St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-04-24

iy ohe VI great Importance. Figures
are not at hand to show how general the
response has been, but something was
done. The India jubilee, the fortieth an
nlversary of the Freedman's Aid society.
and other interests have also been urged
we have had home interest of yerv
pressing and important character in the
effort to raise the endowment for Mont.
pelier seminary, the future destiny of the
institution and indeed its very existence
belng apparently at stake. The charges
OF this district have responded nobly as
a whole, and though few have failed TO
meet their apportionment, others have
done so much beyond what was asked
that there can be no doubt that the en-
tire amount set to this district has been
pledged. Instances of heroic giving
could be mentioned.
Notwithstanding these special causes.
it appears probable that the regular
benevolences will make good showing.
Charges which have been most liberal to
the unusual calls have frequently given
most through the regular channels.
There is no lack of money when the dis
position is right and the appeal is
worthy one, fairly presented. Some
charges deserve special mention, but
there would be danger of overlooking
Others equally deserving, all things con.
sidered. But no charge or individual is
the poorer for contributions to the cause
of God.
Our Special Work.
Time and energy have not been wholly
devoted to serving of tables, however
worthy that work. Evangelism has had
the prominent place in our thought and
endeavor that it deserves, and something
has been achieved even though it be less
than we could wish. As was perhaps to
be expected after the extensive evangel
istic campaign of last year, somewhat
less has been attempted in the way of
special meetings. Evangelist Gillian
held meetings at st. Johnsbury Center
very early in the year, and at Danville in
the fall; results were not what they had
been in some places but it was declared
that at the former place a single CONVEX
sion was such as to amply repay. all the
effort. In several places the pastor has
acted as his own evangelist, or has been
assisted by neighboring pastors. Barre
Barton Landing, Hardwick and Lyndon
are among these places. There should be
net increase of members shown by the
statistical reports, though doubtless less
marked than that of last year Barre
reports net increase of 10, the largest
for several years. At Barton about a
dozen are reported as received by letter
and eight from probation. Excellent
work has been done at Barton Landing.
where Pastor Davenport has received %
on probation and IL to full membership
from probation or by letter; twelve have
beed received in full at Concord, where
the extensive material improvements
have not driven spiritual things out of
the pastors mind. Danville counts six
taken on probation and 20 from proba-
ton or by letter. An unusual circum-
stance here is that a revision of the rec
ords will further increase the apparent
membership instead Of decreasing it, as
is so common, several in this instance es-
tablishing the .fact OF having been re-
ceived in full though the proper entry
had not been made by some pastors.
At Lyndon and Lyndonville pastor
Shaw has received SO to full member
ship, Is more by letter and on proba-
ton; % were reported at Plain6eld at the
third quarterly conference, and a like
number at the fourth. About 40 have
been admitted to full membership at St.
Johnsbury and II by letter. Williams
town has received 20 in full.
Sunday Schools and Epworth League.
The Epworth League is hardly filling
the place it ought, though some good
work is being done. We have probably
vet to recover from the reaction after
the first enthusiasm of the early days of
the organization. 1t is but poor com
fort to say that the League is doing as
well as other young peoples or
CARNATIONS in the same territory. The
Junior League is of great value where
properly worked, which is less general
than could be wished. The Sunday
schools are for the most part doing good
work though not up to the full measure
of possible efficiency. The interdenom-
national state association is alert and
aggressive, with subordinate organiza-
tons, paid officials, volunteers and
drafted workers in the field. Good work
may safely be predicated oft, but the
question will sometimes arise whether it
is not somewhat overdone, or rather
perhaps whether there is not failure to
give other interests proportionate
share of consideration and effort. This
is especially the case when we see much
larger sums reported as contributed by
some of our own churches to this state
association than are raised for some of
our own most important benevoences
or enterprises.
Camp Meeting.
The Bible school and camp meeting
at Lyndonville furnished fresh evidence
of the possibilities still connected with
such a gathering. The attendance ola
year ago, said to be larger than for many
years, was far exceeded this year, Ex-
celent order was maintained, and good
spirit seemed to pervade the assemblage
from beginning to close. In the main
the pastors of the district gave loyal
support, several of them putting in much
time and work to make the meeting a
success. DIR. Charles Roads ofPhiladelphia
and Others rendered splendid service. The
further improvement OF the grounds was
matter of favorable comment.
1t is impossible to tabulate the spirit
ual results of the meeting. Many indi-
Gated purpose to begin Christian life
or asked prayers that they might do so
many others expressed sense of help
received in their religious experience.
Preachers Meeting.
NIoe+ of o,,r oreacbers attended the |