The Newtown bee., 1901-01-04
AFFAIRS ABOUT TOWN.
 AN HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIvERsARY OF THE DEDICATION OF THE METHODIsT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN SANDY HOOK, CONN.,, SEPTEMBER 25, 19OO.-BY JOSEPH C, NUNsON.
CONCLUDING CHAPTER.1

JOSEPH C NUNsON.
 | CONCLUDING cHAPTER1
 In 1890 c. H. Butcher returned from the New York Conference and was ap- pointed here. For two years he filled this appointment with his accustomed I zeal and energy. Brother Williams Brown, whose wife was an invalid who could not be removed from her nome | in Bridgeport, came in 1892. He.swas l a wholly consecrated servant of the Lord and though able to give only partial service did good and won friends. For the two following years William T. Gilbert and his charming family occupied the parsonage lSister Gilbert, his wise, strong, patient help CT, won the hearts of the little flock. But God called her and she exchanged the parsonage on the hilltop for a mansion in the Celestial city. Brother James Taylor returned for his third term in 1895, and when he left in the spring of 1898 he carried away as his wife, one of the most faithful and es- timable members of this church, the granddaughter of Isaac Sanford, the | pioneer Methodist class leader. The happy two years of Brother Sawyer's ministry and the present pastorate have not receded far enough to be- come proper material for an historical discourse. But we hear such pleasant things of them that we can we'll be- lieve a series of such pastorates will do much to build anew the fires of Meth odism inlthis community.
 The B years have sketched so hur- l riedly have greatly enriched the heav- enly city if they have left the little church full of mourning. The sweet singer, Brother William Hall, went early to his reward. Brother Elias Sanford fingered to good old age while his companion survived till the spring of 1890 strong in faith and happy in Gods perfect love. Dear Brother Patch, whom I so we'll remem- Der in the days of my childhood with his good fellowship and his infectious laugh, who loved everybody and was in turn beloved, was for many years the accommodating postmaster of this village. How we'll do recall the class meetings where he and Brother Free man used to get happy till the tears would run down the cheeks of Brother Patch and Brother Freeman would shout and every believer was able to look off from the Delectable moun- tains and catch a glimpse of the heav- enly glory. When they all met up wonder who used to sing together here l am sure the heavenly arches rang with joy. Another worthy layman and if my memory serves me correctly, at one time class leader, was Brother Asa White. He came to Sandy Hook before the church was built and the first time l ever saw him was in the hall on Sunday morning when he was leading the meeting. He was a man of prayer, good singer and a worthy, useful and exemplary man in the church until his death. Brother Fair child, my dear old Sunday school teacher; Brother and Sister Wheeler and Brother Lake, my old comrade at the Newtown academy, have only re- that happy company.
 While the lay members of this church have been gathered within the heavenly fold so that not one is left of the original company who as members of the church consecrated this church to the worship of God 50 years ago, large number of the pastors have also gone to the other side. nSince that day 50 years ago, Oliver Sykes, Horace Bartlett, Samuel Smith, Theodore A. Lovejoy, N. c. Lewis, Edwin Old rin, Stephen J. Stebhins, Benjamin Bedford, William H. Bangs, Cyrus Silliman, Nathaniel Mead, Robert Roden, George L., Fuller, l.. D. Nick erson, R. K. Reynolds, A. s. Hill, Henry Gidmon, Laban Clarke, Julius Field, John Nixon and Sylvester Smith have answered to the roll call in the Celestial city.
 It is singular that two preachers who were converted and licensed here still live at an advanced age, the only surviving members of the first New York East Conference. Rev George A. Hubbell of Vineland, N. J., and Isaac Sanford of Middlefeld, Conn.
 When we remember the vicissitudes of this little church it seems as if the Lord had put special honor on those whom she has given to his work in preserving their lives and blessing their work. The five members of con- ference who started here or who found Christ here have been able to preach the gospel for 200 years in pastoral service. There are five other workers whose record we cannot obtain but it is written on high and it will shine as personal service rendered to the King of Kings. It is a blessed record that this little church has made in helping men to find their way to heaven
 With this fine equipment of church property and this inspiring story of the faith of our fathers may we Rot hope that though Jacob be small he may still arise and this church may yet be filled with sinners saved by grace. You begin the 2Oth century with a record of which no church need be ashamed and when we remember that our fathers God is our God, sure ly you have privileges and resources which would have made Mother Cur l ifs and Father Sanford ShOut for iOv