Morning journal and courier., 1889-05-29
pLEAsAnrR1Es OF REUNION.

The Second Congregational Church of
 Fair Haven Holds . Happy Reunion
 Which Extends From Four Co Seven
 o'clock and is En1IveRed by Many
 Enjoyable PIeasantries-The Evening
 Exercises.
 A smiling altar of flowers was punctusted here and there by the presence of grave divines when the reunion of the Second Con- gregational church and society of Fair Haven was inaugurated in the church at o'clock yesterday afternoon.
 A large congregation, almost wholly of la dies, filled the body of the church and the reunion exercises of the afternoon were most happily conducted, with Rev. D. M. James, pastor of the church, as master of ceremonies.
 The occasion was digni6ed by President Timothy Dwight of Yale, who made few remarks and offered prayer.
 A carefully written poem by Rev. H. c. Hovey, D. D., of Bridgeport, entitled "Fair Haven on the Quinnipiac," was read and highly appreciated. Dr. Hovey is a man of fine appearance and held the close attention of his hearers. He is one of the ex-pastors of this church.
 The address of the afternoon was made by Rev. Erastus Blakeslee, who was formerly pastor of the church. He spoke upon 'The Church and the Young" He spoke of the pleasant memories which came to him as he looked over @ congregation which he had many times told of the mercies and promises of God. In speaking to the church in relation to the young, he said that all people who had left the great battle of life behind them and had already formed their character should be held responsible for turning young lives into the true way of life. ''The responsibility of the church for young people" said he, ''is thei1 defense, instruction and inspiration. There are different proportions in which the church is interested, for the State is also oblig- ed to see to the spiritual welfare of the young. The church should protect the young by putting forth it's arm against the saloon, gambling house and other evile of society which now ruin their character. The church ought to make it's power felt in the world more than it does. A church should be an inspiration to the young. And, again, young people ought to be loyal to their church. Never go to any other church when there is a service at your own. The exercises of the afternoon were finished shortly after 6 o'clock and then the gather the ladies of the church, especially the Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor, had prepared very tempting supper for the cel- ebraters of the reunion.
 This was enjoyed till about half-past ? and then kind of informal social reception followed, which lasted till about o'clock. Pleasant addresses were made by several of the ministers present, all rehecting the pleasant vein which pervaded the gathering. The pastors which have filled the pulpit of the church since 1858 are Nathaniel J. Burr ton, D. D., 1S5S57; Gurdon W. Moves, 1861 69; John s. 0. Abbott. D. D, 1S70-74;; Richard B. Thurston, 1875-76; Horace 0. Hovev, D. D., 1976-S3; Erastus Blakeslee, 1884 ST; D. Melancthon James, 1888. The present officers of the church are: Pas tor, Rev. D. M. James; clerk. Charles A. Bray; treasurer, Lucius Rowe; Sunday school, Lucius P. Deming; deacons, Lucius Rowe, Albert Rowe, Charles N. Hubbard, J. o. Clogston, Lewis Frisbie.
 The society's committee, to which much of the success of the reunion was due, is Fl. Fl. Strong, Herbert Barnes, Harvey F. fleming way, Henry Palmer, Willet Hemingway, Les ter P. Mallory, Luzsrne Ludington. All of the surviving pastors of the church were present and so were the widows and members of the families of deceased pastors. The surviving pastors who were present were the Rev. Dr. Hovey of Bridgeport, the Rev. Richard B. Thurston of Stamford and the Rev. Ersstus Blakeslee of Stamford The widows ot Dr. Burton and Dr. Abbott were also present.
 Among the visiting clergymen was Rev. MT. Williams, pastor of the First Congre- gational church in Meriden.
 The ladies of the church were as usual very active for the success of the occasion, and the amount of excellent eatables which were prepared and given by them to push on the happy event was as ample as ever. They deserve credit for the part which they per- formed, both in the matter of arranging floral decorations, with which the altar was profusely beautiful and the refreshment ta- bles ss well and also in the matter of the inviting repast which they set before the guests of the church.