Middletown transcript., 1878-04-20

congregation is now extinct. But the
dead has been quickened into a beau
ful life:
con the pale cheek of death smiles and roses
are blooming,
And beauty immortal awakes from the tomb"
With the long period of twenty
years between the assembling of the
people in the old cemetery ground, and
the present site in town, and SO many
Of the former congregation being now
either deceased or removed from the
vicinity, it is found difficult to gather
up any items of the intervening period
that can be Of special interest, or reli-
ability. The following fragment, how
ever, is of value, and will prove enter
tanning as helping to supply a vacuum
that otherwise would remain total
blank. 1t has been kindly furnished
by Mr.. Andrew Eliason, who is the
only living official link binding togeth-
er the former and the present organi-
cations. He was member of the old
Board of Trustees when they last met;
and has also been a member of the
present board from its beginning. His
testimony, therefore, is regarded as
both important and authentic. Mr..
Eliason states that about the year 1910
there was congregational meeting
called in the "Grove," front of the Old
Forest Church, with a view to repair
ing the house of worship, then much
dilapidated. At that meeting an cleo
ton was held which resulted in the
choice of the following trustees: Major
William Rothwell, DR.. Martin Barr,
Mr.. Robert Cochran, Mr.. James Rob-
erts, DR.. James Naudain, Mr.. Samuel
Vail at and and AR Ar Andrew Eliasen After
some consideration and inquiry, on
motion, the trustees resolved to employ
a suitable person to examine the edi-
fee thoroughly and report its condi-
ton. The result was that it was found
entirely too much decayed to admit of
repair, and the idea was abandoned.
The old building was afterwards sold
at public auction, an the entire grounds
enclosed with the proceeds of the sale.
And here must end our history Of the
former dispensation.
After the abandonment of the old
Forest edifce a number of the people
worshipped with the Drawers church,
and became incorporated with it.
Such was the state of things from
about 1912 till 1850. During the
ministry Of the Rev. DR.. Handy, after
much active labor in this part of his
field, and earnest cheerful cooperation
on the part of the people, the present
organization was effected and this COM
modious house Of worship was built.
The church assumed organic from
June 1851. Through the energy and
liberality of some still among us, and
of others to glory gone, this building
was erected, and still remains a mon
ument of their wisdom and commend
able zeal. 1t was dedicated the last
Sabbath of Oct, 1851, at which SER
vice [ had the pleasure Of being pres
ent with Rev. DR.. Bainerd, and preach
ing one of the sermons. To-day, the
25th anniversary Of that occasion, in
the unexplainable movements of di-
vine Providence | am here as Pastor
to narrate something of our progress
and achievements since our resuscita-
ton, and intimate briefly our duties
and prospects for the time to come.
The Columbus (Ga.) Inquirerprints
this diamond story: "Prof. J. E. Bas-
sett, of French Broad, n. c., who is
now in Wetumpka, Ala, has dia-
mond not only of enormous size, but
purity. 1t was found by
his wife, Mrs. A. H. Bassett, on the
bank of the Coosa River, just below
the falls, within the corporate limits of
Wetumpka. As soon as the Profes-
;or exhibited the stone he was offered
10000 for it. He had the stone ex-
lmined by w. S. Preston, a watch
maker and jeweller, who pronounced
t intrinsically worth $4,000. He will
end it to New York, to have it
lressed.
A Lowell man who lost his good
character some time ago was severely
lauled over by some of his former
riends. Il know it, boys; I know
ny characters gone, lost entirely
And" he added rather pointedly,
it's too confounded bad, for it was
he only one in the place worth saw
ng."- LoueU journal.
A little Athol boy. guilty of some
Misconduct, upon being asked why he
ould be SO naughty, replied that he