The Mankato free press., 1912-01-19

From rriday's caIiv
In spite of the arctic weather, an
unusually large number gathered for
the annual meeting of the First Con-
gregational church last evening
Every seat at the tables was filled
for the bounteous meal served by the
ladies. The church has had a good
year, with plenty of courage and en-
thusiasm in evidence for the future
After supper and a prayer by the
pastor, the roll was called and each
member responded with a verse of
Scripture. This feature of the meet
ing is always interesting and impress
sive. Letters were read from
good many Of the absent members.
The roll of baptized children was
also called, some of the children
responding directly and others
through their parents. -.-
Interesting Story of Year.
Mrs. Thomas Hughes, the church
clerk, read an interesting chronicle
Of the year and the corresponding
secretary, Mrs. Mott, gave the figures
from the card index. There are 161
members at present on the roll, with
a total of 649 persons who have
been members Of the church since it
was organized forty-one years ago.
The Ladies Aid society reported
good year; $292.69 has been spent
during the year for various objects,
and there is a balance in the treas
ury of over twenty dollars. The Sun
day school secretary reported re-
ceipts of $113.63, and an enrolment
of IT'S. The largest attendance has
been 107 and the smallest 40. Miss
Beatrice Howard reported 25 babies
on the cradle roll during the past
year. The Christian Endeavor society
has had an encouraging year, re-
porting receipts of $65.22, and a to-
tai membership of 81 members, 80
of whom are active. One of the
most interesting features of the meet
ing was the presence and active in
terest of the young people. The
Busy Bee club of girls, organized
during the year, had a good delega-
tion present wearing their hodges.
They reported twenty-five members,
divided into two colonies, the White
Glover bees and the Red Clovers. A
creditable amount of work has been
done and money raised for missions.
There is Boy Scout troup with a
present membership of ten, divided
into the Owl and Snake patrols. The
report of the outstation work given
by Rev. Heermance, was printed in
full in last nights Free Press.
Board Of Trustees Report.
The board of trustees reported,
through their treasurer, Mr.. Peter
son, a credit balance for the year of
$707. The church reduced its build
ing debt. on the church building and
parsonage, by about $500, leaving ap-
proximat ately $1,700, bearing no inter-
est. The property is valued at $18,-
000 The paving bill has been all
subscribed but about $50, the church
having decided to pay this at once
rather than spread it over ten years.
The home expenses for the year to-
tailed $1,896.5S, and the benevolences
from all sources S221.03. A special
effort will be made this year to push
the benevolences, following the plan
of the MaDkato church federation. A
canvass will also be made for the
Carleton college endowment.
Election Of Officers.
. DdlOCS udu UcSu pdSSSu cdTllSI III
the evening for the election of Off
GERS, and the results announced were
as follows: The board of trustees
for the coming year will consist of
Evan Hughes, Swan Johnson, j. A.
Hancock, George Crawford, w. Pet
terson and H. F. Blomquist. DR..
George K. Curran was elected deacon
for three years, Mrs. Thomas Hughes
recording secretary, Mrs. j. H. Har-
ter corresponding secretary, Mrs. B. D.
Smith and Miss Alice Thomas MEM
bers of the church committee, Thorn.
as Hughes superintendent of the
Sunday school, Fred o. True assist
ant superintendent. Arthur Pass Sec
retary and treasurer; Mrs. Smith and
Mrs. Blomquist members of the mu.
sic committee and c. H. Cooper di.
rector of the choir.
Key men, to act In connection
with the church federation, were
elected as follows: Evangelism,
Thomas Hughes; Bible study, Har-
vey j. Pass; social service, Evan
Hughes; missions, H. F. Blomquist;
boys work, George Pass, Jr.