The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-28
ADDRESS OF WELCOME
 BY REV. DIR. CHILD

At the afternoon services Dr. Child delivered the following address of welcome: <
 Few churches in this Republic of one hundred millions of people have used the same consecrated acre for public worship during nine genera tions of men.
 This First Church of Christ in Fairfield is one of the honored num- ber.s The birth date of the. Rev. JoIn Jones. first pastor: of this church, is #1593, which takes Us back to thei reign of Queen Elizabeth The av- craze period of service on the part of the first five ministers was between thirty-two and thirty-three years. These men all served the church un- til called to the higher servicee. The average length of pastorate for the fifteen ministers installed is a fraction over eighteen years. The mortal re-
 mains of seven rest beneath the shade of our trees. Four men in the mere period of our history after years of faithful labor here, were houored by an election to the presidency of one or another college in our land. Among the Iaynen who have served the church, and parish are men eminent in war and peace, Roger Ludlow, Deputy Governor, Chief Justice Burr Judge Ebenezer Si11iman, General Gold, Se1Ieck Si1lirnan, Judge Jona- than Sturges, deacon in the time of the American Revolution, member of the First Congress of the U. s., Col Andrew Burr, Hon. Lewis B. Sur ges, member of Congress- Hon. Thoul- as B. Osborne, member of Congresses, Judge Roger M. Sherman and other men faithful In their valued 1a,bors in behalf of church and state.
 The original parish extended about twelve miles along shore and from seven to twelve miles into the hills, including the territory now served by some twenty churches and chapeIs of orr faith and order. and many other churches and chape1s of the various denominations
 Stratford was the eastern bo11n dary and NorwaIk the western, a large part of what is now in the corporation of Bridgeport, the sections now known as Black Rock Stratfield, Easton, Greenfield Southport, Greens Farms Westports Weston and 9 portion of Bedding being included in the old parish The Prime Ancient society of Fairfield was the name given, ira- d1cating as in the case of similar par. ishes that it was the first orgarxzation for public worship in the town. And the church as a spiritual organfza- ton, like others in the early days of the Colony, was called ssThe First Church of Christi
 In behalf of this ancient parish and venerable church welcome to this p1dce cOnSecFaLeos by the prayers and praises of nine Christian. generations your honored and exalted ancestors, the descendants Of these courageous and victorious Puritan men and wo- men. I welcome to this sacred place the representatives of these churches to whom has been committed the pres ervation of that divine treasure-frutf, through Jesus Christ-brought first
 As we worship here today may the eyes of our spirits be opened so that we shall see the Invisible. oneyes. may the eyes of our spirits be opened so that we shall see hoveriiag near us and .worshipping with us the Innum- erable companies who have preceded this fair company today May the consciousness of such presence bring light and cheer and exaItation to our spirits Then shall the vast com pany of Worshippers, seen and 5un- seen, join in one gracious, blessed fel- loVVshlp or faitfa--generation bound to generation through these two hundred ana seventy-five years-one indivisi- oie ana glorious brotherhood in Jesus Christ or r Lord = ~