The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-05-26
THREE DAYS' OBSERVANCE
HEED IN CONFEDERATION OF 4
 NOTABLE EVENT.

ISresbyterian Church at South Salem,
 N. Y., Has Prospered for One Hum
 drod Years-An Excellent Pro-
 gramme Carried Out-Thn Exercises
 Were Especially Appropriate to the
 Occasion-An Account of the Cele-
 bration.
 A very interesting occasion was the observance of the one hundred and fif- tieth anniversary of the founding of the
 Presbyterian church at South Salems N. r., on the IS, 19 and 20. Among the various features of interest worthy or mention was the historical remlnls- cences with items of local nature em- bracing an extensive review Of It's past relationships, as to workers ana mem bers in it's growing progress, and lnllu- ence, as given in the reviews by the hls- torian, and the large gathering ot those having interest therein or relation thereto, who contributed to the occa- sion either by their presence, addresses or communications. Another item Of interest was the placing and unValllng of a beautiful tablet in the church glV- en in grateful memory of its founder, the Rev. Solomon Mead, as a tribute to his faithful life service to this people, The tablet was prepared (by Messrs. Phillips & Son), in this city in the pest manner, at the top of which IS hnely carved sheaf of wheat In full head with a sickle thrust through the band, sym bolic of his pastoral labors, surround ing which are the dates denoting the beginning and end of his labors lio2 and 1800 Also the inscription, Faith and Labor Insure the Harvest Other parts of the tablet were suitably ln- sribed and other commemorative tokens of interest were placed on the family lot near by, this pastor being the only one who is buried in the church yard or cemetery near the scene of his labor. The numerous descendants of this first pastor now numbering several hundred reside in many states and places in our country, of whom four living genera tions were present or personally repre- sented either as members of the church or their descendants, many of whom are residents of the locality, the oldest being in her ninety eighth year, and the yOuIlSeoI Ill CullQllOOu SdiiJ dbJ Ci oth'O the fact that it is the native place or early home of some of our oldest citi- zens has it's interest; one family in this line of descent, consisting of five sons, all of whom are or have been citizens Of New Haven with their children and grandchildren as residents of our city, together with their mother, who now resides in South Salem, her native town, and is the oldest living member of the church. The Sabbath morning worship as conducted by the pastor with text and sermon in keep with the occa- sion was an introduction to the anni- versary exercises; which was followed in the evening by a special Sunday school service embracing a review of | many events of interest in the South Salem school during the past fifty years, also hopeful outlook for Sun day school work in the future.
 The social reunion on Monday heed | ing the counsel of Paul to salute the | friends by name' was held in the | church parlors, embracing an informal | reception to former pastors and mem- bers, and was followed in the auditor ium by greetings and addresses by the | five now living ex-pastors. In the even- ing was given the Sesqui Centennial con- | cert embracing a selection of old Metri l cal tunes of familiar use in olden time, | dating back from 1851 to 1900 with half | score or so of vocal solos and other | appropriate musical renderings which | made the occasion one of great interest | and enjoyment. On Tuesday after the Introductory ex- ercses of music invocation and respon- | sive reading came the un-vailing of the | Memorial Tablet of the first pastor pre- sented by the chairman of the memorial | committee, in an appropriate address which was cheerfully received by the chairman of the board of trustees of the society accompanied with an ap- propriate address which was cheerfully received by the chairman of the board of trustees of the society accompanied