The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-03-03
in your stronger days, in this little COM

in your stronger days, In this little COM
munity OF sturdy farmers.
have been thinking of these sweet
associations of faith, of this strange mys-
terry that peoples the world for us with
those unseen influences entering into our
lives and linking US with the past ar d
present, with the sainted dead and with
those who reflect in their own lives to-
day the names, faces and characteristics
OF those who knew these p aces before ev-
er we saw the light. And those inf1uen-
ces belong here as elsewhere. This is
hallowed ground. Our sister, speaking
few moments since of the old base
ment-vestry, wondered what had become
of it. Well, something really better has
taken it's place, this tasteful, sunny,
modern house, as BELTS the closing of
the 10Th century. Those old lecture
rooms were rather gloomy affairs, though
they sheltered some grand souls and wit
messed many scenes of the Spirits power.
Yet they served their day. SO too, the
times change with them. A larger op-
portunity, wider living, newer trusts,
come in. This too, is your inheritance.
1t has been said, in the interesting and
graphic historical discourse of this MORN
ing, that the old farms have largely
changed hands and new elements have
| come In, which are not interested in the
church as were the old families. No.
they may not be, and yet it is not des-
pairing outlook before this people.
Still earnest souls, yourg and old, are
here-staunch holders OF the gospel faith,
sincere lovers of truth and righteousness
There is, indeed, a certain sadness
which comes over US when we gather
amid scenes like this, and see the old IA
miliar forms absent, and behold even
those who have been wont 10 go in AID
out among US in the vigor and prime of
their strength, sitting before US with sill
vered heads, or moving among us with
| slower steps, and there springs to our
| lips the old question: Your fathers,
where are they; and the prophets, do
they live forever ?" Yet, l am not sure
that the fathers and mothers are SO
ally found that some of us, when there's
anything to be done, can tucker out the
| boys yet. Any so with this old revered
church, little Be1 amin, apparently
among the stronger tribes. Yet it is be-
fore us in very tangible evidence not
withstanding. 1t has repeated its life in
large degree in the life and push of the
young borough Of Shelton by it's side,
and in the vigol Gus chu CHI of our own
order there, not to mention the other
churches. 1t Is fair daughter which
has thus grown upon the banks of the
| Housatonic and your own life blood is in
her, while still you hold on your own
quiet way. And thus do we and mo Y
we live on. | believe there is to be d
perpetual youth for this church. l. is
the living gospel, which is even our in
heritance-it is yours to-day TO quic ken,
cheer, inspire and bless. Yours need
not be a dead future, though our farm
towns change and the old life goes.
Still God and the church and the Spirit
may be here to uphold, sustain and
crown with peace.
And so, bring you greetings. | bring
it from an older church than your ON I
even, the First church of Derby with ven
cradle locks and her life begun in 1858
She has her past, but al o her present
and her future, as do you, and tt gethel
we NAV look cut upon the fair fields o.
our Lord "white for the harvest" MAY
the rich memories that cluster acre ms II
ever sweet music to your hears. As il
looking forward problems are engsgins
US, vast issues, larger brotherhood, great
er nationality and future for our de
scendents, whose grandeur and responai
billties no one may measure. May i
be yours, as a church, to share in tina
future as faithfully as they, who wrpugh
here 100 years ago, shared in thtir fu
ture. And beyond it will be the best an
niversary of all, shared with the spirit
of Just men made perfect, with the trium
plant ages achieved for Christ and viii
the church forever redeemed and glori
fed. In that vast multitude will b
many who went from here. Nav it b
ours to enter in and partake of their inv
and find the fullness of he life which be
gins here, continues thtra.