USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > East Windsor > Historical sketch of Warehouse Point, Conn., dedicated June 17, 1900; and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church, from 1822 to the present time > Part 6
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It was true that life and immortality are brought to light if you will permit the testimony.
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I have not followed souls as they passed through but I have seen souls who have been steeped in sin made pure through Jesus' love. I have seen faces transformed. I have not followed them through but I know that when their feet touched the other shore. I saw their faces shine.
But there is another point. I wish to have you come where you can look upon Him as the lamb of God, which takes away your sin.
You may say that it takes away yours with .
others. Perhaps so. But your part must be per- formed. It may be done but you must be willing to have it done to be of service to you. God Al- mighty has so fixed it that a soul that comes to Him will be saved. Take for illustration. The United States has secured the Island of Cuba and proposes to establish her privileges over that island. Suppose a Cuban should prefer the old system of government and will not accept the United States' authority. What then? He will not have it; he must have the old service or he will feel the strong arm of the American law. And so if you will not have part in this salvation you will be the one to suffer loss.
But there is more on this subject. We read further in the chapter Again the next day after, John stood and two of his disciples and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said "Behold the lamb of God." And the two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus and in conversation, as the verses record, found where he dwelt. They came and saw where He dwelt and abode with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
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One of the two which heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. Now the Evangelist, one of the two has not re- corded the sayings of that hour with the Lord. Some of you have never had that quiet hour with the Lord. I beseech you in the name of whose messenger I am, let not another night pass until you have made a quiet hour with the Lord. Read this chapter and the 17th chapter and not many hours will pass by before you will see Him.
The story is told of a prison chapel picture of that woman standing before her accusers and the Lord. The artist had chosen that moment of time when the Lord says "Go, sin no more." After serv- ice one day a woman convict remained in her place. She was asked by the attendant "What are you waiting for?" She replied "I want to go where I can be with that picture, back into the solitary." She had been confined in the solitary then for a. week but she was so affected by the thought of that picture where Christ is represented as saying "go sin no more." that she wished to be alone with it in the dark cell. She spent another week in the soli- tary cell and Christ appeared to her as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world, and which took away her sin.
This Lamb of God which the Apostles saw, some of them during their lives having had other interviews with God. May God help you to find him, to appropriate him, and may the blessing come to you.
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GILES WATSON BOWER.
Member of building committee. Joined the church May, 1882. Elected superintendent of Sunday School January, 1898. Elected stew- ard March 1st, 1883.
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FEAST OF DEDICATION.
Saturday there was no service held, being a preparation day for the last great day of the Feast. A more pleasant day than was June 17, 1900 could not have been had for the dedication of the New Church.
Morning service began at 10:45 o'clock with Prof. Fred C. Abbe at the organ, who played Guil- mant's Sonata and Lemmen's Triumphal March. Presiding Elder the Rev. G. H. Bates and the Pas- tor conducted the opening exercises. The Apollo Male Quartette of Hartford, composed of Mr. John R. Kemerer, Ist tenor, Mr. Imri Wilcox, 2nd tenor, Mr. Benjimen N. Parker, baritone and Dr. Wm. H. Pomeroy, bass, rendered two fine selections and Mr. Sidney A. Boleyn sang "The Ninety and Nine" by Champion, effectively.
The following persons were then received into the church by letter: Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Chace of Hilandville, Mass., Mr. and Mrs. Herman C. Schmeiske of Amherst Mass., Mr. and Mrs. John M. Stone of Windsor Locks Ct., Asa P. Fillmore of Pulaski N. Y. Mrs. Emma M. Higgins of Kensington Ct., Mr. and Mrs. Hobert R. Wells of Norwich Ct., and the Misses May and Florence Birge of Greenfield Mass., after which the Bishop W. F. Mallalieu D. D. preached a powerful sermon from the text found in Luke 16:5 "How much owest thou unto my Lord." At the close of the sermon the Bishop called for a subscription of $1, 500 that the church might be de- dicated free of debt and in less than half an hour more than this amount was pledged.
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The dedication service began at 2.30 in the afternoon the people began to gather at one o'clock and at 2. 30 the church was full to overflowing, chairs . were placed in every available place and it was estimated that over 500 people were present. Prof. Ira P. Allen presided at the organ and played the Pilgrim Chorus from Wagner, the choir was assisted by the choir from the M. E. Church in Windsor Locks; the exercises began with an anthem, "O how amiable are thy works" by West followed by the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers.
Rev. G. H. Bates, Presiding Elder of the Norwich District took charge of the exercises and introduced the pastor Rev. J. A. Wood who read the first lesson which was Soloman's Dedicatory Prayer, taken from II Chron. 6 chapter.
The Rev. E. P. Phreaner of Thompsonville Ct., read the second lesson from Hebrews 10 chap. Miss Isabelle B. Allen and Mr. Sidney A. Boleyn then followed with a pretty duet entitled "Children Prey this Love to Cherish" by Spohr. Prayer was offered by the Rev. A. E. Kent of Springfield, Mass. After the prayer two infants Ariel Clark son of the Rev. J. A. Wood and Reba Abigal, daughter of William H. Lathrop were presented to Bishop W. F. Mallalieu for baptism.
As the children were being carried foward the choir sang "Saviour like a shepherd lead us" after the anthem "Peace be within thy walls" by Ashford sung admirably by the Windsor Locks choir the Bishops baptized the following adults. Mrs. Effie Evelyn Horton, Mrs. Rose Stewart Fillmore, the Misses Etta May Lord, Lena Emily Judd, Lillian
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Grant. Both were great men, but Grant was actu- ated by a larger motive, by a patriotic love of his country, (and bears the name of the greatest man who ever served his country. ) The other was one who will ever be considered selfish and ambitious.
Now how shall we get this? we will stand at the Manger and say, why is it that he should come down to earth, have his birth like other men, and as you listen you will get the song of the angels, peace on earth good will to men. Then you will stand with him in the wilderness, exposed to the tempters power, and ask why is it? and the words of the apostle will sound in your ears: For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
You will then see him surrounded by the Scribes and Pharisees seeking to catch him in his teaching; and revealing their malice and desire for his death. Why is it? To make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering, you will read his saying, that foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the son of man hath not where to lay his head. Why is it? The apostle records that, though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we, through his poverty might become rich. Then you will go to Golgotha and the question will arise, why is it He was put to death? Then the apostle answers "It was the removal of the sin of the world." The object of His coming, the object of His suffering when He breathed out that final word "It is finished."
It was true that life and immortality are brought to light if you will permit the testimony.
I35
I have not followed souls as they passed through but I have seen souls who have been steeped in sin made pure through Jesus' love. I have seen faces transformed. I have not followed them through but I know that when their feet touched the other shore. I saw their faces shine.
But there is another point. I wish to have you come where you can look upon Him as the lamb of God, which takes away your sin.
You may say that it takes away yours with others. Perhaps so. But your part must be per- formed. It may be done but you must be willing to have it done to be of service to you. God Al- mighty has so fixed it that a soul that comes to Him will be saved. Take for illustration. The United States has secured the Island of Cuba and proposes to establish her privileges over that island. Suppose a Cuban should prefer the old system of government and will not accept the United States' authority. What then? He will not have it; he must have the old service or he will feel the strong arm of the American law. And so if you will not have part in this salvation you will be the one to suffer loss.
But there is more on this subject. We read further in the chapter Again the next day after, John stood and two of his disciples and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said "Behold the lamb of God." And the two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus and in conversation, as the verses record, found where he dwelt. They came and saw where He dwelt and abode with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
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TUESDAY, JUNE 12th.
7:45 P. M. Young People's Evening. Convention of the Enfield Union of Young People's Societies of Christian Endeavor.
Address by Dr. Bates. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13th.
3:00 P. M. Bible Reading by Dr. Bates. Gathering of former Pastors.
7:45 P. M. Preaching by Dr. C. B. Pitblado. Altar Service conducted by Dr. Bates. THURSDAY, JUNE 14th.
3:00 P. M. Bible Reading by Dr Bates.
7:45 P. M. Union Service, including St. John's Episcopal Church Sermon by Rev. Ernest De. F. Miel. Altar service by Dr. Bates.
FRIDAY, JUNE 15th.
3:00 P. M. Bible Reading by Dr. Bates.
7:45 P. M. Closing of Evangelistic Services. Sermon by Rev. G. W. Winch. There will be no services on Saturday. SUNDAY, JUNE 17th. DEDICATION DAY. Reception of members by letter. Sermon by Bishop W. F. Mallalieu. Dedication.
10:45 A. M.
2:30 P. M. Baptism of Infants and Adults.
Reception on probation and from prob- ation.
Dedication Exercises.
6:00 P. M. Endeavor Meeting led by Mrs. H. H. Palmer.
7:00 P. M. Love Feast led by the Bishop.
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FREDERICK LYMAN JACOBS.
Member of building committee. Joined the church June 5th, 1892. Elected trustee Sept. 9th, 1891 and chairman of the board of trustees. Chosen chorister in 1893.
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Mr. A. L. MARKS, who has dis- solved partnership with the firm of A. L. Marks & Co., has started in business for himself.
He will call on his patrons once a week in Warehouse Point, Windsor Locks, Enfield, Broad Brook, etc., carry- ing Tea, Coffee, Spices and small Grocer- ies, also a full line of Extracts,
Anyone in the village desiring any of these articles can procure them at Mr. Marks' home on Main Street.
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COMPLIMENTARY.
It would seem ungrateful to finish this history without a word of mention of those who so gener- ously supported the new church project by their kind words, sympathy and means. We desire to ex- press first of all our appreciation of the great work accomplished by Mr. Mahlon H. Bancroft, who was a faithful and most interested visitor at the church daily during its building and whose suggestions never failed to be headed by the committee, on account of their appropriateness.
The commodiousness and much of the beauty of the new church is due to his wise suggestions: not only in this respect are we indebted to him but also for his great liberality and generosity.
We must not forget in the first place his timely gift of the spacious lot (1 14 acres) at the cost of $1001 on which to build the new church, and the new bell in memory of his revered Father and Mother which rings out every Sabbath morn the sweet, mellow and melodious tones sounding forth to this community as the Angles Song of old to the world "Peace on earth good will toward men" Nor was he forgetful in the last final struggle to dedicate our church free of debt, for on that day the generous impulses of his nature exerted themselves once more in our behalf and for the good of the cause. We can truly say that without the generous support of this benevolent man this great work would never have been accomplished. May he long live to see and enjoy the fruits of his generosity.
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There is neither time nor place more suitable for us to speak of his noble and generous wife for she spared no means in order to beautify and har- monize the interior of the church, by her selection of much of the furniture, the pulpit furniture shall ever be a standing memorial to her and her kind daughters. The Ladies of the church shall ever rise up to call her blessed when they enter the church parlor, for the entire furnishings of that most beau- tiful room are the gift of this benevolent sister. As the pulpit furniture is a standing memorial before the congregation so the beautiful windows in the front of the church shall be testifying witnesses be- fore the public, of her deep love and of Mrs. J. A. Barber for the house of God.
We would now speak of our gratitude an in- debtedness to Mr R. A. Parker and Mr. S. D. Rock- well who have stood shoulder to shoulder through many years of service in the church, and have been its backers and counselors in times of financial distress and trouble; and who although advanced in years have shown themselves as strong men to run a race. First and foremost to suggest, to move and second in a most unseemly time, the erection of a new church. Their energy and zeal and the gener- osity of their great hearts knows no failure.
Especially would we speak of Bro. Parker's herculian task of grading the church lawn. His artis- tic taste and love of beauty would not allow him to cease the arduous task until all was complete.
It is very timely here to make mention of his daughter Miss. G. D. Parker, who not only gave of her own means but was so successful in the solici- tation of means from others. No one perhaps has
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labored harder and earned more than she for this work.
It is needless to say that the sisters of the church have shown their generosity equal to the brethren. This is shown by the gifts of Mrs. J. A. Barber, who was among the first to put her name on the subscrip- tion paper for a large sum of money showing her faith in the new enterprise. Mrs. Carrie J. Heath her daughter whose generosity is every where known and who never misses an opportunity to help in the good work, was not behind her mother in her quiet and unostentatious giving. Indeed we would never forgive ourselves if we did not mention the gener- osity, faithfulness and never ceasing interest of Mr. Joseph R. Sperry who has given his time and labor to the successful completion of this work.
Much credit is due Mr. O. F. Cone, the efficient treasurer of the building committee for the business like manner in which he handled the large sums of money committed to his care, and for the accurate and statesmanlike reports given to the public of the work completed. No truer or trustier treasurer can be found and we consider the committee showed, remarkable wisdom in the selection of Mr. Cone as treasurer.
Last but not least of the timely gifts to this church is the gift of an eight day Seth Thomas Co's, weight regulator clock for the auditorium by Mrs. Mary E. Childs of Philadelphia Pa. It is a beautiful clock having a dial 14 inches in diameter and is a good timekeeper. The case is oak and its color which is a medium antique and corresponds well with the interior finish of the audotory. Of the galaxy of gen- erous hearted persons who have helped in this great
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and good work, there is none deserves our gratitude more and to whom we would offer our most sincere thanks, than to Mr. David A. Gordon of Hazardville, Ct. for his liberal contributions and presence at sev- eral of the important gatherings; kindly cheer and words of sympathy and encouragement, which are sometimes worth more than money. Mention must be made of Mr. J. Allen Pascoe and his wife, their generosity was exceeded by few.
Few men would go through what Mr. Pascoe did and yet feel that they could assist as much as he. On dedication day it was his subscription that brought hope to the heart of the Bishop and committee. Such friends in time of need will surely not be soon for- gotten.
Mr. David A. Gordon of Hazardville, Ct. is not the only friend that Hazardville has furnished us; for we think that great credit is due to Mr. Amos D. Bridge and son Stephen as builder and contractor, for the beautiful and substantial building they erect- ed. For we can truthfully say that time and means were not spared by them. Mr. Bridge has brought forth a building that is a standing monument to his integrity and faithfulness as a builder, and like Paul we can truthfully say time would fail us to speak of the Sampsons and the Gideons and the Joshua's and of the innumerable company that arose in the might of their strength and completed the great work.
And like a mighty wave that rolls its force upon the sea-girt coast and receeds leaving a few survivers upon the beach. Here sits the compiling committee (appointed by the Y. P. S. C. E.) whom none shall praise but themselves and to whom no more honor belongs.
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