The Newtown bee., 1900-06-01
Fairfield County.
HUNTINGTON.
INSPIRING MEMORIAL SERVICES.

the Sons of Veterans and Woman's Re- tingEon, Sunday, to celebrate their annual Memorial service and decorate the graves. The service was held in the Congregs- tional church, the building being filled to it's utmost capacity. Over 500 were present, from Derby, Shelton, Hunting ton and surrounding towns. Seats were reserved for the invited guests. The G. A. R. post, the Sons of Veterans and the Woman's Relief Corps all marched in two by two before the opening of the service.
 The service was opened with the sing ing of "Onward Christian Soldiers" by the quartet. Rev Earle FelIowes of Der by made the opening prayer. A song followed, "Fling out the Banner" by the quartet. Rev l.. K. Pangburn, pastor of the church, then gave the address of well come. He extended to the guests g hearty welcome to the church and town speaking of the debt of gratitude we owe to our Grand Army men, & debt which never can be paid by us. He spoke of 8 parade he witnessed on Pennsylvania avenue in Washington on Memorial day. The school children, who have their reg ular military drills and uniformss were the first in the parade, and our thought was, What splendid sight so like reg ular soldiers Then came the National Guard; then 8 change of sentiment: !: E these are almost soldiers. Third came the Regular United States Army and Navy. Then more enthusiasm on our part: These are really soldiers! And last come our G. A. R. veterans, and now the line, perhaps not so true and ! straight, the step perhaps not 80 even, ! but we feel now aa if the others are only play soldiers; these are the ones who
 have really fought for their country. MT Pangburn closed his address with the very fitting words, "And the ransomed ! of the Lord shall return and come to Zion
 with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and glad
 ness, and sorrow and signing shall flee away" "To Thee, o Country" was then
 rendered by the quartet. Rev M. H.
 Mathison, pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd of Shelton, then gave sn
 address on the Life of Garfield" He spoke especially of his grace, patience
 and moral courage, of his true Christian
 character, of his faithfulness throughout the war. As Lincoln was watchful night and day in the White House throughout the war, so Garf1eld's light was burning all night in his tent. How at the time of Lincoln's assassination 1t was Garfield who quieted the crowds that surged
 around the capitol, by coming to the win- dow and waving 8 white flag until there was quiet. He repeated these words l"Clouds and darkness are 'reund about
 Him; righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne" How in
 MT Garfield's last illness he was so pa.
 tient, kind and thoughtful of them, show. ing his inward grace. MT Mathison
 closed his remarks by repeating the E words of St John "And heard 8 voice from Heaven, saying unto me, Write
 Blessed are the dead which die in the
 Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the ISpirit, that they may rest from their Ia.
 bors; and their works do follow them.'' A pleasing duet, 70 Morning Land,''
 was then sung.
 Rev MT Kenneston, pastor of the Con,
 gregational' church, Shelton, was next introduced. He complimented the Post
 on their retaining their good looks and
 fine appearance. He then spoke of why our soldiers fought and died, that we
 might have one country and one flag.
 That every mother might keep her own children. That we might be the beacon light of the world. This country wants
 now, not fighting men, but educated men, men who are satisfied with making an
 honest living. Loyal men. men who will
 stand by their country and their homes.
 And ifinally, Christian men, who are principled to do right.
 After the singing, "Lest we forget" ;"
 Rev E. c. Fellowes of Derby was called
 upon. As Mr Fsllowes had spoken in
 the morning on subject pertaining to
 the celebration of the day and expected
 to again in the evening, he thought lest he should repeat himself it would be ! better to read the thoughts of some one else:
 ssHeroism has been truly said to be homely work in the doing. It is good and comforting to remember on this day of memories, and to never forget, that heroic work is mostly done by homely men, by men who are not rich, nor fa- nous, nor great. The heroes of the Union were, in the phrase of Lincoln, of the plain people, as was he himself, the greatest of them all. They began their education in the common schools, and frequently finished it there. They were wayfarers and laborers, like their fathers and like ourselves. They worked in the fields, in factories, and in shops, for self respect, and for the respect of others, and for wives, children and friends. They were glad st the weddings and sorry at the funerals of their neighbor- hood. They had, and showed, person al interest in the politics, local and gen. eral. They went 60 the town meetings ! and caucuses, voted at elections, and stood by their candidates in victory and