The Newtown bee., 1897-02-12

church, until the books suffered from dampness. There are in it almoaJ no works of fiction. Hardly any books at that time were illustrated with pictures Our fathers, 50, 75. 100 years ago, had few papers and books of any kind. It's histories, travels. lives of men eminent in our own government and the world at large strongly attracted them to solid reading. h Bronson's history of Water bury, he makes this honorable mention of that part which became Middlebury There are few country places where intellectual culture was more highly prized that in Middlebury. The people were considerate, industrious and moral and united in their efforts to provide means for the general diffusion of know ledge among the mselves." Again, in that memorable 1790, when they became the independent parish of Middlebury and felt that they must now care for themselves like young man who has become of age, these fathers dld another very thoughtful thing. Though
 HARD WORKING MEN WHO COULD EARN ONLY ABOUT 50 CENTS DAY, and who must raise or make themselves almost every convenience they had, they put their hands deeply into their own pockets to furnish means for the steady support of gospel privileges. The church records contain an old book with many l names of contributors to fund for this purpose. All along it's pages are notes, | legally drawn. signed in the presence of two or three witnesses and by one more l than the promiser. The amounts put down vary from single pound sterling to over 100. Only the interest need be paid down for the support of public wot ship, but numbers soon paid the princi- pal. This fund at length amounted to about $370O and it's yearly interest prov ed very helpful. Such were the indus trious, frugal, upright men and women, l who were ready to pledge help for a ! long time to come to their loved preach ing.
 And now, February 10, 1796: they l form themselves into a Congregational church. I fad many of the names ap- l pended to this fund, and to the constitu- ! tion of the library, now affixed to the roll of church members. At first 10 men and two women convened to create this new, divinely appointed organization. They go about their work with great earnest ness and solemnity. They were already members of surrounding churches and
 first state in preamble that they need this new organization to quicken them selves in duty to God and their fellow men. 'tThey desire to walk,as people, near unto God" ''To Him they long to give praise and glory now and forever more." The quite full, serious, earnest statement of their purpose is signed by those first twelve. That same day they voted to adopt these articles of faith and covenant which I nuw hold up before you in 8 clearly written. bus brown copy spotted with great age. There were l present, and assisting in these solemn pledges, two neighboring ministers, Rev Noah Benedict and Rev Abraham Fow- Ter. Soon after, or the 22d of March, a meeting was held in the new meeting house, and B more were added to the membership while two were chosen at l the same time as deacons. How very simple and Scriptural the act, by which this new church came to be--a little leaven thus early cast into this commu- nifty, which was to do great work in leavening for Christ hundreds of it's i'm mortal souls.
 The very names signed voluntarily to It's
 ARTICLES or FAITH, AND SACRED COY E.
 NANT,
 suggest the Bibles influence over them from birth. See how Biblical they are two Josiahs, Isaac, Elijah, Samuel, Titus,