New Britain herald., 1916-01-21

suffer a great deal of harm by lS- tening to undue and irresponsible faultfinding and it is no wonder that such influence gradually pulls them away from God and His church.
 The past year has been marked by radical changes in the industrial and commercial world. At the pres ent time we enjoy a remarkable pros perity, not only in ammunition fac tories because of the European war, but our industrial plants in general are very busy all over the country. The terrible war now raging seems to be of a longer duration than was expected and instead of any sign of peace everything seems to indicate the prolongation of hostilities and the spirit of preparedness for the worst even in peaceful countries, including our own. The ammuni- ton industry has apparently the brightest prospects for years to come
 Sentiment Won't End War.
 Peace will never come in the world by sentimental appeals, but by a prop CT readjustment of facts.
 Grateful indeed to Almighty God we ought to be for the privilege that this country still enjoys having been spared from hostile conflicts with other nations. Let us sincerely hope that this will continue.
 "Our church work has been exceed ingly prosperous. The morning ser vices have been particularly we'll at tended and a smaller audience has enjoyed the devotional exercises, both of the Sunday evening and weekly ser vices during the Lenten season. The Lords Supper has been frequently eel eprated and many of our young peo- pie, l am glad to say. have been the l guests at the Lords Table. Holy bap- ] t1sm has been performed mostly in our homes and sometimes at the parson- l age. A great deal of charity work has ] been done among the poor. The l Christian education of the children ! has been taken care of by forty-seven | teachers and the enrolled number, in l Cluding the Bible class, is now over l 800. Besides Christian teaching has | been taught in our summer school and l oy the pastor in the confirmatio class. 1 On May 9, siXty-fOur children were 1 and for the first time ad- nltted to the Lords Supper. On May l3 was held a most remarkab bIe re- lnion of my former confirmants. at l which nearly TOO young people came |
 
 he church have faithfully performed heir different functions, which we ratefully acknowledge.
 "On Labor day the United Luther eagues of the Hartford district. held l ts annual convention in our church. week was celebrated in October very ably managed by Emil larson and his assistants. Professor Serhard Alexis entered upon his duties Il the first Sunday of October as or anist and choir leader.
 "A bout my own pastoral work, I ever used to have much to say, but I ave tried honestly to do what eemed to be the best for the congre- 'atlon. After twenty years of service 1 IS your pastor, I am no stranger to ou and I rather leave to my merciful 1 lord to judge of my work. I express ny thanks for the vacation I enjoyed asst summer permitted thereby to gain , Lew strength and vigor for my work l 1 nd l also appreciate very highly the observance of our silver anniversary 1 which the congregation celebrated in uch a pleasing manner.
 "1 finally wish to make an earnest lppeal to my dear church members, aking advantage of these prosperous imes. to make an imm ediate and unit d effort in materially reducing our heavy church mortgage The church board will at this meeting present feasible plan to accomplish this re- suit
 May the grace of our Lord assert | ts power in our church work during his year and grant us all happiness, health and prosperity
 Treasurer's Report
 The report was accepted and or 1ered placed in the minutes of the meeting. Justus Wallen, the church treasurer, then read an itemized l statement of the financial condition of the church, which showed the in come for the past year was s7.094.16