Morning journal and courier., 1885-10-22
WostVfIEe.

c' westvfIle.
 Last Sabbath was an interesting day for the Congregational church of Westvllle, it being ths shirtieth anniversary of Rev. Dr.
 Williams pastorate. The pulpit was taste
 fully decorated with groups of flowers and
 autumn leaves surrounding the dates 1855
 1885 in large figures. The pastors text was from Luke IS, 9: ''Give an account of thy stewardship" He first touched briefly upon
 the impressive fact that nearly all the con-
 gregation to whom he first nni1fistered had
 passed away and another generation had ts-
 ken their place. Then after a brief and
 graphic sketch of the progress of the world
 since 1s55 toward popular enlightenment,
 purer morality and a more secure civil order, he spoke of the upward progress of this community during the same period. In 1855 its educational fa- eilities were very heager and public spirit WAS at low ebb. Now we have a superior
 gtaded school where all can receive an cd
 ucation, and onr roads and sidewalks good,
 our dwellings neat and comfortable. Good order prevails, vice and crime are exception al, ana the morals of the village will con-
 pare favorab1y with any other place in the land But the progress ia to continue and a growing prosperity is to be expected. It Is safe to predict that, within the life of the
 next generation, our broad plain inviting oc- eupation by it's pure air and it's charming rock; hill and forest scenery, will be in great part threaded with busy streets and dotted with tasteful dwellings.
 Turning to the history of the church, the paskot sroka of it's organization in 1o32 with 31 members; Of t!is addition from that period to 1855 of 146 members, and of its present number being about 300. And Its growth had far more than kept pace with the growth of the. village. However, he was not a believer much in quantity as qual- ity. And here he took occasion to speak ot the general good feeling that had ever pre- vailed among the members of the church towards one another snd towards him, a1ia their readiness to engage in all Christian src- tivities, adding a deserved tribute to the memory of here and there one whose race had been run and who had entered upon his re- ward. Then, after few brief allusions to other pleasant "reminiscences of the past, he closed with expressi 1g the hope that we might all so improve the means of grace within on1
 reach and so exemplify our faith in our con duct that our successors may have abundant | reason to cherish our memories also Tn; | following items of interest should be added herei Dr. Willard during his ministry has II | He also, which is quite remarkable, has l never for single Sabbath been kept by sick ness from his pull pit.
 On the following Tuesday evening there 1 was an impromptu social gathering of the 1 congregation in the church edifice called to give opportunity for the exchange of con- gratulations. The exercises were opened with prayer by the pastor followed with | singing by the choir, after which addresses pertenent to the occasion made b. | Messrs. Eb nezer B. and L. Wheeler Beecher,
 and others. It was evident from the entire 1 tenor of these addresses that the pastor is 1 universally reversed and beloved by his peo- pie. Their confidence in him is implicit and | unwavering It has been tried and tested by | time; and now, more than evel are they ready to testify their l regard and affection for him. At | the close he expressed in an appropriate man ner his heartfelt thanks to his people fol | their generous and liberal dealings with him and for the uniform kindness he had ever received at their hands. A pleasant feature of the evening was the reading by MT. Chas. G. Merriman of a poem composed by him self for the occasion. At the close of the exercises bounteous collation. was served iI the lecture room. Altogether the occasion was one long to be cherished among oul most pleasant memories.