The Newtown bee., 1891-05-08


 your successors in this place.And so, through all tho task, remember q quote the words of Mir Atwater, as he spoke when placing the corner stone of the preceding edifice) 'Re- member that we by these earthly foundations to the end that we ourselves and our posteri- ty after may build upon that sure and tried foundation other than which no man canlay; even the foundations Of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."
 Rev Dr Plumley closed with this prayer:
 Almighty God i've thank Thee for this joy ful hour. Praise wa1teth for Thee, o God, in Zion, and unto Thee shall the VOWS be per formed. A glorious high throne from the be- ginning is the place of our sanctuary. To Thee be praises tor Thy church bui1tupon the foundations of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. In the days of the fathers they praised Thee and tor them we thank Thee. Here, as they worshipped, they trusted in Thee and were not confounded- In their toll and penury and privation, as they began their life in the west ern wild we praise Thee that they did build noble house for Thy service. In all their ways Thou didst guide them. As they prayed tor their children, we thank Thee thatThou didst hear and heed their applications. Ever, in storms, in danger, in war, in peace, when foes came, when perils multiplied, we thank Thee that Thou didst carry them through. But Thou didst also test them with friendly aff1ic- tions. They said, as we have said, "Our holy and our beautiful house where our fathers praised Thee is burned with fire and all our pleasant things are laid waste" But Thou vast with them and Thou, o God, art with us. Our fathers God, Thou hast given to us Thy
 
 our Leader. The Holy One of Israel is our King. Thou hast laid in Zion a stone, tried stone, a precious corner stone. The stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner. This is the Lords do- ing and it is marvellous in our eyes. Now, o God, we thank Thee that we can in faith and love and hope lay this corner stone. From it may there rise a goodly temple for Thy wor- ship and glory. While it is building prosper the plans ot Thy servants. Defend the build CTS from injury and death. Awaken spiritual life in all who join in the good work. Here let there be erected a Sabbath home where the weary may find rest in Jesus, where the sinful may find cleansing in Jesus, where the mourners may find comfort in Jesus, where the good news may bring many souls to Je- sus where infants may be brought to Jesus, where the strong may be made stronger in Je- SUI s, s,where the aged and the feeble may wax m ighty in Jesus. May onr sons grow up as plants in their youth, here faithful to Jesus; here may our daughters be corner stones polished after the similtude of a palace. Come thus, o glorious Father, in Thy power. Come hither, Thou who hast said, Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am in the midst of them. Here abide forever, Blessed Spirit, t,Spirit of life and quick cning energy, and help Thy people to bring all the tithes into Thy storehouse, and to the latest generation pour them out a blessing un- til there shall not be room enough to receive it.
 After singing the Doxology, the bene- diction was pronounced by Rev MT Jones and the audience dispersed. During the afternoon, brownstone and brick were piled upon the corner stone. And there is something of interest in the choice of the lads who had charge of the box after it's sealing and until the final deposting in the niche of the stone. The two who brought it from the Town hall, the pres ent house of worship, to the church were Howard Wakeman and Walter Bulkley the former is lineal descendant of the eighth generation from Rev Samuel Wakeman, who was the second pastor of the church; the latter,a representative of the eighth generation from more than one of the leading families of the earliest days of Fairfield. Those who placed the box in it's resting place were Fred Sturges descendant of Jonathan Sturges, a mem- Der of one of the first Colonial congress- eS, and Pierpont Rowland, whose ances- try runs back to the early days and who is also descendant of Jonathan Ed wards. Two of the boys who lowered the cap stone, Walter Perry and Living ston Morehouse, are descendants of pio- neer settlers. At the conclusion of the service, the gavel used on the occasion was presented to Superintendent More house of the Sunday school.
 The fire of May 30, 1890, which de- stroyed the church building, reused in the people an ardent determination to at once rebuild, and in a manner and at a cost befitting the position to which they had now attained. Subscriptions poured in, sufficient amount of money was quickly pledged and a committee of 12 appointed by the society chose three, F. Sturges, o. B. Jennings and s. More house, as building committee. Contracts for the new building were made with Ar thur w. Burritt of Bridgeport, the ma- terial to be brown granite-like stone from East Haven. Plans for the structure were drawn by J. c. Cody & Go. of New York. The main entrance is to be through a large tower, the vestibule of which will be paneled oak and a heavily timbered ceiling. The floor is to be of marble mosaic. Opposite inc entrance doors are to be doors leading to the school room, main auditorium and church parlor. On entering the auditorium, four columns will be seen, having carved capitals, from which spring moulded arches. In the central space enclosed by these columns, above the arches, are a maze of curiously formed braces and arches.
 The organ has been placed at the left of the church. On the side opposite the organ is another entrance vestibule which affords the minister quick access to the pulpit platform, as we'll as addi- tional facilities for the congregation. The pulpit recess is the focal point in the auditorium, from which it is separated by a broad arch, and is elevated above the