The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-03-27
CHURCH, ,EASTHAYEN
AN NTSTERESTING PAPER READ AT TA
 REGENT LENTEN SERTICE

It is we'll known that ordinarily at the religious meetings of the Episcopal church-the greatest and most digni- fled of all ecclesiastical denominations the laymen like little children, are supposed to be seen and not heard" However, according to the strict grammatical construction of fixed rules and arbitrary methods there are at times exceptions as applied to correct language and customs, and this is made to apply-by the great kindness of our esteemed pastor--to the present occa- sion, without giving any warrant as to the amount of interest or profit that may be gained thereby.
 At the outset it is a pleasure to say that if there is any one thing which has tendency to raise an individual on higher plane, and to bring out all the noble and exalted qualities of mind, and correct thought, that should characterize every person, it is that they are able to say with truth T am a churchman"
 Many take great pride in saying that they belong to this, or that civic so- ciety, or to certain political party, or to some brotherhood organization, but the greatest membership of all, which is more than all, and above all in every particular, is to belong to the trule catholic church. namely the Protestant Episcopal church of the dio- cese Of Connecticut, and the forty-dve free and independent states, and also in the territories belonging to this great American union. This church stands for the observance of law, respect for the civil authority, and for order and method in it's usages and ceremonies. The church year commences with Ad vent-then next in order is the Christ mas season-next the Epiphany-then the season of Lent, which continues until the great and joyous Easter day, which ranks with Christmas as the great festive season of the church.
 The church furnishes a guide, and a beacon light for her followers. Like lighthouse on some rocky promontory, directing the mariner as to the bays and harbors on the coast, so the book of common prayer points out the way; so that all can understand as to what
 
 required of those who would follow her directions. It has been well said that the book of common prayer next to the Bible, is the greatest of all books.
 Some have maintained that it lacks flexibility and that it is too formal In answer to this it can be said that men at all times in their prayers and supplications should express their de- sires and thoughts in the best possible language and with as much reverence as possible.
 In the preface of the standard book of the American edition it reads as fol- lows: When in the course of Divine Providence these American states be- came independent with respect to civil government their ecclesiastical inde- pendence was necessarily included, and the different religious denominations of Christians in these states were left at full and equal liberty to model and or ganize their respective churches and forms of worship and discipline in such manner as they might judge most con- venient for their prosperity, consistent with the constitution and laws of their country"
 The attention of this church was, in the first place, drawn to those altera. tions in the liturgy which became nec- essary in the prayers for our civil rul- CTS, in consequence of the revolution, and the principal care herein was to make them conformable to what ought to be the proper end of all such pray CTS, namely, that Rulers may have grace, wisdom and understanding to execute justice and to maintain truth" ," and that the people ''may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. The church in the adminis tration of government and in business features is not so democratic-pardon is asked if necessary for using the word as the Congregationalist and they find it necessary to have what they call a 'society's committee.
 It is impossible to have a pure de- rnocracy in any kind of government; and the Episcopal church in its admin istrative features represents the dele gated or representative form.
 Our East Haven church, few years since. was somewhat inclined to drift away from fundamental principles by adiourning the annual parish meeting from time to time, instead of leaving it's government and business matters with the officers elected yearly at Eas- ter Monday, and who are delegated by the canons to act for the church at large, The two wardens of the church, like the major generals in an army. are the highest in rank, and stand in close relationship to the pastor or rec tor. They are his aids and staff off, cers, and should support and encourage him at all times and under all circum- stances. The word vestry in Latin is vesitarium and in French vistiaire. Noah Webster gives three definitions to this word:
 IA room appendant to a church in which the sacerdotal vestments are kept. and where parochial meetings are held.
 2-In the Church of England a paro- chiaI assembly, so-called because held in the vestry.
 3-In the Episcopal church of the United States a committee chosen an nualIy by the parish, who, in conjunc- ton with the church wardens, manage its temporal concerns.
 This last definition is supposed to be given by the Rev. Dr. Croswell.
 The parish clerk records the doings of the meetings of the parish. and is the custodian of the church records. In most all church societies it is believed