Morning journal and courier., 1892-12-15
ADAY IN PORTLAND.

Notable OCC0s1On NJ FOftA0HO,s
Episcopal Church-A Full Account |
OF the Proceedings.
To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER. |
The services at Trinity church, Port |
land, Conn. held on Tuesday, December
Is, were of unusual impressiveness. The
venerable Bishop Williams, with ten
vested clergy, preceded by the choir Of
twenty voices, singing hymn 200, pre-
scented q scene which thrilled the hearts of
the large attendance of church people.
The christening of the infant son of the
rector, performed by the bishop, was q
significant event, as receiving into the
visible church new scion of the house of
Brainerd, in whose memory much of the
memorial character of the occasion CEN
tered. --s.5.--
The choir, assisted by Miss Sadie NJ.
Thompson Of New Haven, rendered finely
the anthems ''Send Out Thy Light" by
Gounod, and elbow Lovely Are Thy
Dwellings" by Spohr.
Bishop Williams sermon was from
Joshua, 4th, Seth and 37th verses. His
discourse was q beautiful tribute to the
memory of those for whom the newly COM
pleted memorials are erected. Beginning
with the tower and porch in memory Of
Mr.. Erastus Brainerd, speaking of the
tower clock, given by Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas
Pickering in memory of their daughter,
Adelaide Pickering Lunney, to the new
and elegant brass pulpit on q support of
| the finest worked Portland stone and Scotch
marble, given by Mr.. John b. Sage for his
father and mother to the ohancel, steps,
| floor and communion rail-step of italian
marble and Mosaic work, the gift of Mr..
Frederick White and Mrs. W. A. Pratt, in
| memory of Mrs. Eliza Trowbridge White,
the bishop drew from each object and
presented to his hearers the most eloquent
and helpful teachings Of the church.
The lowly entrance typides the re-
pentance with which we should enter
the lofty courts of the house of God, the
font, at which the first symbol of Christ'a
church is administered, the pulpit fol
preaching the gospel of Christ, "pure ani
indebted" the bishop here being very for
chile In denouncing the uee of the pulpit
for scientific or literary discoursing, to tn,
exquisite Mosaic floor, which by it's lsbo
of construction and strength Of matsria
teach us patience and fortitude," it
lowly service laid down to be trod upon
Humility" and cement which binds al
together the unity of charity, which mean
eth love and "frm adherence to the truth
The subdued character of the service o
memorial was nghtened by the spirit o
. thankfulness, which found expression il
the handsome oaken platform and protect
ing brass rail for font, from Mr.. and Mr.
Frank Brainerd, "for special deliveranc
from great danger" The holy commur
ion was celebrated after the sermon.
II A fiue collation. was served at Waverl
! hall to all visiting clergy and laity an
entire parish followed by much speed
making, the rector, Rev. II. o. Rafferty,
Rev. Mr.. Hartman. Senior Warden MI
Oliver Gildersleeve, Rev. Mr.. Clark {
> Middletown and others giving expressio
: to the mingled feelings of welcome, co,
: graduation and eulogy which the occasio
l called forth. The exercises were hardl
terminated in time for the 6 o'cloc
trains to return to Hartford, New Havel
L New Britain, Meriden and Middleton
guests from these places.
Trinity church now stands the mo
complete and adorned church in the di
cese. The plan of the building was co,
ceived and begun during the rectorship
Rev. James L Spaulding, to whom Il
Rev. Mr.. Hartman referred as eharact
for admiration, in that he has had gra
and courage to acknowledge his error al
return to the church. The edifice is in Il
eastern position, the clear story is fine
proportional, the windows are all staint
glass, memorials and gifts, and with Il
the massive altar of stone and marbl
have been in use some years, awaiting Il
completion of the tower, the porte coche
and other memorials, Tuesday markil
the addition of five magnificent gifts.
The Mosaic floor for the chancel is Il
finest piece of work in the country, laid
Lamb of New York, in duplication of
similar design at St. Agnes, New Yor
the Trinity donors having the advanta
of the experience which this earlier lab
has given kessrs. Lamb.
In their church edifee, their rector al
the memories of Tuesday Trinity parish
Portland stands peculiarly favored.
It is of interest to know that the prese
musical director and organist at Trinit
is Mr.. Frank w. Guion of New Haven, {
it | cupied the same position when the pari
Of had only their present chapel as place
ia worship. This early acquaintance and
t. socistion with Trinity and it's people re
m der his Identification with Tuesdays CO,
i'd monies source of deep qualification.
KEITH ST. JOHN.