The Newtown bee., 1895-11-15

youthful. In consequence of the
favorable weather the attendance
at the Congregational church on the oc-
casion of the installation of its new pas
tor, Rev Cyrus w. Francis, was large.
Many drove in the early morning over the
hills, coming even from as far as WASH
ington and Bethel, and these reported
great 1Consolidated'' system keep to
schedule time, Notwithstanding important
ecclesiastical assemblies would now and
then wish to alter 1t somewhat; the
train from the south, bearing most of
the delegates, came to Brooktield juno
ton so late that it was well after 11.30
o'clock before Rev Albert r. Pierce, the
moderator, called the council to order.
Mr. Pierce is to be heartily congratulate
ed, however, on his happy way of ex-
pediting the routine business without
appearance of unseemly haste, so that all
the necessary work of the meeting was
well done and at the close there was
time to spare.
After the preliminaries had been COM
pleted, Mr. Francis read statement of
his religious experience, which, as we'll
as the paper giving his theological be-
lief, proved very interesting to the men,
bers of the council, Some facts gather
ed from his statement, were, that he
was born in Newington, Conn.,, that at
first he attended the Methodist church,
but when this church was disbanded in
his native place, he found the Congre-
gational church congenial to his tastes.
His father died when he was seven years
of age and his mother when he was Il,
and thus, being early left an orphan, he
knew all the trials and struggles peculiar
to such a life in the effort for a good
education with slender means. Like so
many other young men who have turned
their thoughts toward the Christian
ministry for life work, Mr. Francis had
the advantage of the careful nurture OF
q devoted, Christian mother in his ear
lest years, and the sweet, strong in
fuence of her noble life has followed
him all through. At the age of IL he
made a profession of faith in Christ
during a season of revivals in Newing-
ton. His college preparation was
had in the academies at Southington,
Conn, and Byfield, Mass. He entered
Yale college with the class of '63 and
completed his theological studies at Yale
in 81, for the thought of being Chris.
tian minister was present with him even
before his conversion. AT the time OF
his graduation from Yale seminary the
reconstruction period was hardly through
and much attention was being given to
the problem of what to do with the negro
race, and Mr. Francis concluded that,
whatever course lay open to others, his
work must be among the freedmen. He
was pastor of the First Congregational
church at Atlanta, Ca, until 1873, and
then he became pastor of the church CON
nected with Atlanta University, which
church he founded. Here he labored
as pastor and teacher until last
year, when necessary contraction
in expenses by the American Missionary
Association, under which he was work
ing, forced his retirement from service
there. Mr. Francis, laboring as he has
among race little used to deep think
ing, has inclined to look on theological
questions on their very practical side.
lie would say that we came into this
world finding, as the child does in the
care of its father, provision made for US
in many ways. Gradually we come into
the knowledge of what God has done
for us through providence and through
grace. The Bible speaks to those VINO
know duty and can comprehend It's
teachings; thus it has no distinctive
message to the infant. Mr. Francis said
he believed that all of Gods Word should
be preached; the Fatherhood of God was
but one side of His manifold character
The tendency in preaching to day was
to ignore the law that is holy and jus1
and good, and represent God as all love
The examination of Mr. Francis proved
most satisfactory and the council gave 6
cordial and unanimous vote to proceed
to the installation services in the after
noon.
The afternoon session gathered
promptly at l.30 o'clock. After the
minutes of the morning session had beer
l hryf ha tofr Innl yxrnc
of Stratford, and hymn sung, tht
scripture was read and prayer offered BY
Rev FL. G. Mcknight, of Sherman. Rev
Henry l.. Slack, of Bethel, preached a
most earnest and instructive sermon
from Acts 9:15: "For he is chosen
vessel unto me-" The scene of the tex
was referred to, where Ananias, the
Damascus disciple, is commanded to &C
to Saul and lay hands On him that he
may receive his sight. 1t was the lamt
sent TO the wolf, the prosecutor to the
prosecuted. But, while Saul was perse
cutting the church, Christ had plan OF
his life waiting to be developed. The
preacher dwelt largely on this thought,
that men are selected by God for certain
work, and the selection is definite both
as to the man and his work. Men car
come short of the ideal God marks out
for them, IL they will, and reach far be-
low what might be the appointment Of
their lot.
The moderator of the council, Rev AL
bert r. Pierce, made the installing prayer
earnestly asking Gods blessing upon
the new pastor in his study, in his min.
istry to the sick, in his uniting of loving
hearts, in his standing by the open
grave, and In every part of his difficult
work. Rev Joel 5 Ives, in giving the
charge to the pastor, said he felt as
though he were speaking to a father
from whom he should rather receive
words of wisdom. The work of the
ministry was referred to under its three
heads Of teaching, healing the sick Gin
its very broadcast sense), and preaching
the Word. Rev G.. w. Banks, of Gull
ford, most fittingly extended the right
hand of fellowship, since he was class
mate Of Mr. Francis both IN his college
and seminary course. The pastor was
warmly welcomed to his new field since
his work in the South had not passed
unnoticed during all these years. At
lanta university, that noble institution
whose good work is appreciably telling
on the life of the New South" stands
to-day as monument to the self-sacri-
ficing labor OF Mr. Francis and his asso-
ciates. The church and people were
charged by Rev Andrew j. Park, of
Huntington, who spoke last on the after
moons program, to give heed always to
the warnings of the pastor as to their
duty. He was Waterman set of God,
and it was his task to give his message
plainly. The people were always to re-
tss1n hnv fFrof fhAi oot< hs....