The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-04-29
SEVENTY
ANNIVERSARY OF
CHURCH
CongregatiOnalists Hold ApprO-
pirate Exercises
RECEPTION IN CHAPEL
Reports for the Year Read and New
Board of officers
Chosen

The seventy-fourth anniversary OF
the Second Congregational church
was celebrated last evening with the
largest attendance for several years,
200 or more members and friends
gathering in the chapel from seven to
ten o'clock. Deacon e. d. Bennett
had charge OF the arrangement and
decorations Of the chapel, which beau
tiful assembly room never looked
more attractive. The pastor, Rev.
G. S. Mills and Mrs. Mills were assis-
ted In receiving by Mrs. A. j. Norton.
Miss Anna Park and Mrs. Harry Da-
ley.
The clerk of the church, X. b. Pike,
reported II additions to membership
during the year, four on confession
and seven by letter from other
churches. Eleven have died six have
been dismissed by letter, four names
have been dropped in revision OF the
roll The present membership Is 1872
net loss of 10 for the year. The abb
sent members number 124. The fam
lilies in the parish number 290. II is
interesting to note that while the rec
ord shows loss since the last report,
the addition in 1909, just before the
last annual meeting. of 60 members,
still leaves the church with the lar
gest membership in its history save
in that one year, 1909
The home expenses of the church
from January 90 TO January 10 were
s4612, and the benevolences for the
same period we're 1899, an increase
OF s104 over the previous year, but
falling short OF the church's appor-
tionment.
The report for the Sunday school
by V. c. Edgerton, secretary, gave a
total enrolment of 210, with an aver
age attendance OF 147. The Gross
and Crown" system of reward for
perfect attendance was commended.
While in 1908 there was not single
perfect attendance. in 1909 there were
IL who did not miss Sunday
The Guideboard Branch, Mrs. But
terrified, secretary. reported success
ful year. The average attendance
has been 81. in a total enrolment OF
"a.
Attention is called to the careful
ness with which the rolls OF both
schools are kept. No one is carried
on the roll Of membership after three
months absence, although former
member may be restored at any time.
Responsibility for attendance is
thus emphasized, and the nominal
membership Is the real membership.
Six months ago the Senior c. Il. so
ciety which had been disbanded for
nearly two years, was re-established
Philip T. II. Pierson assumed the
presidency. former members and
others rallied with enthusiasm TO the
revived society, and II has now be
come an important factor In the WORK
for and with young people, with q
promise OF even better things. The
report for the Junior Endeavor socie-
ty. written BY Miss jeanette Perkins
superintendent disclosed that In this
organization OF youngest people some
fine work is being done-in Bible
study. in missionary giving, in social
entertainments, In contributions tc
special church objects.
The Ladies' Aid society never fails
to make a report OF splendid service
rendered. Mrs. +. ]. Swan is secre
tary. and told the tale OF more thar
usual success and activity. The so
ciety had note OF $1,000 to meet a
the beginning of the year, upon which
II has paid 800. Besides this the ex
pense has been borne OF important
repairs upon the interior OF the par
sonage. The Ladies' Home Mission
AIRY society by Mrs. Emma Harwood
secretary. reported a study class, fin
ishIng the book THE Nearer and Far
Their East" preparations for mis-
sionary box, the regular thank-oiier
ing meetings and an increase OF gifts
The reading OF the neurology b.
Mrs. w. Il. Sheldon was most beau