The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-07-01

with the church in 1892, and to-day she patiently waits to join the rest who have gone before. While she waits she bears fruit and gave her contribution toward the recent repairs of this build ing. MT. Mitchell was an able and accomplished man, and his influence as pastor of this church was uplifting and blessed On July 10, 1886, having re- signed on account of ill-health of his family and insufficient financial SUD- port, he was formally dismissed. Dea- cons Elijah Rowe, Jamss Richard Hunt and Harvey Rowe, men of high character, were his helpers in these first years of the church's fife. Mir. Mitchell died in 1870 at the age of sev- enty-five years. The successor of Rev. John Mitchell was Rev. Benjamin L.
 Swan. He was ordained and installed as the second pastor of this church on November 25, 1836. He remained eight years and seven months, during which period he received seventy three per- sons into the church. Two of these re- main with us to this day, Mrs. Mary A. Curtis Russell, who united in 1889, and Mrs. Maria E. Seeley Barnes, who uni- ted in 1S41. Mir. Swan was a man of details, and this church Is under many obligations to him for gathering histor- ical data and putting it in book in 8 neat manner. He gave us the facts concerning the preceding history of this church. He came to this church, as he particularly says, at the age of "twenty-three years, three months and twenty-five days,' bringing with him his wife, whom he had married one month before. MT. Swans years in Fair Haven were of the bitter-sWeet character. He had many friends and some pleasant years. But he was a man of very positive convictions, and like all noble men of positive convic- tions, suffered for 1t. He was trained in Princeton Theological seminary and preached the very unadulterated Call vinism. He taught the, doctrine of linn ited atonement and election with em- phasis. He also, in strange contrast to these doctrines, as It would seem to we, taught, and the church. followed, the practice that all children less than twenty-one years of age may be bap- tized on the faith of their parents; yes, and not only children, but slaves also, and servants. He also believed em- phatically in the consociation idea, and was installed by the Consolation of New Haven's East. He resigned and was dismissed June 24. 1S45, with pros trated health. He had Ia nervous in- firmity," as he said, "prostrating body and mind, resulting from and affected by local causes" The t'local causes" were simply these-sorne of the mem bers wanted him to leave and sa he re- signed. The church cordially refused to accept his resignation, but he insist ed upon going and wisely, too. When the Second church lost Dr. Burton as it's pastnri that church called Mir. swan as his successor for one year. MT. Swan did a. good work in various ways in this church He established the church library, he began and kept proper church records, he left a strong mark upon this village, possibly equal to that Of any Christian minister who ever served it." He died in Bridge port, Conn.,, February 15, 1899 He preached fifty-two years with hardly any Interruptions. February. 1S46, be- gan the notable pastorate of Rev. Bur dette Hart. He was ordained and in- stalled October 1 of the same year, spending the intervening period in the completion of his theological studies at Yale. He was twice pastor of this church. the first passionate lasting fourteen years and fourteen days" and was closed October 15, 1860, q se- were throat trouble compelling him to resign. A number of significant fea- lures characterize the church's life during this period, revealing the am- bition, wisdom, push and persistence of this pastor and the loyalty of the peo- pie. Soon after entering upon his work Dr. Hart began 8 series of doctrinal sermons, emphasizing the freedom of the will and mans corresponding re- sponsibility. I may say frankly to you that these sermons were "neW theolo- gy' for this congregation, and the marvel is that a herssy trial did not follow. On the other hand they were uSeu OE jOu III Iil6 ulI6GJlUft OI d T6Vl- val and fully two hundred people were converted. This result "knit him and his people together in the holiest of in- timacies." Other revivals followed in the course of the years. making his ministry one that was delightfully."- re- freshed by spiritual awakenings. One of Dr. Hart's first projects was the erection of chapel, the corner stone of which was laid October 30, 1S47
 Let us read Dr. Hart's statement of conditions at this time. "rhe congre- gation Is large, quite filling the house of worship on pleasant sabbaths. Fix ternaly the church is prosperous, while its spiritual graces are fin a state of sad decline.'' The new chapel was help ful agency, for a year later the glori- ous revival came. The chapel was a beautiful gothic structure and fur nished "a pleasant and llealthful'' place for evening services. "Too much praise' says Dr. Hart "cannot be awarded to the ladies of the two exist ing sewing societies for the indomita- ble perseverance and energy which they have manifested in securing this result; nor can the liberality of our church be taa greatly applauded in sec- onding their efforts by such contribu
 tions at a time when there are so many and so pressing demands upon their