Morning journal and courier., 1880-06-24
Anniversary and Installation.


 First Congregational Church, Fair Ha-
 ven-Installatfon of Rev. Burdett Hart
 Historical Discourse - Addresses by
 Other nivfneS-Beautifu1 Floral Deco
 rations-A Notable Occasion.
 The semi-centennial anniversary of the First Congregational church, Fair Haven, and the installation of the Rev. Burdett Hart as it's pastor, took place yesterday, making an occasion freighted with interest not only to the large congregation to whom the place of worship is endeared by 8 hundred tender reco1lections and associations, but to the large congregation worshiping at the sister church across the Quinnipiac, the Second church-an offshoot of the First-also to the public in general in this section of the city. The beautiful church was richly and lavishly adorned for the occasion with an abundance of lovely flowers, choice plants, vines, hang ing baskets, etc. The speaking platform was splendidly decorated, and in front on the marble communion table was a magnificent burden of flowers resting upon messy bed. Numerous stands were arranged near by, flower laden and vine laden, while a century plant stood sentinel-like on either side of the main aisle. Along the galleries at intervals depended hanging baskets of plants vines and flowers, and each window seat was filed with lovely burden of choice potted plants. Prominent among the elaborate floral decora- tions in the alcove back of the pulpit was a large white cross of daisies, the main piece twelve feet in length. Above this was ground work of flowers representing the heavens, dotted with stars, and the words 'tHitherto the Lord has Helped Us." Out of this ground work white dove was emerging On the pillars at each side of the preachers desk were displayed 's1S30"-''189O'' in vel low immortelles very prettily arranged. Un- derneath the latter year was a small blue banner, bearing upon it in golden letters the names of the six pastors the church has had in the past fifty years Mitchell, Swan, Hart, Folsom Staats, Hart Of these the first named is dead, and of the others Revs. Staats and Hart were present. Much credit for the work of decorating is given to Mrs. Dr. w. H. Thompson, Mrs. Deacon Farren, Mrs. samueyBishop, Walter Bishop, Albert Bishop and Mrs. Charles Blatchley.
 At the ecclesiastical council held prior to the morning exercises there were present from Madison, Rev. J. A. Gallup; Durham, Rev. A. s. Cheesebrough North Haven, Rev W. T. Reynolds; North Gull ford. Rev. c. w. Drake; Durham Gen. ter, Rev. E. C. Baldwin Fair Haven Sec ond, Rev. H. C.. Hovey; North Madison, R. H. Gidman; Northford, Rev. T. A. Leete of East Haven, Rev D. J. Clarke; Dr. Leonard Bacon, Professor George E. Day, Dr. Owen Street and Dr. N. J. Burton. There were also at the council of lay delegates, Samuel Griswold, of Madison; Daniel B.. Coe, of Dur ham; Deacon Thaddeus Street, of East Haven; Robert W. Smith, of North Haven Deacon Charles Page, of North Branford Deacon Samuel W. Dudley, of North Gull ford; Deacon Charles Foote, of Northford John P. Hopson, of North Madison Deacon Lucius Rowe, of Fair Haven East B. c. Eastman, of South Meriden; Henry Hale, of the Church of the Redeemer, New Haven. After examining MT. Hart, the Council voted that he was duly qualified to be installed as pastor of the church.
 The morning exercises began at 10:3O. Nearly all the clergymen named above were seated upon the pulpit platform. The choir sang the anthem, Jerusalem, my Happy Home" Rev. Mr. Hart made the invocation and gave short addr ess of welcome. Hymn 1O9 was then sung. Rev. H. c. Hovey read selections from the Scriptures from Bible presented to the church by A. H. Maltby when it was organized, fifty years ago, and closed with prayer.
 Then came the historical discourse by the Rev. N. J. Burton, of Hartford. The dis course afforded rare pleasure, and was worthy the reputation of the eloquent and scholarly Hartford divine. He began with a survey of the early history of the Congregational Church, starting with the Mayfower and the Pilgrims and the landing of Davenport and the founding of New Haven Colony. He absorbed the attention of the audience from the start The discourse afforded many gems of ripened thought as the theme was pursued. The First church began fifty years ago with ffty-three members many of whom came from the North church. The growth of Fair Haven had rendered the establishment of the new church necessary, and gave promise which was amply fulfilled that it would be self sustaining In 1852 the Second church was formed, taking part of the membership of the First church, in all about 93. Congre- gationalism had extended and grown, so as to make room for another church, which also grew and prospered unto the present day. A very interesting portion of the ad- dress was its reference to the pastors of the church, whose names are above given, viz Mitchell, Swan, Hart, Folsom, Staats, Hart. MT. Hart has served the church twenty one years for fourteen of them con tinuously. The present church cost gently expended in adding to and improving The church is now free from debt. Hymn 1149, Clark, the Song of Jubilee" was sung, followed by the benediction. The choir for the day was composed of Miss Emma Lake and Miss Jennie Field, leading sopranos, as- sisted by Mrs. Alnira Gager, Miss Hattie See1ey, Mrs. F. Howard Hemingway, Miss Emma Palmer and Miss Ettie B. Sanford Miss Nellie'C Barnes alto assisted by Mrs Zebulon Rowe Miss Ada Coates Mrs George w. Black and Miss Carrie Huntley; Henry R. Barnes, tenor, assisted by MT. Wheeler, Q | Daniel Jones; and John C.. Bradley, basso, assisted by William E. Goodyear, Samuel Hemingway, jr., and MT. Bush Mr. George Robinson presided at the organ in the morning. The committee on music consisted of Messrs. John c. Brad ley, H. R. Barnes and Dr. Gil bert. The chairman of the reception com mittee was Deacon Willis Hemingway, assist ed by Deacon James F. Smith, H. M. Rowe and others Ushers-E. M Woodward, chair man F. H. Hemingway, J. s. Hemingway, $. Hemingway, jr., B. s. Bradley, H. Lee Mallory, Henry Tuttle w. Rowe, J. H. Aug UT, F. s. Francis, N A. Tanner
 At the noon recess a most bountiful colla- 1 tlon was served in the Sunday school room 1 to the visiting clergymen, laymen and other 1 guests. fine scene was presented The | tables were spread for over 300 persons The | singing of canaries was mingled with the | chatter of plates and the lively buzz of con- l versation, the little prisoners occupying high l places. Also long sweeps of red, white and | blue diverged from the ceiling toward the | corners, making fine patriotic show.
 The afternoon session was opened by Rev. | MT. Gallup, of Madison, who made few re- l marks, after which Rev. R. A. Gidman, scribe | of the East consociation of New Haven, read l a list of the delegates and the doings of the | consociation at the morning session, which | we have already given in our report. Fol | lowing, Rev. Amos Cheesebrough offered the | opening prayer and read the scripture lesson | The installation sermon was then delivered | by the Rev. Asa s. Fiske. The sermon was l one abounding in beautiful figures, and was | delivered in a clear and impressive style
 Following the sermon Rev Dr. John E. | Todd, of the Church of the Redeemer, made | the installing prayer. Then came the ''Glo- ria Patri" by the choir, which was rendered | in excellent style. The recognition and right 1 hand of fellowship was given by Rev. James A. Gallup; the address to the people by Rev. | Dr. Bacon, and the concluding prayer by Rev. William T. Reynolds. The afternoon exercises closed with singing the hymn com Father of Mercies bow Thine ear