Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-02-12
THE ANNUAL SUPPER.
Held by Congregational Church
on Evening of Feb. q.

parlors on the evening of February q.
Covers were laid for 1913 and there were
somewhat over 90 in attendance. The
annual meeting of the church, presided
over by Rev. Charles H. Dickinson, ID.
D., followed the supper. E. j. Mathews,
the venerable church clerk, read his re-
port which showed that 4S has united
with the church during the year, exclu-
sive of college students in associate men,
bership. Twelve have died, or asked
dismission to other churches, so that
there was a net gain of 36. The total
membership is 367, besides As students in
associate membership. There are l24
male and 244 female members. The re.
ports of Prof. Boyce, church treasures
and of Mrs. Boyce, treasurer of the La
dies Association for Home and Foreign
Missions, showed that the total benevo-
lent offerings for the year aggree ated
only $522. II. OF this sum the Ladies'
Society raised $225.21. The Ladies As
sociation also sent Christmas box to
Constantinope Mrs. Boyce announced
that the Womaus Home Missionary
Union is to be entertained in Middlebury
next May. The Ladies' Association
divides it's time and contributions equally
between Home and Foreign Missions and
there is growing interest
Mrs K. H. Thomas and Mrs. f. p.
Cushman read the reports of the Labaree
Society, which provides the suppers and
en- ertainments of the church. The So
ciety had balance of $233 90 at the
commencement of the year, to which it
added S2l3. 80 during the year. The So
ciety paid out $25S.9S, included in which
was the cost of complete set of silver
knives, forks and spoons and the church
music except organist's salary. The So
ciety has a balance of $187.51
Hon. j. E. Weeks reported for the
Sunday school, of which he is superin
tendent, total membership of 1913 be-
sides an estimated membership in the
Bible Glass of 70. The total attendanc- :
for the year was 1868, average SO S-13,
largest l47, smallest on July 5, 81. The
lumber of classes has increased from
10 to 13 and 14th class is to commence
next Sunday. Collections from pupils
and receipts of Children's Day concert
amounted to S9S.6S and there is a bal
ance in the treasury. In addition to
this, class earned $28 for missions, sent
barrel of clothing to DR.. Grenfell in
Labrador and package to Booker T.
Washington. Twelve joined the church
from the Sunday school. Miss Laura
Mead organized a cradle roll of ten ba.
bies.
Miss Bingham reported for the Y p. S.
G. E. a membership of so active and 4
associate members, being an increase of
90 active members for the year. The
society has paid for the installation of
lights in the lamp-posts in front of the
church and has assisted in missionary
work.
Mr.. Darrow and Mr. Burt told of the
important work inaugurated in the
farming districts. A Sunday school has
been organized at Brooksville which has
grown to have an attendance of about
25. Sunday evening prayer meetings in
the Seeley district school house are at
tended by from 25 to 80. These meetings
should be organized into a Christian En-
deavor society. The Munger street Sun
day school was organized by Deacon
Phillips the last Sunday in June and
closed in November, the attendance vary
ing from IA to 30. This school will be
opened again the coming season.
DR.. Dickinson presented the pastors
report This report showed five forward
steps taken or assured and three more
very much needed. First, the college
has co-operated with the church as never
before second, the work on the farms
has been splendidly naugurated with
the assistance of eight young men, seven
of whom are college students third, the
evangelistic services led by Rev. Ora
Samuel Gray stirred the whole commu-
Ix,st g., f,,l -
good results of every kind. Twenty five
joined the church one Sunday. An anal
ysis of the results shows that the thor
ough organization of the Sunday schools
and auxiliaries of the various churches
greatly aided in the work. Fourth, SEN
ator Stewart hopes for the immediate
erection of the $40, 900 chapel provided
for by the will of the late Mrs. Stewart.
Fifth, the evangelistic services drew the
local churches together and federated
church work in Middlebury in the re-
suit The three problems that now con-
front the church are first, how TO in
crease the benevolent offering by at
least $500 year 50 as to raise the amount
expected from this church, second, how
to properly support the Sunday school;
and third, how to do away with the AN
tiquated pew system and adopt modern
seating system that will enable the
church to properly seat its congregation.
After responding to the roll call of the
church, the members present unanimous
ly reelected G. A. Phillips and Prof C..
b. Wright, whose terms had expired, to
be deacOns, f. j Matthews church clerk
and Thomas f. Boyce, church treasurer.
The matter of change in the pew
system was extensively discussed. Ii
was suggested that the pew owners deed
their pews to the church. On motion of
DIR. Fertig a committee of three was ap
pointed of which DIR. Fertig is chairman
to report to the church such changes or
notifications of the pew system as may
be deemed advisable and practicable.
Prof. Wright spoke of the necessity OF
each member increasing his benevolent
offerings three-fold and Deacons Crane
Wright, Phillips and Munroe were ap
pointed committee to solicit.
May |, 1909 will be the Tooth anniver
sary of the completion and dedication OF
the church editice and it WAS voted thai
| H.. taI