Morning journal and courier., 1894-03-15
DnDIoArIor Ar cHEsuIaE.

DEDICATION AT CHEsHIRE. l' m Interesting Occasion-The Ep- worth LeaGue,s New Rooms-M. E. Church.
 CHESHIRE, March 14-Thursday, the 'th, was very interesting and satisfactory icy for the people of Cheshire. It was he occasion of the dedication of the Ep- worth League rooms of the N. E. church. have been made at cost of nearly $1 100; bell, generously donated by the Congregational society. has been hung in the tower that has been completed within the past week; and . new and at- tractivs room has been provided for the use of the league.
 The dedicatory services occupied the en- tire day, beginning at 10:45 .. n. Devo- tional services were conducted by the Rev. 0. J. North, presiding elder of the New Haven district, after which Rev. J. P. Hoyt, pastor of the Congregational church, delivered . very fratsrnal address, in which he heartily congratulated the sister church on the success of the enterprise and the beauty added by the improvement. His words were full of sympathy and of . hope that this tie connecting the two churches might be 8 means of strengthen ing the fratsrnal feeling existing between them.
 Deacon E. R. Brown of the same church then gave Q short history of the bell In speech that was full of interesting reminis- cences, pithy humor and native oratory. Every body was glad that Brother Brown | gationalist article delivered in Methodist fashion and spirit.
 The poem, "rhe Old Church Bell, {" com posed by Professor J. R. Paddock, touch ing and fitting tribute to the bell SO dear | to his mothers heart, was then rendered
 by Mics Lillian Stoddsrd with so much
 spirit and feeling as to command the high appreciation of all present. It was 8
 beautiful poem, and rendered with all that grace and naturalness for which Miss Stod- dard is SO justly noted.
 I Rev. Mir. North then took charge of the ! service and after 8 few words of fitting ! appreciation of the excellent work done by | the others, proceeded to the tack of raising the money necessary to meet the expenses | of the improvements. The amount asked | for was $500, and to the surprise of nearly l every body in the house he secured pledges amounting to about $350, which were in- creased in the afternoon to nearly the sum | asked for. The friends gave literally and | cnesrfully, and one would almost think ! that Methodists and Congregationalists were vieiug with each other in generosity. Episcopslians and Baptists also were we'll represented, and their kindly gifts went | far to prove that in Cheshire at least the spirit of Christianity is destroying all sec tional prejudiees.
 At the close of this service ali were in- vited to adjourn to the new room where 8 collation. awaited them.
 In the afternoon Rev. M. A. Munson gave an interesting account of the early method of summoning church gosrs, and of the first efforts of the people of New Haven to procure church bell Rsv. Dr. Horton of the Episcopal church then spoke of a few of the many different uses of bells.
 His talk showed great familiarity with his subject, and indicated @ perseverance in
 research that is characteristic yonly of the scientist
 The dedication sermon by Rev. MT. North was 6 masterly proof that all thinge are the heritage of the Christian. Death
 the terror of the world, was compared tc
 the Atlantic in the time of Columbus. Once 6 terror to the mariner on life's sea, it has
 become the path to land of beauty
 whence the Master of all seas has brought us glorious trophies. The dedication fol
 lowed, after which all were again invited
 to adjourn to the room above for refresh
 ments.
 The evening services were opened by tn.
 pastor in a short praise service. Letterl
 were read from former pastors expressly,
 of regret at inability to bs present. Two
 of them, however, were present to speal
 for themselves. Rev. A. V. R. Abbot
 wished for the bell greater usefulness thai
 ever before in calling the people to union
 to salvation and to holiness. Rsv. 0. E
 Barto, who has been absent only Q year
 was cordially welcomed by all, and exhort
 ed the young people especially not to b.
 satisfied with temporal blessings, but t. l seek spiritual blessings more earnestly thar
 ever before.
 Rev. o. B. Bitblado of Ansonia thel
 gave sn address to the young people snt
 their relations to the pastor. The docto
 was laboring under some difficulties on ac count of the loss of his manuscript. Never
 theless his address sparkled with gems 0
 wit and beauty, and at the close everybod,, joined in extending to him 8 hearty vot
 of thanks for his labor and self sacrifice.
 The Congregational choir assisted tn
 sister choir for the entire service and add ed materially to the interest and enjoy
 ment of the occasion. Everyone pro , nounces the day a grand success frou
 every standpoint, an occasion long to b
 remembered. Following is the poem de lived by Professor J. R. Paddock:
 THE OLD CHURCH BELL.