The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-04-30
E|GHTY-SECOND
ANNUAL MEETING
Of End CONC'L
Business Gathering and Elect
ion of It's Officers
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 491
Second Congregational Church Has
Made Gain During Year and in
Good Condition.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 40.


The eighty-fourth annual meeting of
the Second Congregational church con.
vened in the chapel last evening at
1880, at which more than hundred
members were present. despite the
stormy weather. The chapel had
been tastily arranged and decorated
for the occasion by MesdGmes Caroline
H. and Cynthia G. Bennett, and pres
ented an attractive appearance. The
reception committee consisted of Mr..
and Mrs. George S. Mills, Mrs. Elmer
Gaskell Mrs. Marden R. Nichols, Mrs.
Phillip T. H. Pierson, Irving c. Cobb
and II. e. Pritchard, cordially welcom-
ed the people, and half-hour was
spent in pleasant converse, At eight
Io'clock the meeting proper was open.
ed by the singing Of "Blest be the Tie
that Binds" Mrs. George w. Reese
man at the piano. Mr.. Mills offered
prayer and made a few Introductory
remarks.
The reports of the various church of
Ulcers together with those OF the va
rious organizations connected with
the church were read. The Clerks
report showed a membership of 491
gain of 13 over last year; 20 mem
bers had been added by confession
and by letter: were dismissed by let
ter; Z by death and one name had
been dropped. infants were baptiz-
ed and 6 adults. A class of %, mostly
young people from the Church school
joined the church on Easter Sunday.
Bibles were presented last Children's
day to 8 children who had been bap-
tized in infancy and had reached the
age of seven years, continuing a time
honored custom of the church.
The Treasurer's report gave total
receipts amounting to s952.7l, $751,4s
of which amount was for missionary
purposes. This has nothing to do with
the Society's budget for home expenses
which is an entirely separate matter
and amounts to between four and five
thousand dollars. Nor.does this $952,
III include any of the quota in the
Congregational World Drive now going
| on.
The Church School formerly known
as Sunday SCHOOL, had an average at
tendance of 103 plus, an enrolment
OF 1876; offerings for school expenses
of S23132 and missionary offerings OF
$34S.S0, all being gain over the pre-
vious year The missionary offerings
Amounting to more than 10 cents per
month for each member, places the
school in one grade higher than last
year. Honor Grade. There were IL
perfect Classes and one of them had
been perfect five times.
The Guideboard Sunday School held
fl sessions, raised $46.13 for school
Expenses. put slate roof on its build
/ ing, had an average attendance of "a
and an average collection of $1.13.
The Woman's Missionary society
held l6 meetings, studied both foreign
yand home work. held picnic supper
impersonated noted missionary work
ers, sent a delegate to the state meet
ing at Barre. invited the state meet
ing to Bennington next September
conducted a most successful school OF
missions, raised money for its work
and sewed considerably for the Rec
Cross.
The Mission Workers have also done
splendid work, held Is meetings ant
raised money for missions. The Ladies
Aid society held twelve meetings
served four suppers, gave one musi
cal, one illustrated lecture, held one
sale of fancy articles, raised $400, ex
pended $500, and has over $500 OF
hand.
The Y. p. S. e. devoted most of its
meetings to the subjects of missions
and stewardship, preparing young peo
pie for the great Interchurch Worlt
Movement Drive. A few social gather
Iings were held and Sunrise prayer
Injecting was held Easter Sunday. Mr.
Webster made a report of the pro
gress of the Congregational Worlt
movement in this church, which wa
most encouraging. Mrs. William b
Sheldon read the neurology for th'
year, written in her usual sympatheti
and graceful style and Mrs. Baker rem
dered a most appropriate SOLO Wnlcl
was much appreciated.
The election of officers was he'll
with the following result:-Deaco
for years, Or, Lucretius II. Ross
treasurer for one year, Webster Ten
pie; auditor for one year Phillip 7, +
Pierson.
Letters were read from number
absent members and few matter
of miscellaneous business attended t
after which the congregation had tn
pleasure of listening to felicitous r
marks from the pastor OF the Fir'
Church, Rev. Vincent Ravi.Booth, VIII
to express il in his own words, bur
u ed a few grains of incense to this cor
munity to this church and to its pa
A tor. His remarks were received vii
much appreciation. Light refreshmen
consisting of sandwiches, cake and c.
n fee were the nserved by the Ladi'
N Aid society, an hour was spent In pie
SAINT visiting and the renewing of o
acquaintances, after which one
n the pleasantest social gatherings
the memory of the members drew to
close and the saith annual meeting toC
!. its humble place in church history