Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-10-15
State Secretary'S Report.

1t hardly seems possible that another
year OF Endeavor history has been made.
and that it is time for US to gather again in
annual convention Your secretary has
been so busy that the time has passed rap
idly.
Although the number OF societies is less,
we believe that the amount of work done
by the Vermont Endeavorers was never
greater in any previous year than in the
last.
At Montpelier last year there was re-
ported to be $40 senior societies in the
Vermont Union. After two months of cor
respondence the roll was carefully cor
rected and found to consist of only 313 So
cieties. This, in measure, accounts for
the failure of previous secretaries to get
reports from more than two-thirds ct the
socleties-in many cases they did not exist.
Since October 1, 1897, twenty-eight So
cieties have either disbanded or changed to
a society of another name. During the
year seven new societies have been organ
ized-hence the Vermont Endeavor Union
now consists of 1872 senior societies.
The statistical year closed July 1, and
the work OF collecting reports was begun
at that time. The blanks were sent out by
the union secretaries, and the societies fail
ing to report to them were followed up by
the assistant Sc cretary to the third and
fourth time.
Before proceeding with the statistics
may say word to the corresponding
secretaries. To those who have promptly
attended to their duties l return my hearth
est thanks, but there are many who seem
to exist but in name. The state board Of
management can not plan for the needs Of
the individual society without thorough
knowledge of each society's needs. 1t was
for just this purpose that the corresponding
secretary was appointed-as an avenue OF
public information. And now, dear En-
deavor secretary, if for any reason you can
not attend to the duties of your Office
promptly, the kindest thing you can do is
to resign and have some one appointed
who can and will.
These 292 societies have an aggregate
Active membership of 1886
Number OF associate members, 1920
Total number of Endeavor- -
ers in Vermont 1O,2O6
Most of our societies are quite small, the
three largest being the Barre Congrega-
.tional, 90; the Westminster Congrega-
tional, 90; and the Woodstock Christian,
80. Denominationally the societies are
divided as follows: Congregational, 151 !;
Baptist, Sc; Presbyterian, s; Methodist,
7; Christian, 3; Disciple, 2; Advent, 2;
Union, So.
We find that PIP associat members have
been converted during the year. Who
shall say that the work is discouraging
when SO many times Heaven has rejoiced
over loved ones brought home? Four
hundred and twenty-one have united with
our churches from the Endeavor societies
this last year.
The contributions for missions and other
benevolences show a gain over last year.
Amount given to foreign mis-
sions S105O.O
Amount given to home missions 937 0C
Other contributions 2153 OC
And yet this is not enough. Is there
an Endeavorer to whom God has given SC
little that he can not give back to Him one
dollar to send light to sin-darkened soulsF
Can we not give $4,000 instead Of
$4,000? Mr.. Wells has said, ssSome mer
pray for the millennium and don't give 6
mill towards its coming. Endeavorers
the chariot wheels of the millennium art
made of consecrated dollars" "Go into
all the world" we say to our missionaries
"Stay right here in my pocket-book," we
say to our greenbacks. We take an in
terest in missions, but we keep our money
on interest. Thy kingdom come" W.
pray. All, we must send our money t.
fetch it. When we have more tithe-giver