Smyrna times., 1936-05-07

to both societies. One month the
Ladies' Aid conducts the devotions
and has the first part of the even
ing for their business meeting with
the w. c. T. U. having their busi-
ness meeting afterward. The next
month the proceedings are revers-
ed.
Lawn parties, socials, preachers
reception. bakes and poultry sup
pers have been held. The most
successful supper, as far as financ-
es are concerned, was held in 1880
when $187.87 was cleared.
"At one time the hostess served
whatever refreshments she choose
and paid the bill for the same. AS
SINE were quite lavish in their en-
tertainment, others felt they must
keep up and the act of entertain
ing the Aid became quite burden.
In one place the minutes says The
members were then invited to par
take of substantial supper pre-
pared by the hostess So in the
minutes of April, 1909, we find
that The members present decided
to dispense with refreshments in
the future, as not being necessary
to meeting When the Aid was
organized in 1925, refreshments
again came into being, this time
being paid for from the free will
offering, or if this was not suf-
ficient, from the treasury.
''The activities of this society
have been many and varied. 1t
has helped furnish and keep in re-
pair the parsonages, first at Black
bird, then at Smyrna. and now at
Odessa. 1t has helped buy stoves,
carpets, lineoleum, cooking uten-
'sils, screens, paper, paint, electric
fixtures, pay telephone bills, as
well as buying ice boxes, curtains,
mattress. looking glass and living
room suites. It has also helped
maintain the district parsonage,
the home of the District Superin-
tendent.
1T seems as tho the Aid must
have been looking to the welfare
of the church building and sur
roundings also, because the re-
cords say there have been carpets,
lamps, pulpit furniture, stoves and
"a piano purchased. It has at var
ious times had the church papered
and painted inside, painted outside
and on t. (roof and ceiling). 1t
has attended tc miscellaneous
needs such as supplying COM
munion set, communion wine,
hymn books, water pitcher, clean
ing church, repairing roof and win
Idows and provided china and silver
for use at suppers and other occa-
sions. 1t has helped keep the sur
roundings of the church in a pre-
sentable manner by having the
cemetery moved, the fence paint
ed. putting up railing on each
side of the walk and helping buy
"a lawn mower for use around the
church and in the cemetery.
1t has helped pay the preacher,
as well as the Sexton; given money
for World Service, Red Cross flood
relief, and Christmas baskets for
the needy.
1T has been cheering influence
in time of sickness and death, by
sending flowers, cards, fruit and
candy to the sick and shut-ins, and
fora emblems of bereavement.
with Friendship Ladies' Aid.
the custom of giving their preach
er turkey at Christmas goes
back thru the years to 1892 at
least. The records say that in
1893 the bird cost S1.92' At the
meeting held in December, 1895,
the notation is made We decided
to give our minister a turkey for
Christmas dinner. Also the gent
lemen decided to give him money
for a new overcoat.' The minister
at that time was Rev. w. r. Now
bray who is now retired and living
in Lewes. The highest priced
turkey that 1 find on record was
given in 1921, when it cost Sill
THE material for this historical
sketch has been obtained from the
minutes of the organization. the
Fifty Years Ago column of The
Smyrna Times, the record of Vic
tory w. C. T. u, the M. E. Con-
ference minutes and the memory
of old friends"
~