Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-01-07
DEER ISLE NEWS.
DEER ISLES FIRST CHURCH.


The annual business meeting, reunion
and roll-call of the first Congregat ional
church OF Deer Isle took place in the YES
try, on the evening OF Dec. 81.
In response to letter and invitation
sent to all members, resident and non
resident, the members gathered early on
the evening named, and with them wives
or husbands. There were present also he
officers and teachers of the Sunday school,
and of the Christian Endeavor society,
members Of the church choir, representa-
tives of the Kings Daughters and OF the
ladies' union missionary circle, and all
who were identified with the different de-
partments of the church work, toget her
with a few guests especially invited.
There were present all told more than
hundred.
Cordial greetings and friendly inter
more before the meeting opened. At Z
O'Clock the pastor took the chair and
opened the meeting by a devotional SER
vice OF singing, reading scriptures and
prayer.
The minutes Of the last annual business
meeting were then read by the clerk, also
an abstract of the business done at sui se-
quent church meetings through the year.
The church treasurer-an Office distinct
from that OF the society, and holding
funds belonging exclusively to the
church-reported.
The different committees of the church
the standing committee, the music
committee and the committee Oh
cofrespondence-repo in turn.
The work and present condition of the
Sunday school was reported by its secre-
tary and treasurer, and by its superin-
tendent, showing the average attendance
of The school during the year to be
little better than during he year 1895.
The Y. p. S. {. f. reported some fall
ing off in numbers, but not in real
strength or interest. The president and
secretary both reported.
The Hearts Ease" circle of Kings
Daughters, though a circle of young
misses, reported its usual activity and
Z
from this circle to the Sunday school IL
brsry OF S2S for the purchase OF books,
was an item of interest in the report
The ladies' union missionary society,
its secretary and treasurer, gave
an account of the years work. The
ladies have good reason to rejoice in good
work accomplished. Life mcmbers in the
Nfai
creasng in numbers in Deer Isle; to say
nothing of the benevolent donations in
other directions, for all the "seveu soeie-
tiesn and more are on the list OF objects
for benevolence.
Verbal reports were received OF the
work done at Sunset, South Sunset, the
Reach, Greenlaw school house and Noun
where laborers have not been
wanting, and good seed has been sown. In
four of these places are our mission
Sunday schools. AT Mountainville a
small emission hall'' was finished and
dedicated to the Lords work last winter,
by an afternoon and evening service held
Feb. 10. The property is decided to the
deacons OF this church as trustees.
After these reports review of the
years work work WAS read by the pastor.
From the review the following abstracts
are taken. Members reported last year,
22S. Added, one, on profession of faith;
removed, twelve, by death; present num-
Der 217-maIes, SO; females, las; absent,
so. The pastor has delivered about 200
sermons and addresses, attended bout $50
other religious services; had thirty-two
funerals and nine weddings, baptized
four children and one adult.
The attendance at church services has
been little less than last year, averaging
through the year, for Sabbath morning,
129; Sabbath evening, ninety-six; and
mid week prayer meeting, only forty
two.
The total charities, so far as heard from,
amounted to S25S.72, and the total ex-
penses of the church 1888 SO, making ST.
33l AZ. This exceeds all the records of
previous years except 1898.
After the pastors review, prayer was
offered by Rev. Mr.. Marshall, student
passing his winter vacation with the
church on Little Deer Isle. The collection
for expenses was then taken.
The roll WAS then called and eighty
three members responded in person, four
through friends, and twenty-five by
written message or letters, making 112
heard from. This may seem small per-
yet it is good showing, since SO
many members are aged and infirm, or
are living at long distances
The choice of officers and committees
for the ensuing year was next in order,
and the following were duly elected:
Clerk, Rev. J. S. Richards; treasurer,
c. w. Haskell; auditor, Frank A. Gross
Sunday scnOOl superint endent, John B.
Foster; standing committee, pastor and
DeacoEs A. p. Johnson, J. c. Greenlaw;
c. w. Haskell, F. T. Marshall; music
Mr.. and Mrs. c. A. Pressey
and Mr.. and Mrs. II. P. A. Spofford; Wis