Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-20
Who Going and Coming-Incidents Accidents
 and Building in Three Counties
GOSHEN
Christian Endeavor Society Celebrates
 Twenty-Five Years of Usefulness Address by Historian J. A. Randall.

!
 Mrs. E. L. Waterman and daughter l little Miss Nathalie Waterman, who have been guests of friends in Man chester returned home Saturday. The twenty-fifth anniversary of the Goshen Young Peoples society of Christian Endeavor was conlmerorated Sunday with interesting exercises, and a good attendance. President w. T. Curry of the Christian Endeavor so- ciety presided at the meeting The programme was as follows: Singing, { Come Thou Almighty King by choir; song, No. 151, Onward Christian Sol diers; scripture reading by Deacon w. w. G. Gillette, song, 1o3. More About Jesus, me1norIam, w H. Geer: song No. Il, 0 That Will B Glory; Historian J. A Randall; song. 1892 In the Cross; remarks from the charter members. letters from former presidents, also Closing song, No. 65, God Be With You.
 The historical account of the society as given by the historian contained the following facts of interest:
 Looking backward twenty five years.
 It does not seem possible, that a quarter of a century has passed into history since we first organized our little society of Christian Endeavor, in the dear old church that stood here on this hill top where this present building now stands.
 A strong and active society had been organized in the first church in Lebanon, for a number of years. and I think that this was one thing that helped us. In the fall of 1888 we had no settled pastor. The following mo- tice was read on the preceding Sun day by the Rev. F. P. Bacheler, then preaching here as a candidate:
 All those interested in the organ fzfr nf o in requested to meet in this place at 730 o'clock on Wednesday evening, Dec. 12th.
 We organized with seven active members. James '. Thomas, l.. H. Randall. T. A. Randall ". G. Thomas, simon Edgerton, Mary E. Thomas, w. H. Geer.
 The first officers were President, L. H. Randall vice president w. H. Geer, secretary, J. A. Randall
 Our first Christian EndeavOr prayer meeting was held in the schoolhouse on Goshen Hill. Deacon J. Y. Thomas, leader
 In January I note that some new active members have been added to the roll among them the names of our new pastor, Rev. MT. Bacheler, and i his dear wife, Hope Bacheler,- We : thought it would be for our best in- l terest to join the local c. P. union so [ on Feb. 9th. 1889 we voted to join the Willimantic union.
 Our membership continued to in- { crease so in the following year the roll call numbered thirty-six. fifteen active, twenty-one associate mem- bers- I remember Rev. r. F. Bach eler our pastor, once said in one of our Endeavor meetings what great help and inspiration. the Christian En- deavor society was to him. and how 1t held up the pastors hands.
 Some of our former members are now living in the central, the middle. ! and the western states, one has been iH mission work in far away India.
 One beautiful afternoon in May, 1898, our dear old church caught fire from a defective flue, and we had to watch it burn to the ground. Our re- ligious services including our En deavor meetings were held in Acade- my hall Goshen Hill until our new church was built.
 During the past twenty-five years we have had eight presidents: l.. H Randall. Rev F. F. Bacheler Charles E. K. Jones, E. w Jones, W. T. Curry. There is sadness in our hearts today when we realize that our pastGf' and his wife who have stood by us through sunshine and storm these many years cannot meet with us again
  do we miss them more than in our Christian Endeavor work.
 Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, let us press toward the mark for the prize of the nigh calling of God in Christ Jesus. I think we shall not fully realize until this goal is reached, of the blessings and benefits that our training school. .ne Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor, has been to each one of us.
 Returns From India.
 The mid-week prayer meeting was held in the school house on Goshen Hill Wednesday evening. The meeting was led by H. C. York who has re- ;ent1y returned from India
 Joel $. Ives, secretary of the Home Missionary society of Connecticut is to off1ciate at the services at he Goshen church next Sunday
 W. T. Curry. district deputy Of Thames Council. Royal Arcanum, No. 1851. has been elected with the grand ,egent of the state honoBary members If Beacon Hi1l council of New Ha zen.
 TCRON