The Press., 1888-12-20
UNION.

Very many of the former residents of the town came last week Thursday to unite with the towns people in observance oi the 15Oth anniversary of the Congregation al church. Rev. Geo. Curtiss of Hartford gave historical address, 8 copy of which The Press is happy to say that it has pro- cured for publication, and which will be printed next week. Interesting incidents were the reading of the following letters tFrom Prof. Curtiss of Chicago Theological Semi l nary.l
 Chicago, Dec. sth, 1888. 1 regret exceedingly that I cannot be pres- lent at the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Congregational church at Union. am impressed with two things in this con- nection: with the wonderful longevity of Christian churches in general, and of this church in particular; 2-with the amount of good that has been accomplished by the church for the town in improving it's moral condi- tion, and in training up young men and women for usefulness in other places. Surely there is every reason for maintaining the church. May it be continued as long as the town of Union shall exist.
 feel personally grateful for my connection with the church. and honor her as my spirit ual mother through whom I received my re- hgious life. Give my kindest greetings and warmest congratulations to all my old friends. Your aff. brother, SAMUEL IVES CURTIss.
 (From Union boys at Yale eEUniversity)
 West Haven, Dec 10th, 1888.
 To the Congregational church in Union Dear friends As we hear that you are about to celebrate the anniversary of the organiza- tion of the church, our thoughts turn back in grateful remembrance to old Union, and our hearts are filled with thanksgiving that our childhood was surrounded with such ennob- ling Christian influences.
 We wish to express our love for the church of our youth, and can say heartily, in the words of the elder President Dwight,
 ''I love Thy kingdom, Lord,
 The house of Thine abode,
 Tine church our blest Redeemer saved
 With His own precious blood"
 We often think of the church at Union, earnestly desiring it's welfare and prosperity, esp cially in spiritual things; that God who has planted it and watered it may still con- tinue to watch over it and bless it, and work through it for the salvation of souls in Union. AS we think of the influence which the church of Christ in Union exerted over our early lives, an influence which we intend shall spread to all those we meet, wherever may be our pathway in life; as we think of all the noble men and women who spent their earlier years in Union and went out to bless human ity; as we think of those WhoSin the impress sible part of their lives are now receiving their ideas of Christianity rom It's members, and whose lives, directed in the right way, may be powers In the world for good, we cannot help feeling that the church of Christ in Union has done mobts scOrk, and that it still has much to do.
 May God grant that in His book, the pages which shall record the next hundred and fifty years of this church may be written tHick with records of loving deeds and unselfsh lives; and that each one of us, realizing our responsibility and the influence we may exert for Him, may 50 live that those who are look ing up to us for Christian teaching may take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus and learned of him.
 Gro. N. LAWSON, Members of the
 HARVEY M LAWSON, onnfcn ID onl0n' Elmer F. fletcher of the Congregational church in Southbridge, Ernest B. Severy of the Baptist church in Waterbury, and Fl. H. Booth of Union, all of whom spent their early years in Union, and who are now students here, unite with us in their>lbest wishes for your welfare.
 Prof. Curtiss, and Rev. Geo. Curtiss, who gave the historical address, are sons of the late Rev. Samuel I. Curtiss, for so many years pastor of the church in Union.