Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-04-16


of New England Southern conference
of the Methodist Episcopal church.
It was as follows:
"And are we yet alive?
And see each others face
Glory and praise to Jesus give,
For his redeening grace.
What troubles have we seen,
What conflicts have we passed,
Fightings without and fears within,
Since we assembled last!
But out of all the Lord
Hath brought us by his love!
And still he doth hts help afford,
And hides our life above"
These words of Charles Wesley
may well describe the experience OF
the pastors and people of Norwich
District as we come to report the
work for another conference year.
Scarcely had conference adjourned
and the men returned to their APP
potntments, when word went forth
calling us to gather for the funera
service of Brother Walter Ella, who al
the ripe age of eighty ,years,-ffty,
ministry-passed quietly to his re-
ward Tuesday. April "A, 1914.
Early in June Brother Sherman E
Ellis was stricken down in the
strength of his ministry, and or
Thursday. September, the 18th; just
Hills with the glory Of a new day
his spirit passed into that land, where
they need not the light of the sur
and whose inhabitants never say
am sick.
The shadow of death entered the
rxuno1 ir
the month of May the body of a be-
loved daughter was brought from
Bloomington, Ill, and laid with the
little babe in the family lot at Port
land, Conn. In December the mother
of Mrs. H. H. Critchlow went to BIZ
IT, the aged mother of Mrs. Lyman
G. Horton was not. for God took hel
and on the night of April 1, the moth
er of w. H. Bath went to spend Eas-
ter in Heaven.
Many have fallen from the rank:
of the laity whose names cannot be
written in this report. I would men
ton, however, the names of Mrs
Adeline A, Gardiner, of Jewett City
sister of Edward M. Anthony of oul
conference. Mrs. Mary 3. Brewster
who. died in Mystic, for eighty year:
church. Mrs. Henry NJ. Randall, thu
beloved wife of Capt. Henry NJ
Randall of Brooklyn, n. Y. for many
years actively connected with the
WiHimantic Camp meeting, and OF
Friday, March 18th, the death OF
don. removed from the church, a mar
always actively aggressive in every
good cause, honored. respected and
loved by all who knew him.
Sever illness has afflicted severa
Of our ministers. Last August DR.. J
versity, suffered a stroke Of paraly.
sis. E. w. Belcher, and G. c. Tibbitts
have been absent from their pulpits
several Sundays. Otis H. Green ha.
been compelled to give up his wori
at East Glastonbury and is seeking
renewed strength on the Pacific coast
+ desire at this time to pay a tri.
butte to the churches which, under
most trying circumstances have stood
loyalty by their pastors and the work
Especially would I mention in this
connection the church at South Man,
chester, whose splendid official board
and devoted people maintained the
services for fifteen weeks while min.
istering to the stricken family in the
parsonage in ways that only love
knows how.
Pastoral Changes.
In November w. H. Bath was ap.
pointed to fill the vacancy at South
Manchester and Marvin s. Stocking
was appointed to Thames St, New.
port. The people at Portland de,
prived of their pastor, requested the
which request was granted and Ar
thur H. Withee, pastor at Old Mys.
tic, was, sent to fill out the year a.
Moosup, while Old Mystic has beer
fortunate in having the service of tht
Rev. Budinot Seeley a minister OF
ctxyf oh pnrt
land, Oregon.
This Is surely case
Where there is neither East no.
West, =.
Border nor breed nor birth,
When two strong men stand face t.
face,
Though they come from the ends o.
These mid-year appointments have
proved so satisfactory that a unani
nous request is made to have the re.
lationship continue for another year
Spiritual Work.
With hardly an exception the pas
tors report earnest efforts to win tht
people to Jesus Christ. and show
themselves alive to the needs Of theil
communities, and the demand for tn,
application Of the old Gospel in &
new age.
The methods of evangelism are per.
sonal work on the part Of pastor ant
people, cooperation in group meeting!
and union services, the observance o,
special days, the week Of prayer ani
Holy week. In very few instances
has an outside worker been engaged
the pastors choosing to be their owr
evangelists. While the number Of
conversions is not large there ha:
been some ingathering, g. marked
deeping of the spiritual life, and 6
growing appreciation of the relations
of the church to the community. Will
this in mind, more churches arr
specializing in work for boys and
girls, the Standard Bearers, the HON,
Guards, the Boy Scouts. the CaInI
Fire Girls and kindred organizations
are increasing.
The Epworth League is live or
ganization and the Junior League Il
flourishing in a number Of oul
churches.
The sixth annual session of ths
Epworth League Institute was large.
ly attended and proved exceedingly
helpful. Those who were present a.
the closing service will not soon for
get the JOY experienced when q
splendid group Of young people dedi.
Gated themselves to definite service
This Institute is no longer an exper.
iment 1t is q success, and under the
management for this year, which
unites the camp meeting and institute