Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-08-06

The members Of Mt. Calvary Bap-
list church made a great occasion of
the burning Of their mortgage Thurs
day evening. AS the flames leaped up
from the paper that their pastor in
his pulpit held in his hand, there were
mingled feelings in that congregation:
of rejoicing over this splendid issue
OF many years of planning and sacri-
hcingi of relief at the letting down
or the tension with which they have
been so steadily and persistently fac
ing their problems of church life for
SO long, OF hope and faith springing
up in richer promise of better DAYS
to come. The church on the hill at
High street was thronged with the
nearly two hundred people who wit
messed the burning and the programme
accompanying it with keen enjoyment,
and among them was delegation from
MI. Calvary's growing mission in VIII
limantic.
On the Platform.
Rev. John H. Denais, as pastor, pre-
sided over the programme and on the
platform with him were the guests of
honor. including Rev. z. George Bid
die of Mckinley Avenue A. NJ. E, Zion
church, Rev. r. B. Harris OF Grace
Memorialw Baptist church, Judge Mel
son ]. Aging. the chief speaker of the
@ening, Captain e. w. Wilbur of the
Salvation Army, the deacons and trus-
tees Of the church. and little Miss Ell
ma Bates of Willimantic, to whom, as
the youngest member of the church.
was entrusted the privilege, when the
time came, Of striking the match and
touching OF the piece of paper that
had burdened the church since. 1902.
Historical Paper.
Following an organ voluntary and
invocation tho Sarint,,ra
Psalms "a and %, was by Rev. Sim
clair Grimstead of Mt. Calvary mis-
sion in Willimantic, and then there
was prayer and singing by the con-
gregation. A summary of the history
of the church was presented In an in
teresting way by Mrs. Ida Belle Thorn
as and the facts were brought out that
the first church was settled here in
Norwich in 1902, 113 years ago. and the
present church was established in 1888.
In 1870 the first place of worship,
what is known as the Mt. Calvary
Baptist church, was secured. Mrs.
Jane Treadwel was one of the first
members and the only one now living.
Deacon Spivery.
Deacon Thomas A. Spivery was the
first Of the speakers and he spoke of
the happiness the evening brought to
him. Sorrow shall turn into Joy, the
scripture says, and we have come to-
night in joy. He spoke of the i'm
portance of the board of deacons and
outlined the functions Of that Office.
The deacon is g. pillar of the church,
and he described how the deacon has
to scurry around and raise the pastors
salary and visit the widow in her time
OF need and comfort the orphan and
withal hold himself spotless from the
world. He ended by reading the du-
ties of the deacon as stated in Holy
Writ.
The selection Raising Soldiers was
then harmoniously sung by one little
girl and three boys, the children of
Mr.. and Mrs. James Lewis. They Were
Miss Beatrice Louise Lewis and Mas
tiers Costello George, Charles James,
and Joseph Francis Lewis and they re-
celved a due amount Of applause.
Sunday School Superintendent.
Brother John W. Williams, deacon
of the church and superintendent of
the Sunday school, spoke on Training
Soldiers, and described how in peace
and war men are trained to fight for
God, for country and for home He
referred Interestingly to the time when
he was captain of a militia company
here.
Judge AyIins Gives Advice.
The name of Judge Nelson ]. Ay-
ling was greeted with prolonged ap-
plause when he was introduced by
Rev. Mr.. Dennis. The judge said that
he had just received word Of the Sc
rious illness Of his father in New
York, and was going to leave for there
much interested in the reading of the
record of the church. His first case
after he had been admitted to the bar
was to represent Mt. Calvary church.
He won it and he considered it a good
omen, and the people of Mt. Calvary
HhiIFCI, a hiC friends
He made a plea for business organ
ization in church finances. In this
day and generation, he said, when ey-
erything is becoming systematized, we
seem to lose sight Of details unless
organized after the manner of big bus
mess. The tendency in municipalities
Is to secure present benefits and the
children of the citizens perhaps un-
born must pay the taxes and the in
terest They, in turn. issue new bonds
and the debt keeps piling up. Debt
is one Of the greatest problems the
1t eats away at our vitals night and
day. Tonight we are thankful that
this is past. You are in a well for
titled position, under excellent man
agement, with an ideal leader, and
an efficient corps Of deacons. Now il
into debt further and to plan sys-
tematically to meet expenses.
Words of Commendation.
He urged that the minister has
enough work to do in his pastoral and
| spiritual duties, and from these the
| financial part should be absolutely d.
vorced, and supported the plan of hav-
ing a committee, with a chairman and
| sub groups. to secure the funds. It ii
very gratifying to all Of us. he said
| to see the persistent, conscientious
/ SfTnRrIA nnR @NFf y(NaTU0Vv P1aVTroh ho,
beset with difficulties, but our ex-
|