The Press., 1895-10-31

tory shows that these truths and this life have been effective in human lives. AS the teacher of these truths the speaker also eulogized Rev. G. V. Maxham, who was his pastor for so many years. The reason that the serious losses the church had suffered by death lately had not dis couraged those remaining was because of what former pastors had done to fill the people with love for the church and the cause for which it stands.
 After an anthem by the choir, sung with the usual precision, taste and ener- gy, the pastor said if his feet had found easy paths in his work in Stafford many of the ways had been made smooth by his predecessor, Rev. J. F. Simmons,- now of Woodstock, Vt., and was glad that he could speak of his pastOrate here as a pheasant memory" MT. Simmons said that before coming to Stafford he had had snch good reports of the church and people that he formed very favora- ble impression of them, and wondered if it would ever be his happy lot to live among them. In very pleasant manner he spoke of the incidents of his first ar- rival here, of his settlement as pastor, of the incidents of his pastOrate, of the good friends he had made, and of how much he enjoyed his uneventful pastorate. Of Charles Holt, R. s. Beebe, Loren Bug bee, MT. and Mrs. George Puffer, who hoG rkoH AN hn nd o3n ho had left, MT. Simmons spoke in terms of high con1mendation to their character, and of their usefulness in the church. He reminded the Stafford people that in re- gard to the fitness of the present pastor for his position, II told you so," and re- joiced in the prosperity that had followed.
 Letters from those who could not be present were then read, from which we select the following expressions: John I. Cady, who is in Topeka, Kansas, in the employ of the A.. T. & St. F. R. R., sends his regrets, and says, "I have to thank Rev. c. V. Maxham and the members of the church for the moulding of my char acter during my boyhood days" Mrs. Geo. Brown, of Hartford, says: "I send the kindest wishes, and I first desired to accept your kind invitation; but when I remembered the many familiar faces, one. of my own household as we'll, who had passed to the sweet sleep of peace etern- al, felt I should be strangersamid my old surroundings"
 The pastor of the church, Rev. T. 0. Druley, then gave the former members of the parish present statement of "Con- ditions and Prospects, of the old church. The bad conditions are those of any small. New England milling village in which the native population is being replaced with foreign people; and, secondly, the indif- ference in the matter of church going, which Is so characteristic of so many peo- pie everywhere to-day. The good condi- tions are, first, the fund founded by Loren Bugbee, and since increased until 1t now amounts to $1O,4OO. The church had al- so a mental hospitality that welcomed christians of every name to its member ship. Thirdly, the love and devotion of those now vitally interested in the church are it's surest soulces of strength, vitali- ty, and prosperity. As to its future pros poets, the people were pointed to the thrOnged children's classes in the Sunday school, and to the list of the children who had been baptized in the last six years. He closed by expressing the gladness of the people in the old home over the fact that so many had returned and had so thoroughly enjoyed their homecoming. The old church would ever hold them in its heart, and would beg a place in their tenderest memories, The pastor then asked God to bless them all in their ways.
 The anniversary was happily planned, was skillfully carried out. The home coming must be rich blessing to the old church, was most thoroughly enjoyed by those who came from abroad, and was the most pleasant affair that had been in Stafford for many years.
 A register was made of all those pres. ent. Those from abroad were as follows
 Rev. c. W. Riddle, D. D., Spencer 0Ao%co" ASON" AAVA4oo OVANC1A2 OA6uCu6S~ ter, N. H.; Rev. J. F. Simmons, Wood stock, Vt.; Rev. c. H. Puffer, Salem, Mass. Revs. A. J. Mcleod and J. I. Bartholomew, Stafford Springs; Rev. H. D. Adams, Stahordville; Mir. and Mrs. Chas. T. Preston, Willington; MT. and Mrs. Jerome Orcutt, Bridgeport; Theresa A. Chaffee, New London; MT. and Mrs. 0. Bennett, Mir. and Mrs. E. Hewlett, Monson; Marcia F. West, Mir. and Mrs: Ernest Cady, Hartford; John E. Clark, Providence, R. l.; Mr. and Mrs. D. T. Ruby, Norwich; MT. and Mrs. c. H. Hol- brook, Beverly, Mass. Esteila A. Squire, MT. and Mrs. 0. A. Scripture, WilHman- tic; Mrs. Ida A Stowe, Hazsrdville; F. W. Scripture, New Britain; Mrs. Martha s. Bailey, N. D. Granniss, Waterbury; Mrs. stillman Ellis, Palmer, Mass. Mrs. Amelia M. Fenton, Trinidad, Colorado; Mrs. E. c: Stroud, Parkhurst, Mrs. Mary G. Cross, Hartford; Mrs. Nettie Colton, Mrs. Jane Cady Howard, Mrs. Ellen Cady Bettis, Springfield, Mass. Mrs. Isabel Cady Heywood, Holyoke, Mass,; Mrs. Lizzie Hyde Johnson and daughter, South bridge, Mass. Nathan Washburn, Bos- ton; Mrs. Fl Andrews, Prescott, Mass. ;1 Mrs. J. K. McLeon, Ludlow, Mass. Miss Clara Putnam, Belpre, Ohio; Alfred R. Booth, St. Lawrence Divinity School, Canton, N. Y.; Mrs. Calvin Moulton, New London.
 There were also number registered from Stafford Springs and West Stafford.
 
 Married.