The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-27
PASTOR NICHOL BREACHES
 HIS VALEO|CTORY ADDRESS

,beneVOlence, $15,157
 ''The total amount raised by this church for all purposes during the last i! years is about $250,000. Of this there has been given for benevolence about $65,OO0.
 Membership Is 579.
 "In, 1894 the membership was 34S Received during the IT years over 900 members. Of this number, received by baptism 450., The present mem over 100 we have been unable to To- cate owing to their having left the city and failing to send their new ad- dresses or corresponding with the clerk. These with about 100 others have been stricken from the roll, a total of more than 200. Dismissed by letter to other churches about 200. D1ed during the IT years, over 200 of the members. Of these, five were dea- cons. Brethren James A. Potter; John R. Jones, the father of Mrs. H. J. Will Hams, who, though not active, with us. was regularly ordained deacon for life. by the noted Christmas Evans of Wales, and served 72 years; Brethren James A. Wilson, Erva B. Silliman and William A. Grippin, all men of God, loyal to the church, the pastor and the denomination. They served we'll and faithfully. I can hardly re- frain from comment and eulogy upon these and others of the members who are to-day in the church triumphant, but prudence and time will not permit.
 At 265 Funerals.
 TT have officiated at 265 funerals. I was interested to uote some of their ages, and it may be interesting to you, so many in advanced years. There were 36 who had reached 80 or more years, and seven of these had reached the age of 90 and over. The oldest was Mrs. Maria Hawley, in her 96th year; David Woolsey, in his 95th; and Deacon Jones, in his 91st. In two families I have attended 10 funerals, five in each; they are those of Mrs. H. ;. Williams and Mrs. Henry Hart. have performed the marriage cere. mony for 153 couples.
 Church's Longest Pastor.
 There have been connected with this church, since it's organizatio on, September, 1887, Il pastors, including myself. My own being the longest, IT years; the next longest being Dr. Hop per, 16 and one-half years. The oldest living member is Mrs. Emily Leonard, who was baptized January, 1888, which makes her having been a mem Der 73 years last January.
 Under the blessing of. God we have not only been successful in building and paying all indebtedness on this church, and meeting all current obliga. tions. but through the generosity of Deacon w. A. Grippin, who was ever quick discerning the possibilities of the future, and with the helpfulness of a few others, the Memorial Baptist church was built and paid for, at a cost of about $14,000, and, as you know, a chapel is now being erected at the corner of Fairfield avenue and Silliman street the lot having been donated to the Baptist state conven- ton by Deacon Erva B. Silliman, while inc cost of the building is being borne equally by w. A.. and w. J. Grippin. The furnishing is to be done by a few friends who have given without any personal solicitation, because of their interest in the moral and spiritual well fare of the Hungarian people in our midst. The value~of the property will be about $5,0O0, and we hope to have 1t finished and open in few weeks, free from debt. and start the Hunga- rian Baptists in a home of their own for aggressive work among their peo- pie. We have also assisted the Mes sjah Baptist church with substantial gifts of money, furnishing and services, and let me say, no people have more | truly appreciated the help we have ex- tended than do they. What more it, ting expression after this very meagre survey than What hath God Wrought. and to Him be all the Hlorys"