The Newtown bee., 1889-10-04

cites, having church property valued at $60o0, a parsonage valued at $2,5O0, all fully insured, in splendid condition and not dollar of debt. There is mem- bership of 267, two Sunday schools with l06 scholars and there was raised for all purposes in 1888 about $l525. Iii July, 1887, was organized Lee Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor, which has been of great good in the develop- ment of the religious life of young Christi ians. This society has made repairs and improvements in the conference room, where it's prayer meetings are held, every Friday night.
 The members of Lees Chapel have al- ways been noted for their interest in the cause of temperance. The lodge of Good Templars, which meets every Thursday evening in it's own comfortable hall, is largely sustained by them and they are ever ready to join battle against the de mon intemperance and the liquor traffic, in any plan which meets their approval.
 This church celebrated the Tooth ami versary of it's existence on Thursday, September 26, 1888. The first official performance of the new bell was that of calling together a grateful people to thank God for hundred years of blessed history. The day has passed to the rec ord as one of darkness, clouds and rain but, despite the great inclemency, there were present Rev Dr George L. Taylor of Brooklyn; three former pastors of the charge, Reys L. D. Nickerson, A. McAl- lister and William H. Adams; Rev l.. R. Streeter, pastor of the firstM. E. church, Bridgeport; Rev MT Roberts, pastor of the Easton Baptist church; Rev Mir Og- den of the Congregational church; the present pastor of the church, Rev Thom- as E. Gilbert, sand congregation nearly filling the church in the afternoon and crowding it in the evening. The decor ations of the flower committee of the Young Peoples society were tasteful and pretty. On the column to the right of the pulpit were the figures in evergreen 1789 and, on the column at the left of the pulpit, 1889. The choir sang, Wake the Song of Jubilee.' Hymn 79S was sung. Rev A. McAllister, now pastor of the Methodist church at Westbrook. offered prayer. The 24th Psalm was read by Rev William H. Adams, now of the New England conference. Hymn No. was sung. In the absence of the presiding elder, the pastor. Rev Thomas E. Gill bert, presided. Letters and telegrams were read from Revs N. G. Cheney, W. H. Russell, D. $. Stevens, II. Scofield, A. Booth, R. 5. Crawford and III. Aston expressing great regret that circum- stances would not permit their presence. The following communication was re- ceived and read:
 The Methodist Episcopal churches at Mich ols and Long Hill to the old historic Lee Chap ei, church and congregation. Easton, Conn.- Dear Brethren We rejoice with you in youl Centennial Jubilee and wish you n prosper ous future. Read II Cor, K, s.[-Nelson L Porter, Pastor. Nichols, Conn.,, September 26, 1889.
 Addresses full of praise, hallowed rem iniscence and heart-breathing exhortat- ion were delivered by Revs A. McAllis- ter, William H. Adams and Rev Dr Fay Tor. It was with great gladness that the congregation greeted and heard again those who have been their faithful pas tors 29 and 21 years ago and heard for the first time Dr Taylor. The laymen were represented by B. T. Beers, who spoke of the sacredness and dearness to him of the institution of the family and the church. Many of his early associ- ates in the church were gone. He had always been a member of the Sunday school and intended to continue so until it pleases God to call him up higher; by N. T. Hall, who spoke effectively through a drawing executed by his own hands. After he had removed the white covering with the motto I7S9, there was exposed to view magnifcently executed draw ing of the original church; and by Rev William Coggswell of the Center Street church who spoke earnestly of his in- debtedness to Zion. After singing H ymn No. 656 and ssOne Hundred Years to Come'' by the choir, the afternoon meet ing, which was commenced at ? o'clock. was closed at 4 30 p III, with the bene- diction by the pastor of the Baptist church.
 Att 30 p m, the meeting was opened by singing by the choir, 'sJerusalem, My Happy Home, Hymn No. 776, reading Scriptures by Rev A. McAllister and prayer by Rev ". H. Adams. Rev Dr c. . L.Taylor, Brooklyn, entertained the large congregation for an hour with his great poem, ssJesse Lee in New England.n We followed him,as with burning eloquence, pathetic grandeur and sublime poetry his muses followed the great Virginian, Jesse Lee, from Norwalk to Fairfield, New field, New Haven, Bedding, Danbury, Ridgefield, Wilton, Zion's Hill, New Canaan, Stamford, Milford, Stratfield, Stratford, Derby, Newtown, one timer ant two-weeks' circuit and to Middle town, Wethersfield, Hartford, Windsor, Suffield, Pennington Guilford, ybrook, Lynn, New London, Stonington, Rhode Island, Western ssachusetIs, Vermont, New Hampshire, down the Connecticut valley, Northfeld, Montague, Windham Norwich, New London, Newport, Bris' tol, Warren, Providence and, when he 1 gets Mir Lee at ssclassic Boston, wrapt in transcendental mist, we have the privi- |lege of letting Dr Taylor speak for him. self:
 "Boston cries, Fanaticl Ranterl Wild, Hitter
 ate yagabonds,
 Faith. above the scornfuI present, sees the flu
 lure bright beyond.
 Firm, compact as Quincy granite, stand the marshalled ranks opposed; Every civic hall forbidden, every church and 1 chapel closed!