The Newtown bee., 1891-05-08
VIEWPOINT, MAY 8, 1891.
FAIRFIELD.
CORNER STONE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL
 CHURCH.

FAIRFIELD.
 CORNER STONE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL
 CHURCH.
 In the presence of hundreds of people, who stood with reverently barred heads, the corner stone of the sixth sanctuary of the Prime Ancient Society of Fairfield was laid at midday, Saturday, May ?, while the pastor, Rev Frank s. Child, ut- tered ringing words. Then the stone was smitten thrice, to signify the three fold attributes of the triune God. The service of laying the corner stone was carried out in full accordance with the program published in the last BEE. Members of the Sunday school and many members of the church, with visitors and those who took part in the services of the day, gathered at the Town hall, shortly before noon and presently marched to the church, headed by the superintend- ent, John l.. Morehouse. They were placed about the church and the speak CTS ascended the platform opposite tow CT and the grand entrance of the church. Here the speakers took their stand: The pastor, Rev Frank $. Child; the pastor of Black Rock church, Rev Henry c. Woodruff; the pastor of the Greenfield Hill church, Rev pr Gardner s. Plum- church of Fairfield, Rev w. s. Jones the chairman and members of the building committee of the church and society, Frederick Sturges, o. B. Jennings, Sam uel Morehouse; J. T. McAlpine of Hope chapel, Fairfield Woods. Striking upon the stone with gavel to enforce silence, Rev MT Child read the opening exercises, in which the assemblage cook part as re- sponsive reading. This was followed by the opening prayer by Rev H. c. Wood ruff of Black Rock, who said in sub- stance:
 Almighty God We thank Thee for the grace Thou hast given us, the strength to meet at this place. We thank Thee for the sunlight and the brightness of the beauty of this day We thank Thee tor the birds of the air; the plants and flowers about us. We rejoice and are glad of the strength to gather here at this place. to lay the corner stone of this building ou, InOu WnO dTl lllG Uedu Oi Jne CnuTcH lulll- tant and art none the less the head of the church triumphant, in Thy great name we lay this corner stone; in Thy praise we up-rear this house. May it be the in-dwelling of the spirit of the Lord Christ. In it may He abide 8 guest; in it may He be worshipped and believed in and manifested. Grant that this may be living temple to the Lord. Be with us now, Oh Lord, and grant that all that we may do here or that may ever be done here may be to Thy praise and glory. In the Re deemers name we ask it.
 MT Woodruff closed with the Lords s prayer, in which the audience reverently joined. After the responsive reading of Psalm LXXX1V, the people sang the gloria, Mrs Sturges accompanying on the organ. Rev MT Woodruff read the Script ure lesson and then Frederick Sturges, chairman of the building committee, stepped forward and read the following list of articles deposited in the copper box placed in the excavation in the cor ner stone:
 Manuscripts from the corner stone of the old church, which the committee decided to place in the corner stone of the new church :: Copy of the inventory and appraisement of the estate, both real and personal of Roger Minot sherman; copy of address by Rev An drew Eliot, delivered July 30, l770, after the burning of the church and town by the Brit ishi address delivered by Rev Lyman II. At water at the laying ot the corner stone of the church built in lS49; subscription list and con. tract for the church built in 1S49; list ot ladies composing the church furnishing society in ls49., In addition to the above manuscripts from the corner stone of the old church, there were deposited history of the church; church manual with full list Of church mem bers; church service and collection cards; Christian Endeavor society topic cards; order of service used at installation of the present pastor; manuscript of sermon preached by Rev Andrew Eliot on the green, July, 1779, at ter the burning of the third sanctuary; ser mon preached by the present pastor on the first Lords day after the burning of the fifth sanctuary; sermon by Dr Lyman II. Atwater at the laying of the corner stone of the fifth sanctuary in ls49; order of exercises at the laying of the corner stone of the present book containing names of those who have contributed toward the building of the new church; Sunday school library catalogue; circular of Fairfield academy; copy of The Congregationalist; copy of Golden Rule; copy of New York Tribune; copy of New York In dependent; Missionary Herald American Missionary Magazine, Home Missionary Mag azine; copy of address of pastor in laying cor. ner stone of the sixth sanctuary, May ?, 1891; Fairfield centennial commemoration, l779- 1879; order of evening service for Winter of ls9O-91; children's catechism.
 Then forth came Pierpont Rowland and Fred Sturges, bearing between them sealed copper box Sx12 inches, which they carefully placed in the cavity of the corner stone and then retired, while Rev MT Child pronounced the solemn words of Scripture. Under the direction of Philo l.. Fox, supervisor of construct ion of the building, four boys, Frank s. Child, Jr, Walter Perry, Livingston Warehouse, John Hutchins, grasped the rope of the great derrick and a prepared stone rose in the air, then dropped light ly upon the corner stone. Rev Dr Plum ley led in the Apostles creed, after which came the address by the pastor; schol- arly and masterly production, holding the closest attention of all until the closes
 Two hundred and ffty-two years ago, ht- tie company ot pious, resolute, aspiring men toiled their way through the New England and as they compassed with their eyes this landscape said unto themselves "This shall be our home lana." They bar gained with the red skinned denizens of the forest. They acquired honorable title to these acres.They reared rude huts in which to shelter their families. They began the oner- ous tasks of soil subjugation. The territory was roughly mapped, the streets were out lined, the green was indicated, the site of Gods house chosen. We stand upon the ground that has been hallowed by the public worship of God during these many genera tions. "surely the Lord is in this place." And 1t Is Bethel. And first we fellowship in inn