The Newtown bee., 1898-02-04
hooks that catch 8 large percentage of the large strings reported.
WEST CORNWALL.

CONCERNING A FORMER PASTOR, AND HIS
 NEW FIELD OF LABOR.
 The many friends of Rev John Pier pont will be interested in reading the following account of the re.dedication of his church at Williamsburg, Mass, as follows:
 The exercises of the re.dedicatfon of the Congregational church at Willismg- burg were held last week Wednesday evening. The church was filled nearly to oVerhowing by 8 congregation that in- cluded a number of people from out of town, neighboring villages and churches, and former pastors and members who came to celebrate the completion of the extensive repairs which have entirely altered the appearance of the building, and added so materially to the comforts and delights of the church home. Sever al of the former pastors took part in the exercises. There was abundant en. thusiasm, and the prayer of thanksgiv- ing for these added benefits went up from the heart of every person in the co; gregation. The meeting was in the nature of a general reunion and there was feeling of good fellowship, hospi- tality and good cheer.
 The exercises began at 7.45 with an anthem by the church choir, ''Praise the Lord" Rev John F. Gleason of South Amh' Tt, former pastor of the church, conducted the responsive reading, which was followed by hymn of invocation. sung by the congregation. Rev J.H. Sawyer of Easthampton, principal of Wiliston seminary, offered prayer, fol. lowed by choir response. Rev E. O. Cobb of Florence gave the first address, a message ''from the trusted fellowship of the Hampshire conference" which was given a characteristic and felicitious treatment. He was f. llJwed by Rev John Pierpont, the pastor of the church, who spoke on the Present church, it's inception, fulfitment and promise" Rev H. 5. rydcr of Weymouth, a former pastor, spoke on "Our church in her or ganized life and work" The coreregs- tional hymn, "Hark, hark, ny soul," was sung. Rev c. 0. Day of Brattleboro, a fcrner pastor, spoke of stOld friends and helpers" his address being in the main retrospective. The last address was given by Rev H. M. Ty Ter of Smith collage on the "Mutusl rtl4tion of duty and helpfulness between church and community" which was of much inter- est and practical value. The dedieatory prayer was offered by Rev John Pier pont, and the choir sang the hymns of The exercises closed with benediction by Rev Mir Pierpons.
 The Williamsburg Congregational church is one of the oldest in Hampshire county, having been founded July 3, 1771. It has & rrJud record of successes ln Christian work and it has always play- ed an important part in the life of the town. Of course it's prospe rity has been largely dependent on the good fortune of the village. During the towns palmiest days, previous to the Mill river disaster, the church was one of the strongest in the valley. It is not dormant to-day, as has be n shown by the generous devotion and persistent labor which has accom- plished the rebuilding of the church sdifice. The first building was erected 'n the bill overlooking. the village in L771, from which fact Is derived the lame "Meeting house hill." IL was B severe and probably inbos- 'itable structure, as many of those early buildings were. But it s,rfed 8 half entury as the church home. As the hurch increased it's membership and Vealth, the needs of new building na. anne apparent, ard in 1886 the lr4sent 1aia building was erected in the center If he village. It was one of she aussere, ignified, colonial structures, rectangu- IT and white, without 1T iamentation, xcepting the towering, orthodox pill ITS at the front of the church. which ere in relief on this building. In 1864 le building was raised and vestry ailt in the basement, and in 1871 an ad- tion was made at the rear of the 1. lurch and new organ put in 2 The present extensive repairs, which : i've Eiust been completed, were begun i
 August. Thess alterations were ' z ade possible by the generous gift of ? IS L D. James, who built the new : ap,l The entire work cost about ' 900 Gardner, Psne < Gardner of 2 s city were the architects and Lige.- is ore < BaIlsy of Northsnpton the con lcter'. The woman's society con- 2 buted $1o0o, and the remainder waa 2 sad by subscription. The lev chapel fs .s added to the front of the church, q
 n,