Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-01-31
A YEARS WORK.
The Congregational Society Listens to
Reports and Elects OGicers.

| Inc C0nRregaJ1Onal society Llsbous 10
| Reports and Elects OHhcers.
The annual church meeting held at the
Congregational church Friday evening,
Jan. "a, was attended by nearly two
hundred people, and was pronounced a
great success. The Rev. Thomas Simms
acted as moderator. After Offering
prayer, the pastor read several letters
from nonresident members and aged
people expressing their deep interest In
the welfare of the church and their re-
grets at not being able to be present.
The reports read by the secretaries of
the different church societies revealed
the fact that the modern church Is very
much of a beehive, so far as workes are
concerned. Among the reports present
ed were those of the Sunday school,
which has greatly increased its member
ship during the past year. The Woman's
Foreign Missionary society reported that
it had raised $9S, and the Home Mission
ary society $l3S. The ladies' Labaree
society has raised and disbursed 1887.
Mrs. Eaton reported prosperous year
for the Young Peoples Guild. Mr..
Eddy reported the Christian Endeavor
society, Mrs. June the sewing school,
and F. A. Bond reported the financial
condition of the ecclesiastical society.
The amount of money raised for bene-
volences is a little over 500.
There are 170 families in the parish.
The pastor had made over 500 PASTORAL
calls, officiated at Is funerals, baptized
five persons and officiated at four we'd
dings. The pastor reported that during
the year psalm books and hymnals had
beenipurchased for the galleries, the new
carpet had been bought for the church,
the Christian Endeavor society and sew
ing school had been organized, and Sl50C
had been raised to cancel the $1,000 of
Indebtedness.
Anticipating the future, the pastor
said that the people should be full of
hope and encouragement because of the
harmonious spirit which prevails, the
good feeling between church and college
and the prospect of new, well equipped
building. He stated that the suggestion
of Governor Stewart, representing the
administrators of Mrs. Stewards estate,
to spend sum not to exceed 900 for
the building, and to reserve the remain.
ing $4,000 as fund, the interest of which
shall be used for running expenses, met
with the most hearty approval of the
recipients of this generous gift.
Among the things which the pastor
thought ought to receive immediate at
tention was the complete cancellation OF
the debt and providing the vestry with
new hymn books. Upon motion made
81,
vote, agreed to heartily cooperate with
the committee appointed to raise the debt
and the ladies of the Labaree society
voted to assist in this important work.
The officers elected for the coming yeal
were: Church clerk, E. J. Matthews
church treasurer. Thomas Boyce; dea
cons, M. A. Munroe, Ii. j. Wilcox
Prof. w. w. Eaton and Mr.. Thomas
Boyce were appointed committee tC
confer with committee appointed by
the society, consisting of F. A. Bond and
the pastor, relative to Incorporating
the church and abandoning the &c
clesiastical society.
Mrs. Eaton, Mr.. Howes and Miss Alice
Branerd were appointed a committee tC
consider and recommend singing boOl
for use in the vestry.
Following the business, meeting
most delightful social hour was spen
in the vestry, which had been beauti
fully decorated with flowers and potte(
plants from the green house O.
Governor Stewart. Mr.. Whitney ant
Mr. Thomas each sang solos, and E. S
Bingham recited two selections.
The marked success of the occasion
fully warrants the church in making
this an annual custom.