Connecticut western news., 1872-04-12

ing of the inhabitants, proposal was made to build new meeting house, by raising sum by subscription sufficient. with the usual tax of individuals liable to pay society taxes, to defray the expense. After free discussion of the subject vote was taken, and passed in the affirmative. A committee was appointed, residing in the different school districts, to solicit subscriptions. They soon obtained $l827. Another com mittee was appointed to ascertain the centre of the town in order to fix the site tor the meeting house. But at a meeting, assembled the 9th of the next December, the above votes were rescinded, and one passed very unanimously to defray the whole expense of building the meeting house by subscription. The money sub scribed, to be paid in three equal and an- nual instalments, beginning in one year from the above date. A new committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions. They very readily obtained the amount of $4437.75, and several gentlemen engaged to add to their subscription if necessary. The remainder of the expense was paid by subscription. Michael F. Mills, Esq, was appointed an agent to contract for, and superintend the building and finishing of the house. The site for the house was established June 18th, 1872. Mir. David Hoadley was engaged as architect; and the business commenced early in the spring of 1913. The business proceeded with great regularity and faithfulness. The house completed in 1874, and was dedicated in August of the same year. Its cost was $6OOO. It was furnished with good clock. by the liberality of the Rev. Thomas Rob- bins, a son ot our first and beloved pastor. In 1922, an organ was procured and set in the front gallery, where accommodations were prepared to seat the choir of singers. lsII.-October 18th, MT. Robbins having preached to this people 50 years, prepared and preached half century sermon, his text was Acts, 26th chapter, 22d and 2sd verses. He remarked, in course of his ser mon, that, since tue church was first gathered in thls town, 549 members hac
 
 persons, the most of them were children oi those who were in full communion, few were adults. He had attended 760 burials the average number for each year being about l5. He had joined 276 couple 1T marriage. Crhe number joined by ciVi authority not known.) He had preached 65OO sermons, including those preached ! abroad. Ills also remarked that. at tha time, there were but two persons liyinl who belonged to this church when lA wa ordaiped-Mrs. Dorothy Case, of this town and Major Noah Allen, of Tyringham He said that, in the whole course of hi ministry, there had been but two cases o distraint for ministerial taxes, and thos two persons had turned to other denomina tions after their tax became due; strik 1 ing and convincing proof of the harmon, and of the willingness of his people to giv him support.
 From 1911, Mir. Robbins health gradu ally declined, but he was able to preach som part of the time until the summer of 1913 He met with his people for the last tim for public worship on the Sabbath, littl before the old meeting-house was take down; being unable to ascend the pulpit he rose in his pew, and closed the service of the day by short but solemn address and then, after very appropriate and fel vent prayer, retired from the congregation l of his beloved people, to meet them E more, until he met them at the bar of Go to render their account-a scene to whic he had often referred them.
 l To be Continued.