New Britain herald., 1920-03-18
METHODIST CHURCH
 DRIVE NETS $2,O0O
Former Resident Contributes
 $6OO-Mortgage Is Burned
TO REORGANIZE DRUM CORPS
Organization First Formed in 1879 Will Soon Come Into Existence Rev. w. HI. Robinson to Speak.


 The burning of the mortgage on the Methodist Episcopal church took place last evening with the usual for malities. The meeting was a very en- joyabae one and the church was filled with members. The entertainment program was attractive and the speakers interested the audience. They included Rev. Dr. J. H. Bell of New Haven. the district superintendent: Rev. $. E. Lawson and Rev. A. F. Hagarty, former pastors of the church: ". G. Manchester the oldest charter mem Der, and Rev. Howard W. Benedict, the. pastor of the church. Rev. E. c. Gillette, pastor of the Con- gregational church, offered prayer
 Vocal solos were rendered by Pom- eroy Wilcox and Miss Dorothy Rogers. w. W. Fox favored with 8 cornet solo. Mrs. Frank Hohbein and Mrs. Merton J. Lamb presided at the piano. They rendered piano duet which pleased the audience. The church choir sang a special musical program.
 It was announced that the campaign for raising the church debt netted about S2,000. The amount needed was $1,O00. A letter was read from a. for mer member of the church s.ating that if the mem bers arised $1,OOO the
 
 to clear off the debt of the church. The name of the benefactor was then announced as Mrs. Clara Afford Case of Pasa lena, Cal. a former m em Der of the church. Mrs. Case lived in Plainville with her family for a num- Der of years and was active in the work of the Methodist church.
 Recognition is due to the initiative and enterprise of the recently appoint ! ard w. Benedict, formerly of Hart ford, for his part in organizing the campaign to raise the church debt. It Was at his suggestion that the sub- scription cam paign was instituted and carried through to d successful com pletion.
 At meeting of the official board of trustees held last evening it was Vot- ed to send d com munication to the Methodist Episcopal conference re- , questing that Rev. Mir. Benedict be aI- lowed to continue his work in the pas torate of the local church.
 The meeting. last evening will be rem em bered by the church members for a long time as it was one of the few occasions on which there were many church notables present. In- cluded were two former pastors, the district superintendent and the oldest charter member of the church James M. Burdick, superintendent of the Stanley Rule & Level Co. of New Britain. and a former superintendent of the Sunday school was unable to be present.
 Women's Club Whist.
 The Women's club will hold a whist in Masonic temple on East Main street Wednesday evening, April 14. The proceeds of the affair will be donated to the public library fund. Tickets may be obtained from members of the club. The whist was postponed from February 4. The Wonnen's club whist for the library fund is an annual event which was discontinued during the war and has been revived.
 Special Speaker Friday.
 Rev. W. H. Robinson, rector of Grace church, Saybrook will be the preacher at the Lenten service at the Church of Our Savior tomorrow eve- ming at 7:3O o'clock. Rev. MT. Robin son is said to be an eloquent speaker and a large attendance is expected at the services.
 Reorganize Drum Corps.
 A reorganization of the original Plainville drum corps has been under taken by several of the old members of the organization. The drum corps was form ed in 1879 and has been be- fore the public of this town on various occasions since that time. It has com peted in many tournaments in this state and Massachusetts, winning number of prizes in both states
 The members are planning to raise sufficient funds to outfit the musi- clans with new uniforms and to rep resent the town with first class drum corps. The money will he raised by S1h be distributed about the town within a few days. The mem bers hope the lists will accomplish satisfactory results. The officers of the newly organized corps are A. C. Smith. manager; G. F. Spencer. secretary, and A. E.. Rob erts, treasurer.
 Brief Items.
 James J. Murphy, manager of the Exide battery station. has return ed from a bushes trip to Boston.
 The mission study class met last evening at the rectory of the Episco- pal church. Sidney Cowles has returned to New port R. l.. after spending a furiough at his home on Whiting street.
 A number of local sons and daugh- ters of Erin attended the functions of Irish societies held in nearby cities last evening. Several stores in the Neri block will be ready for occupancy on or about the first of next month. Mr. and Mrs Raymond Fox of West Main street are receiving congratula- tions on the birth of a son. Mrs. Fox was formerly Miss Ella Smith.
 Strictly fresh eggs 5ec dozen. Russell BroS.-Advt.