Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-05
METHopIsM's CONTRIBUTION
 TO HIGHER LIFE OF NORWICH.
Sermon at Trinity Methodist Church
 by Rev. pr. M. s. Kaufman.

At Trinity Methodist Episcopal church Sunday morning Rev. pr. M. 2. Kaufman preached on Methodisms Contribution to the Higher Life or Norwich from the text Acts IT: D, ana saying: What Christianity was to the apostolic age Methodism has been In large measure to modern times. The Wesleys and their coadjutors were great disturbers. So radical were they in their opposition to the deadening formalities and the ruinous vices of the eighteenth century that the doors or the established church were shut against them. There was nothing left for them to do, as conscientious men, but to make their appeal to the com with with HRas PeIiins s effect % While it 1t nourished in other parts of this new continent, New England regarded it as an intrud- CT. But God knew what was best for this highly favored part of the country better than the early settlers knew. Hence He granted them the rich bless ings which Methodism came to bestow and in spite of much opposition this branch of Christ's church made for it. self a place of power. Through it's evangelistic spirit and frequent reviv- als 1t gathered multitudes of converts many of whom found their way into sister denominations to be among their best workers and brightest jewels, both in pulpit and pew. To my thought this is one of the highest honors ever won by our beloved church, that it has been able. under divine inspiration, to do so much toward helping to build up other religious communions. This has been its record in every city of New England. In so far as I can ascertain here in Norwich 1t has never been fla vored with any considerable number of wealthy people. But 1t has been greatly honored in having been en- trusted with those finer forces of life the intellectual and ethical and spirit ual forces. Its chief contribuuvns to the good name and worthy character of Norwich have been to its higher lie. He traced the origin and in brief the history of the Methodist church at Norwich Town-mother of all the oth- ers-the first church at the landing, which was finally carried off down the river in a terrific storm-the Sachem street, East Main, Greeneville, Central and Trinity.
 For many years there were five Meth odist churches here-manned by faith full, godly, useful ministers, who preached with power the glorious doc trines. Revivals were frequent. Our pulpits have always stood for evan gelical truth and apprehension piety. deep genuine, practical. They have thundered against error, against low and degrading practices and all forms of demoralizing amusement, against human slavery and the shameful rav- ages of intemperance. Their unswerv- ing fealty to high Biblical standards aided in toning up the moral and spir- itual ideals of the town. Through their Sunday schools and young peoples or ganizations, their love feasts, class meetings and prayer meetings and family worship they nightly impress ed for noble character the children and youth of their homes. From all that has been thus for pointed out 1t is evil dent that Methodism has made large and valuable contributions to the high CT life of this town Let us remember that the greater the blessings bestow- ed upon us by our Methodist ancestors the heavier is. responsibility resting upon us to hand down to our success sors not only 1nimpaired but enhanced in value our splendid heritage.
 The patriotic praise service in the evening was largely attended and en- Enthusiastically enjoyed. Kipling's Re cessional," Speed the Republic and Our Great Western Land" were finely rendered by the quartette. Rally Houno the Flag was sung as solo by MT Brown, the congregation uniting in the chorus, Prof. George rendered the Star Spangled Banner on fhe cornet as an offertory and accompanied other patriotic songs. The vested choir did themselves much credit, singing the Red. White and Blue and the Battle Hymn of the Republic. The pastor spoke on the Beauty of Our Flag and the Greatness of Our Republic. Al joined in America for the closing hymn and went away thoroughly pleased with the occasion. The church is most handsomely decorated in w. W. Ives most artistic style, there being shields and flags beautifully used and in a manner which does great credit to the decorator