The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1902-06-20

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one, in all the after history of the
building. Such work, in public affairs,
is apt to be rather thankless, but we
will not let it be so this time, but re-
turn our sincere thanks, as a church,
! to those who secured the funds, and
planned the building and directed the
details of it's erection. And above all
let us thank the good God,
WHOSE WE ARE, AND WHOM WE SERVE
that He has made all these things
possible. But after all, the new par
sOnage is not so much historic as pro-
phetic. Surprising it to serve it's pur.
pose throughout the century that is
now just beginning, what strange
things it may behold and in what great
movement, in church and state, it may
have some part. The new building is
fitted with many modern improve
ments such as electric lights, steam
heat, sanitary plumbing; does it seem
possible that before the building has
completed it's work these things may
become as Anticipated as the tallow
dip, or the well sweep? No .one can
tell what will be the then improve
ments; could we mention them doubt
less they would seem like creatures of
a disOrdered vision.
The new parsonage, in a century,
doubtless, will witness great changes
in our village. There is no reason why
it should not be a larger, buster, and
even more beautiful place than it is
now. Indeed, with all the power run
ming to waste at our very door, can we
not prophesy a busy little city on these
plains, when this wasted energy is
transformed into electric power to be
used in the development of industries
which increase the population and
wealth of community. Could we
draw picture of this valley and these
hills, now, and still more then, only a
distant suburb of New York, as they
will appear a century hence, it would
seem like fancy sketch with little
foundation in reality. The parson-
age will doubtless witness many
changes in theological statement, but
no change in theological truth, for
truth is Interchangeable. We are now
living in transition period and after
earnest research a clearer perception of
things vital to an earnest religious
life will be obtained. Creeds are be-
ing revised and simplified. Christian
ethics are becoming the rule of all we'll
regulated lives; the
TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH ARE HAV-
ING A STRONG INFLUENCE
outside the lines of church member
ship; what once~aDp ned to be doc
tr1nes vital to the gdt of an organiza-
tion to claim the name of a Christian
now are made less prominent.
but in all changes that now affect the
church the claims Of the Lord Jesus
Christ to be the Lord and leader of his
people is being more and more general
ly acknowledged, and the coming CEN
fury, we may believe, will fix this
claim more firmly than we in the
thought of the church. Christ Jesus
has always been the supreme master
Of the church; may we not hope that
In the present century his servants
here may prove their loyalty in con-
secrated service that may ever glorify
their Lord.
He would be bold who would pre-
tend to prophesy what the parsonage
may behold in the development and
of our national life. The
future seems so bright, and the posi-
bilities are SO great that the thought
If them is bewildering. Whether that
future be really great and manifesting
5he elements of permanent grea tness
will depend largely upon the faithful
ness of churches and the loyalty to
nigh ideals of them who dwell in par
'onages. On Memorial day our beauti-
'ul flag was flung out for the first time
rom the staff on the parsonage. Nav
hose who shall ever dwell therein be
oval to the national principles which
ire typitied by that flag. Members of
his church had prominent part in the
;reation of our nation; and may the
uture members ever be faithful to
he principles which have made us
,reat among the nations of the earth.
HERE is A GLORY THAT MAY BELONG
o parsonage; and as it's history en-