The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-01-30
NEW PROPERTY ACQUIRED
Large Increase in the Membership
Every Department of the Church
Prosperous Strong Man
at the Helm.
XVI.
Continued. ]


X Il
At the Conference Of 1898 the Rev.
A. e. Atwater was read off for Barre,
Mr.. Atwater had served the Ludlow
church two years and the Island Pond
charge the same period, each time being
desired back. Prior to entering the
ministry lie had been engaged in Y. M.
q. 4. work in New York state, and had
there received valuable training as d
mixer that served him in good stead in
this work.
The Gale Evangelistic Meetings.
The first year Of bis pastorate cas-
marked hy the union Of the Methodist5
with the Congregationalists and Bap-
lists in the Gale Evangehstic meetings
which were held in the Congregational
church. These meetings were well adj
yertised and drew large crowds. Mr.
Gale preached plain and simple Cos
pei and won many to belief by his
cogent reasoning as well as BY his ten
der and persuasive appeals. AS a re-
suit Of these meetings a goodly number
Joined the Methodist church. These
converts, as well as those received the
previous winter by his predecessor, we're
faithfully shepherded BY Mr. Atwater,
and many Of them remain as loyal mem
bers today.
Home Department Organized.
Through the combined efforts Of Mr..
Atwater and Judge Barney, the efficient
Sunday-school superintendent, q large
and hourishing home department Of
the school was organized. Ninety mem
bers were secured for this department
the first wear, and this department Of
work was vigorously pushed through
out the entire parish. AS a result the
membership and contributions Of the
regular school were increased and some
came into church membership. 1t Is
always true that genuine advance in
any one department of church work has
a tendency to send thrill Of new life
through every other branch.
intermediate League Encouraged.
During portion Of his pastorate Mr..
Atwater had the personal charge OF the
intermediate League. His previous
training iii u. M. G. A. work gave him
special adaptation for this detail, and
The organization received much stimu- |
lus from his supervision, as he always |
his personality upon any class
with whom be came in frequent con-
act.
Howe Moving Pictures.
It was also during this administers
ion that the initial contract was made /
With the Howe Moving Picture manage
nent BY means OF which this company
anne to the city twice q year and gave
IN entertainment under the auspices of
he Epworth League. These entertain.
nents were Of the highest class and
mace the League richer annually BY
rom two TO three hundred dollars.
This money was added to the pipe or
AN fund and helped to make possible
he beautiful instrument since installed.
Twentieth Century Fund.
Sir. Atwater also took hold OF the
twentieth Century Thank Offering
movement with Characteristic ability
nd enthusiasm. The Bishops having
sked the church a. a whole Co Law
own upon the altar The sum Of $780,
10000 for special causes Mr.. Atwater
ecided that $4,000 wonld Be about the
UNI needed from this church. Conse-
uently the various agencies were set
i motion to secure as much as posi-.
lie of this amount. A report rendered
D the quarterly conference BY Dr. L.
J. Martin says that the sum Of S224.50
ms collected from the League alone,
fhs'e tie entire amount collected from
he church and congregation amounted
0 something like $1,000, vastly more
han many supposed could be secured
hen the project was started.
The South Barrie Mission.
Beginning in 1892 the Rev. ]. A.
herbnrn had begun meetings at South
'arre. These lie continued as mis-.
ion for time, when he organized a
hureh and was regularly appointed its
aston, continuing such for four years.
hen the members were transferred to
lie Barre church, Mr. Sherburn not
-ishing TO continue longer as their pas