Litchfield enquirer., 1860-05-03

It is more especially grateful to my feelings, as coming at.a period of my ministry when one might reasonably suppose 8 people would be- gin to grow weary of it. And yet cannot say that I have ever indulged in such suspicion ' our acceptance of my work has always been such as to encourage me in it, and # have had any success :n it, it has been owing quite as much to your cooperation in it, and your satis- faction with it, and to certain kind of gentle influence exerted by one. whose ministry cannot be abroad, but only in the quiet scenes of do- nestle life, and who is nearer to me than any of you can belt has been owing to these causes, as much as to any other, that I have had any success at all And Ithank you all for your as- sistance and cooperation.
 Mir. c. then proceeded to speak of some of the changes which. twenty years had produced in the Parish-also to express his thanks particu- larly to the elder portion of the congregation (who were nearly all present. for tlieir forbear- ance of his earlier and more imperfect labors and for that respect they had for so many years shown him. He also adverted to the importance of good will and mutual confidence among all those who in middle life with himself, were bearing the heat and burden of the day, and with few words to his neighbors and the children, he closed by expressing the hope that the results to which his ministry looked, might be fully re, alized in the salvation of all who were pres ent.
 After Mr. Churchill had finished, MT. Walker Mr. Summers and others sung the spirited song " Might with the Right" at the conclusion of which, the following resolution was offered by the Chair:
 Resolced, That we have cause for gratitude to God, that we. as Parish, are permitted to eel ebrate the twentieth anniversary of our Pastor s ministry. -....> @..:.
 To which -Dea Nathaniel Minor, one of the fathers and pillars of the Church, responded in the happiest manner
 | The Chair then read the following resolution
 Resolued, That in behalf of this assembly our Pastors continuance with us for so long time is truly matter of devout thankfulness to God aud of great satisfaction to us.
 To this J. c. Minor, Esq, responded as fol- lows:
 The present occasion, my friends, is one of deep interest to us all, especially to those who united in calling Mir. Churchill to become the pastor of this people. recollect distinctly the circumstances of his coming here Our call was unanimous in the fullest society meeting 1 have ever attended. Mir. Harvey Morris and Dea. R. H. Hotchkiss were appointed committee to communicate the result. MT: Churchill was ill New Haven. It might have been done by writ ing, but the committee were not so inclined and neither would allow the other to go alone therefore they went together on purpose. Mir. Churchill's response was in the same cordial manner, and at the time of his installation there was manifest degree of interest not to be for gotten by those who participated in the transac. tions of that day. It is comparatively rare fol the pastoral relation to continue between the same minister and people twenty years, yet such Is the fact with us, and that too with a unanimi l ty probably not often witnessed. We have met to-day to commemorate these events-to show that we appreciate the value of that relation as l exists with us-to show that we love our pastor 1 that we place high estimate upon his labors and have we not also met most cordially to re new the contract which was made between him and this people twenty years ago. Let us then in dividually and unitedly stand by him-let him have an abiding place in our affections and r our petitions at the throne of grace-let us co operate with him in the use of all such means as tend to advance the Redeemer's kingdom and especially let us ever feel that pastor is in g great degree what hs people make him. i To you, my dear sir, would say-we thank the great head of the church for placing you here, for the ability he has given you to perform the duties of your office, we thank him for the success which has attended your ministry and for all the pleasant and endearing associations which have continued to exist among us as pas tor and people, For the future we tender to you our kind regards and cheerful cooperation We trust that cur relations will be continued during another twenty years and we may moi hope for a muchs longer period. l said that g pastor is in great degree what his people make him-is it not also true that people are E some degree such as their pastor makes them We arc social beings, enjoy each others society act upon each other, imbibe each others views and feelings. our sympathies are much in com mon and to a great extent we are instrumental of good or i'll to our associates. Let us then a- Dor together striving to promote each others welfare, and may the blessing of heaven attend us. May this anniversary be the beginning of still brighter days than we have hitherto enjoy ed, and when the, great day of account shall come, may we, pastor and people, each and all be prepared to unite in that song of praise and 1 glory and honor which shall never, never end. At the conclusion of Mir. Miners remarks, a third and final resolution was offered viz: Reso1red, That whereas the relation of the Pastor to this people has been continued for so long time in unbroken harmony, it is our hope and prayer that it may long be perpetuated. Ties of time a:day can sever-
 But the ties of spirit, never.
 ! To which the venerable Gideon Hoister, Esq., father of the Historian, and long respected and valuable member of the Church, made an exceedingly appropriate and happy response.
 At the close of his remarks the formalities of the evening were dispensed with, and the com pany proceeded to dispense with the excellent refreshments which had been prepared with boundless profusion by the ladies of the Parish. The tables groaned beneath the weight of the luxuries and dainties they upheld, while they were ornamented with wreaths of flowers and garlands of evergreen, and covered with em- blems of Union and Peace, and above all was written the sentiment, |" Love is the Golden Chain"
 The whole evening passed off thus joyously and pleasantly, and was an occasion long to be remembered by both pastor and people, and long to be cherished by both, as rivetting anew