USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Brookfield > Historical sketch of the First Congregational Church of Brookfield, Connecticut, and of the town of Brookfield > Part 3
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Pastorate of Rev. Marion L. Burton, 1904-1907
September 25, 1904, Marion Leroy Burton, a stu- dent in Yale Theological Seminary, supplied the pulpit of the Congregational Church, and October 17 re- ceived a call to become pastor of the church.
On June 27, 1905, Mr. Burton was ordained to the ministry. On this occasion the order of service was as follows: Reading of the minutes of the council by the scribe; invocation by Rev. G. H. Beard, Ph. D .; sermon by Rev. George B. Stevens, D. D., of Yale University ; prayer of ordination by Rev. W. J. Mutch, Ph. D .; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Otis W. Barker; charge to the pastor by Rev. E. N. Packard, D. D .; address to the people by Rev. C. B. Moody, D. D.
REV. MARION L. BURTON, PH. D. PASTOR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
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PASTORS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Mr. Burton is an alumnus of Carleton College, Minnesota, class of 1900, as is also Mrs. Burton. For three years thereafter he was principal of Windom Institute.
Mr. Burton entered Yale Theological Seminary in 1903, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1906; he was a member of the Yale University de- bating team; he also received the "Fogg scholarship" six times.
After graduating from the seminary, Mr. Burton continued his special graduate course in philosophy during the year 1906-07, and in April presented to the faculty of the Graduating School of Yale University, in candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, a thesis on "The Philosophical Basis of Augustine's Doc- trine of Sin."
In February, 1907, Mr. Burton was invited to the Chair of Systematic Theology in Yale University, as assistant professor. It was indeed an honor for so young a man to be called to a chair which in former years was occupied by ex-President Dwight, Samuel B. Harris and Prof. George B. Stevens. Mr. Burton handed his resignation to the clerk of the church February 24, 1907, and at a meeting held to take action on the same March 19, 1907, the resignation was ac- cepted with regret. Mr. Burton will enter on his duties at Yale University in October, 1907. The degree
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of Doctor of Philosophy was conferred on him June 26, 1907.
Mr. Burton's pastorate might be called the "student pastorate" to differentiate it from those which have gone before. His sermons have been doctrinal, spirit- ual, illuminating. His Sabbath morning congregations have been large, attesting thereby the interest of the people in his sermons. There have been added to the church during his pastorate many persons on confession of faith, and by letter.
Mr. Burton's pastorate, which terminates in a few weeks, will be a very pleasant memory in the recent history of our church. Of the two children of Rev. and Mrs. Burton, the younger, Paul L. Burton, was born here November 1, 1905.
CHURCH EXTENDS CALL
A call was extended to Mr. Harry S. Martin of Bangor Theological Seminary to become the successor of Rev. M. L. Burton in the pastorate of this church, said call bearing date of May 19, 1907. Mr. Martin has accepted the call, and will assume the duties of pas- tor to the Brookfield Church September 22, 1907.
CHAPTER VI
DEACONS OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AT NEWBURY-BROOKFIELD
In early days the office of deacon was held to be second only to that of pastor; he was in reality an assistant to the pastor, presiding at church meetings in his absence, and conducting Sabbath worship when the church was without settled minister. The deacons likewise had charge of distributing alms to the needy, and in other ways attended to the charities of the church. Deacons are appointed by the church and regularly ordained. Their place in the church is cer- tainly one of dignity and real importance.
Owing to the lack of early church records, it is im- possible to name all of those who probably served as deacons in the first church at Newbury.
DEACON JOSEPH RUGGLES, known as Captain Joseph Ruggles, senior, was born in 1701; he came from New Haven, Conn., and settled at the Half-Way Falls of the Still River (iron works) in 1733. He was a man of deeds and influence, was deacon at the New Mil- ford Church at the first, and later became deacon of the new church at Newbury. He was the grandfather of Samuel Ruggles, missionary to the Sandwich Is-
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lands. Deacon Ruggles died in 1791, aged ninety years.
DEACON JOHN DUNNING, born in 1713, was one of the first deacons in this church. He died at the age of eighty-one, in the year 1794. Deacon Dunning was the great-grandfather of Harmon Lockwood, Esq.
DEACON JOSEPH SMITH was also elected quite early in the history of the church. He lived on Whisconier Hill and was a prominent man not only in the parish of Newbury, but as a citizen of Newtown until 1788. He represented Brookfield in the legislature in 1789, and died in 1829, aged seventy-seven years. Deacon Smith was the great-grandfather of Miss Lucy Smith.
DEACON HENRY PECK was deacon for many years. He came from Milford, Conn., and was a prominent man in the church here. He was justice of the peace many years and represented the town in the General Assembly; in fact was the first representative. He died in 1808. Deacon Peck was the great-grandfather of Miss Mae F. Peck.
DEACON ABRAHAM CAMP was elected deacon of the Newbury Church and served during the Revolutionary period. He lived in the New Milford portion of the town and was quite prominent in military affairs. He is mentioned in the records in 1787.
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DEACONS OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
DEACON SAMUEL MERWIN, one of the early resi- dents here, was next ordained deacon. He lived where Mrs. Georgiana Williams now has a residence. Dea- con Merwin came from Milford and was great-grand- father of Gen. S. E. Merwin of New Haven. He served until his death in 1828.
DEACON MATTHEW BALDWIN, whose home was on Whisconier Hill, south of the residence of Edwin Smith, was associated with Deacon Merwin in the office. He died in 1836, being in his eighty-eighth year.
DEACON MICHAEL DUNNING, who lived at Pokono, in the house south of Henry L. Foote's residence, was elected to the office in 1819 and served until enfeebled by age. He was the grandfather of Rev. Albert E. Dunning, editor of The Congregationalist.
DEACON LEVI DIBBLE was elected to the office in 1819. He lived in the Bound Swamp District, and I regret that I cannot give additional information con- cerning him.
DEACON ASHBEL DUNNING, appointed in 1827, served the church twenty-eight years. His residence was at the first in Pokono; later he lived in the resi- dence now owned by John Thornhill, and for a time lived in the house occupied by S. B. Terrill. Deacon Dunning's last years were spent in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Isaac Lockwood. He died in 1855.
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DEACON ABEL S. TAYLOR, born in 1792, was elected deacon in 1834, and served forty years. He lived on Whisconier Hill, very near the Newtown line. His son was Thomas Taylor; his grandson, Almon H. Taylor. Deacon Taylor was very prominently con- nected with the history of this church, and died in 1875.
DEACON LUTHER SMITH was elected to the office in 1849. He built and occupied the house in Brookfield Center, now the residence of Mrs. Esther M. Hawley. Deacon Smith was a great lover of trees, and planted all the pines and shade trees now surrounding this residence. He did much to improve the walks through the village and had an eye for the beautiful. He died in 1862, being seventy-eight years of age.
DEACON ALFRED SOMERS was chosen to the office in 1858. Deacon Somers has served this church as dea- con for a longer period than any other person. In a few months he will have completed fifty years of ser- vice in the office of deacon. I desire to mention the fact that Mrs. Alfred Somers has for about forty years prepared the emblems for the communion table.
DEACON WILLIAM H. SKIDMORE was elected to the office in 1863 to succeed Deacon Luther Smith. In 1866 Deacon Skidmore removed to Sing Sing, N. Y.,
DEACON ALFRED SOMERS
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DEACONS OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
and was not again a resident of this town for some years. He died at Brookfield Center in 1875.
DEACON ENOCH W. FORD was elected to the office in 1880. He died in 1885.
DEACON ORSON J. TAYLOR of the Reformed Church succeeded Deacon Ford in 1886 and held the office until his death.
DEACON FREDERICK S. CURTIS was appointed acting deacon in 1892.
The two deacons of the Congregational Church at Brookfield at this date are therefore Deacon Alfred Somers and Deacon Frederick S. Curtis.
CHAPTER VII
ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH
Foreign Missionary Societies
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, incorporated in 1810, gained an active aux- iliary in Fairfield County in 1825.
The Brookfield Church organized a society that year, and in 1825, I find that the society contributed about fifty dollars to foreign missions. There were two societies in the church working together for a common cause, namely, the Ladies' Association, whose president was Mrs. Abner Brundage; secretary, Mrs. Thomas Burch, and treasurer, Mrs. Hiram Fairchild; and the Dorcas Society, whose president was Mrs. John Northrop, and treasurer, Mrs. Urania Merwin. These two female societies annually made liberal con- tributions of money and clothing to the cause of mis- sions. The Gentlemen's Society was organized a little later, and Mr. Hiram Fairchild was its secretary from 1835 to 1860; the treasurer was Deacon Taylor, from 1844 to 1854. The president of this society from 1843 to 1855 was Rev. Dan C. Curtiss.
Solititors were annually appointed by the Gentle- men's Society to collect funds for missions. I find that from 1844 to 1858 the contributions were eight hun-
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ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH
dred dollars from the Brookfield Church. In 1834 the societies at Brookfield Church contributed over seventy- eight dollars.
It may be of present-day interest to learn that the American Board at this time represented not only Congregational churches, but the Presbyterian and Reformed Dutch churches, sustaining official rela- tions with each and receiving candidates for the for- eign field from each of these denominations. The cor- porate members of the board in 1834 were from these three bodies.
Among the solicitors were Captain Jones, Edwin Merwin, Elijah Sturdevant, Noah Taylor, Beers Foote, Benjamin Hawley.
In 1882 the Women's Foreign Missionary Society was organized, auxiliary to the New Haven branch of the Woman's Board.
Mrs. A. C. Pierce was the first president and Mrs. Julia W. Skidmore was appointed the first secretary and treasurer of the society. After the death of Mrs. Pierce in 1889 Mrs. Skidmore was acting president. In 1895 Mrs. Cyrus W. Francis was elected president and served until 1904. In 1904 Mrs. William Geddes became "the president, serving three years, or until 1907. Monthly meetings have been conducted during the twenty-five years since organization. For the last five years a systematic study of foreign mission fields
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and their needs has been entered into by the society. Between five and six hundred dollars have been con- tributed by this society to the cause of foreign mis- sions.
The faithful and efficient secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Julia W. Skidmore, after serving this society for twenty-five years, resigned in April, 1907.
In October, 1906, on the occasion of the one hun- dredth anniversary of the birth of the foreign mis- sionary movement in this country, three members of the society attended the exercises at Williamstown, Mass.
Home Missionary Department
In 1840 a Young Ladies' Benevolent Society was organized with a constitution written for it by the Rev. Mr. Day. The society numbered about thirty- five members, meeting at stated times. The last record preserved of this society is August, 1849. In 1848 they record meeting at the town house three successive weeks to quilt for home missionaries.
The Ladies' Industrial Society of the Congregational Church was organized in 1882, the purpose of the so- ciety being to assist in the pecuniary and benevolent work of the church. Mrs. Sarah Roe Hawley was for some years the secretary and treasurer.
In 1897 the Ladies' Industrial Society became aux- iliary to the Connecticut Woman's Congregational
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ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH
Home Missionary Union. The society has contributed yearly to home missions in the form of cash gifts, and boxes of clothing sent to deserving institutions ; besides assisting families in the parish. This society has made liberal donations to the church society at various times to assist them to build and repair church property.
Since 1890 the Ladies' Industrial Society has earned and expended in this way more than two thousand dollars. We cannot speak too highly of their en- deavors.
Mrs. Frederick S. Curtis has been the president of the society since 1892. Miss Amelia I. Northrop, the secretary and treasurer since 1891.
The present membership is twenty-one. The officers elected January, 1907, are: President, Mrs. F. S. Curtis ; vice president, Mrs. W. B. Roe; secretary and treasurer, Miss A. I. Northrop ; directresses, Mrs. E. G. Peck, Mrs. Austin Smith, Mrs. W. C. Geddes.
The Junior Sewing Society, organized in 1902, has been successful, and in 1906 purchased the fine, new piano for the chapel, with money earned by the society. Miss Peck, Miss Curtis, Miss Skidmore, Miss Somers, and Mrs. Roe have been patronesses.
The Sabbath School
I am unable to ascertain the date of organization. The first mention of the school occurs in the church
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records in the year 1833; it was then in operation. Sabbath schools were quite generally organized in Fairfield County, east district, in 1821. We are war- ranted in assuming that this school was gathered as early as 1821, my opinion being that it was much earlier. It has been a strong factor in the life of this church for more than three quarters of a century. Hundreds of children and young people have come un- der its uplifting influences, some going forth to as- sume larger work in other fields.
Modern text-books for Bible study, music, and good literature have combined to hold the attention of the young. Within the last ten years, the largest total en- rolment occurred in 1901, at which time the member- ship of the school was 140. The enrolment of this school as given last December (1906) was 130 pupils and officers.
A "Home Department," organized in 1890, has brought into affiliation with the school those who are unable to attend its sessions; its members take up a course of Bible study.
Sunday School Library
The Sabbath school library, numbering more than five hundred volumes, has for the past twelve years, or since 1895, been in charge of the efficient librarian, Miss Amelia I. Northrop.
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ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH
The annual benevolences of the school include con- tributions to the State Sunday School Association, Mission and Publishing societies, Fresh-air fund of New York City, Lincoln Memorial Association, Morn- ing Star Mission, Library fund.
About two hundred dollars annually pass through the hands of the treasurer of the school.
The Christian Endeavor Society
This organization, known as the "First Young Peo- ples' Society of Christian Endeavor of Brookfield," was organized October 6, 1889, under the direction of the pastor, Rev. Henry B. Mead. The first officers of this society were: President, Mr. H. E. Tuttle; vice president, Miss Theodora Skidmore; treasurer, Miss Somers.
This society has conducted a Sabbath evening meet- ing weekly for eighteen years, the first Sabbath of each month being a consecration meeting. Its work is con- ducted through the following four committees, namely, prayer meeting, lookout, social and music, missionary and calling.
The present officers of the society are: President, William Blackman; vice president, Dr. Ryder; treas- urer, Mrs. C. A. Ryder; recording secretary, Mary Bowdy ; corresponding secretary, W. Blackman.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH
Temperance Societies in Newbury-Brookfield Connected with this Church and Town
Our Pilgrim ancestors were not all abstainers from the intoxicating cup. The sale of liquors had not then become a distinct business under a license system, but were sold with other commodities at the village stores. Science had not investigated the nature of alcoholic drinks and reported to the world its findings.
In 1750 the churches of Fairfield County were ad- vised to hold a fast on account of abounding intemper- ance. After the Revolutionary War, it was observed that intemperance had become alarmingly on the in- crease. Liquors were freely used on all public occa- sions, including funerals, both by the clergy and laity. Temperance agitation commenced early in 1800. In 1812 the General Assembly of Connecticut recom- mended the churches "not to introduce ardent spirits at association meetings."
Rev. Lyman Beecher, the pastor at Litchfield, preached from his famous pulpit some remarkable ser- mons on the evils of intemperance which attracted wide attention through New England. The American Tem- perance Society was organized in 1828, and within four years three thousand total abstinence societies were in operation with a membership of more than three hundred thousand.
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ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH
The Brookfield Temperance Society was organized in July, 1830, auxiliary to the county society. The first officers were: President Heman Birch, Esq .; vice presidents, Isaac Gray and Alva Smith, Esq .; secretary, Dr. Chauncey Stuart. In 1833 Mr. Hiram Fairchild was elected president, and Capt. Sidney Hawley was secretary.
The men officially connected with the Brookfield Temperance Society for the following years were: Peter Hubbell, Burr Northrop, Luther Smith, Wol- cott Northrop, Joel Baldwin, Abel Taylor, Horace Northrop, and Nelson Osborne. The records of this society show the names of one hundred and eighty signers, names still familiar to the older people here.
The Washingtonian movement was inaugurated here in Brookfield in 1843, the purpose being to carry on the reformation so happily begun, to reform the drunkard and aid in forming a correct public sentiment with regard to the use and traffic in intoxicating drinks.
Washingtonian societies were formed rapidly, and within a year or two nearly every town in Connecticut organized a society. A feature of this movement was the "Cold Water Army," the children's society. The records of the Connecticut Washingtonian Temper- ance Association show that in 1844 the society at Brookfield numbered six hundred members who had
ยท
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taken the pledge (238 men and 232 women signers). The Cold Water Army numbered one hundred and fifty children. A temperance choir was formed, which did good service in visiting neighboring towns and school districts where meetings were held, and tem- perance interest awakened by means of good singing and addresses.
The Sons of Temperance organized in Brookfield about the year 1852, and at the same time the young people perfected an organization known as the "Cadets," which became a popular auxiliary. The temperance movement, known as the "Murphy Cam- paign," did not reach Brookfield, although large meet- ings were held at Danbury and New Milford in 1877 and later.
A local branch of the Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union was organized in Brookfield in 1903, and conducts monthly meetings, the membership being thirty women. The present officers are: President, Miss Emily C. Hawley; secretary, Mrs. Emma J. Smith; treasurer, Mrs. Ellen D. Vroman.
We do not forget that Hon. Neal Dow, "father of prohibitory law," was a New Englander; also the greatest orator the temperance reform ever had, John B. Gough.
It is encouraging to reflect upon the fact that in this year of grace (1907) more than one half of the terri-
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tory in these United States is under prohibitory liquor laws. Total abstinence has become a fundamental requirement in every important business and pro- fession.
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CHAPTER VIII
ANNIVERSARY DAYS IN NEW ENGLAND
The Sesqui-Centennial of First Congregational Church, Brookfield, Conn.
A century and a half, or two centuries, of struggle and hard work having passed, our New England towns and villages are taking time to celebrate their achieve- ments, and review the past. The sons and daughters of the early families who went out from these towns are being invited to return and renew their old asso- ciations. Probate and town records are searched for facts, and we look with keen appreciation on the efforts of the early settlers to preserve the events of their time for future generations. That they were men of resources and capacity there is no doubt; not- withstanding their limited conditions they did a work that abides. We are beginning to feel a tender appre- ciation for the men and the time just behind us.
In August, 1905, Newtown, our neighbor on the south, celebrated in an appropriate and delightful man- ner her bi-centennial.
In June, 1907, New Milford invited us to participate in her splendid bi-centennial exercises, which were so
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ANNIVERSARY DAYS IN NEW ENGLAND
greatly enjoyed by all who attended the celebration. Also occurred in June, 1907, at Stratford, an ecclesi- astical anniversary, namely, the bi-centennial of the establishing of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, which anniversary was participated in by a large num- ber of persons from the towns of the state.
We must not forget, either, the anniversaries of our poets and literary men, of whom New England is so justly proud.
In February, 1907, occurred the centenary of Long- fellow's birth, the first of all our poets to catch the ear of the people and hold their hearts. Longfellow has rendered an abiding service to history in giving us "Hiawatha," which preserves the life and habits of the Indian race; and in the "Courtship of Miles Standish" has made immortal the Pilgrims at Plymouth; in "Evangeline" he has rendered a similar service.
In May, 1907, we commemorated the one hundredth anniversary of Emerson's birth; a man who had eight generations of clergymen behind him, whose teachings have influenced thousands, and whose genius can hardly be measured.
In connection with these events should be recorded the fact that this summer tablets have been placed in the Hall of Fame in New York City to three eminent New England women who were teachers of wide influence, namely : To Mrs. Emma Willard, founder of
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the Troy Female Seminary in 1821. Mrs. Willard was a native of Connecticut. To Mary Lyon, founder of Mt. Holyoke Seminary, now College, in 1837, who left an abiding impression on the religious and educa- tional life of America. To Maria Mitchell, the as- tronomer of Nantucket, who received international fame.
Would space permit we might mention many other New England anniversaries and events in which a deep interest has been taken, but must turn to our own-the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration of the First Congregational Church of Brookfield, Conn.
At the annual meeting of the church in January, 1906, the initial steps were taken, and an anniversary committee was appointed to take the matter into con- sideration. Definite plans for a celebration were not made, however, until early in the spring of 1907, at which time the general committee met, and appointed their subcommittees. These committees as finally ap- pointed were as follows :-
THE GENERAL ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE
Mr. Clarence E. Vroman, chairman; Rev. Marion L. Burton, Mrs. Marion L. Burton, Mr. Frederick S. Curtis, Miss Emily C. Hawley, Mr. Sidney E. Hawley, Miss Amelia I. Northrop.
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ANNIVERSARY DAYS IN NEW ENGLAND
SUBCOMMITTEES
Music :- Mr. Herbert W. Greene.
Finance :- Mr. William H. Blackman, Mr. William S. Geddes, Mr. Clarence W. Keeler, Miss Minnie S. Somers.
Publicity :- Rev. Marion L. Burton, Mr. Frederick S. Curtis, Dr. Charles A. Ryder.
Invitation :- Miss Wilhelmine Skidmore, Miss Mary A. Bateman, Miss Mae F. Peck, Miss Jessie M. Roe.
Decoration :- Miss Amelia I. Northrop, Mr. Law- rence Curtis, Miss Gertrude A. Elsenboss, Mrs. Henry L. Foote, Mrs. Austin Smith, Miss Theodate Sprague, Mr. Samuel Thornhill, Miss Jennie Wildenrath, Miss Irene Worden.
Town Decoration :- Mr. Sidney E. Hawley, Mr. Lucius S. Hawley.
Conveyance :- Mr. Frederick S. Frisbie, Mr. Axel F. Gustafson, Mr. Henry B. Hawley, Mr. Hamilton Hendrickson, Mr. Frederick Johnson, Mr. William B. Roe.
Collation :- Mrs. Frederick S. Curtis, Mrs. Andrew G. Anderson, Mrs. William S. Geddes, Mrs. Eliza G. Peck, Mrs. William B. Roe, Miss Florence M. Vroman.
Reception and Entertainment :- Mr. Frederick S.
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Curtis, Mrs. Marion L. Burton, Miss Emily C. Hawley, Mr. Sidney E. Hawley, Miss Theodora Skidmore.
Loan Exhibit :- Miss Amelia I. Northrop.
THE CHAPEL
December 28, 1906, it was voted that we as a church desire a chapel, and purpose to raise $5,000 for the erection of the same and for the redecorating of our present house of worship.
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