Connecticut western news., 1878-01-10

The spirit for such work is bred in our bones. The bones of New England; that which has made her triumphant over SO many obstacles. The visitor views with wonder. the evidences of prosperity every where seen in our land, but nowhere more apparent than Tn rugged New England. Not by our own might and power and that of our forefathers, have we done this; built up in two hundred years such sub- stantial wealth, but Gods blessing, honor ing those who honor Him, is the basis of our prosperity. Temperance, frugality and industry have been the visible means of progress, yet with 8 motive power back of this, with an influence deeper and more powerful than any temporal considerations, has been the feeling of responsibility of stewardship-not ownership-in our talents and opportunities of obligation to others; for as our ancestors made sacrifice for us, so ought we to make personal sacrifice for those who shall come after us; it matters not whether of our own kith and kin, yet of the great brotherhood of man. Above all, as Christians, believing that Christ gave Himself for us, how can we in return with hold anything from his service that God hath given us? Feeling these obligations in the spirit of Christian Charity and good. fellowship of brotherly love, this chapel has been erected, and we are assembled in the name of our Lord and Master, to dedi- cate it to His worship, to acknowledge our obligations of service to Him; not only the se rvice of our hearts, but also in the use of our worldly goods which are His gift, sc, knowledgng the power of His words, that 1t is more blessed to give than to receive, and feeling also that our gifts, though small, will be blessed with the approbation of our Lord: for hath he not explicitly taught us that it is not the amount of our gifts. but the spirit with which they are be- slowed and the self-denial which they re- quire, when He comments the poor widow who had cast two mites into the treasury, saying that ''Thls poor widow hath cast more in than all they which have cast into the treasury; for all they did cast in of their abundance, but she, of her want, did cast ln all that she had-even all her living"
 Grant, blessed Lord that our gift may be accepted as coming from willing hearts, overhowng with loving gratitude for the manifold mercies and blessings we have re- ceived; and above all, in acknowledgement of the precious gift ot Saviour from our sins, and that under the diyine guidance in it's control, this chapel may prove a bless ing, as 1t was intended me- ns of promo tlng the social, moral and religious in- terests of this community, in that spirit of Chrlstian brotherhood and love that would
 
 Christ and his service.
 How are the petty strifes and preiudces of protesting Christians who would allow none to enter the kingdom except through their chosen door, rebuked when Christ saith, II am the way, the truth. and the lite;" so wide and free is Christ. And again when our charity IS solicited in behalf of home objects. to benefit our neighbors, those whom we know, and we withhold Cur gifts, how can we answer the apostle who says: ''For he who loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen ?"
 Turning to MT. Fitch, the speaker said: To you, sir, who are the pastor of this church, have no need of word of ad- vice. You did not seek the building of this chapel to tighten your labors: you con- prehend the wants of this community; you feel your responsibility as an ambassa- dor of Christ to them, and you are ready for any duty imposed upon you by your Master; even Christ, and following His ex- ample which was first pure, then peace. able," and the instruction of His great apos- tie to Timothy: ''Reprove, rebuke, exhor, with all long suffering and doctrine" We trust in you to ''endure hardness, and show yourself good soldier of Jesus Christ"
 THE ACCEPTANCE.
 The pastor, the Rev. MT. Fitch, who was requested to accept the gift in behalf of the church, said:
 1 am requested to accept this beautiful gilt on behalf of the church and society which it is my privilege to serve in the gos pei of our Lord; and in behalf of Him to whom you bring forward to-day your free will offering to lay at his feet The church accepts of this new chapel; if she under stands the spirit in which it is offered and the purpose to which it is now to be dedi- cated, with sincerest gratitude, because she believes it to. be most acceptable to the Great Head of the Church. God has steadily and substantially blessed this church within few years in the addition of seventy souls to her membership, of whom one-half have their residences in the village and have manifested their interest in the church by climbing the hill between the village and North Cornwall-no easy task-iu order to unite with It. He has blessed her by uniting her widely scattered membership upon one shepherd, by steady increase of beneyolent contributions through these past four years of ''hard tlmes", except the year just closed. during which part of our gifts have been divert ed into this home channel for the chapel. He has blessed the efforts of the church to maintain public services in the village by putting it in the hearts of the citizens here to unite in supporting her minister, and to provide place, audience and cheerful assist ance, and every auxiliary needful to make him feel welcome. He has so far blessed the labors of the Christian workers in the village in their Sunday school, as to make it a strong right arm to the church, as well as fruitful nursery to her larger vineyard He has so graciously poured out His spirit upon the homes of our citizens that it may be said of our villagers; they are very large ly church-going community. Now in view of these more recent evidences of Gods blessings upon our church and con- munity, we deem it decidedly the rieht thing to do. to Raise our Ebenezer" ID to- ken of our gratitude; saying with the de- vout prophet. "Hitherto hath the Lord blessed us." And when we do what is right we are confident it will be acceptable to the Lord. In behalf of the gray old church there. which las been pleased to witness these signs of blessing and growth in it's age, gladly accept this building as our latest 'Ebenezer," 'Stone of Help," with the prayer that it may never prove a stone of stumbling. Moreover, in behalf of the church, accept of this gift gladly because know the purpose of the donors has been to establish here true "Be,hc"or house Of Goo, ana cannot ooubt put Dat He is pleased with that purpose. May it fulfil the mission of house of God on earth, and prove the gate of heaven to great multitude of souls. The church accepts of this chapeI and hopes things may be called by their right names She does not believe there is either room or reason for two churches in this portion of the Masters vineyard at present cultivated by her labor CTS; but she sees no cause for anxiety; still less for envy and jealousy, merely because while the old church stands on the bill at