Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-21

We would call attention to the advertisement
OF Mrs, Scott Siddon's readings in Fitchburg, in
to-day'S paper, and say that our neighbors over
in the north part OF the county have great
treat in store for them, Mrs Siddons being one
of the finest readers, and the most beautiful
actress of the time
Town OFFICERS FOR SUTToN.-Moderator
B L Batcheller; Town Clerk, VIM G Chase;
Selectmen, VIM Abbott, L H Hutchinson, and
Horace Leland; Assessors, Israel A Dodge,
H B Billiard, and David I Dudley; 0verseers
of Poor Robert f. Fosdiek, Henry S Stockwell,
and Rufus King; Treasurer and Collector, Geo
Hastings; Constables, Geo Hastings, Frank
L Knox, Elijah Brigham, and II B Bullard;
School Committee, Leander Putnam, John K
Humes, II w Chamberlain, Reuben r Dodge
Horace Leland, Fred T Stockwel, Joel HOugh-
ton; town voted to raise $4,000 for highways.
$1,000 for schools, and $1,000 for incidental eX-
penses.
LEICEsTER-PARocHIAL REMINIscENCEs.-
1t is pleasant in these days of frequent minis
terial changes and vacant pastorates, to bring to
mind an old-fashioned life connection between a
minister and people, where generations have
been born, married, and died, under the same
shepherd, and where the children have been
baptised by the aged servant of God who
joined together in holy matrimony the grand
parents Of many Of his present flock.
Such a connection still exists between the
Old Congregational church and society in
Leicester and their venerable senior pastor, the
Rev. DR.. Nelson, who with the wife of his
youth is now enjoying happy old age in the
midst of their people, after pleasant union
with them and each other of ffty-nnc years.
They have outved all his early associates in
the ministry in this state, excepting the vener-
able Rev. DR.. StOrrs, of Brantrce, who was set
tied at a still earlier date.
Rev. John Nelson was ordained March 4, 1912,
on salary of $3.50 per year. The expenses of
the war which was then coming on, raised prices
to such an extent that they found it impossible to
pay their family expenses, and the salary was
soon after raised one hundred dollars, but never
at any time was more than $3.50 per year.
The subject of a salary was seldom agitated
in the parish, the people freely voting what they
thought in those days sufficient for the support
of their pastor, and the pastor, with happy
connection with his people, being contented with
a small portion of this worlds goods. A long
hllu uuppg ulllOu VI pdSlpi anu pSOplO lollOhNu
his settlement, and not until he had labored in
the ministry thirty-ninc years was any assis-
lance rendered necessary.
Rev. A. G. Dennison was settled as colleague
pastor in 1851 and continued here six years,
when partial failure of his health induced him
to retire, and the present associate, Rev. A. H.
Coolidge, succeeded him in 1857, and is enjoy
ing happy and useful ministry, and now per-
forms all the active parochial duties, the SEN
or pastor having preached his last discourse
about year since
Comparatively few remain among us who
were present at the ordination of our senior
pastor, and not a single member of the church
of 1872 is now in its fold save our venerable
shepherd and his partner in lite.
We had then three meeting-houses in town,
including the Friends; now we have nine. At
that time we had a population of about 1900, a
large proportion of whom were original citizens
of this and neighboring towns, with only one
foreigner by birth within our limits; now, with
population OF about $500, a majority of the
births in town for many years past have been
from foreign parentage.
At the recent annual parish meeting the fol-
lowing letter, previously received by the parish
committee, was communicated to the society:
LEICESTER, Dec. 10, 1870.
TO the committee Of the First CONGREGATIONAL
society In Leicsster.-GENTLEMEN: l fully appreci-
ate the great kindness and hberality of tine First
Congregational society," Leicester during the very
long period of my connection with them as pastor
and minister. / feel especially grateful for provid-
ing colleague pastors SO acceptable when nv health
and strength declined; and, at the same time, for
their freely continuing so generous pecuniary sup
port year after year, since have had so little abi-
ty TO labor.
This lberality in It's abundance its freeness, and
its long continuance is very uncommon. II has
greatly contributed to the comfort of myself and
wife in our old age.
But whila thankful for so many and great past
fayOrs now wish the society to feel released from
ali further obligations for continuing nv salary
sholl cheri'h 10 less fondly my relation to the
church and society as their senior pastor, and no
less ardently desire and pray for their highest well
being Most truly and sAectionately yours,
JOHN NELSON.
In response to this letter the following resolu-
tons were unanimously adopted by the parish:
whereas, a communication has this day been pre-
scented to us from our venerable pastor, Rev. DR..
Nelson in which he has relinquished to this society
annual appropriation heretofore made to him as
our senior pastor,
Resolved, that in accepting this generous and
voluntary gift from our beloved pastor, to the So
ciety which has for so many years been the field Of
his abors, the object of his love, and the subject Of
MS prayers, we nave renewed evidence Oh MS AZ
tachment to the people Of his charge, and his best
wishes for their prosperity
Resolved, that while we feel that the small salary
under which he has for almost sixty years faithfully
labored In this field aud in which for more than
half century he active In his masters service,
mas entitled him to at least pttance for the re-
naming years in which his advanced age has de-
priyed MIN Of performing any aborious service,
we rejoice that his declining days, and that Of his
aged and beloved partner in fe are, In the Provl.
uence OF God, made so comfortable, as to require
assistance from this source
resolved, that we have cause for rejoicing, that
In the goodness Of God we have for so many years,
enjoyed the faithful labors, the prayers, and the