The Newtown bee., 1893-11-24
Fairfield County News.
FAIRFIELD.

REPORT OF THE MERIDEN MEETING.
 The delegates from St Paul's church, Fairfield, who attended the Woman's Auxiliary in St Andrews church, Meri- den, gave a very interesting account of the meeting. The church was filled mostly with ladies from all parts of the state. The day was perfect to aid the crowd. The first service, at 30, was
 the administration of the holy commun- ion. A business meeting followed at l0.30. Reports of the years work were read by the officers and the roll called.
 Bishop Wells was expected to give an address but could not come. After sing
 ing the hymn "Blest is the tie that binds
 our hearts in Christian love" the meet ing was adjourned from l o'clock until 2.30. The bishops and clergy had sub- stantial lunch provided in the parish
 room, and other visitors had been re- qucsted to furnish for themselves, eX
 cept that a cup of coffee or tea would be given by the ladies of the parish, was of excellent quality and plentifully served in the Sunday school room, where all could be seated. At the ringing of the bell, the congregation were assembled, and the choristers came in singing "Hark what mean those holy voices. :" which, with the fine organ, fell sweetly on listening ears. A few prayers fol- lowed when Bishop Williams gave an address in his happy way, and intro- ducCd Rev Mir Forester from New Mexi- co, who gave a very clear and concise description of the church there and req sons for sustaining the efforts of the people, Bishop Ferguson followed next with an interesting account of the work in Siberia, and advocated the cause no
 bly,, for the COlored brethren. Then Rev Mir Chapman from Alaska gave a stir ring appeal for other benighted heathen
 and his encouragement in partially civ. ilzing many of them, and pledged them
 selves to keep the Lords day in be-
 coming manner. One cannot expec
 much by the way in which the natives have lived. In the temperate portions of Alaska they subsist chiefly by fishing and live under a thatch, and the womer
 prepare the fish for drying. They have
 to build a house raised on poles eigh
 feet from the ground to keep the dog
 and other animals from destroying thei
 provisions. But in cold Alaska with thu
 mercury most of the winter 50 degree below zero, they have to make thei
 mud houses or adobes with the founda
 tion sunk in the ground, with a place ol
 one side to crawl in and hole in the tOl
 for the smoke to pass off, as they built
 a fire in the center. At night tn embers are covered to keep for tn T next morning. The chimney hole is GOV cred with skins, and the curtain with thick mat to keep out cold while they re
 pose. It does not seem as if any human being could survive long in such quarters
 With all our comforts, we would think
 beyond endurance yet we find they cal be civilized, enlightened, Christianized
 their souls brought to enjoy Christs bless ing but what self-denial on the part of tn I missionaries to effect this. From Green
 lands icy MOuntains' was sung by choi and congregation, in manner to mak the arches ring. Then came Bishop Jal pot of Wyoming and Idaho, and what tn [ others had perhaps omitted he picked u in most pleasing and delicious way showing the progress in the work among the Indians. He seems to be the righ
 man in the right place, and the Indian yield to him with filial love. Praye
 and benedictiOn closed the day, and tha
 vast congregation departed to their sev eral homes feeling that individual eff'or
 was compensating. Over 2,6OO was rais ed by the Connecticut Auxiliary the pas
 year and it is hoped that the means em ployed will bring blessings on many.