USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Kensington > Two hundredth anniversary, Kensington Congregational Church : organized December 12, 1712. Kensington, Connecticut, June 29th, 30th, July 1st, 1912 > Part 1
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Gc 974.602 K41k 1231523
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01151 3337
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4
1712
1912
Own Ahundredth Anniversary
KENSINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
ORGANIZED DECEMBER 12, 1712
KENSINGTON, CONNECTICUT
JUNE 29th, 30th, JULY Ist, 1912
-
-
THE MEETING HOUSE 1774
1712
C 1912
Own Hundredth Anniversary
KENSINGTON CONGREGATIONAL HURCH
ORGANIZED DECEMBER 12, 1712
KENSINGTON, CONNECTICUT
JUNE 29th, 30th, JULY Ist, 1912
1231523
CONTENTS
The Programme
7
The Anniversary in Narrative 15
The Sermon,
Rev. Cornelius W. Morrow, D.D. . 22
Address at the Christian Lane Cemetery,
Deacon David N. Camp 30
The History of the Kensington Church, Rev. Carleton Hazen 33
The Ministers of the Kensington Church,
Hon. Livingston W. Cleaveland 64
Historical Sketch of the Sunday School, Mr. Arthur W. Upson 85
Rev. Horace Hooker, D.D., Rev. Sherrod Soule 95
The Glory of an Old New England Town, Rev. Francis E. Clark, D.D.
98
Anniversary Committees
104
The Pastors
105
The Deacons
106
The Sunday School Superintendents 107
Members Received . 108
A
Page
Two Hundredth Anniversary
Kensington Congregational Church
The Kensington Church has just published a volume containing addresses delivered at the Anniversary in 1912. It includes the sermon by Rev. C. W. Morrow, D.D .; the address at the Christian Lane Cemetery by Deacon D. N. Camp; the history of the church, revised and enlarged, by Rev. Carleton Hazen; the ministers by Hon. Livingston W. Cleaveland; the Sunday-school by Mr. Arthur W. Upson; and a sketch of Rev. Horace Hooker, D.D. by Rev. Sherrod Soule.
There is also a narrative of the anniversary and an article by Rev. Francis E. Clark, D.D., reprinted from the Christian Endeavor World, entitled "The Glory of an Old New England Town." There is appended a full list of the pastors, deacons, Sunday-school superintend- ents and members for two centuries, and a seating plan of the meeting house in 1815.
There are ten pages containing twenty three half- tone illustrations, including church buildings, ministers' homes, and thirteen of the ministers.
This makes a pamphlet of 133 pages, in neat blue covers. The price is $1.00 per copy. For sale by the Church.
Claude W. Stevens
Clarence B. Baldwin
1 Committee. Mrs. Sidney M. Cowles
Kensington, Conn., January 1914.
ILLUSTRATIONS
The Meeting House
Frontispiece
The Place of Worship
7
Rev. Cornelius W. Morrow, D.D.
22
Rev. Magee Pratt 22
Rev. Henry L. Hutchins . 22
The Home of Rev. William Burnham 30
The Home of Rev. Samuel Clark 30
Rev. Benoni Upson, D.D. 38
The Home of Rev. Benoni Upson, D.D.
46
The Home of the Ministers since 1870
46
Rev. Royal Robbins
54
The Home of Rev. Royal Robbins
54
Rev. Elias B. Hillard
62
The Soldier's Monument
62
Rev. Alfred T. Waterman
70
Rev. James B. Cleaveland
70
Hon. Livingston W. Cleaveland
70
Rev. Arthur J. Benedict .
78
The Chapel 78
94
Rev. A. Ferdinand Travis
94
Rev. Edgar H. Olmstead
94
Rev. Carleton Hazen .
94
The Meeting House Seating Plan, 1815
102 and 103
Rev. William B. Tuthill .
THE PLACE OF WORSHIP
Programme
SATURDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 29 Pilgrimage to Ancient Cemeteries Christian Lane Cemetery 2.15 o'clock REV. CARLETON HAZEN Presiding
HYMN
I
III
O God, beneath Thy guiding hand Our exiled fathers crossed the sea; And when they trod the wintry strand, With prayer and psalm they worshipped Thee.
II
Thou heard'st, well pleased, the song, the prayer; Thy blessing came; and still its power Shall onward through all ages bear The memory of that holy hour.
Laws, freedom, truth, and faith in God Came with those exiles o'er the waves; And where their pilgrim feet have trod, The God they trusted guards their graves.
IV
And here Thy name, O God of love, Their children's children shall adore Till these eternal hills remove, And spring adorns the earth no more.
PRAYER Rev. Henry W. Maier
ADDRESS Dea. David N. Camp, New Britain
ADDRESS Mr. George Dudley Seymour, New Haven,
a descendant of Rev. William Burnham
HYMN
I
Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home:
II
Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God. To endless years the same.
BENEDICTION
III
Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day.
IV
Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while troubles last And our eternal home:
8
The East Cemetery
4.00 o'clock
HYMN
I
III
For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee by faith before the world confessed, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
II
Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might; Thou wast their Captain in the well-fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, Fight as Thy saints who nobly fought of old, And win with them the victor's crown of gold.
IV
O biest communion, fellowship divine: We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
V
From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! Alleluia!
ADDRESS Rev. Frank G. Woodworth, D. D., Tougaloo University, Miss., great-grandson of Rev. Benoni Upson, D. D.
ADDRESS Mr. Harry Pelham Robbins, New York, grandson of Rev. Royal Robbins
PRAYER Rev. Arthur J. Benedict, Arizona
HYMN Written by Rev. Royal Robbins for the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Farmington, 1840
(Stanzas 1, 2, 8, 9)
I
III
O'er these fair plains the years have rolled, Till twice an age its tale has told Since first our sires, Heaven's favored race, Sought here their home and resting-place. The ages pass, but God remains, -- We'll praise Him in our grateful strains.
Fourscore and four our fathers were -- A little flock, but strong in prayer; Bright beamed their eye of faith and love, As fixed its gaze on things above. The ages pass, our God remains,- Our fathers' God. o'er heaven He reigns ..
II
The day and scene, in history's page, Afresh our hearts and thoughts engage, When on this spot the pilgrim band In faith gave each to each his hand. The ages pass, but God remains,- Our Savior God, o'er earth He reigns.
IV
Now grown in numbers to a host, Whilst circling towns their parent boast, We own with grateful hearts the care Which saved the flock from every snare. The ages pass, but God remains,- Our God and theirs, o'er time He reigns.
9
V
Sweet plains, with peace and plenty crowned! Once the wild native's hunting ground ! No trace ye bear of savage foes: So changed-save where their bones repose! The ages pass, but God remains,- Who works all changes, or restrains.
VII
Here freedom, laws, and justice live- Here schools their blest instruction give; The Sabbath's holy rest is here, And temple-throngs to God draw near. The ages pass, but God remains,- Whom He transfers, He too sustains.
VI
Reap we the fruit of all their toil,- Our cheerful homes, our fertile soil, Our dear domestic altars, where We pour affection's hallowed prayer. The ages pass, but God remains,- Whom grace selects, His power maintains
VIII
Then will we hold in solemn trust Their chartered rights, as honored dust, And best their virtues shall proclaim, As on our hearts we bind the same. The ages pass, but God remains,- We'll give Him praise in endless strains
IX
Time bears us on to where they rest In the long slumber of the blest; There may our dust in peace be found, When the last trump shall rend the ground. The ages pass, but God remains,- O'er His eternity He reigns.
BENEDICTION
SATURDAY EVENING
8.00 o'clock
Reception in the Church Parlors
All friends of the Church are invited
9.40 to 10.00 o'clock
Organ Recital in the Church, Mr. Robert A. Squire, Meriden
10
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
Morning Worship, 10.45 o'clock
ORGAN PRELUDE "Largo"
Mrs. Carleton Hazen
Handel
DOXOLOGY
INVOCATION AND LORD'S PRAYER The Pastor
GLORIA PATRI
RESPONSIVE READING Portion 24
HYMN 101 "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty"
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OFFERING
SCRIPTURE LESSON
PRAYER
RESPONSE "Still, still with Thee"
HYMN 894 "Mighty God, while angels bless Thee"
SERMON "The Mission of the Church of Jesus"
Text: Sayings of Jesus, Logion 5
Rev. Cornelius W. Morrow, D. D., Fisk University, Tennessee
HYMN 776 "The Church's one Foundation"
BAPTISM AND RECEPTION OF MEMBERS
COMMUNION
Ministers, William B. Tuthill, A. Ferdinand Travis
Deacons, Samuel A. Hart, Sidney M. Cowles
Former Deacons, Henry M. Cowles, Leander A. Bunce Assistants, Claude W. Stevens, Thomas W. Emerson
HYMN 693 "I love Thy kingdom, Lord"
BENEDICTION
INTERMISSION
11
SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMEMORATION
THOMAS W. EMERSON, Superintendent
HYMN 508 "Shepherd of tender youth"
PRAYER
HYMN 537 "For the beauty of the earth"
HISTORICAL SKETCH of the Sunday School,
Mr. Arthur W. Upson, New Britain
PRIMARY SONG "Building day by day"
ADDRESS "Children then and now," Rev. William B. Tuthill, Portland, Me.
HYMN 438 "Savior teach me day by day"
BENEDICTION
12
SUNDAY EVENING
7.00 o'clock
Commemoration of Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor
LOUIS R. GOODRICH, President REV. ARTHUR J. BENEDICT, Founder
ORGAN AND PIANO PRELUDE "Der Freischutz" Weber
Mrs. Sidney M. Cowles, Mrs. Carleton Hazen
HYMN 115 "The King of Love my Shepherd is"
RESPONSIVE READING Portion 5
HYMN 570 "Go forward, Christian soldier"
PRAYER Rev. A. Ferdinand Travis
HYMN 534 "O Savior, precious Savior"
GREETING, Mr. F. C. Bidwell, Hartford, President of the Connecticut Christian Endeavor Union
ADDRESS Rev. Francis E. Clark, D. D.,
President of the United Society of Christian Endeavor
HYMN 499 "Master, no offering"
ADDRESS "The Church and the Community,"
Rev. William A. Bartlett, D.D. Hartford
HYMN 446 "My gracious Lord, I own Thy right"
BENEDICTION
13
MONDAY AFTERNOON, JULY 1 2.30 o'clock
REV. CORNELIUS W. MORROW, D. D., Presiding
PRELUDE Grand March
Gounod
Mrs. Carleton Hazen
HYMN "O God, the Rock of Ages"
DEVOTIONAL SERVICE Rev. Samuel A. Fiske, Berlin
HYMN 692 "Glorious things of Thee are spoken"
THE HISTORY OF THE KENSINGTON CHURCH
Rev. Carleton Hazen, Pastor
HYMN 695 "O where are kings and empires now"
THE MINISTERS OF THE KENSINGTON CHURCH
Hon. Livingston W. Cleaveland, New Haven
HYMN "O'er these fair plains the years have rolled" Tune: St. Catherine, page 20 (Stanzas 1, 6-9)
GREETINGS
Farmington, the Mother, Rev. Quincy Blakely
New Britain First, a daughter, Rev. Henry W. Maier
Worthington, a daughter, Rev. Samuel A. Fiske
Middletown, Rev. Azel W. Hazen, D. D., invited to become pastor of the Kensington Church, 1867
Kensington Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Charles S. Ball
The Missionary Society of Connecticut, Rev. Sherrod Soule
HYMN 770 "Blest be the tie that binds"
BENEDICTION
Supper and Social Hour
The Women of the Church, hostesses
14
MONDAY EVENING
7.30 o'clock
ORGAN AND PIANO PRELUDE " Rondo Capriccioso " Mendelssohn Mrs. Sidney M. Cowles, Mrs. Carleton Hazen
HYMN 698 "A mighty fortress is our God"
DEVOTIONAL SERVICE Rev. Edgar H. Olmstead, Greenfield Hill
ANTHEM "Father, Thy children bow in adoration" Sir Arthur Sullivan
HYMN 562 "The Son of God goes forth to war"
MESSAGES FROM FORMER MINISTERS
1879 Cornelius Wortendyke Morrow, D. D.
1882
1882 Arthur Jared Benedict - 1889
1892 Magee Pratt - - 1896
HYMN 94 "O Holy Father, who hast led Thy children"
1897 William Bodle Tuthill -
- 1899
1900 Alonzo Ferdinand Travis -
-
1904
1904 Edgar Hammond Olmstead - 1908
1909
Carleton Hazen, presiding
HYMN 779 "Hail Thou God of grace and glory"
PRAYER AND BENEDICTION
Former Ministers Deceased
1712 William Burnham - 1750
1756 Samuel Clark 1775 -
1779 Benoni Upson, D. D. -
1826
1816 Royal Robbins
- 1859
1860 Elias Brewster Hillard - 1867
1868 Abraham Chittenden Baldwin 1869
1869 Alfred Tileston Waterman 1874
1875 James Bradford Cleaveland 1879
*
* * *
*
1889 Henry Learned Hutchins
1892
THE ANNIVERSARY IN NARRATIVE
At the old cemetery in Christian Lane, where the first min- ister and many of the forefathers were buried, the celebration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Kensington Congre- gational Church began on Saturday afternoon, June 29th, 1912. The date was chosen as a more convenient season than Decem- ber 10th, the real anniversary day.
A large number of people gathered from near and far, many having been present two years earlier when Emma Hart Willard Chapter, D. A. R., having restored the old cemetery from a condition of utter neglect, held commemorative exercises; and many words of appreciation were spoken of this, the crowning memorial work for the town of Berlin of this patriotic body of women, but for which the gathering on the present occasion would hardly have been possible. The huge boulder near the gateway bears the names of about forty early families of the settlement, and upon one of its faces are grouped the names of the seven "pillars of the church," as follows: Burnham, Lee, Judd, Seymour, North, Hart, Cowles. In the field adjoining may be traced the outline of the fort where the early settlers found safety from the attacks of the Indians, and on the slope a few rods away is the site of the first meeting house, where a granite marker was placed a number of years ago by the Ruth Hart Chapter, D. A. R., of Meriden.
The company joined in the hymn, "O God, beneath Thy guiding hand," and Rev. Henry W. Maier of the First Church, New Britain, led in fitting and impressive invocation. An address was given by Hon. David N. Camp of New Britain, who had been the speaker two years earlier and whose knowl- edge of the history of this region is probably unsurpassed. Mr. George Dudley Seymour of New Haven spoke briefly, representing the descendants of Rev. William Burnham, the first minister, and also of Richard Seymour, the leader of the Great Swamp Settlement. After singing "O God, our help in ages past," Rev. Carleton Hazen pronounced the benediction.
16
Thence the pilgrimage continued to the East Cemetery in Kensington, in which are the graves of the three succeeding ministers, Samuel Clark, Benoni Upson, D. D., and Royal Rob- bins, whose pastorates, joined with that of William Burnham, cover a period of one hundred and forty-seven years. Of this fact Rev. Royal Robbins speaks as follows in his farewell ser- mon: "My settlement was June 26th, 1816, just forty-three years ago this day. There has been no dismission of a minister until now, which is a rare instance of stability in the pastoral relation in the history of our churches and societies; as also the instance is rare of so prolonged pastorates in succession ... . . . There have been instances of long pastorates in individual, isolated cases, but long pastorates in succession with no dis- missals are not often, I think, to be found."
The hymn, "For all the saints who from their labors rest," was sung, and prayer was offered by Rev. Arthur J. Benedict. Rev. Frank G. Woodworth, D. D., representing the descend- ants of Rev. Benoni Upson, D. D., gave a brief address rich with allusions to his notable ancestor, whose pastorate was longer than any other in the history of the church. A telegram from Mr. Harry P. Robbins, a grandson of Rev. Royal Robbins, who had expected to be present and speak, expressed the great- est regret and disappointment that he was unavoidably detained, and contained these sentences:"When we hear so much of social and political unrest, the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of a country church is, in my opinion, a very reassuring incident. My father and I join in best regards to you and your committee." A telegram was also received later from Mr. Royal Robbins, another grandson of Rev. Royal Robbins. The hymn written by Rev. Royal Robbins for the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Farmington in 1840, with its refrain, "The ages pass, but God remains,- O'er His eternity He reigns," followed by the benediction, very fittingly concluded the afternoon program. At both cemeteries the singing of these choice hymns, led by a cornet, was a notable and impressive feature.
Saturday evening in the church parlors a reception to visitors and former pastors was largely attended. Light re- freshments were served, and at the close the ushers led the way to the audience room, where a brief organ recital was given by Mr. Robert A. Squire of Meriden upon the sweet-
17
toned organ which is one of the most valued possessions of the church.
On Sunday morning the extreme heat of the preceding afternoon had abated and the sun rose upon a perfect summer day. Refreshed by this change the residents of Kensington and their guests gathered at the church in numbers which filled it to the doors. The pastor, Rev. Carleton Hazen, conducted the opening worship. Rev. Francis E. Clark, D. D., of Boston, read the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah and offered the prayer, which was wonderfully impressive. One sentence breathes the spirit of the prayer: "As good as the past has been, may the future, O Father, be even better."
Rev. Cornelius W. Morrow, D. D., who came to Kensing- ton in 1879, immediately after his graduation from Union Theological Seminary, and whose pastorate was the earliest of any living minister, preached the sermon. Those in the con- gregation who remembered the eloquence and enthusiasm of his earlier years felt that Dr. Morrow had lost none of his fervor, but that the varied experiences of a life full of good works had strengthened and deepened his power of appeal for the truth.
Following the sermon, the pastor baptized an infant and received four persons into the fellowship of the church. Rev. William B. Tuthill and Rev. A. F. Travis conducted the com- munion service, a tender, solemn sacrament, never to be for- gotten by the large number who were partakers and witnesses. Two former deacons, Henry M. Cowles of Southington and Leander A. Bunce of New Britain, assisted the present deacons. The Worthington Church graciously loaned its communion service for the occasion.
The Sunday School hour was occupied by a number of hymns, one by the primary department; an historical address by Mr. Arthur W. Upson, a former superintendent; and an interesting address to the children by Rev. William B. Tuthill on "Children Then and Now." At this session Thomas W. Emerson, the superintendent, presided.
Sunday evening was given to a Christian Endeavor rally. Louis R. Goodrich, the president of the Kensington society, greeted the assembly and introduced the presiding officer, Rev. Arthur J. Benedict, now of Pearce, Arizona, who while pastor of the Kensington Church organized in 1883 the first "full- fledged" Christian Endeavor Society in Connecticut. The
18
president of the State Union, Mr. F. C. Bidwell, was present with greetings, and a large representation of Christian Endeavor Societies from neighboring churches was gathered, eager to hear Rev. Francis E. Clark, D. D., the founder of Christian Endeavor. It was estimated that there were four hundred persons present.
In introducing Dr. Clark Mr. Benedict said, "I envy not the man upon whose head rests the crown of temporal authority; I envy not a king or the President of the United States; but I do feel like envying the man who sits here tonight, who has the affection of young people the world over. He has won by the power of his personality something greater than can be told. He has as no other man the tender love of a great multitude."
Dr. Clark said that the Christian Endeavor idea was not a recent one. "Back in Bible times, when Andrew found his own brother Simon and brought him to Jesus, he was doing Christian Endeavor work, bringing some one else to the Master." Later in the address he said, "It is not a society we laud tonight, not a church two hundred years old we praise, but it is the great Head of the church and the society we would praise. We must love Him who first loved us and give to Him what He desires of us. If we do this, I am sure this church will live another two hundred years."
Rev. George H. Hubbard of Foochow, China, a missionary of the A. B. C. F. M., who introduced the Christian Endeavor idea in that far away land, brought greetings from the seven hundred Endeavor Societies in China. Mr. Hubbard modeled the society in Foochow from the constitution of the Kensington. society.
The closing address of the evening was by Rev. William A. Bartlett, D. D., of Hartford, on the subject, "The Church and the Community." Dr. Bartlett said, "Its purpose must be to do good, to save, to protect, to teach and to feed." In closing he said, "In the old cemeteries visited yesterday sleep many who have worshipped in this church in times past. This is a sweet and solemn time. We are stepping over the threshold of two centuries. Let us go forth into this new era with our faces turned toward God, determined to do his will." After the hymn, "My gracious Lord, I own Thy right," the services of the day closed with the benediction by Rev. George H. Hubbard.
19
Monday morning was left free for social enjoyment, and many availed themselves of the opportunity to visit the his- torical exhibit in the gallery of the church. The original records of the church, society and Sunday-school; a type-written copy of the church records made and presented by Miss Susan A. Peck of Plainville; the ancient pewter tankard used in the first meeting house; the silver communion service presented in 1793 by Dr. Joseph Wells; the pulpit desk and communion table used in the time of Rev. Royal Robbins; a writing desk of Rev. Benoni Upson, and an inventory of his estate; a large flag made by the women of the church in 1863; a collection of hymn books used in the church, one as early as 1785; a portrait in oil of Rev. Royal Robbins, loaned by Mr. Henry Robbins; a file of manuscript sermons of Rev. Royal Robbins, including his farewell sermon ;- these were some of the interesting things shown.
The historical committee had also procured and placed in the parlors the portraits of the deceased ministers, except the two earliest, of whom there is no known likeness, several being gifts from descendants of the pastors. Upon the south wall of the audience room a memorial tablet has been erected, carved in oak from a timber of the first minister's house, bear- ing this inscription:
THE KENSINGTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
1712-1912
In the corresponding space on the other side of the room the names of the ministers are engrossed and framed in the same ancient wood.
Monday afternoon the public services in the church were resumed. After the organ prelude and the opening hymn, worship was led by Rev. Samuel A. Fiske of the Worthington Church. The history of the Kensington Church was given by the pastor, Rev. Carleton Hazen. Its reading occupied a little more than an hour, but it proved of such great interest that it held the audience without apparent fatigue, and con- tained many details never before gathered together, for the discovery and presenting of which the writer places the church under great and lasting obligation.
20
Honorable Livingston W. Cleaveland of New Haven, a son of one of the pastors, followed with an address upon the Ministers of the Kensington Church. This subject could hardly have been assigned to any person who better appreciated both the humorous and the serious side of the New England minis- ters' life. It sparkled with fun, abounded in tender allusions to the patient, self-sacrificing work of these good men, and was rich in valuable historical material gathered from many sources .. In connection with his work upon this paper Mr. Cleaveland prepared a very careful and extensive bibliography, which is given to the church for preservation.
There followed brief greetings from Rev. Quincy Blakely of the Mother Church in Farmington; Rev. Henry W. Maier of the First Church, New Britain; Rev. Samuel A. Fiske of the Worthington Church in Berlin; Rev. Azel W. Hazen of Middle- town; Rev. C. S. Ball of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Kensington; and Rev. Sherrod Soule of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, who gave a sketch of Rev. Horace Hooker, a native of Kensington. The long but intensely interesting session closed with the hymn, "Blest be the tie that binds," and the benediction by Dr. Morrow, who presided during the afternoon.
The attendance upon this session included the pastors of nearly all the churches in the Central Association, all of the former pastors of the Kensington Church now living and many representatives of churches near and far. It was indeed a notable assembly.
After its close the women of the Kensington Church were- hostesses at supper to about two hundred and twenty-five guests. Grace was said by Rev. Magee Pratt, and the spirit of Christian fellowship and love abounded.
The session of Monday evening brought the Bi-Centennial to a close. It was devotional, yet designed to be reminiscent. and in somewhat lighter vein, and was attended chiefly by present and former residents of Kensington. The pastors were seated together upon the platform, and the church rejoiced to see gathered into one group these men who have been its leaders, each one of whom brought his message of love and encourage- ment.
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