New Britain herald., 1914-04-01
METHODIST PASTOR
 GOING TO DAR|EN
Rev. s. E. Lawson Will Preach
 Farewell Sermon Sunday.
REV. 6. R. TKURSTON NEW PASTOR
Successor Has Been Located in Greenwich-Postal Receipts Will Show Gain of Over $1,OOO-Win Sell at AuctiOn-Brfef Items.


 Rev. s. E. Lawson returned today from Mount Vernon, N. Y, where annual session of the New York east conference, and began preparations for the removal of his household ef- fleets to Darien, where he has been assigned to spend the coming year as pastor of the Methodist church. His appointment to the passionate of that church was made at the closing ses- sion of the conference last evening. Rev. c. R. Thurston, who has been located at Greenwich for the past few years, was named to succeed him as pastor of the Plainville church.
 While MT. Lawson's transfer from this place was not unexpected, the announcement of the change was re- ceived with genuine regret by the of- ticial board and other members of his church, besides residents having other religious beliefs. He was high ly esteemed by all who came in con- tact with him and it was hoped that the conference would see fit to grant the petition of the officers of the church and would send him back here for another year.
 Mr. Lawson came here four years ago, succeeding Rev. J. A. Churchill, who died recently in Middletown. During the period he served here the church has made encouraging ad- vancement and every year has shown a healthy gain in membership. It's finances are also in good shape and MT. Lawson's successor should be greatly encouraged by the conditions obtaining at the present time.
 The retiring pastor will conduct ser- vices at the church Sunday and will preach his farewell sermon at that time. He will move next week to Darien.
 The pastors wife also returned to- day from Lynn. Mass, where she has been visiting with relatives. Her de- parture will also be generally regret ted. Mrs. Lawson was of great as- sistance to her husband in his work and besides singing in the choir she devoted much of her time to the church societies.
 The Darien church is somewhat larger than the one in Plainville and the conference appointment is g. pro- motion for MT. Lawson.
 The new pastor Is said to be most capable clergyman. He is well liked by the Methodists of Greenwich and they were anxious to have him con- tinue to serve them.
 Shows Good Gain.
 While he had not completed a com- pilation of his annual report, Post master P. J. Prior stated this morning that the statement will show that the receipts of the local post office for the fiscal year, which ended yesterday, will total more than $11.O00, an in- crease of about $1,0O0 over last years. MT. Prior is now working on the re- port and it will be forwarded to Washington before the end of the week.
 The showing is very gratifying to the postmaster as it not only means that the office will remain in second class and is more than holding it's own, but that his salary will be increased $1O0, making his compensation for the year $2,300.
 The postmaster found in going over tho figures that while business was rather poor during the summer, it took a big jump in December and January and during the fall and win ter each month showed a good gain over the corresponding period in the previous year. The business of the factories, particularly the Trumbull Electric company which sends out thousands of trade magazines every month. is in the main responsible for the amount of receipts.
 Count Parcel Post Packages.
 Orders to keep track of all narcel post mail passing through the local post office during the next fifteen days have been received from the postal department at Washington and today the postmaster and his clerks started