The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1898-05-13

ion of the three following questions"
substantially thus-lst Is nUG the COL
nection of baptised children TO the
church, during their minority, through
the parent, since the paTenG dedicaues
them while they are passive! , d. Is
not the churches watch and care over
them during minority, through The pa
rent: meaning that the church should
require FROM the parent faithful Christian
nurture. 3rd. When they arrive st their
ms j0ritY, must they not themselves prsc-
ticslly ratify their osptis mai obligations,
in order that the church should hold them
still subjects Of its discipline: Meaning
that the church by direct enquiry mus
ascertain the state of its bsptIsed children
at their adultage, aud on refusing COM
plisnce with their baptisma; obligations,
instead of any half. say covenant, the
church should withdraw its watch and
care from them as no Ionger subjects of
its discipline.
After extended discussion, thtre was
another adjournment, when the three
question we're all decided by the church
in the affirmative, and adopted as the
rule of practical procedure in the future.
This fully decided the case Of such Sc did
not come TO the communion Of the Lords
Supper, and the church could only with
draw its watch and care, if they did not
practically own and keep the Christian
covenant. AS a result, il : remembered,
that some of the 10 or II cases then ex-
listing, came into full communion, and the
others ce ased 10 be cOnside red as having
any claims to the privileges VI the church,
or as suit ject to Its watch AID care. AT
another adjourned meeting, the cOnfes-
sion of falUn and covenant received az
erSl notifications and some additions.
Mr. Sturges' ministry ntinued for
nearly six years, and with nothing Of
marked distinction or implT snce. Tuere
came to be an increasing d fiji Guilty in ais
ipg the FUNDS to meet the annual salary.
The last general tax recorded, was in
1908; after which dependence seems to
have been laid upon voluntary subscrip-
tions, and at length the Subscriptions be-
came lese than the stipulated salary. A
reference of their state was mutually
made to the ODsociati0n which convened
December IL, 1911, and the pastoral reIs-
ton was disso we'd.
There were . admissions TO the church,
and one Recommendation during Mr.
Sturges' ministry. he continued MS res-
ldence in this place for several years
after his dismissiop, snd was clerk of the
church till the year 1917. He subst quent-
lv removed TO the society of Green's
Farms in FAN field, snd resided there
without preaching on the paJernsl home
stead. His birth was in 1867. He Was
graduated at 1sle llege 1897. He had
been settled at q, lEsy, Saratoga county,
New York, and subst queptly preached
at a parish in Greenwich, in this state,
before CO nirg to Bethel. He died No
yembeI y, 1885, in the In year of his
age. He was a man
OF GOOD MIND AND PURE CHARACTER,
and ever rJ)yed the esteem and conf
dence of those among whom he dwell.
Says the Rev Thomas z. Davis: He
greatly endeared himself 10 me who, for
more than six years, sustained TO him the
relation of pastor, and l gratefully &C.
knowledge. the benefit of his counsel and
friendship"
CONCLUDED ON PAGE THREE