Connecticut western news., 1922-07-13
CENTENARY ADDRESS
 BY FORMER PASTOR Rev. Henry Utterwick Speaks on Advantages of
 Country Church"

\AuuISSS gwen Dy NSN. I1SnI Utterwick of Rutherford, N. J., a former pastor, at the centenary celebration of the East Canaan Congregational church.)
 Ten years of experience as pastor of the East Canaan church, together with what I have observed since enables me, trust, to say a word or that subject. From the time that with my family, I came here, a per, feet stranger, in 1891, we have felt at home here, and to this day we feel a certain homesickness for these rural scenes, and remember with affection the members and supporters of this church. Many of the older ones have passed away, but we are glad to see the younger generation, set in families, most of them, worthily taking their places.
 Very we'll I know that the country church has it's disadvantages, still the advantages are many, and have of late years come into the foreground. Let us look at them in five or six groups.
 First of all, the natural surround ings, especially where these are picturesque and impressive. About here, for example, take these hills and valleys, with their streams and lakes, their woods and meadows, their points of distant skylines and of high sky blues. Inspiring the land scape, salubrious the air! And right here in the midst of it all, in ehis romantic spot, stands your house. of worship, built a hundred years ago, in fine colonial style. It stands there, with it's beautiful spire pointing to the heights, whence your help comes, a symbol, of your fellowship with the Most High, slightly, comfortab ble meeting place for your fellowship with one another in the worship Of God and every good Christian work in Sunday school, mission field and parish. You will indeed do we'll in commomorating this occasion by building on a two story extension as to accommodate your young people and to use, it for all practical purposes as a parishhouse.
 A second advantage is the social life, where it is in good degree interesting and helpful. 1t certainly can be so here. The community, not large, is compact, not divided by class distinctions or contrary i, interests, leaving plenty of room for differ ences of view, liberty of thought, variety |of gifts, and a spirit of cooperation. This helps to form a united and useful church. The community church, so much talked of today, deserves its name only as a church in and for the community :; and such church can be of great benefit in the country, yes, here. It is a mistake to think that country life has tendency to make one narrow minded and exclusive So much in the open air and with such freedom of intercourse, that cannot 'be the case. Most of our greatest and best men and women have been born and bred in the country. In the. crush of the great city we see men as trees walking :; we hardly know the individual man or the nearest neighbor. Now, as Lady Astor so we'll said, "The way (i. e, of character and conduct) may prove to be somewhat narrow, but the view must be broad one" There is apt to be among plain country folk brightness of intellect and a freshness of wit that surprises you.
 Your parsonage smust have been built about the time that your church was. At any rate, Palmer Rood said to me one time: Seventy five years ago that parsonage was built-built in an orchard, A man was on the ground with a team of oxen to pull over the trees as they were being cut down. His oxen pulled at tree in vain. 'Ah, said a neighbor as he came walking by, your oxen can't pull an old nen off her nest At once came the answer. They're afraid of breaking the yoke
 Thirdly, the comparative freedom from the love of money and the craze for pleasure is another advantage that counts for much. What a dis tracing, separating, overbearing aud suppressing power that of greed and waste is in the city! The worst kind of cynic is generally a city man so is the hardest taskmaster; so is the political boss. The country has its problems, of course, but what are they when we think of the city with it's noises and dangers, it's wants and rivalries, its vices and crimes, all complicated by the mixed char acter of its inhabitants?
 Do not therefore undervalue your privileges in this from a church point of view. You have time to think, to read, to write, to go to church, to do good in quiet social way. With your reforms and charities you can personally interest one another, make your appeals for help. As I