The Newtown bee., 1903-09-11
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
PRESENTED WITH GOLD WATCH.

PRESENTED WITH GOLD WATCH.
 A very pleasant church event Wal
 the reception, Wednesday night, at tht
 the 10th anniversary of the pastorate
 of Rev Otis w. Barker, who has won g
 strong hold on the affections of his
 people. At about 9 p. m., A. T. Net.
 tletOn, of sthe SOciety'S eccleSiaStical
 committee, took the floor as chairman
 and Officiated in his usual gracious
 way. Allison P. Smith, the junior deacon, was introduced and voiced the sincere congratulations of the church
 members, and expressed their appreci-
 ation of the pastors whOle-souled con.
 secration to his work. Rev J. H.
 George, the rector of Trinity church, very. happily expressed the good wishes
 of his people, and extended congratu-
 lations. Rev o. o. Wright, of St
 Johns, made a bright address in
 which he expressed his appreciation of
 MT Barker's good qualities and spoke highly of his work. E. L. Johnson said he was glad to be present to ex- tend his congratulations to MT and Mrs Barker. He was glad the church was so prosperous. He said: MT Barker is good citizen and does his work we'll in all lines of effort. It is right we should have our church home, and there is no reason why we cannot be friendly, even if attending different churches. It is pleasant to know the relations of the churches in town are so friendly. Years ago my church home was with the eCongregationalists, but later 1 thought best to transfer my church home. but the move never leSsened my love for those 1 left be- hind. Of those who were members when left only one, Mrs Lucy Beers. is present tonight. I congra tulate you, MT Barker, on the friendly feel ing in your church.
 MT NettletOn then read number of letters from friends unable to be pres ent expressing their congratulations.
 Selectman Morris stepped forward and presented MT Barker, in behalf of the church, with beautiful gold watch.
 In responding Mir Barker said in part:
 A tenth anniversary is good thing as it re- minds us of the flight of time, and yet time is only current in eternity's great flow. I sit ter flow by but the water that flows by now is not the water that went hurrying on ever bounding from the same full source; but it is the same stream So how changed is the mbership of our church to-day from what and gone; but yet it is the same church. a life.current in the stream of the onward press of the kingdom of God.
 The great Denver Christian EndeavOr con- ventiOn this past Summer was the largest re- ligious gathering ever held; sO.0OO people crossed the continent and some of them cross ed the sea, or came from adjoining neighb bor- hoods, to be there. The meetings reached the climax of elOquence, enthusiasm and life. It was great wave of high zeal for Christi and it will be helpful to catch a ripple of this wave at the meeting In the NeWtOwn Congregation al church next Sunday evening. September B. at 80 o'clock. J. H. Mansfield of New Haven will then give report of the Denver conven- tion. MT Man field was transportation agent for the delegates from Connecticut. He was right in the spirit of the convention, and as he is himself an artist he can doubtless draw us the. picture, of what happened there. A will be taken to go into the mission ary funds of the church.