Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1916-03-24
T0WNSHEND
RECEPTION TO BAPTIST PASTOR
Pleasing Event in Honor of Rev. J. r
Lawrence and Family,

a company Of nearly 90 gathered in
the Baptist vcstrv Wednesday evening,
despite the unfavorablc weather and
travelling, to give to the new pastor,
Rev. Joseph II. Lawrence, and family
welcome and fratcrnal handclasp.
The rooms were tastcfullv decorated
with festoons of pink and white crepe
paper and banks of potted plants. The
committee of arrangements was Mrs.
George Whitney, Mrs. |. S. Sayre and
Mrs. b. r. Phillips, assisted by other
members of the Hadassah league. The
receiving line included +. l.. Hastings,
Mr.. and Mrs. |. f.. Chase, Mr.. and
Mrs. r. d. Phillips. Mr.. and Mrs. Clar-
ence Trucsdcll, Rev. and Mrs. j. h.
Lawrence, Raymond Lawrence and
Miss Irene Lawrence. Several young
men acted as ushers.
An address of welcome was given by
Rev. r. H. Bosworth of the Congrega-
tional church. Rev. Mr.. Lawrence re-
sponded, showing appreciation of the
evenings plan and expressing his love
for the old words, "neighbor, -
"brother, and tolerance. After
n vocal duet by Mrs. G.. w. Powers
and Mrs. b. r. Phillips, Judge f. l..
Hastings, as chairman the prudential
committee, spoke in behalf of the
church and society, giving a special
welcome to Mrs. Lawrence and the
family. Two comet solos were given
by Raymond Phillips, Mrs. r. d. Phil
lips accompanist Little Caryl Savre
then presented Mrs. Lawrence a bou-
quet of carnations in behalf of the
ladies. Another pleasing duet by Mrs.
Powers and Mrs. May Phillips closed
the program.
A buffet luncheon was served in the
dining room. Mrs. May Phillips having
charge of the coffee urn and Mrs.
Whitney and Mrs. Sayre dispensing
cake and sandwiches. A social hour
followed which was much enjoyed by
ALL
Rev. Mr.. Lawrence was born in Fall
River, Mass, in 1869. He was edu-
Gated in Fall River, Providence and
Boston. Before taking up the active
work of the ministry he learned the
trade of a printer and was for while
in charge of the mechanical department
of the largest weekly paper and job
printing plant in Fall River.
His, first passionate was, at South
Dartmouth in 1890. He. has since held
pastorates in North Egremont, Lands
boro, North Middleboro and Raynham,
Mass, and Wells Depot, Maine. He
came here from Rowe, Mass. Mr.. Law
rece has been for quarter century a
cooperative worker with the United
States bureau of plant industry. To
aid in his agricultural training he at
one time gave up his pastoral work for
year and took charge of an estate on
Long Island at a salary of $4,000. He
has given lectures on agricultural top
les and has been on the staff of some
of the leading agricultural papers and
q regular contributor to others.
Mr.. Lawrence believes that the
church should be of material help to
rural communities. He finds here an
attractive and congcnial field and hopes
the pastoratc will be profitable to
church and community.
Mir. and Mrs. Lawrence have three
sons and two daughters. One son is
attending an agricultural college in
Massachusetts. The people of Town
shcnd are proud to know that the ex
cellcnt reputation of the graded schooI
and seminary in this place have aided
in drawing Il man Of Mr.. Lawrence =,
calibrc here.