The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1900-02-09
Rev George Thomas Linsley,
Rector Trinity (Episcopa) Church, Newto*n

church at large have been met in every
case, and the name of Trinity church,
Newtown, will be found on the roll or
honor in the Diocesan Journal.
A convenient polished OAK chest to
keep the altar hapgings in has been placed
in the vestry room, suitable Fetable and
an appropriate rered0g, pair OF ueW
altar vases and beautiful font cover,
have all been placed in position, and add
much to the beauty of the church.
The old organ has been removed from
the west gallery and entirely rebuilt and
greatly improved and placed in the north
east corner by the chancel, costing about
$1,000.
A new carpet adds TO the interior fur
nishings Of the church, and partial re-
decoration within and extensive repairs
on the outside have brought the edif1ce
up to it's present excellent condition.
| These details furnish much cause for
! mutual congretulation. But 1t would be
81 mistake to find too much satisfaction in
these achievements, and we need to re-
member the Divine Injunction that when
we have done all we are to cal ourselves
improbable servants for we have only
done that which was our duty to do.
| And here is kneeded the insertion OF a
warning. For undoubtedly the tendency
of an endowment il parish is that the
people may grow to feel that they need
give less to God and r5lg upon what 9TH
ers have already provided. Oar off srings
to the church of God must be according
to our ability and IL the parish ever seems
to need less for itself it can slways do
more for Others, for the church at large.
And the members of this strongly en-
dOwed parish must beware Of having
their conscience dulled to the duty OF CIV
ing freely to God, because the parish IT.
self seems 80 well provided for already
(2) It is always refreshing to
TURN FROM THESE OUTWARD THINGS
TO THOSE WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL.
Instead of suspending the regular Sun
day evening service during the winter
months as had been done, thatzsefvic'
has been maintained without interruption
throughout the whole year.
A special Celebration Of the Holy Com
muni0n ON the third Sunday in ever.
month has been instituted, and wniie Tn
attendance has fully justified this servlc
as our established usage it seems tnat !
might reasonably be expected 5naL NOR
persons would avail themselves OF Gnl
quiet devotional service. In addition g
regular Sunday services and those O.
Holy days, and in Advent and Lenb,
have on many occasions administe red Go
Holy Communion in private TO the SIC
and infirm, have baptized 70 souls, hav'
presented to the Bishop for confirmation
65 persons, have solemnized 30 marriages.
and cfflciated at $50 burials.
Besides this, have regularly and sye
! ltematically visited al the families OF ca
parish on the average twice year, ais
making many additional calls upon TO
sick and the afflicted.
In parish like this where the distance
are 80 great all these varied duties max
exacting demands upon ones time an
strength.
And in this connection it il my duty
remind You that it Ia an established an
immemorial usage Of the historic churc
that baptisms. marriages and funerals !
held In the consecrated house OF do
except FOR some great and reasonap
cause.
And must again publicl y warn paren
that the law of the church requires th
there be no unreasonable delay in brin
ing their children while still very yonn
Infants to the waters OF Holy Baptism.
(3) But when all has been said 10
lgard 10 what ii outward and visible
Che Life Of the parish we must bear