The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-02

ing history, for its beginning dates way
back to i74S. when it was organized. al
though e didn't have a charter until iiS5.
when II got its present name. the Ben
ehcent Congregational Society" Before
this time the old people tell about IT be-
Ing known as the New Light Meeting
House" the "Tennent Church." and
again as "Mr. Shows Meeting House"
The Rev. Joseph Snow. Jr.. was a car
penter by trade. but being a powerful
spiritual man. he finally was ordained and
became the pastor. holding the position for
30 years. The Rev Elisha Paine of Canter-
bury, Conn, was importuned to take the
position. but for some reason decided
not to do SO, and when Mr.. Snow was or
dained the ministers OF Canterbury.
Plainheld and so on of Connecticut, were
present which was twenty years or more
before our church at Westminster was
built IN Canterbury.
suppose IL was because a Canterbury
minister was invited to preach here that
made the place so interesting TO us both,
besides the fact that il is Congregational
orthodox.
Tho first church was built here in 1850,
the minister with members OF his flock
going 10 the forest and cutting the tim
ber with their own hands, and Mr.. Snow
being carpenter. he more'n likely su-
perintended Its construction. II was only
ebout ssx40 feet in size
They used 10 read the lines OF the
hymns and then sing them. which had got
20 be pretty common custom In those
days, but just hundred years ago come
June the church members got to be
kinder high toned and they voted TO give
up the custom OF parcelIing out the lines
and the vote was pretty unanamous that
thereafter the singing should be perform
ed by book only
don't know whether they had n pitch-
pipe I'm this church in those DAYS. but
more'n likely they did, and from that
crude system OF reeliug off hymn tunes
way back there, they have gone along,
step by step, until now it's amazing 10
see what sweet singing and music can
be made by the conservatory singers and
pipe organ.
federation says 1t "Never'd a done to
have introduced these now tangled no.
lions all at once. They'd a called IL the
work OF the devil. and smashed that
great organ into kindling wood, quicker n
YOU can tell about II. '1'ain't safe to be
too sudden In getting rid OF old notions Z"
Long about that time tho laws forbid
people driving on Sunday. and TO see that
the law was enforced a great ox-chain
used TO be strung across the street I'm
front OF this meeting house, so that the
minister could preach without interrupt
tion by passing carriages. and the mem
bers could mediate IN an atmosphere OF
perfect quiet But things have evidently
gone ahead some since then, for now the
street cars go numbering by with noise
enough for n freight train, making II n
somewhat complicated task TO git your
mind or OF material things long enough
to bend your spiritual nature heaven
ward
federation was wonderfully interested
I'm the Sunday school work of this church
which was begun way back about 1920,
and when he learned what was now being
done and what has been done here by
the establishment OF a Chinese Sunday
school, he says:
Mother when they told me what they
was ADDING for the heather in this ooun-
try through their Sunday school I'm the
vestry OF this church / felt as II I
could say Amen loud enough 20 be heard
from Canterbury Centre to Hong Kong"
We'll" says 7. 1T Is wonderfully
Soou WORK, out guess the LORD can
hear and understand your appreciation
n ye don't shout so very loud"
Yes" says he, That's true enough
80 far as the Lord goes. But I'm dread
fully In earnest about this matter, for
It's revelation 20 me. and ! want every
body In creation TO know about 81! And
you know there are thousands OF folks
In this world that won't hear anything
but an explosion. You've got to burn the
rff 80 uIf
some men stop and think"
That's too true" says T. There's
nothing but calamities that'll bring some
people To n realization OF their oblga-
tions here below"
Just see" says federation what this
church Is doing. Uncle Sam Is insist
ing on the open door i'm China and he
don't intend that tho descendant OF Ne
buchadnezzar and Belshazzar shall Inter
fere with his notions in that direction
nuther. unless he wants 20 see some more
handwriting on the wall And right here
m Providence T. church that is back
ing I'D our government by working for
the open door the only difference being
these church people are insisting on the
open door 20 the hearts Of the people Of
that great nation that the glory OF the
Master may find an entrance and ~
iimnine their lives. This is enough sight
better than n commercial door for ~
means the fnal establishment OF
mighty Christian nation. built upon the
ruins OF heathenisml I tell We. Mother
that's a.: that's the thing for the
churches TO work for the open door 10
the heart
The superintendent" says 7. "Mr. J.
William Rice. who has conducted this
Chinese Sunday school here for so many
years ought Co feel there Is no greater
tork being done anywhere than the
lighting OF the lamps that shall help
these American Cinnamon find their way
90 heaven"
The organist. Miss Celia A. spicer.
played beautifully. and the auartette
SANG the anthems with perfect harmony |
Miss Ethel Reeds sweet soprano voice |
blended perfectly With Miss Anna Iron's |
couiralto voice. together with r. lind. i
say tnderson's tenor. and William r..
Sweets baritone. the latter being the
director - the music
After the customary order Of worship,