon train brought more
people and the church was we'll filled at
the afternoon session. The opening
praise service was conducted by j. N.
Smith of Skowhegan, with Miss Ella G.
Nash, organist; prayer, Rev. A. F. Full
Ter; address, Systematic Giving" by
Rev. J. G. Gregory, then followed dis
cussion in which Rev's. Fuller, Gregory,
Wentworth, Kimball, Jones and Others
participated. A collection was then
taken to defray incidental expenses.
Singing by quartette composed of Mrs.
w. G. Emery, Miss Jennie Paine, B. G.
Wantwnrtb and i N Smith In oh