Norwich bulletin., 1911-11-22
DEDICATION OF
 UNIVERSALlST CHURCH
tCOntinued from page ive.)


 corrupt and you cannot reform thsn,. that you lave tried and tried to a: tain to son.e lofty purpDss and have fin'Hy giver it up as no use? Where IS yt.f.l VIiif
 And. forth of the cor ,erstones. s right doing. God expects one to in- terpret His will by Ills deeds. IL amounts to little to think right or love right, If we do not transfer our think ing into doing. To have done noth- ing brought down the censure of Jesus upon the unproftable servant and up- on the fig tree
 What have you done with the op- portunities? This church stands here to plead with you to take these oppor- tunities and build them into A life at the Kings command. Therefore take these stones. hewed stones, costly stones, and lay them at the foundation of your house.
 Formal Act of Dedication.
 The dedication sermon was followed Ky the formal net of dedication in an impressive responsive service conduct ed by pastor and people, and then fol- lowed by the prayer of dedication by South Norwalk, state superintendent.
 The congregation then joined in the hymn of dedication. sung 10 the tune of Webb, for which the five verses had been written by Mrs. Ina F. R. Kep- Ijer. reverently expressive of thank fitness and praise to God and conf dence in His abiding presence and blessing in the future
 The benedietion by the pastor, Rev. Mir. Cobb. and the organ posrlude, Marche Triomphale (Callaerts), by Misg Champlin. concluded the service.
 Inspection or Church.
 After the service was over the com gregation spent short time in an inspection of the church. Congratu- lations to the pastor and~church off, cials were very generally expressed by their visitors upon the finely appoint ed and attractive church home which they were entering.
 There was d well arranged pamph- let programme for the services, giving a brief historical sketch and showing the following as the society officials: Rev. Joseph Fernald Cobb, pastor; board of trustees, Edwin A. Tracy, Chauncey F. Woodwork, Thomas Pot ter. George A. Keppler. Lester E. Walker. MD; treasurer, Herman D. Rallion; clerk. Frederick s. Young.
 Historical Briefs.
 The following were the historical briefs printed in the programme:
 Universalism was first preached in Norwich in 1772 by the Rev. John Murray founder of Universalism in There is very little doubt that a society was formed here previous to the year 1900, as there was preaching before that date by the Rev. Elhanan
 
 many other ministers of our faith
 The present society was organized in 1920 at a meeting of which David Tracy was moderator; It was named the Society of United Christian Friends in the towns of Norwich, Preston and Groton." The name was soon changed to "rhe First Universal ist Society of Norwich"
 The first church was built fin 1921 on the lot at the corner of Main and Cliff streets. It was a wooden struc- ture..
 The Sunday school wss established in 1922, the first one of our faith in the state.
 The second church was completed and dedicated in 18t1, at which time Theodore F. Alhertson was president of the board of trustees. It was n brick structure.
 The third church. of granite con structfon, which we dedicate this day, is a fitting monument to the memory of the founders and faithful workers in our church.