Morning journal and courier., 1888-05-26
I'm THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY.

i I'm THE NAUGATBCA VALLEY
The work Among 1he Congregational
| Churches.
At the recent Naugatuck Valley Congre-
| gational Church conference, held at Terry.
vile, the Rev. DR.. ]. G. Davenport gave
a number of reports in relation to the work
being carried on at the various churches. In
regard to Birmingham, the first church dealt
with, it was stated that the young people
were showing great interest in the church
by their services, and the church debt had
| been wholly paid by subscription. Sabbath
congregations at Derby had largely increased.
Twenty-eight persons had united with the
church, the prayer meetings increased in i'm
terest and the Sunday school doubled.
"Card-dating" was proceeding at Norwich
for new pastor, while the Sabbath service
was still good. The depletion of population
and wealth in Middlebury was discouraginR.
but the people ought to grid themselves with
all possible courage to meet the situation.
The new parish house, approaching compile
ton at Naugatuck, would prove q valuable
instrument of church work. Twenty three
new adherents were reported and the Young
Peoples society increased in interest and
helpfulness. Oxford which had a record of
more than 40 years of faithful service, was
also without q pastor, and the subject of
finding new one was already occupying
their attention. The new pastor at Terry
vile was laudably following in the footsteps
OF Mr. Griggs, the late pastor, whose yalua- |
Bile services extended over thirteen years. |
Plymouth sent no report. but probably sub |
NIT through the Litchfeld South conso- |
citation. The church in Prospect re- /
ported an increase, although the population |
of the town was decreasing. Seymour, un-
der It's nsw pastor, was enjoying prosperity
into its fellowship. The pastor reported the /
church as approaching its one hundredth
festal day in 1889. Thomaston reported
that sixteen new members had united them
selves on. the 9th of May. The congregation
of Reynold's Bridge was much afflicted by
CESS, which occurred on the 25th of Febru-
airy. Services had been regularly held since
his death. Watertown still manifested
growth, and would celebrate it's 150th anni-
versary in 1889. The pastor Of Waterbury
had returned from holiday in the Bermu-
das much refreshed and had met with an en-
thusiastic reception on his return. Heating
apparatus had been introduced into the
The Second church of % wat s9iUuU;
was also well sustained during the pastors
absence. Sixty-seuen had been added to its |
membership. Woleott surrendered its pas
or to the service of the American Missionary
society, he having been called to the presi-
iency of Tongaloo college, Mississippi, and I
he pulpit had been filed by the Rev. w. j,
durphy. Woodbury. North reported itself in
xcellent condition, and as regards temperance
he town had been transformed. Ten years
go it was cursed with rum and to lift ones |
dice against it was an offense; now to re- y
train ones voice was an ofense. In conf
luding the reading of the reports Mr. Daven-
ort said that each church should cultiyate
] its own membership spirit of harmony.
or the attainment of this end in relation to @
Il churches ne suggested that fellowship
leetings should be held and that FREQUENT
xchangss of pulpits should take place.