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

days died, November 2, 1927, in the Goth
year Of his age.
An extract from his obituary, written
by the Rev Mr. Datton of Guiltord, thus
gives some of his characteristics: In
his childhood he was remarkable Tor his
sobriety and attention to the Scriptures !;
and was cary a subject of religious in
preston. The Predominant Characters
tics of his mind were s'rong common
sense upon an impC rtant measure, with
out elaboration, ard rarely had occasion
to change. These properties made him
safe guide to his people, and an able
counsellor to his ministerial brethren.
His religious sentiments were strictly ey-
angelical. The doctrines of the cross he
firmly believed and prudently but fear
lessly preached. His temper was mild,
placid and torbearing, and not lacking in
sensibility. This contributed in no ordi-
nary degree to the endearment of his do
mestic and social It lstions. He was a
tender husband, kind parent, a constant
friend, and an aftectionate and faithful
pastor. His piety was uniform, fl 0wir z
with full and even current, and charac-
terized in no common degree by patience
and self denial" During Mr. Ely's minis
try there had been no special revival of
religion, and but few admissions had
been made to the church in any one year.
The whole number both by Letter and
profession had been %, and at his dis
mission the number of church members
in full communion wss 81, and II who
did not come to the Lords Supper.
In 1905, there were three admissions to
the church, received by Rev L rael Ward,
of Danbury. In December of this year,
the Rev Samuel Sturges, whose short
period of service here in 1880 had been so
acceptable and succet sful, was found to
be at liberty, and was invited TO supp V
the pulpit. de was reg ulRrlv called 10
be the pastor February 6, 1906, and was
installed April 8, Of the same year. Capt
Eliakim Benedict was chosen deacon
June 4, 1906.
When the practice of receiving in half
wsy covenant had been abolished in 1891
there had been a tenderness and irdulg-
ence, to such as pied doubts and fears, in
their neglect to come to the Lords Table
till they should get further light. Upon
Mr. Sturges' settlement, this Whole mat
ter was at once called up, invoicing in it
the general que srion of the relation Of
baptised persons, as such, TO the church.
1t seems to have been very fully dis
distinct and Ineligible form, that its
substance is We rthy of preservation.
At church meeting, July 2, 1906, the
matter took the form of this general ques-
ton: whether this church have snY
warrant in Scripture, for requiring any
thing more than a credible profession of
the Christian religion, in any case, from
those who have been baptised In their
minor state, in order to their admission
to the special privileges of the gospel? ?"
The meaning being in substance this !:
May baptised child on coming to his
ms jority becomes member of the church
on professio ion of his belief in Christiaui'y Y,
or must he give evidence of personal ex-
perimental pietY? The discus sion went
on at some length, and the meeting was
adjourned. At this adjourned meeting,
the question became spread out to this
comprehensive reach in three particular
branches. 1t was said-"The decision of
the main question will involve the decis-