Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-13

Broadway church now is. and was oc- cupied by a Methodist minister. The family had to be taken out of the bed room windows, and the minister re- marked, if he had only been a Baptist, he wouldn't have minded so much wa ter.
 June II, 1876, Mrs. Bond, wife of Dr. Bond, passed away. She had taught a class of colored women with great faithfulness for some twelve years. She was succeeded in this class. some years later by Mrs. King ston, who taught the class until her death, July 29th, 1910.
 When Mrs. Letitia Walker died. who had been one of the most faithful at tendantS of this colored class, Dr. West and I were the only white per- sons who attended her funeral. It was an extremely hot day, so we sat outside on the porch There were two cages of canary birds hanging in the shelter of the vines at the end of the porch. The singing part of the ser vice was by male quartet from one Of the cOlored churches; and as their full, rich voices fioated out on the summer air. singing, Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and one or two other plantation songs. the birds burst into song, thrilling and warbling in perfect harmony with the singers to the end of the song To me it was touchinSly beautiful: the birds singing their farewell songs. the melody on earth, perhaps, (who knows) reaching to the melody in heaven.
 July End, 1876. Dr. Palmer. preached the sermon reviewing the history of the church. The day was generally observed as Centennial Sabbath" :" In October of this year, through the liberality of Mir. George Colt The school was presented with one hun dred and fifty copies of The Book of Praise" large collection of hymns and tunes; envelopes were distributed among the classes, and the contribu- tions were turned into the general treasury another new feature intro duced during the year. In January, 1887, the very small attendance was complimented, by saying in reality it was a goodly number, considering the severe storm. the icy sidewalks and the very wet condition of the church, because of four leaks in the roof, through which the water dripped plentifully. Verify, history does re- "cOst." MT. Colt in his report for that year alludes most feelingly to the death of Captain Samuel Merwin, who was the first one from Norwich and our school to volunteer in the late war.
 Sudden Passing of Col. Colt.
 Sunday, July 7th, 1878, was a very sad day for the school: for they were called upon to mourn the, sudden death of Col. Charles M. Colt, who July 3rd, was drowned from a yacht in New London harbor, endeavoring to save his little son, who had fallen over board. He had served in the War of the Rebellion with distinction, was wounded and carried from the field, supposed to be mortally wounded, slowly recovered, but carried the bull let in his body to the end. He had been the librarian of the school, and had brought it to a most excellent condition. He was also a deacon in the church. The Sunday school fes- tivals seem to have become important events, and the entertainments grew more and more elaborate. This same year, 1878, a fireplace was built in a corner of the room. and a veritable Santa Claus came down the chimney with a pack of presents which he pre- scented to the delightful infant schol- ars. In 1881. for the Christmas festi- val. a series of tableaux Tad been ar ranged representing scenes in the lives of several Jewish queens. It is still remembered by some of those who took part, although they now have children grown. Dr. Palmer gave an interesting sketch of the per- sons and scenes represented.
 The entertainment for the festival of 1887 was a stereopticon used by Mr. Harrington Illustrating a tour round the world. After this a curtain was withdrawn, which had been stretched across the platform, and displayed a l full-rigged ship, under full sail, con- structed by MT. N. A. Gibbs. Although Morning Star was conspicuously displayed, its cargo was not mission aries, but oranges for the whole school. In 1879 church and school held a me- morial service for Deacon George Colt, who passed to his reward, May 9th. He was loved by everyone. and his