Bridgeton pioneer., 1903-09-10

sKetcneS from bno life OF that great
man-Mr Osborn. Mr. Harris began
by saying that his parents " ere mem
bers OF that church. His grandfather
was a ruling elder His father and
mother took vows of Christian life
there and later went to the Cedarville
Church. Picture hundred years ago.
This was the central point of the
township then and that is why this
church was built here. The same
sunshine and same breezes were here
then as now and the gentle wind
Whispered praises through the open
windows as they do now. Look in
retrospect and see the people coming
to church in quaint old fashioned
wagons. Nearly everybody then
went to church. Then I can see the
venerable form of that saint-Mr. Os-
born. as he left the parsonage three
quarters of mile down the road and
came up the path through the oeme-
terry. Father Osborn as he came in
church would bow to the oongrega-
tion and walk up the stairway to the
pulpit. He would take out his glasses,
wipe them off, adjust them on his
nose with characteristic move.
Then he would proceed with the SER
vices. He always had word for the
children. He had quaint expressions
and mannerisms. One time he
preached in the brick church at
Cedarville. He had written SER
mon, as was customary. and when he
was half way through he stopped in
stantly. He looked all over the con-
gregation.
"Well, my friends.' said he, 81
have announced the wrong text
HE went back and announced the
right text and continued.
In prayer, he stoc d5with eyes rever-
emily closed. At some time during
each prayer he would raise his left
hand, open his eyes. look over the
congregation and then close his ewes
again. He had a very musical voice
and gentle, but it penetrated every
part of the building. Every body re-
spected him Not a person in this
vicinity ever had a word to say
against him. He travelled in green
carriage, pulled by horse that never
went faster than walk. At one
time number of boys made a pack
/ a nf MOI 10
! die and placed it in the road to April
fool some one. Father Osborn drove
up, stopped his carriage, got out and
picked up the bundle. He carried it
into nearby country store and said,
Here is bundle dropped by some
unfortunate fellow. Kindly keep it.
should he call. Thank you Then
he went out. Not boy dared to say
April foot 1t was Father.Osborn. i"
During the afternoon old time
hymns were sung and few persons
sat in the same pews as when Rev.
Osborn occupied the pulpit. Mrs.
Climer sat in the same pew where she
heard Mr. Osborn preach in 1S4s.
David ]. CLARK told of hearing Mr..
Osborn preach at the beginning of his
flfty-third year as pastor. Mrs. Har-
rls 0. Elmer, of Fairton, also occu.
pied the same pew as she did many
years ago. A very beautiful solo was
given by Miss Trimble, the accom-
plished daughter of the Rev. Trimble.
AT half-past two O'Clock the Rev.
Luther Oates, pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church here, preached
beneficial and educational sermon from
the text, "All authority is given unto
me in Heaven and on earth. Go We
therefore into the world and preach
the gospel to all men, The days
| service closed with conservation hour
led by the Christian Endeavor Society
and every person who attended went
away benefited greatly by the happy
reunion.
During the noon hour general obser-
vations were made through the ceme-
terry and there were no monuments
whichstold of more blessed life than
the one of the Rev. Ethan Osborn,
The inscription read:
Rev. Ethan Osborn born in Litoh-
field, OF.
August 21st, 1853.
Died-Full of faith and in the hope
of joyful resurrection, May 1st, 1858.
Agek99 years, monhs, 10 days.
Graduated at yarmouth 1884. lii
censed 1856. Called to Fairfield 1888.
Ordained 1889 and resigned his charge
1874, having been pastor of this church
65 years.
He obeyed the command "Go preach
my Gospel"
His children in the flesh and in the
spirit lie about him.
Ethan Osborn, soldier of the
Revolution. A good man and faith
full minister of the gospel.
NJ Nouo~