The Newtown bee., 1889-05-31
TRUMBULL.
REV MIR MERw1N's FAREWELL

tf I
 Of the 300 Congregational pastors in Connecticut, but seven have served a continuous pastorate of 20 years or over in one parish; among them was Rev Nathan T. Merwin of the Congregation al church of Trumbull. So long a pas torate speaks well for both priest and people and there was universal surprise and sorrow when it was announced, a ! few weeks ago, that MT Merwin had re- ceived and would probably accept call to the Congregational church at Poquon- neck, in Windsor. He had often express ed wish to remain until the 9 years were ended and his wish was fulfilled. l The call to Poquonnock was desirable | l the parish lies almost entirely within a short distance of the church and one full service, with sermon, is held each Sun day; the salary is the same. Soon after receiving the call, MT Merwin read his resignation, which was afterward ac- cepted and announced that his farewell sermon would be preached on the last Sunday in May. Last Sunday, accord l ingly, the church was we'll filled with l friends from all parts of the town, rep resenting all churches, although the un- l favorable weather kept many away.
 In the sermon, which occupied 40 min- utes and was delivered in an earnest and Impressive manner, MT Merwin alluded IS5e' the fact that, during his pastorate, naught but the pure gospel had ever been preached from the pulpit. He had
 preached here in February and April, 1864, but not as a candidate until May B,
 at the request of T. W. Beach. Later, through Samuel Beach, he was hired for
 six months, then permanently. His or
 dination took place June ,, 1865. ssWhy
 do leave?' he asked. stAt present, it
 may seem better to remain; but look at
 the future. The grave must come for
 all and is it harder to part now than then? Again, the church may be better
 fitted for a change now than later" This
 call to Poquonnock, coming, as it did, just before the expiration of his pastor ate of a quarter of a century, was both timely and earnest. There will be both
 loss and gain in the separation, but he is 7 not going from mercenary motives, for
 the remuneration is the same. There is
 a large field from which to choose a pas
 tor; either from the theological seminar i,ss or from among the ranks of older and
 more experienced preachers, for whom a change would be agreeable. In view : of the large number of elderly persons in
 the church, perhaps a more experienced v man would be advisable. A speedy de-
 cision should be made, only allowing plenty of time to judge impartially of
 each candidates merits. A preacher,
 however, should have two essential
 points. He should be sound in the faith l and a true Christian man, with plenty of I sound common sense and an earnest de
 sire to do good.
 g Of late, the church has been unusually q successful. The final payment of a leg
 acy of $500 has been received, a new and
 modern barn built and surplus left. A ! new steeple replaces that blown off dur t ing the blizzard and the debt has been
 fully paid. More seats have been rent r ed, a new home missionary society form
 ed. The church is also growing spirit
 ually. At the first communion, two per- / sons joined the church on profession of T faith and, at the last, several more were , admitted to the fellowship of Christ. = ssSo far as I know, there is only friend :. ly feeling toward me and can truly say. T love you all.' In Christ's fellowship,
 we still are one; in life, in hope and D fstith.'' His family had been a great helr in his pastoral work: for preaching does f not end a pastors duties. He was glad : to leave them so strong numerically; 191 |. names were on the membership books, d 70 more than when he came. And in :. that time, he has attended over 200 fun
 erals. ssTo-day lies in his shroud await a ing burial from me, the man who en-
 gagged me to preach and at whose house
 1 lived awhile, Theodore W. Beach, then member of the society's committee and , at his death, a member of the church. r Of all who welcomed him at his first : service, but one in eight or one in ten
 remain until this day. Until pastor is
 settled over the church, MT Merwin may
 be called to bury the dead, to marry oI a to administer the communion.
 At the close of the sermon, whose more affecting passages moved many to tears f ssRock of Ages'' was sung and Mir Mer 1, win hastened away to the funeral of T
 w. Beach.
 }, After spending labor and money on the :. Abel Stiles Beach place, J. B. Beckwith
 has cleared many acres of brush and
 rocks, drained of the surface water anG 2 has promising crops we'll under way f He has several acres of fine rye and his
 oats are coming on. Although giving : most of his time to farming, Mir Beck n with will not abandon dyeing altogether
 He has moved his establishment iron
 Bridgeport and will dye by steam every Wednesday and Thursday.
 t Mrs l.. A. Hawley has even better : plants than usual, this Spring, including e about 50 varieties of roses.
 lE. M. Beardsley's buildings look wei : in their new paint. The house is white
 with green blinds, the barn terra cotta
 retlswith bronze green trimmings and tht : tenant house q shade of yellow, witt
 bronze trimmings.
 Wedge and Hayes expect soon to paint A.W. Coan's new house.
 g Poor drainage and ditching has, fol
 ye,lrs, caused a low. wet spot in the road