The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-10-13
PRAISE REV.
MIR. RANKIN FOR
HIS WORK ABROAD
Popular Pastor of Baptist
Church Given Reception
by His Congregation

About 200 persons attended the
home coming reception given to the
Rev. H. B. Rankin. pastor Of the
First Baptist church at Newport and
his wife which was held in the church
FGriday evening. Mr., Rankin was
given hearty welcome home and re-
ceived the well wishes of all those
attending the reception.
Light refreshments consisting of
coffee, cake and sandwiches were
served, which was followed by ad-
dresses from several prominent cit
liens.
Carroll Huntington, deacon of the
First Baptist church, acted as toast
master. He opened the speech MAX
ing.
about year and half ago, our
pastor heard the call to serve his
country and asked for leave of alb
sence for. one year. 1t seemed i'm
possible for US to carry on the work
he had so well planned for the up
building of this community. The
boys from the city were being called
away every day and pastors of other
churches began to answer the call to
serve overseas with the troops. Some
Of the people in the church felt the
work could not be done without Mr..
Rankin here with us, while others
said it must be done and what has
been done is now a matter of his
tory.
practically all of the regular ser,
vices have been carried on. Those
added responsibilities were felt by
many to be added opportunities
They felt the responsibility, stepped
right in and filled the gap. We receiv-
ed the cooperation of all the churches
and we did not feel alone. We knew
that our pastor was with US in
spirit. Our prayers were with him
all of the time he was away. We
knew he would return to US with a
broader vision.
II dare say our pastor doesn't re-
turn to the church he left, but as |
see it to a church which is the pro-
duct of the several years of effort in
behalf of the church. He has lost
one job and that is the superintend-
ency of the Sunday school.
"We talk lot about the league of
nations and other things, which are
before the public mind today, but
whether this league of nations sue
ceeds or not we do need league of
Christians. Men must be men and
women must be women. Christians
must stand positively for right and
against wrong. They must stand
more firmly for right and more pos
itlvely against wrong.
"We are all very thankful to well
come Mr.. Rankin among US and
feel sure he is glad to be with us
again.
Mayor James t. Gardner spoke as
follows:
81 realize fully the great self-sac-
rifice Mr.. Rankin made when he left
his pastorate and sailed overseas to
help the boys who were fighting for
and l am glad to be here
tonight to say word of welcome to
him on his home coming. Mr.. |
Rankin proved himself an honor to
the community, to the cause for
which he fought and the flag he
loves. He worked hard until. the |
Kaiser, Crown Prince, Hindenburg,
Ludendorff and the rest of that
wretched gang had been decisively !
beaten and the war won. 1t was men
like Mr. Rankin who placed the stars
and stripes on such high standard
That every nation on the face of the
earth looks to America as the leader
Of the world. / want to thank MI |
Rankin for his services and for the
honor he has brought to the COM
munity and when I say this 1 voice
The sentiments of every man, woman
and child assembled here tonight"
Deacon w. w. Blodgett was on
hand with a few words of welcome
to MI. Rankin.
He said:
"It is very pleasant to be here to- I
night in behalf of the church and say
a few words of welcome to our pas
tor.