The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-06-13
TWO HUNDREDTH
 ANNIVERSARY Notable Assembly of Episco- palians Celebrate in
 Stratford.
FIRST IN THE STATE
Welcomed by Rector of Christ Church-Other
 Addresses.

Stratford, June 12.-A solemn com memoration of the 20Oth anniversary of the establishment in Connecticut of the Church of England was held to-day in the ivy-covored Christ church in the presence of one of the most distinguish ed bodies of church men that has been seen in the state since the consecration of Bishop Brewster, ten years ago. This was the first parish in the state, and it's history Is closely interwoven with the story of the English church in all New England. There are much older parishes, many of which had only nom- inal existence during the period of strong opposition on the part of the Puritans, while Christ church lived through those troublous times and its people. with energy and determination, upheld their creed and form of eccle- siastical government and did more, in the opinion of the church historians, to re-establish the Episcopacy in New England than any other parish.
 The observance of to-day recognized the adoption of the Book of Common Prayer by the parish as 1t actually was
 
 put up on the present site, of which, in architecture. the present structure is a modern elaboration. The parish itself in those early days was assisted by the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts. A sev- erance with that body came with the complete severance of relations between the United States and Great Britain. The town and parish records show that special warfare existed in 1709, owing to the dangers of the Episcopacy" as set forth by the Congregationalists, and parishioners were not only fined for holding service, but were forbidden to vote or to hold office. Boycotts and heavy fines were used to compel Christ church members to assist in support of the orthodox church and state govern ment. For time the missionaries sent to this parish had spiritual over sight in the many parishes established in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and the influence of these men is also noted In the parishes later established in western New York.
 fl sspsa~~~ Morning Exercises.
 To-day's celebration was divided into two parts, that of the morning being rituAlistic, and of the afternoon histor- ieal in character, both having many in- teresting features. The congregation came here from New Haven on an early train, the diocesan convention having been held there yesterday, and took part in communion service at which Right Rev. Alexander Hamilton Vinton, bishop of western Massachu- setts, was the celebrant. A Te Deum was sung later, the music being that used at the coronation of King Edward VII. The professional hymn by Dr. J. A. Jaffery was that sung at the hi- centennial at Albany. N. Y, in 1896, and the collect was one written espe- cally for the occasion. The introit was Gregorian, and the Gloria Tibi Sane tus, Agnus Dei and Gloria were Hovte in D. The thanksgiving was especially written for the day.
 Bishop Potter Speaks.
 Bishop Potter congratulated the dio- cese of Connecticut on three grounds first, that he felt greatly honored when
 
 the diocese of New York last year; secondly, for the debt he owed to Con- necticut for turning his ancestors from the Quaker belief to that of the Epis- copal church. referring in this connec- ton to his uncle, who was former bishop of New York; and, thirdly, that the great work of Bishop Seabury was in bringing to this country the Scottish communion instead of that of the An glican church.
 The sermon was preached by the Rev pr. Samuel Hart, vice-dean of the Berkeley Divinity school at Middle town.
 Abstract of Sermon by Dr. Hart.
 Dr. Hart's text was from Ephesians il 19. 22. After an exposition of the text the preacher said:
 Two churchly influences began to be felt in the colony of Connecticut about tho beginning of the eighteenth cen tury and in 1707 and the following years those influences met in this quiet village. They were influences such as these which the Lord has figured fol us In the parable of the leaven and ir that of pearl of great price, The leaven well represents the zeal for mis. siorary work and church extension which brought the church's ministra- tions here from neighboring province ths season for goodly pearls resulting in the finding of a pearl precious above all others is a type of the earnest study which impelled devout men to seek the authority of the historic church for the exercise of the ministry
 Dr. Hart referred to the almost TO, mantle details of the visit of the faith full missionary. Mir. Muirson, and tt that no less faithful and fearless lay man, Colonel Heathcote, and continuing said: The people then were ready foi the church which their ancestors hat left two or three generations before Such was the active power of the leav. en, the growth of churchly convictions which in large part led to the work es.