Morning journal and courier., 1880-03-15
st. Panl.s ssemi-Centennial.

Fifty Years Ag0-SG Faults as n Mission
 -'Ehe Edifice-Its Construction i'm
 IS3O-Other Churches
 Fifty years ago come the 22d of April next is the fftieth anniversary of St. PauPs church. The event will be duly commemora- ted.
 Easter is the Sunday after next On that day in the morning, Bishop Williams will be present and officiate, administering the rite of confirmation, and in the afternoon the annual exercises of the Sunday school will take place. Thus two interesting days to this large and prominent parish are at hand. The half cen- tury anniversary will be of course a great day. The arrangements for the day are not yet fully complete. but one of the special features will be an historical address by Judge John O. Hollister, in whose capable hands the subject will receive the justice 1t merits. His complete familiarity with the history of the parish will also add greatly to this desira- ble end. The old part of the church edifice as 1t stands to-day is the same which looked down upon the New Haven of fifty years ago. Already It's ivy grown walls look historic and suggestive, and appeal to the heart. Many a one among the venerable heads which bowed in worship there when the church was newly built have long since disappeared from earth. Many a present member holds the ehurch dear from wealth of associations, memo ries of childhood and of parents gone before. The church was consecrated April 22nd, 1880. At that time and until fifteen years later, the only Episcopal parish in New Haven was that of Trinity; and it was extensive with the entire city and the entire town. including Fair Haven and Westville. St. PauPs was an offshoot of Trinity, and until 1885 was mis- l sion of Trinity. It came into existence as a | branch of Trinity in the days of Dr. Cros- l well, whose memory is still revered and his high abilities recalled. For many year 1t l was under the charge of Dr. Croswell, and 1 hundreds of sermons were preached within it's walls by that noted divine. The church l became separate parish in 1845. A few years ago the edifce during the rectorship of 1 Rev. MT. Lobdeu was considerably enlarged, with an octagon addition in the rear and a wing at the left of the rear end, all of stone, being important improvements. The besuti full memorial windows are also contributions of late years. The church has given at least one Bishop in the person of Bishop Littlejo ofLongIsland, whose eloquence is not forgotten. The church has fine record. The pastor last evening preached upon the true test of suc- | cess. It was not riches, nor emoluments, nor power, though the improvement of talents and gifts was duty, but the true test of success, as God viewed it, was faithfulne5s to duty. The world judged of men too much by the | oe Ho1 ;,,Io kx &bn standard of faithfulness. Oftentimes the suc- cess standard was fallacious. Success was | often the result of chance. The test of faith. fitness consisted simply in doing the best 1 that lay in one's power. Such test was emf
 nently fair, and to all men applied equally. | All could be faithful to the call of duty ir
 whatever sphere God had placed them. All could do the Masters work as true men ir
 whatever station of life assigned. In so doing,
 Gods favor was obtained prize higher than
 coronets, higher than the treasures of earth. The disciple was not to be envious, or pine, nol let discontent enter his heart at an inferior
 station. The talismanic call of duty obeyeG
 brought the peace of God, which was above
 understanding. The same test should be ap piled in our judgments of others. Blind ador
 ation of success simply should be discounte-
 nanced. The touchstone of honor, fidelity
 truth and justice, should be applied in tht
 Christians estimate of men. Honor and def
 erence to true worth was the rule. Thes
 were simple truths, but day by day and yea
 by year men were making their record whicl
 was to be judged by Gods standard. With
 few eloquent, earnest words of application
 the speaker closed.
 The Rev. Dr. Todd preached another dis
 course on the life and work of St. Paul yes
 terday afternoon. It was listened to witl
 special interest by large congregation.
 The Rev. Mir. McAlister preached at thu
 George street church last evening to larg
 congregation from Mark 8:36-37. It was
 highly interesting discourse. He is soon tc
 take up his residence in New York city, con
 cluding his labors here the 1st of April.
 The railroad mems meeting at Howard ave
 nue church last evening was largely attended half hours address was made by Rev. MT
 Noble, the Newark evangelist who is residing
 in West Haven temporarily, conducting ser
 ies of revival meetings at the M. E. churcl l there.