The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1890-05-23
REV ]. P. H0YT'S LAST ANNUAL
SERMON.


DELIVERED IN THE CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH, NEwTowN, ON THE sIxTEENTH
ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PAsToRATE.
This sermon Is published as n summary OF
local events and changes, and also OF Christ
Ian work, during Mr. Hoyts passionate. It's
therefore, supplementary to his historical
sermons, delivered and published In 1915
and 1880, which gave the history of the town
and Its churches up to the beginning of his
passionate In 1s74.l
Acts of the Apostles, XIV, 27-And when
they had gathered the church together, they
rehoarsed all that God had done with them.
Second Corinthians, XII, 2-I knew n man i'm
Christ above IL years ago.
These words of the Apostle Paul, writ
ten near the close of ministry of 10 or
10 years, are an introduction to narra-
tive and experience, such as he thought
1t best to give to the church at Corinth.
The church to which he wrote and all
the churches to which he ministered had
often gathered to hear his words and now
welcomed this message also. These two
texts, then, are fitting Introduction to
survey of my ministry here, soon to
close, and to brief review of a l6-years'
pastorate in this, the oldest church in
this town. | have known you, as Paul
knew the man to whom he referred, that
Is, himself, "above ii years." not as ac-
quaintances and friends merely, but in
Christ, that is, in Christian bonds. This
church and place is like another self to
me from long association.
1t is understood that, in such a dis
course, subjects may be introduced and
topics considered which would be ex-
cluded from ordinary discourses. | shall,
therefore, speak freely of what God hath
done with us and for us; of the occur
rences within the time specified in the
text, OF the joys and sorrows which re-
mind us both of the love and the kind Sc
verify of the Heavenly Father and of the
bright sunshine on the path and the fit
ting shadows of passing clouds; but we
shall, In this review, look on the bright
side and keep out of the shadows, to be
found everywhere, as much as possible.
The place and people have known in
Christ above IA years is my theme, with
special reference to this church, this
Christian family, within whose circle
and fellowship we have lived and moved
While much must be left unsaid and I'M
noticed on account of our limited time,
1t will appear, we think, that there has
been growth, progress and improvement
in town, village and church, with album
dant room for more, especially in the di- i,
rection of reformatory and Christian
work in this town, of which, however, /,
have not time, in this discourse, to speak. |
First, then, what shall | say of the
place | knew "above IA years ago. as
compared with the place as we now know
1t and as 1t may yet become. Old New
town and new Newtown are entirely diff
ferent places. A man of extensive OBJ
servation and information, acquainted
with all this region, remarked to me as
was about coming here, 81 fear you will
find Newtown n dead town; there is lit
tie desire for Improvement; the village
street has not one modern building and
there Is no public spirit" But he had
not been here in some years and did not
know that there was an awakening from
this apathy and that the old town, whose
10th anniversary was even then at hand
was feeling the pulsation of a new life.
Newtown has since become almost
literally new-town in some respects
certainly 1t cannot now be called dead"
About that time were erected In this vii
lage the store at my left, the hotel at my
right and elegant and commodious pri-
vate residences; the church opposite had
recently beed built, costly and substan-
tial temple of God; and our own church
edifice, venerable and sacred on account
OF historic associations and the sacrifices
OF generations of worshipers in its be-
half, had been repaired and beautified
and was most attractive house of wor-
ship. l may observe in passing that,
like those who worship in it, this church
occasionally needs something new, for
example (and there are sources from
which the resources will come in time) a
new coat and overcoat of paint on the
exterior and new frescoing on the interi-
or, both sometime to be provided, as L
hope, to match the new lecture room, the
new hymn and tune books, library books
and pulpit Bible already provided. II
have faith to believe also that a new
church edifice throughout will be built !
In the life time of some of you.
But have not these 16 years added to ]
these improvements Look around you. I
beginning at this place, what see weg A I
whole village so transformed within this a
time that scarcely house remains the I
same. All the church edfices in town /
have changed for the better. Trinity v
church has been most beautifully adorn- G
ed and the memorials of those who loved y
their church, within her walls and around o
them, have made the church edifce as C
in its appointments and sur &
Toundings as IL is graceful and elegant in e
is proportions. Sc Johns and the Meth a
odist church have also been put In thor II
,ugh repair. Our own lecture room, con- Il
genient, home like and attractive, is our e
to this local church improve a
nent society, while the slightly and COM
nodious st Rose church lifts its spire to- v
ward the clouds, pointing those of for e
sign lands who make their home among e
as to the one God we all worship. The 4
Baptist chapel and Taunton chapel must 4
not be forgotten In this survey Of the &
churches. In all these churches have o
in most of them / have d
preached the Gospel and with the minis n
crs and rectors OF all Of them, whom G
have been glad to know in Christ, h
ny relations have been fraternal and II
most pleasant. The union services a
which greatly desire to see e