The Press., 1909-06-23
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and was baptized into the fellowship of this church. He was held in reputation as 8 man of sterling inte rity and as a faithful and successful minister He was a strong and jealous preacher and revivals followed his labors." All his pastorate were within the bounds of this association, viz.: Pomfret, Thompson, Stafford. West Woodstock and Mansfield
 Elder flick left at the close of his first year. after which the pulpit was supplied by Rev, Frederick L. Bat chelder and Elder Alvin Bennett. In the fall of 1S45 Bro George w Pendleton was invited to supply and afterwards to b come pastor. He was ordained in 1S46 and remained thr years.
 During the closing weeks of Elder Pendleton's pastorate series of protract- ed meetings were conducted by Rev Pal mer G. Wightman, brother of Deacon John c. Wightman, who was for many years deacon of this church. As result of these meetings twenty. one were bap- tized by Mir. Pendleton.
 The Connecticut Conventions Obituary report for 1887 says: "EIder Pendleton was an instructive preacher and fearless in declaring gospel truth. He was quiet and retiring by nature, possessed of scholarly tastes, and esteemed for his St6aofaSt and devoted pie'y.
 The next pastor was Rev. Thomas HOl- man, who remained until the fall of 1852.
 Mir. c. H. Pierson then became pastor and was ordained in 1853, but immediate ly thereafter was compelled, by feeble health to resign his pastorate much to the regret of all.
 In 1854 Rev. F. l.. Batehelder, who on several occasions had served the church as supply, was called to the pastoral office and continued until the fall of 1859. During this period of nearly seven years Rs supply and as pastor, Elder Batchelder baptized twenty-two candidates. He preached the Semi Centennial Historical sermon, a document which has been of great assistance in the preparation of this sketch. .-
 The first half century there were 12 different ministers settled on the field, one returned for a second pastOrate, be- sides number of supplies for longer or Shorter periods. The last fifty years there have been but six pastors and one supply.
 Elder Eateheder closed his labOrs shortly after the semi-centennial and was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Woodbury who remained until 1882 During his pastOrate five were baptized. 9
 Rev. Wilfred H. Dean, now q retired EpiseOpalian clergyman, was pastor lS63-j. Mir. ID. was ordained here. and during his nastorate two united with the church by baptism.
 In 1866 Elder Batchelder again as stunned the pastoral office and remained Ill charge until 1899, when age and feeble health made it necessary for him to spend the winters away from Stafford, and consequently after forty years of active service with this church, during which he baptized 6J persons, he lay down the weapons of aggressive warfare and now resides with his son, patiently waiting to hear the summons, "Chilu, come home"
 Frederick Lyman Batchelder, A. M.. was educated at Brown University and Newton Theological Seminary-of broad culture, logical in reasoning, unimpeach- able in character, of strong convictions, loyal to duty and a fearless preacher. Many received start for a higher edu- cation at the feet of Mir Batchelder. Mothers of every creed, and also of no religious attainments, pointed to this man of God as 8 model whose example the children should emulate. At his re- trement he was made pastor emeritus. Elder Batehelder's inability to be pres ent on this occasion is sincerely regretted by all.
 For few months after Elder Batchel- der's departure the pulpit was supplied by Rev. John Cameron, now of Newark, Del.
 Then followed Rev. George Williams for two and half years Rev. George w. Shephard for four years, and the present pastor, who began his labors in June, 1906.
 kha oI o1o,,o-o1 L just mentioned the meeting house has been painted on the exterior, the inte- rior has been redecorated, baptistry added, new organ and carpet secured, electric lights installed, the heating sys- tenn changed, the chapel renovated, and that which adds so much of beauty and dignity to this, the oldest meeting house of the town, the memorial tablet and windows. These have been made DOS sible by friends of the church whose names and deeds we cherish.
 During this period, i. e. since 1900, fourteen have been added to the church by baptism and sixteen by letter. Our present membership is sixty three, the largest since 1878.
 And now I bring this discourse to a close. The achievements of recent days should not be credited solely to the ef- forts and workers of the present we have simply followed in the footsteps of the fathers, filling our small niche, and will soon pass on.
 Much of our present equipment and prestige was the heritage we received from our predecessors, and now it be- comes our opportunity and obligation ito serve the will of God in our day and generation, ' leaving to our successors meeting house with an equipment ade- quate to the demands upon church of Christ; membership firmly rooted in the faith and principles once delivered to the saints; a sympathy with every good word and work everywhere
 And let us ever remember that the success of the past is secure only as loy- atty to Jesus Christ and His word shall lead to enlarged vision, deep consecra- tion, broad sympathies and loving ser vice.
 "Other men labored and ye are entered into their labors," John 4.
 Some of the Cathedrals of the continent were many years in building. The Archl- tect lived and planned and died, and generation after generation of mssters and builders labored and died, succeeding one another until finally the structure was completed. For centuries these A4Gg votion and iervOr of the times, have been the admiration of multitudes of people. The laborers who completed them were not worthy of the praise bestowed but could only say ''Other men labored and we are entered into their labors."
 The same is true of us to day as we re- view the history of this church for a hundred years. One Christian, one gen. | eration, follows another like the weaver's l thread, in rapid succession until at last the work Is completed and we behold the | patterns and admire It's beauty.
 For three years have walked in and out among you and especially during the past year have search diligently into the records of this church and have become 90 we'll acquainted with the godly men and women who here lived and sacrificed and died, and have learned of the noble band of ministers of Christ who here pro- claimed the unsearchable riches of Christ. K M--