The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-04-30
C0NGRE CATION AL
SECOND CHURCH
ANNIVERSARY
Reception Thursday Evening at
The Chapel
GATHERING OF NEARLY 200
Congregation and Friends Observe
Red Letter Day of Society
Founded 70 Years Ago

The Second Congregational church
for a number of years has been ac-
customed to make much more than
mere routine of its annual meeting,
successfully blending its business
with social good feeling and fellow
ship. Last evening 175 members and
friends gathered in the chapel for
the celebration of the 73rd anniyer-
sary. This attractive assembly room
was specially furnished and adorned
under the tasteful supervision of Mac
Gregor Richie, Miss Maude Belden
and Mrs. e. ]. Swan, the committee
of arrangement. The pastor. Rev. G.
S. Mills. and Mrs. Mills were assisted
in receiving by Dea. +. ID. Bennett,
Mrs. E. c. Bennett Mrs. F. A. Butter
field, Mrs. F. B. Pope and Mrs. Mac
Gregor Richie
The report of the clerk. R. B. Pike,
showed membership of 491, of which
it was estimated 112 were non-resi-
dent. Sixty have united with
the church during the year, AZ on con-
fession and is by letter making a net
gain of AZ members and giving the
largest membership for a number of
years. An interesting item was the
fact that almost one half this increase
was, of men and boys. The benevolen-
ces for the calendar year were $7SS.
and the home expenses $10723.
The report for the main Sunday
school by the secretary, Harrington
Sears. indicated that the present sat
isfactory condition of the school was
due to general strengthening move
ment which had been carried on all
along the line of the school work. The
Gross and Crown" system of reward
for perfect attendance has had not
iceable effect OF the additions to
the church. "a came on confession of
faith from the Sunday school, and it
was pointed out that this result was
obtained in an entirely natural and
gradual manner, altho there were
several special factors at work The
school now is hampered by lack of
room, and it is probable that the aud.
itorium of the church will have to/be
utilized for some classes.
The Guideboard Branch School,
Mrs. Butterfield, secretary, reporting,
had a similar story to tell, 1903 being
the present enrolment, a gain of Is
over last year. f. b. Pope is supern-
tendent OF both schools, and there
would seem to be distinct advantage
for the unifying of the work under
single particularly efficient head.
OF the other departments reporting.
the Junior Endeavor society shows
gain in membership and a careful or
'ganization under Miss Olive Pope,
/ superintendent. The Ladies' Mission
airy society. Mrs. Emma Harwocd, sec
rotary continues its study class with
profit, and has kept its contributions
up to the standard of previous years
The Ladies' Aid society was reported
by Mrs F. B. Packard. secretary. This
society is a great factor in the finan-
cial side and social life of the church,
and the new group of younger ladies
who have recently come into Office
have already made splendid record
in both planning and doing things
Mrs. W. b. Sheldon, who is perman-
ent necrologist read brief tributes to
the memory of those. who have passed
on during the year, seven members of
the church. A beautiful memorial
book given to the church few years
ago will contain these words of praise
i and affection, which Mrs. Sheldon in
dites with unusual business and felic-
ity.
The officers reelected were as fol.
lows: Clerk, R. B. Pike; treasurer. L.
H. Ross; auditor, OIin Scott; lady
members of church committee, Miss
Mary L. Bigelow, Mrs. H. L. Hover;
deacon for 6 year term H. H. Webster.
The hearty singing of hymns by the
company, with special selections from
the church quartette, ministered &c
the devotional feeling, while the SOC
ial hour, in which refreshments were
served, added to the pleasure of the
evening.