Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1910-09-27
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
OF SECOND CHURCH.
Large Gathering in Church ParIors at
Reunion in Observance of 150th An
niversary.

nIverSary.
The second day of the observance of
the 150th anniversary of the founding
of the Second Congregatio church
proved a successful affair when on
Monday evening there was a large
gathering in the church parlors at the
reunion of members and friends. Many
of the older members were present.
while others of former years were in
attendance. All the denominations and
nearly every church of the city was
represented by pastor or members dur
ing the evening.
1t was an informal affair through
out, the parlors being prettily decorat-
ed with autumn flowers. During the
evening the Harmony club played
number Of selections, which were
greatly enjoyed.
Elderly Members of Church.
Among those present was Nathan s.
Gilbert, the oldest male member of the
church. who is in his 96th year. He
took a deep interest in the exhibit of
the curios of the church and recogniZ-
ed therein a wooden footstool which
was made in his shop seventy years
ago. He recalled that a number of
them We're made for the Second church
and marveled that this one had been SO
well preserved. Others present among
the older members were Mrs Catherine
LAM. Mrs. II. r. StvenS and Mrs. Lucy
Forbes. On Sunday at both services
Mrs. F. w. Warrington was present,
she being among the nongenarians.
Exhibit of Curios.
Much interest was manifested in the
exhibit of curios, which included a
subscription paper to raise the amount
of the salary of Rev. Walter King in
1898. 1t bears the autographs of the
prominent members of the church at
that time, and is the treasured proper
ty of Miss Sarah Tyler. One subscrib-
er promised to pay if the hop picking
proved successful and another's con-
tribution was conditioned to the Voy-
age of her husband. The money was
received and the autograph of Rev.
Walter King is at the bottom in ac-
acknowledgement.
The wooden stove used to keep the
feet warm was shown while there was
collection Of photographs of former
pastors and their wives, also those OF
Mary Lester. who started the Flower
mission, and Emma Perkins working
among the mountain whites.
The old communion service. about
half a century old, was shown. while
there were many old books the prop
erty of Mrs. Lucy A. Forbes. One Of
these, Gospel Sonnets, was given to
Oliver Spicer in 1905. though it was
published by Ralph Erskine. who lived
between 1855 and 1852 Another was
longed to Mrs. Amy Breed, while Di-
vine Hymns. which belonged to Jo-
seph Tyler and published first in 1897
and later in 1911, was of much. inter
est. The catechism published in 1912
containing the Creed, Commandments
and Catechism, attracted much atten-
ton. But few had ever seen one of
those books.
At the close of the evening the or
chestra played Aud Lang Syne and
all Joined in singing.
Refreshments Served.
Refreshments were served Curing
the evening by Mrs. Frank A. Bill, Mrs.
Chauncey A. Sherman and Mrs. G.
c. Hull. Assisting in serving were
Allen. Mrs. James c. Fitzpatrick. Mrs.
Richard Stevenson, Mrs c. Arthur La
throp and Mrs. w. r. Balcom, while
young ladies acted as mattresses.
A committee, of which Miss Emma
Ward was chairman, had charge of
the music. while the reunion was I'M
der the direction of the Improvement
society, of which Miss Sarah Tyler is
the president.
The anniversary committee of the
church included Joseph .. Haviland,
Mrs. J.. NJ. Huntington, Mrs. Lucy A.
Johnson.
Greetings.
The greetings received from the two
living ex-pastors and read on Sun
day were a $ follows:
Rev. and Mrs G. w. Morrow of Nash
vile, Tenn. wrote: I'VE regret receiY-
ing invitation just TOGO late TO permit
us attending in body the celebration OF
the 150th anniversary, but in spirit we
shall be with you. Great in service to
the Master has the old church been,
but we believe she will render richer
service. We join in fervent petition
with the vast numbers who are pray
ing for her welfare. God bless the
membership of the old Second church
and add largely to it. May His favor
ever attend the labors of it's consecrat-
ed pa stor'
Rev. DR.. and Mrs L. T. West of Ev-
erett, Wash. wrote: Dear People:
Greetings congratulations and SINGER
est love to you this eventful day. We
rejoice that seven of these years are
ours; how they glow with love and
ring with JOY. We bless you for them.
God grant you a blessed future. Phil.