The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-04-28
CELEBRATED 18TH
ANNIVERSARY
LAST NIGHT
Annual Observance by Second
Congregational Church
REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS
Bountlful Supper Served by Ladies'
Soclety-Postprandlal Exercises
In Happy Vein

"The best time we have had at an
annual meeting in forty years" said
one enthusiastic member Of the Sec.
Iond Congregational church last
night. Comparisons of this sort are
much like talking about the weather
we forget what happened the year
before, and the year before that. But
such an exaggeration possibly had a
good deal to justify 1t. Although
this church always emphasizes its an
nual meeting this year was the 18th
anniversary, on the very day, and
there were some special features. The
exercises were held in the chapel
A bountiful supper was served by
the Ladies Aid society, the president.
Mrs. Charles G. Cole, directing The
tables had been arranged in an orig
inal and artistic way under the super
vision of Dea. h. ID. Bennett, assisted
by Mr.. Pierson and Mr.. Hart. Carna-
tons, ferns, and candles made the
picture very attractive. The speak
ers' table upon the platform was light
ed with handsome electric lamps.
About 225 members OF the church and
invited friends we're present.
The roll of the membership was
called, and then were heard reports
for the year from the various depart
ments of the church. Good work had
been done and satisfactory conditions
we're revealed The reports were
given for the Sunday school and the
Guideboard Branch by Supt. f. b.
Pope; for the Ladies' Missionary So
clety by Mrs. Emma Harwood; for
the Ladies' Aid society by Miss Cecil
Powers; for the Senior c. f. society
by Miss Elizabeth Stewart; for the
Junior society by Miss jeanette Per
kins. The neurology was read by
Mrs. Sheldon.
r. b. Pike, clerk of the church and
DR.. l.. II. Ross, treasurer, also re-
ported. The total membership Of the
church at the beginning of the calen-
dar year was 492. which is the largest
the church has ever had. Additions,
have been IA, by letter IL and on con-
fession 2. Seven members have died
during the year. On revision of the
roll and by dismissions, the total
removals come to IL. There are 121
nonresident members. Total benevo-
lences for the year were SlO50. Home
expenses, S4610.
The election of officers chosen an
nually on report of the nominating
committee was as follows: Deacon
for six year term, Francis II. Rich
ards; clerk, Philip T. II. Pierson;
treasurer, Dr. L. II. Ross; auditor,
Col DIN Scott; lady members of
church committee, Miss Mary l.. Big
Glow and Mrs. f. b. Pope. Mr., Rich
ards succeeds Mr.. Cone, whose resig-
nation was very regretfully received,
and Mr. Pierson takes the place of
Mr.. Pike, who has assumed the duties
Of collector for the society.
The after supper speaking OF the
lighter sort finished the evening most
pleasantly. Senator Henry 7. Cush-
man of North Bennington brought
greetings for the sister church and
gave some "reminiscences of the old
days very felicitously. Mr.. Cushman
was formerly a member of the Sec
ond church Judge e. C. Bennett was
in particularly happy vein in toast
ing the ladies', and Dr.. l.. II. Ross,
who was the understudy for this part,
could not resist the temptation to
toast Judge Bennett Principal II. b.
Dickinson spoke for the young men
in the church, and said some practical
and earnest things. 1t seemed fitting
to stop with this more serious mood,
and after reading some messages Of
congratulations and God-speed to the
church from former pastors, with
singing: "Blest Be the Tie That
Binds" the anniversary was over.
The pastor, Rev. G. s. Mills, presid-
ed at the exercises, and the church
choir assisted, singing an anthem.
Mr. Bottum rendered a solo.