The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-04-12

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Pastor Lance's class, has had as many
as ll2 men at its noon study hour. A
large majority of these were previously
unchurched The recently organized
class at Island Pond has a membership
of so, and is still 0ro'"i'- ="
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and the Blues have greatly enlivened
and increased the attendance of other
Sunday schools, and there has been
something doing" in the Bible classes
of the district generally. Some leagues
have reached the obituary period, others
are in the last stages of lingering
disease, while yet others are still vig-
orous and active and promise great pros
perity. The district has some specially
alert and active junior leagues.
Three interesting and profitable dis
triet meetings have been held, the 50th
anniversary Of the dedication of the
church being observed in connection with
that at Sheffield. The camp meeting
at Lyndonyille was marked by q fllr-
ther improvement OF property and no
decline of interest. Shelter and equip
ment for the Italian mission at Barre
have been provided, while a modern par
sonage with ample couveniences has
been built by Pastor Barnard at Green's
boro. Ample repairs have been made
on the parsonage at Springfield, while
new barn has been built at Danville.
Barre has remodeled the old church edi-
ice for a gymnasium for its Wesley
brotherhood. A few widows, and their
helpers have greatly improved the church
property and set an inspiring example
TO larger societies. A mortgage note of
$500 was burned at Sheffield. The en-
dowment fund at Derby has been in
creased by $1,000 worth of gilt edged
stocks.
In all of these repairs and improve
ments the elect ladies of the various
churches have often borne the leading
part, and deserve most of the credit.
The district parsonage at Lyndonyille,
heavily burdened with debt for 10 years,
has received the attention of the super
intendent, and the prospect at one time
seemed fair of changing it for a more
suitable property. Something has
meanwhile been paid on the debt.
In closing, Superintendent Lewis took
hasty retrospect of the work during
the six years of his incumbency This
period showed a small increase in mem
bership as far as fun members are con-
cerned, with slight decrease in pro-
bationers. A mania for the revision of
the records may be partially respon-
sible for the slight gain, transition to
larger centres for part, and lack of
conservation and faithfulness on the
part of preachers and people for yet an
other part. The benevolent collections
have aggregated upward of $4,000 for
the period, while the district has two
more churches than six years ago, and
five Others have been so completely re-
constructed as to make rededications
three more have also been
extensively repaired. Two new parson-
ages have been built. one new manse
purchased. and several other preachers
homes greatly improved in material
comforts.
All told upwards of $4,000 has been
expended in this work, and a conserva-
tive estimate makes the church property
worth more than S65,000 in excess Of
six years ago The average cash sal
ary of the pastors six years ago was
$3.50. while It was s6G2 last wear, an
average Increase OF slIs. Omitting
some of the appointments occupied but
a portion Of the year, and also the
one charge with salary of $500, and
the increase In the six years has aver
aged Sl64 per man, besides better hous-
ing the preachers. None of them have
as vet developed fatty degeneration of
the heart, but they are less likely to
perish of malnutrition. All told, there
has been good improvement in many
lines, and superintendent and preachers /
have worked together in harmony. In |
,losing, Superintendent Lewis expressed |
his gratitude to the preachers for uni.
form and spontaneous kindness.