USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Bristol > Bristol, Connecticut : "in the olden time New Cambridge", which includes Forestville > Part 25
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
ITEM FROM THE BRISTOL PRESS.
Dec. 31, 1891.
"The thirty-fourth annual New Year's meeting will be held in the 'No. 9' schoolhouse tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock.
There will be present the following named ministers, who have been stationed in Bristol since these meetings were first established:
Rev. John Simpson, now of Plainville, who will preach the sermon, as he has done every year but one, when called to attend the funeral of a parishoner.
Rev. Charles H. Buck, of Brooklyn.
Rev. C. E. Miller, of Brooklyn.
Rev. Geo. L. Thompson, of New York City.
Rev. A. C. Eggleston, of Waterbury.
Rev. A. H. Wyatt, of Bristol.
ANDREW J. CURTISS (NO. 53).
AUGUSTUS H. WARNER (NO. 55).
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
Some of the ministers with their families will be the guests of Mr. Sessions for two or three days and tomorrow will start at one o'clock from his house to the meeting.
One 'buss will take M. H. Perkins and the old choir, of which he was leader for a number of years, and two 'busses will be required for the ministers and their families and Mr. Sessions and his family, who will go with him.
On New Year's day thirty-four years since, following a revival of great interest, a number of residents near gathered in the little school- house, and voted to meet there annually for religious services, and that Rev. Mr. Simpson be the preacher so long as he was within one hundred miles, and with the exception noted he has been the preacher all these years.
Rev. Arza Hill, a much beloved minister, will be missed this year, he having died last April.
Another familiar face no more to be seen is that of Mrs. Catherine Belden, who died during the summer.
At five o'clock the annual New Year's dinner will be served in the ample dining room of Mr. Sessions on High street."
There were forty meetings held in all. Mr. Simpson's death occurred suddenly on the 13th of February, after the fortieth meeting. They were then discontinued.
The "red dwelling-house (No. 55) of Asa Bartholomew" would hardly be recognized by former residents, clothed as it is in a dress of delicate gray. It once belonged to Asa Austin Upson, and was a part of his "east farm." At his death in 1807, this portion of his estate was alloted to his sister, Sophia Upson. The deed of 1815 of a piece of land belonging to the farm was signed in Bristol by Philip and Sophia, (Upson) Barnes. In 1828, when ninety acres were deeded with a house and shed comprising the whole of the "so-called" "east farm" Philip Barnes and wife were residents of Athens, Georgia. It is not known that Asa Bartholomew resided there. He was well established at the house of William Jerome, 2nd, south. His son, George Welles, who married Jan. 14, 1829, Angeline Ives, daughter of Dea. Charles, lived there in early married life. It is the birthplace of their son, Henry Shelton Bartholomew, born in 1832. Afterward Mrs. Paulina (Bar- tholomew) Alpress had a home in the house many years. The size of the dwelling allowed the occupancy of two families at the same time, which was a frequent arrangement.
Early families known to have lived at the place are James Hall, who had three sons, one born before 1829, and two later, Edward Hall, etc. Oliver Weldon, another tenant had a store in part of the house for a time. Eli Byington, father of Henry Newell Byington, also made it a home something more than fifty years since. The latter a resident of Walnut Grove, Minn., visited Bristol in recent years, with great enjoyment, returned to his family in Minnesota, where he died June 17, 1906. He was born in Wrentham, Mass., and son of Eli of Joseph, Jr., of Joseph, Sr., Bristol, Conn.
Paulina (Bartholomew) Alpress, b. June 18, 1809, married Sept. 12, 1832, Alvin Ferry Alpress, b. June 2, 1806, and died Jan. 6, 1850. . He was a "Forty-niner." " He died while journeying for his health, at Honolulu, S. I., aged 44. Mrs. Paulina Alpress died Feb. 9, 1894, age 84.
Children, Ellen Alpress (1), b. Dec. 11, 1833, died Jan. 13, 1839, age 5 years; Charles H. Alpress (2), b. Dec. 31, 1835, died unmarried; Edward A. Alpress (3), b. May 1, 1840; George T. (4) b. July 14, 1846; Alvin Ferry Alpress (5), b. Oct. 25, 1849, died Oct. 31, 1897, unmarried.
George Theodore Alpress, b. July 14, 1846, married Anna Bell of Defiance, O., Dec. 27, 1870, b. April 25, 1852. Her father, an architect, was killed by Indians near Pikes Peak. Children of George T. and Anna B. Alpress, Gertrude (1), b. Oct. 30, 1871, married June 12, 1894, Edward Keyes Ives, b. Feb. 12, 1870, son of Byron and Aurelia (Jones)
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Ives; Harry Alpress (2), b. March, 1873, died 1875; Charles Edward (3), b. Nov. 2, 1878.
Mrs. Paulina Alpress sold her house to Augustus H. Warner, the present occupant She purchased a home in Race St., Bristol, where she died. Augustus Henry Warner, b. June 11, 1838, married Oct. 6, 1858, Eugenia Louisa Smith, b. Oct. 26, 1839, died Oct. 7, 1865. Married second Mary Elizabeth Siddell, b. July 18, 1846.
Children of first marriage, Fanny Eliza (1), b. Sept. 15, 1859, married Sept. 15, 1880, Wm. Goodale Hart, b. July 14, 1855. He is a mechanic and lives in Bristol. [Children, Maude Louisa (1), b. June 7, 1881. Employed in office of American Silver Company, Bristol; Percival War- ner (2), b. July 7, 1884, employed as shipper by Coe Brass Co., Torring- ton, Conn .; Wesley Eugene (3), b. Feb. 28, 1887, died July 4, 1887; Ella Marion (4), b. Aug. 3, 1888, employed in office of American Silver Company.]
Henry Douglass (2), b. March 31, 1861, married March 5, 1895, Lucy Morgan Smith. One daughter [Grace Eugenia, b. March 13, 1901]. Children by second marriage.
Eugenia Estelle (3), b. Aug. 8, 1868, married Charles Edward Dennis, Ph. D., Aug. 17, 1865.
Anna Maria (4), b. Jan. 27, 1872, employed in office of Swift & Sons, Gold-beaters, Hartford, Conn.
Bessie Sarah Warner (5), b. May 26, 1874. Smith, 1905, A. B. Brown University, 1901, A. M. Teacher of Latin in Hope St. High School, Providence, R. I.
Edna Isabel (6), b. July 26, 1878. Brown, 1900, B. P. Married Lester B. Shippee, A. M., Aug. 2, 1905, Edna graduated at Whitmarsh
SOME CHARITY SHELTON'S DISHES.
"Turtle" shaped teapot, belonging to Charity Shelton in 1801; bowl of her grandmother's descending some generations; and cup and saucer from her early home. Owned by Miss A. M. Bartholomew.
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FRANKLIN STEELE. (AT NO 51) HENRY A. WARNER (AT NO. 50). Surgical Hospital, 1903. She was Superintendent there of nurses, one year. Augustus H. and Henry D. Warner (A. H. Warner & Co.) have a wood-turning business at Federal near North St., Bristol, Conn.
Charles, son of Leroy and Catharine (Sessions) Belden, b. March 5, 1854, married Harriet, daughter of Henry C. Ruic. He built the house (No. 56) opposite A. H. Warner in 1882, making a barn for the place of the former home of Philo Curtiss. They have one son, Edward, born 1877, married June, 1900, Nelly, daughter of James and Rhoda (Porter) Hodges. They have two children [Clara Susanna Harriet (1)] [Charles Samuel Leroy (2) ]. Edward was graduated at the Bristol High School, pursued his studies at Wesleyan, Middletown, Conn., and Boston, Mass. Was a member of New York East Conference of Metho- dist Episcopal Clergymen, 1903. Rev. Edward L. Belden is located (1907) at St. James and Lake Grove, Suffolk Co., Long Island. Charles L. Belden built a second dwelling-house at 50 Merriman St., Bristol, where he resides (1907). He is employed at Horton Mfg. Co.
Carl Peter Peterson rented the Edgewood house a few years, boarding some of the employees of Stanley R. & L. Co.
Ephraim McEwen was a resident of the Distric some years before building the house (No. 57) north of Charles Belden. He was first a tenant of "The Boarding House" so called possibly elsewhere. He built after the Carpenter House, which was in 1843. His children, whose approximate dates of birth are given from School Register 1858-9, were Mary (1), 1845; David (2), 1847; Martha (3), 1854; Susan (4). The parents were "deaf mutes." The mother, "Harriet, wife of Ephraim McEwen," united with Congregational Church, March 13, 1842. The family removed to Bridgeport, Conn.
A family of Sullivans, also one of Owlds (Olds) had residence at the place before its purchase by Samuel Leroy Belden, who married Catherine Sessions, daughter of Calvin. There was no barn on the premises, which were involved and depreciated in value. Mr. Belden came to the village, 1851. He resided in the Alanson Winston house on Jerome Ave., at the double house No. 45, on Edgewood St., and possibly at "The Boarding House," when he removed to the house, where himself and wife spent the remainder of their lives.
Mrs. Catharine (Sessions) Belden died Aug. 23, 1891. Samuel
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Leroy Belden died May 4, 1899. Children, two sons Lucius and Charles (data before given). The house was sold to Everett Barnes, who sold in a very few years to the present owner, John Muir, son of Henry, who also resides at this home. John Muir married Alice Linden Durward. Children, Ruth (1), aged 5 years; Donaldine (2), 1 year. Mr. John Muir employed Horton Mfg. Co.
At this place (No. 58) there is no trace of a building. Memories of an old well in the "plain lot," owned by John August Peterson are the only reminders of the facts, as learned from deeds of 1828, when one Isaac Gillett lived where the now "abandoned road" came out to Jerome avenue from Moses Pickingham's dwelling southwest. There is a strong probability of this Isaac Gillett's identity with Isaac Gillet who formerly lived on the southern part of "Johnny Cake Mountain" in Burlington on a farm before owned by Edward Marks, an uncle of Esq. Wm. Marks. If proved, he had three daughters. The oldest married Rev. David Marks, third of the name, son of Esq. Wm. Marks, who died suddenly at the home of his son, Rev. David Marks, when stationed in New York City. The youngest daughter of Isaac Gillett, Rebecca, married Lucien Bunnell.
In 1876, J. B. Ford purchased a small farm partly in District No. 7, the remainder in No. 9, on which he built the ell of his present house (No. 59). Later he added on the south the Superintendent's house from the Copper Mine. Jerome Bonaparte, son of Omri C. of Somers, Conn., and Caroline Kent Ford, b. Oct. 5, 1845, in Collinsville or Burlington married June 17, 1866, Mary Jane Barclay, b. in Farmington, Conn., Dec. 18, 1843. Children: Roselia S. (1), b. July 2, 1867, died 1885 interred in family cemetery, Burlington, removed, 1906, to Forestville; Melissa (2), b. Jan. 19, 1871, married Franklin E. Yale [one son, Alfred]; Anna Barclay (3), b. July 31, 1875, married Henry Yale, eight children. Mr. Ford has a Machine Factory at No. 63.
DEACON CHARLES GRANDISON IVES DISHES.
Pflip Glass of Deacon Ives; pewter and china from home of Deacon Ives; coffee urn of Angeline Ives Bartholomew. Owned by Miss A. M Bartholomew.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
DIATOMS OF BRISTOL
BY WM. A. TERRY
D IATOMS are very small, one celled organisms, which are among the primal forms of life, and have apparently existed with little or no change from the earliest appearance of life upon the earth. They are bivalves, with shells of glass instead of lime, held together by side hoops of the same material instead of hinges. For many years after their discovery they were supposed to be animals, chiefly because of their power of locomotion, a very large proportion of them being rapid travelers during their whole lives. Several eminent scientists still hold to this opinion, but they are now generally regarded as belonging to the vegetable world. They vary greatly in size and.
WILLIAM A TERRY.
outline, and are elaborately ornamented with sculptured markings, alac, striæ, costae, etc., many of them being among the most beautiful forms in nature. Their shells being so largely silex they are comparatively indestructable, and where the conditions are favorable they often accum- ulate in vast quantities. Nearly every permanent body of water, how- ever small, contains them in greater or less abundance; when this water disappears the diatoms are left as a fossil deposit.
Quite a number of these deposits are found in. Bristol. A little over the line west of the lower reservoir of the Bristol Water Company is one of these deposits; the stratum of diatoms is about two feet thick and covers one or two acres. It contains numerous species, many of
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them large and interesting. When this reservoir was made another fossil deposit was removed. On the farm of Silas Carrington is another deposit notable for the abundance of Frustulia Saxonica, well-known as a test object for the microscope; its markings are so minute as to require high powers and perfect lenses to resolve them. On South Mountain, north of Cedar Swamp, is a deposit containing numerous species, and an abundance of remarkably spiny spiculæ of fresh water sponges.
On the Hubbard farm on Chippen's Hill is another deposit showing an abundance of the large form of Stauroneis acuta, which should have a better name as it is not the same as the St. acuta of European writers. I do not find this variety shown in any European publication. On the Atwood farm on Peaceable Street is a small deposit.
On the old Lazarus Hird farm is a deposit showing an abundance of the very rare Achnanthidium flexellum; and north of this on the Mix farm is perhaps the largest deposit in Bristol. It covers fifteen acres and perhaps more, and is of unknown depth. I have material brought up from a depth of 1012 feet, showing seven feet thickness of diatoms to this point, which probably continues down several feet more, but we could get no farther down on account of the rapid inflow of water
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SURIELLA BISERIATA, Tacoma, Wash.
SURIRELLA BISERIATA, n.sp. Terry.
Port Townsend, Wash .
NAVICULA MACULATA, Mobile, Ala.
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BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT
This deposit is remarkable as containing the beautiful little Cyclotella antiqua, which has never before been found in this country as far as I can ascertain. I have sent specimens to the most experienced collectors but none of them had ever seen it before. This Bristol form is more beautiful than any of the European specimens that I have seen. This deposit also contains the rare A. flexellum, the very rare Navicula follis, the rare Fragillaria Harrisonii, and others.
At the old Tamarack Swamp on the head waters of the East Bristol Poland Brook, is a deposit in which the diatomaceous stratum is two feet thick and covers several acres; this is also rich in species. There are more small deposits in town, and probably many others that have not yet been discovered. Of living diatoms many of the larger and most remarkable of the fresh water species are found in Bristol. Those ponds that are swept by freshets seldom contain a large amount, but most others are rich. South Mountain Reservoir has abundance, of which very large specimens of Surirella biseriata are noticeable.
On Bunnell's lot the boiling spring is full of filamentous varieties of many species, and has also abundance of Fragillaria Harrisonii which is rare. Bunnell's Pond is rich; has many species of large surirella, of which Surirella cardinalis is interesting, as it is considered rare in many sections, though abundant in Bristol. Dunbar's Pond and Clay- ton's Pond show many species among them very numerous specimens of Cymbella cuspidata, which is remarkable as being of a decided green color, while other diatoms are a red brown color while living.
Birge's Pond is particularly rich.' Surirella elegans and S. splendida are very large and much elongated. S. cardinalis is very large and abundant. S. nobilis and S. robusta are plentiful. Abnormal valves of these are numerous, two valves being grown together with a large corrugated opening in the center. Their great numbers seeming to show that this deformity was hereditary. Prof. Brun's new species, "Navicula peripunctata" is more numerous here than in Crane Pond, Mass., where it was first found. Spring's Pond has many species, the predominating one being a new Surirella, which is also abundant in the pond hole formed by the elbow cut off from the river when the railroad company moved the highway east of the saw shop. Down's Pond also shows the new Surirella, together with many other species in great abundance, among them a small Stauroneis with exceedingly slender and sharp pointed euds, this is probably new, as I cannot find it described anywhere.
The new Surirella is also abundant in Thompson's Pond, and, in Allen's Pond in Stafford district. Outside of Bristol it appears in an ice pond east of Shuttle Meadow, New Britain, and in an ice pond at Leete's Island. So far it appears to be found only in Connecticut, and Bristol is its headquarters, it being ahundant here in five different ponds. This new Surirella is about the size of S. gracilis, but has more rounded ends, the cross bars reach the median line, and it is frequently much elongated, and has a distinct spiral twist. I sent a quantity of these to Dr. Ward, he sent out numerous slides of them labeled "Surirella Terryi, n. sp. Ward."
Many of the small streams, ditches in marshes, and springy moun- tain rills are rich in diatoms. In a rill on Fall Mountain is a remarkable colony of the large Stauroneis acuta previously mentioned, with them is a new Stauroneis, one of the largest and quite peculiar. It is more cylindrical and elongated than any other stauroneis, and the upper valve has large saucer-shaped psuedo-nodules near each end. No other stauroneis has anything like this. The lower valve has no nodules. Dr. Ward also sent out slides of this labeled "Stauroneis Terryi, n. sp. Ward." Farther up the mountain Mr. Wm. C. Richards found a rill containing a notable colony of Navicula elliptica, very abundant, and much larger and heavier than those of the Connecticut shore. On Chippin's Hill is a small pond which contains Stauroneis Stodderii, which is quite rare.
All these fossil deposits, the ponds and streams mentioned, and many others, contain hundreds of species, a full description of which
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would require a large volume; a mere list of their names would cover many pages. Very many of these are among the most remarkable and beautiful of the fresh water varieties. The filamentous kinds are found nearly every where in Bristol, and the species are very numerous. They resemble the Algæ, except that they are brown instead of green, and each joint or cell is an individual organism with an independant life of its own.
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THE BRISTOL STAURONEIS. Stauroneis Terryi, n. sp. ward.
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Photo by Gale Studio
PROSPECT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
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Prospert Methodist Episcopal Church
M ETHODISM is educational and evangelistic. Methodism is one of the largest branches of the universal Church of God. This religious body had a humble beginning in Bristol, but for a couple of decades at least, it has been one of the most power- ful factors in the progress of the place and the higher life of the people.
The first sermon in Bristol by a Methodist preacher was delivered
1
REV. ARTHUR H. GOODENOUGH.
in the old Baptist Church and was preached by Rev. Nathan Bangs, who later became president of Wesleyan University. His text was "But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is everywhere spoken against." Occasional meet- ings were held in the schoolhouse on West Street, and were frequently conducted by the traveling preachers from the Burlington Circuit. In the spring of 1833 the Bishop placed Rev. Albert G. Wickware in charge
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His first important work was to organize a class, which, in those days was the foundation of every local church. The persons constituting the class, were Mrs. Hill Darrow, Mrs. Lord Hill, Leander Hungerford, Sid- ney Burwell and wife and Mrs. Polly E. Burwell.
The formation of a church organization commenced in April, 1834. Tracy Peck, Justice of the Peace, issued a warrent authorizing Rev. Mr. Wickware and others who might be interested in the movement, to form themselves into a religious society to be known as the Methodist Epis- copal Society of Bristol, said organization to take place in the school- house, on West Street. This instrument was dated April 23, 1834, and was made returnable, with the indorsement of the doings of said meet- ing, to the Subscribing Authority. All requirements were promptly met. The first society had 27 members. The few energetic and devoted people resolved to build a church edifice. Steps were taken immediate- ly to secure a site for such building. This was found not to be an easy matter. The prejudice against the new sect was strong and persistent. The early Methodists had become accustomed to that kind of thing, but it only fanned their enthusiasm into mightier flame. Mr. Evits Hunger- ford and Mr. Philip Gaylord were the committee to purchase the neces- sary land. Mrs. Chloe Daniels was ready to sell. The committee has- tened to the residence of Justice Peck, found him at dinner; he was com- pelled to leave the table and execute the legal document of sale, for fear the enemies of the Society should upset the bargain. The structure was erected and dedicated within a year. People came to the services from fifteen miles around.
The young society was served in turn by noble and faithful min- isters. The church multiplied and prospered. During the years 1857-8 the pastor was Rev. John W. Simpson. During this period a revival commenced on Chippins Hill, extended to Polkville (Edgewood) and other places. Conversions were many. On New Year's Day, 1858, Mr. Simpson preached in the schoolhouse at Polkville. John Humphrey Sessions, who had previously "professed religion" attended the service, and before the meeting closed he was so impressed by a divine power that he here made a complete consecration of himself to God and precious results soon followed. That fact, simple in itself, has meant much to the town of Bristol and to the Methodist Church in particular. Mr. Sessions was an able, vigorous and successful business man. As he prospered the Methodist Church prospered.
From that time on the records show a gradual increase in the min- ister's salary and in the contributions to the Conference benevolences. By 1879 the Society had so prospered and grown that the church edifice on West Street was altogether inadequate to accommodate the people who came to worship. It was also felt that the new church should be built in a more central part of the town. A more eligible and command- ing site on the corner of Summer and Center Streets was purchased. A brick structure was erected and the people were happy in their new church home. This was done during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. George P. Mains.
In 1888 again the congregations had outgrown their building and large additions were made. Rev. Albert H. Wyatt was then the pastor.
In 1893 a new and more commodious building was felt to be an absolute necessity. The late John Humphrey Sessions resolved to build a new church and present it to the society. This he did. The building is of granite, of modern architecture and is one of the most commodious and handsome church buildings in the state of Connecti- cut. The audience room will accommodate over one thousand persons; with the chapel opened it will seat two thousand people. Mr: Sessions' two sons, John Henry Sessions, gave the carpets and upholstering, and William Edwin Sessions, presented the costly and elegant organ. Their united gifts meant an expenditure of $75,000.00. The entire plant is valued at $100.000.00. A handsome and artistic window adorns the building, the gift of the congregation, as a testimonial to the munifi-
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"Enter into bis gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise."-Psa., c., 4.
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"Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion."-Psa., lxv., I.
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cent donor, John Humphrey Sessions. The handsome structure was dedicated by Bishop R. S. Foster of Boston, assisted by many clergy. Rev. M. W. Prince, D. D. was the pastor.
On Sunday, June 4, 1904, the tenth anniversary of the dedication of the new building was observed. The sermon was preached by the present pastor. The following is a quotation from his sermon:
. "Ten years ago today this edifice was dedicated to the worship of "Almighty God. The benevolent man who gave the building, and the distinguished bishop who dedicated it, have both gone to the temple not made with hands, and to their eternal reward. The time between that day and this, measures a decade of years.
Amid all the changes that have taken place we are spared. We are permitted the privilege of reviewing the past, and also to enjoy the worship of this hour. No greater gift could be made to a community, or to a people than the gift of a church. The gift of a library, the gift of an orphanage, the gift of a home for the indigent poor, would be a blessing indeed. That would be a work worthy the munificence of the noblest and best. But no gift, in the scope of its influence, in the per- manency of its work, in the quality of its good, can compare with the gift of a church. All philanthropy, the best and wisest legislation, the potency of human friendship, are all inspired and strengthened and made effective by the influence and spirit of the church. For this reason the people, rich and poor, men and women give their money to build and support churches. This church was the gift of one of your own brothers, to you, for you, to use for the glory of God. How well it has been used I shall show you presently. A church debt is a burden,
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