The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1905-08-25

devoted first minister, the old-time
members of this parish led their every
day, earnest, Christian lives. There
were to be met with, of course, then as
now, in the Christian life just the
same difficulties, perplexities, dangers
and trials we daily experience. Like
us those earlier churchmen knew well
the weakness of the flesh, the seducing
influence of the world, and the power
of temptation. But they likewise had
as sure defense the whole armor of
God; and with them, too, ever walked
the Divine Councillor and Friend-He
who changeth not, Who is the same
yesterday, to-day and forever"
How well it would be if we could put
hand upon letters or documents or
records bearing upon life in our parish
in the remote past. But l know not
that any such can be produced. How
ever, there are letters and reports
easily to be reached by the mission
aries Of those days who travelled wide
ly through the colony; also letters by
rectors of neighboring parishes Scan
ming these one is strongly impressed
by the fact that the course of events
in parochial life moved on then much
as in the near past or the present.
Thanks to our blessed heritage-the
Prayer Book-which has suffered so
little change with the changing years,
we need not inquire as to form of
service here in St Paul's $50 years ago.
The same Venite, TIE Deum, prayers
and praises in which to-day we have
uplifted heart and SOUL were the
priceless possession of those gone be-
fore US.
THE SAME sACRAMENTs, HOLY BAP-
T1sM, HOLY COMMUNION, WERE ADJ
MINIsTERED THEN
lust as we know them. And if,
instead of Christopher Newton, or
Lyrias Clark or Charles Seabury
it chances that another minister is
here to-day, he is still priest of God at
this altar in st Paul's and pastor Of
this congregation. Yes, those letters
to which reference has been made
make plain the fact that then as now
the relation of priest and people, pas
tor and people-are but slightly alter
ed since the first rectorship of the par
iSh.
Great beneficial changes in church
organization, affecting our parish in
common with all others, did indeed
come about after the close of the Rev
olution. The Rev DR. Samuel SeaburY
of Connecticut was consecrated abroad
in Scotland, in 1887, as the first bishop
of the church in the new country, the
United States. Not long after, two
other bishops were consecrated in
London. And before many years had
passed the Episcopal church in Amer
lea in almost her present organic form
had been finally and firmly establish
ed.
Beloved, | realize | have devoted
nearly my whole time in dwelling up
on the first fifty years of the life Of ST
Paul's church from spiritual stand
point. This has been so mainly be-
cause to-day is Old Home Sunday, and
seems to bespeak fuller recognition of
things that are old; also because the
circumstances attending church life
at that period called forth special and
full notice. Should I continue consid-
ering our life as parish for, say, the
past century, much would need to be
repeated. Still | am moved to add a
few words. Picture to yourselves this
long lapse of time in it's relation to our
history and work. In succession how
many families and individuals have
from time to time served to con-
stitute our parish and congregation.
Many different rectors, too, have been