New Britain herald., 1916-01-17
REV. HILL REVIEWS SOUTH CHURCH YEAR Gains Have Been Recorded, But
 New Problems Arise

Following his sermon at the morn ing service at the South Congre2a- tional church yesterday, the pastor, Rev. pr. c. W. C. Hill, gave resume of the church activities during the past year covering all branches. pr. Hill referred to the gain in member ship which numbers ninety-eight. Next to last year these figures are larger than any year for the past twenty The total membership has likewise risen to highest figures. In this respect the South church leads all Congregational churches in New England and stands eighth in the United States. The pastor finds in these figures facts of information, Lut not for glorying in. Dr. Hill says numbers are small and relatively un- important and the great end of the church is not a large enrolment.
 pr. Hill finds number of things for careful reflection and expresses concerr for the growth of spirit of fellowship. It is inevitable, he says in a church so large that there should be numerous social circles but eX- presses the belief that all stand for the good of the church. During :he year over $500 actual calls have been made by ministers, the secretary and board of ladies' which proves an in crease in efficiency. There is still greater room for development, how ever. and plans are being matured for bringing the influence of the church more often and more effectively to bear upon the people of the parish in their homes.
 Touching upon the Sunday school, Dr. Hill finds it in some respects the most important and vital work of the church and on the whole in very encoura ging condition. The roll has been thoroughly revised and names of only nominal members dropped, Eut I still there has been a gain of fifty-flvc, ] thus more than overcoming the loss of | last year. A carfUl system of vista i ton of pupils has been established and 1 a better average attendance has been : obtained.
 The missionary sphere gives some ca use for anxiety. While the various branch orga nizations of the church ; have been very active and a vast 1 amount of work has been dono ! the parish and in the com munity generally, in actual cOntribu- tiOns for Congregational benevOlenceS which the church is in honor bound | to support, a deficiency exists. Last year this appOrtionment was exceed ed but this year barely three-Quarters of the amount required was raised. The apportiOnment is $4,000, and only a little over $3.000 was raised. This is partly explained by the fact that money which usually went for church was used for church sup port. To offset this there was a slight increase in missionary pledges, but not sufficient to make good the loss. Now there is to be a further shrink age for at the recent annual church meeting it was voted to use the open given Sunday mornings IOr church expenses instead of beneVO- lences Dr. Hill refuses to yield in bis conviction that the church should first of all pay it's bills and that 1t has at it's own door much real mis- work to do and recommends that at different times during the year, as the standing committee may direct, that special offerings be taken for COngregatiOnal work.
 Missionary Work.
 Speaking of tho home missions pr. Hill finds reasons for cOngratulatiOn in the work done by Dr. and Mrs.