The Newtown bee., 1902-01-31

THREE NOTABLE EPoCHs.


 About the year 1900, this commun- infidelity. Elijah Sherman was then in his early manhood. It was at that epochal period when the organization of the North Church was being consid- cred. Associated with MT Sherman were considerable number of men of about the same age, and all these hav- ing imbibed skeptical views were de- termined that the new church enter prise should be organized as a church of Free Thinkers. And but for MT Sherman'S conversion about that time the church would have been so insti- tuted. It is not easy to trace the myriad ways in which the religious life of our community has been affect ed by that providential interference with the plans of these men. The teaching has been inetfaceably infused into the life of our town. An upward and epOchal movement began at that era.
 Another movement which has had a potent influence in the quickening of our moral life was in the direction of reform. For considerable period previous to the year 1880 the moral tone of our town had marvelOuSly de- generated. Prominent men openly de- clared they would as soon sell intoxi- cants as groceries, saloons were numer- nus, and the public conscience seemed dead. The conscience of the better element was aroused by the prevalent and growing evil, and an agitation be- gan and continued until the gross and growing evil was forced out of sight. There have been many lapSeS since, but an impulse was given to the temper ance reform which has been felt ever since and will no doubt be felt for generations to come.
 Another epoch in the modern life of WOodbury may be called the new inn pulse of town improvement. A person acquainted with Woodbury five years ago would scarcely recognize it to-day, with it's aqueduct furnishing us spark ling and wholesome water, it's fire dis trict, affording protection to property, it's tidy streets, it's obstructive and dis hgurlng fences removed, it's State road and it's reconstructed and new dwell lngS The tidal wave struck us but re- gently, but we are being borne on it's crest to d new and larger life.
 Another epOchal era has been the educational. Woodbury has for long period been noted for her excellent schools, but the idea of consolidation as the modern method of securing the brst results, and a graded school with it's higher department, seemed to many thing impossible. It is but natural for an inquisitive and acquisitive peo- pie to want to know. It took some of our people a long time to under stand their needs educational, but as soon as they understood their urgency, by swift steps they secured the graded school, and an equipment adequate to our local needs. It is un- necessary to say that the founding of our Central school has been one of the most important epochS in the life of our town. It is to be expected that a larger and richer life would be the out come of well-grounded religious faith, and so upon this foundation have been built these moral, physical and educa- tiOnal reforms.
 In the last three movements that have been eDOchS in the life of our town, thank God that l have shared with others of my fellow tOwnSmen the dangers of battle and the joys of con- quest. God only knows what another century may have in store for dear old WoOdbury, but she will have in all the future, as during the past 30 years of my happy life amid her charming