The Newtown bee., 1895-02-22

ministry added number to the church. He is now pastor of the Congregational church in Richmond Hill, N. Y. He was ordained while here but was not settled over the church.
 The next minister was Rev William Miller, who preached here from 1882 to 1884. He was graduate of Amherst College in the class of 1742. He has just finished pastorate with the church in Buckingham, Conn, and is now re- siding in New Britain without pastoral charge.
 REV DAVID F. PIERCE
 of South Britain supplied the pulpit from 1884 until 1892. He was ordained while preaching here, but was not in. stalled over the church. He is still re. siding in South Britain without pastoral charge.
 Rev Benjamin F. Cokeley preached in this church from 1892 until 1894. He was also ordained while supplying here but not installed. He was a graduate of Western College in Toledo, Iowa and he is now preaching for a Congregation al church, recently formed in Galesburg, Ill.
 During the 162 years since the church was organized seventeen different min- isters have supplied the pulpits. besides those preaching for short time. Oi these, seven were installed over the church.
 Of those who have filled the office of deacons since the organization of the church and find the following names, al- though the record is not complete Benjamin Hicock, Noah Hinman, Benja- min Hicock, 2d, Daniel Curtis, Timothy Osborne, Samuel Strong, Johnathan Mitchell, Adin Wheeler, Marcus D. Mallory, Noah Kelsey, Nathan Mitchell, Frederick Perry, Jason Curtiss, Ira Strong, Cyrus Bostwick, Sherman Futile, David NJ. Wheeler, Alonzo A. Stone, and Gidney A. Stiles. The present senior deacon, Sherman Futile, has held the office fnr thirty four years.
 The ccle siasticsl society has iDveste funds received from various ources amounting at the present time tn about 5000, of which 5000 was given by the late Benjamin Brown, former resident of this town, and $500 was legacy from Henry w. Scott, Jr., the income ot the latter to be used for purchasing books to be placed in the library of the church on the first Sunday in January every year, The society has also a parsonage, purchased in 1886. RENTALS OF RELIGION have been enjoyed at various times since the formation of the church. I find reports of six revivals which added I2S members to the church. But the records are defective. There must have been many other revivals during it's his- tory. It is reported that 401 persons were received into the church during the first 80 years from 1732 to 1872 under the first two pastorates; and I find 365 names in the records of the church of those who have been received since 1872, making total membership of 766 per- sons who have been connected with the church since it's organization. This may not be perfectly exact but probably it does not vary much from the true number.
 The present membership of the church is less now than it was when this house was dedicated 50 years ago. Various causes have produced this result. This town, like many other country places. has suffered from the loss of young men and others who have left us to find business in larger towns and cities. It is prob able that the whole population of the town is less now than it was 50 years ago, and especially of those of native birth. Then there are large number of churches in this town. Six church or ganizations and seven houses of wor- ship are large number for so small 8 population. Public services and Sunday school sessions are held every Sunday in five churches. h another church ser- vices are held on each alternate Sunday, and occasional services in another church. and one Sunday school is held every Sunday in school house.
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