The Newtown bee., 1909-08-20
BridgeWater.

L. D. SANFORD'S "REMINISCENCES.
 The following is quotation from
 L. D. Sanfords paper read at the
 Bridgewater celebration, last week:
 In the call to this part of New Mill
 ford to be a separate society, the
 River District we have understood
 was slow to move at first, being on
 the New Haven and Derby turnpike,
 with direct access to New Milford village, most of the other roads in
 the territory being mere bridlepaths.
 yet to the question of locating a
 meeting house to the wishes of the
 ether districts they yielded and gave
 their loyal support. It was my lot
 to make my first visit to this ances-
 tral home, August, 1S45, making it
 my home for 19 years, and although
 our home has since been elsewhere
 and identified with another church,
 yet interest in this Zion with us has
 never ceased. In 1S45 we found the -eburch under the faithful and de-
 voted ministry of the Rev James Kilbourn, good congregation, a
 we'll trained choir of about 20 voices, without instrumental aid, except occasionally a flute. After the demise of it's conductor it was my privilege to lead 12 years with or gan, seven years a Sunday school of between 90 and 100 scholars, with no adult class, they being on horse, shed or store committees. When foot warmers were refilled and stock of red apples disappeared the bell ringer was anxiously looked after, that afternoon services begin with out delay. Bridgewater probably had some reason for its name, either a territory approached by bridge over water or the border land be- tween the past old theology repre- sented by Dr Tyler of Woodbury, and that of Dr Taylor of New Mil ford, East Windsor and New Haven being the battle ground. Both sys- tems had their champions, but more in Bridgewater of the Tyler type, and frequently the first steps were taken in my behalf and fully ap- preciated. MT Kilbourn was called to part with child by death. His resignation to it was expressed in this Even so Father for it seemed good in Thy sight" In the time of religious interest he secured the as- sistance of Rev John Underwood, who in those days was a wise and successful evangelist. Some of his subjects were the contrast between law and grace and of the unwisdom of turning away from Calvary, and tugging up the burning cliffs of Sinai. Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap" Afternoon addresses to church members on the fruits of the Spirit and the signif- canoe of being sealed by the Spirit. Rev Dillon Williams was an earnest and faithful worker, leading some into the kingdom of the Divine Mas ter. His work was thorough, preach ing with energy, largely the hard doctrines, one of his strongest ap- peals from the text, "If thou hast run with the footmen and they have wearied thee, then how will thou contend with horses, and if in a land of peace, wherein thou trusted they wearied thee, how wilt thou do in the swellings of Jordan?" It was mine to be present at the bi-centen- nial of Litchfield North and South Consolation of Litchfield, Conn. Dr Eldredge of Norfolk preached the sermon by appointment concerning revivals. Post 1900. To his ques- tion why have not reviyalssince 1900 been as efficient as those anterior to 1900? He gave answer that there was in them more of man and less of God. It was somewhat critized among the critics. MT Williams was