Tolland County press., 1883-03-01
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received call to the pastorate of the Bap tist church at Gresnville. He took fo his text Acts 20: %: sAnd now. breth
 ren, commend you to God and to th.
 werd of His grace which is able to buile
 you up and ts give you an inhsritanc,
 among all them which are sanctifed. A preliminary to his farewell discourse h. l gave brief historical sketch of the churot l building from the time it was built unti l the close of the pastorate. The meeting house which they at present occupied was
 built iu the year 184O, and it was now consequently 43 years old. It was buil
 in most substantial manner, and its
 foundation is upon rock, he trusted, not only literally but spiritually, SO that in the words of Paul to the Ephesians Tn
 whom all the building titly framed to- gether groweth unto holy temple in the Lord. In whom ye also are builded to- gether for habitation of God through the spirit, and are built upon the founda. tion of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." The first religious society that met within its walls had for it's pastor Rev. Dexter Bullard, who preached the dedication sermon on the first Sabbath in November, .184O, with Bros. Richmond and Converse as the first deacons. Mir. Cornell stated that it would occupy too much time to enter into full account of the various changes that had taken place during period of forty years, although he had collected great deal of informa- tion concerning the history of the. re- ligious societies that had worshipped in this building, from old records and pa- pers and interviews with old residents hence he would not on this occasion at- tempt to give record of the pastors and preachers who had officiatea within the walls of this sanctuary. He would mere ly say that many of them have passed from their labors into eternal rest. Many of their names are household words in
 Westford Some of them were students of promising abilities, who have since made their mark in the christian life
 Some of them were men of fine scholarly
 attainments who have left the impressions of their genius upon the literature of the nation. Men whose fine christian char
 acters remain living and perpetual monRe
 ments to their memory. In the words of holy writ-''The memory of the just is blessed" He would here say that he |commenced his labors with them in Jnne,
 1881, succeeding the highly esteemed Rev.
 l.. P. Bickford, who removed in March to North Serbia to New York state. The pastor then entered into an account of the present membership of the church also he give review of the work done hy the various auxiliary branches of the so- ciety. The church attendance had been considered large for such 8 section of country, but he would still have wished to have seen it larger. The attendance of the young people was especially encour
 aging. The Sabbath school of the church had been greatly increased in numbers Alncs Bro. White had commenced his Ia. bors as superintendent, and also decided results had been manifested of progress and spiritual growth. Union meetings had been held with the Congregational so- ciety every Tuesday evening alternately Rev. Oscar Bissell. Young peoples meet house to house with blessed results. Ad- miles east of the village every Sunday af- ternoon and Wednesday evenings, which he hoped would continue. Temperance meetings had also been held with good effeets. A literary society had been form cd under the able presidency of Mir. Shsr- man Paine, which as 8 moral enterprise had been beneficial in the highest degree, educating the mind, refining the manners, stimulating the intellect, and thus bring ing forth the talent and intelligence of the community. Although not in session at present, he hoped that it might be re- vived and form a permanent organization.
 MT. Connell next give the financial record of the church, showing that the church had raised sufficient funds for the pur- pose of liquidatlng it's debt contracted by making alterations and improving and embellishing the building, He paid a high tribute of commendation to the presi- dent, Mrs. A. Kinney, and ladies of the Industrial Unlon for their praiseworthy efforts and self sacrificing endeavors in the labor of love. After closing the account of the condition of the church, the preach.
 CT drew the attention of hls audience to Paals parting advice to the elders at MIlebas. The chapter from which the text was taken was practical, pathetic and suggestice. It clearly showed the duties of ministers and people. Paul appealed to them concerning his life-"Ye know af- ter what manner have been with you at all seasons serving the Lord with all hu-. mility of mind and teaEs." Nosa minister ought to commend himself te his hearers with condescensien, modesty and self abasemsnt. He fought to be tender, affec. tionate and compassienable A church to be spiritually rich ought to be invigorated
 with the spirit of Paul. The fouadatiop
 must be Christ. It must reproduse the spirit of OFT I.erd in it's memherahip and
 present him before tue world in all his
 beauty. The christian says Qhristlisb is
 the worlds Bible. Christians ought to be the worlds Christ. Richard Baxter said he owed his success to his peoples, prayers and he believed that his peo, ples' prayers were the best tsatimonials they could glye him. The preacher con cluded his discourse by speaking tenderly and evidently with deep emotion upon his ministerial experience in Westford. Of the love and kindness exhibited by the people of their sincere attachment he never doubted; no kinder friends he ever had sand his departure was to Aim like leaving the home of his birth. He would lalways remember with sense of pleasure the happy meetings they had had tegsth- CT, as paster and people, in the church and in their homes, and he interceded their prayers for himself in his new field 1 of labor, and as he hoped and prayed they would be hleaaed in the future. In eIos- ll ing, he said he felt unwilling to say the word farewell it had choksd many an ut terance and started many tear the hand Is clasped; the word is spoken we part, and are out upon the ocean of time. God