USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Stratford > The quarto-millennial anniversary of the Congregational Church of Stratford, Connecticut. The historical address by the pastor, and a full report of all the exercises, September 5th, 1889 > Part 9
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Holding firmly to these principals, our fathers, here in Stratford, associated themselves with the Hartford, or Con- necticut Colony which was then more liberal in its attitude than the nearer Colony of New Haven, in which none but church members were allowed a participation in the privileges of citizenship. They were husbandman, whose planting the generations have honored. The history of the church of Stratford is the abundant harvest, which we now contemplate with gratitude to God, and with admiration for his servants, our ancestors. But the end is not yet. Seed-time has not gone by forever. We, too, have duties, which are comparable to theirs. The principles which we have received, are capable of further development. The Holy Bible is not exhausted. John Robinson's memorable remark about its contents is still in order. Liberty has grander triumphs to record. We are in the line of a noble succession. Those who come after us, may rise up, and call us blessed. Let us thank God for the opportunity ! Let us address ourselves to the rare and sacred privilege!
On the famous rock at Plymouth in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a splendid monument was recently dedicated with impressive ceremonies. More than two centuries and a half had passed since the Pilgrims left the Mayflower and landed upon those shores. To commemorate the principles of that distinguished ancestry, the Plymouth monument is to stand through the centuries. Upon a granite pedestal, a sculptured figure of Faith is raised. In her left hand, there is an open Bible, while with her right hand she points up- ward, to the divine source of all true inspiration. At her feet are statues of Education, Law, Morality, and Freedom-all reverently submissive to her firm, yet gentle authority. "Hon- ored names are on the pedestal, and sculptured tablets repre- sent the chief scenes of their career, the embarkation, the com- pact, the landing, and the first treaty with the Indians; but
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overshadowing all are the embodiments of those immutable principles, which lifted them above the level of their priva- tions and disappointments, and enabled their heroic spirits to soar with serene and constant poise in the higher atmosphere of faith and hope."
The conception of the artist, so grandly expressed in granite language is an eloquent tribute to the Pilgrims and a sugges- tive lesson to their children. The faith, which studied the Holy Bible, and referred the interests of daily life to Him, who guides and judges righteously, delayed not to establish Education and Law, Morality and Freedom, in every new com- munity, which found a home on the banks of broad rivers, or in fertile valleys, or even amidst the forest shades. Faith in God and in the Word of God secured these inestimable bles- sings, when as yet the struggle for existence was a desperate conflict. The seed was planted, and the promise of the har- vest seemed .far away. But faith looks into the future. The distant is real, and often visible to faith. The Pilgrims were living for those, who should come after them. They left the impress of a holy faith upon institutions, which are essential to a civilized life. Theirs was the grand initiative; ours is the wise development; later centuries will enjoy the complete fruition. Elementary work at the beginning; careful disci- pline in the process; a splendid order at the end.
Education : A simple school-house then, commanding uni- versities now; a few books donated by Christian ministers then, the precious treasures of immense libraries in every con- siderable town now ; a few studies then, divinity, medicine and law, the professions of learned men, a wealth of science and art and literature now, with men of learning in every important vocation ; instruction by teachers and ministers of religion then ; instruction now by the press in every use of the printed page. A marvellous advance ! A progress almost incredible! Look, with the eyes of John Harvard, who in 1638 left his library and the half of his estate to the feeble college at Newtown; and then look with your own eyes at that college, now the University of Cambridge, with its corps of instructors, and its roll of students, and its magnificent history! What shall
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· the future be ? What is before education in the coming years ? Who can predict? Certainly, there will be wisdom and safety in holding education in subordination to Faith, where it was placed by the Pilgrims in the early years. An education, which considers all knowledge, and then brings its treasures to a Faith, whose gaze is Godward, is the pledge of the finest pro- duct of civilization, the perfect man in the likeness of Jesus Christ. With you and with me, the active men of the present generation, rests a result, so desirable. Let us be faithful!
Law: Justice administered by council and governor then, by an alliance of church and State; justice, conserved to-day by the most august tribunal in the world-the Supreme Court of the United States-from whose decisions there is no appeal, and seldom a desire to appeal. What shall the future be? Shall the dignity of law be maintained and increased? Is it possible to make respect for law equal to standing armies and large companies of police? Can we hope that law, among a free people, will exercise so powerful an influence that offences will cease, and prisons will become useless? Surely, we shall be assisted in this desirable endeavor, if Faith has a recog- nized supremacy, in which the authority of the heart-search- ing God is impressed upon the citizen. Law may subdue the lawless, and record its triumphs in a virtuous social order, and then offer to Faith, whose gaze is Godward a happy peo- ple, whose God is the Lord. With you and with me, the active men of this generation, Law finds its dependence. Let us be faithful !
Morality: Stern, rigid, uncompromising then, more gen- tle, sympathetic, pervasive, yes, and Christ-like now. The gain is evident. The morality of to day is not an easy expe- diency, which finds honesty the best policy and so is honest; but it is an integrity, a purity, a catholicity, a nobility, which has never been equalled since the Sermon on the Mount was preached. This we affirm in the face of a complaisant pessi- mism, which is fond of criticizing public men and public measures, while abundantly satisfied with personal merit and individual attainment. But criticism can never be judicious, if it finds honesty only by standing before a looking-glass,
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and iniquity always by going to the window to observe the crowded street. But while we thus speak, we are not content. Who can ever be content, if it is possible to be better than we are? Morality calls for self-denying effort. There is much to be done. Faith must rule. God must become the author- ity. The Decalogue is a Statute-Book of perpetual obligation. Happy will it be for us, if our morality shall be so intimately associated with Faith, whose gaze is Godward, that the pres- sure of a divine obligation shall be felt, and the hope of a divine approval shall become an inspiration. With you and with me, the active men of this generation, rests the morality of the coming years. Let us be faithful!
And Freedom: what shall we say of freedom? The Fa- thers believed in a freedom, which has written many a dark and distressing chapter of our nation's history. Our freedom is an advance upon theirs. We rebuke persecution: we call no man a slave: we frown upon bigotry: we welcome the op- pressed. Yet freedom, in many quarters, is the synonym of license; and in many others, it is only a name, which covers cruel bigotry and wicked deeds. We have yet to present to the world a Freedom, which is the expression of Education, Law, and Morality; a Freedom, which utters its "Our Fa- ther" in daily prayer, and then considers "Our Brethren" in daily conduct; a Freedom, which looks up to Faith, whose gaze is Godward, and confesses that in the Holy Bible is to be found the liberty, wherewith Christ makes free. Thus the suggestion of the Fathers awaits its clear interpretation in the associated life of a great nation, whose strength and wealth are the evident dangers of an unexampled prosperity. To you and to me, the active men of this generation, God has committed this great trust. Let us be faithful, so that our fellow-men, in later years, may enjoy a Freedom, which will prove a perfect brotherhood.
Thus we stand at the close of the years, so memorable. Looking back, we salute the honored sires, whose names we reverence, and whose deeds we prize: looking about us, we exhort our fellow-men, whose toil we share and whose fellow- ship we now enjoy: looking onward, we hail the generations
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yet unborn with promise and with hope, pledging them the safe transmission of the fathers' principles, not as glittering gems, the same to-day as when first discovered, but as precious seed, planted and re-planted, and planted still again to sup- port the life of man upon the earth and ever to yield a plant- ing for those who will be here in other years.
The scene, brighter now than it was two hundred and fifty years ago, will be brighter two hundred and fifty years hence than it is to-day-and in this place, as elsewhere, the Lord of Life and Glory shall come, responsively to Faith, to pronounce his commendation upon Education, Law, Morality, and Free- dom, as exhibited in the land to which the Pilgrims brought their germinal principles.
"Down the dark future, thro' long generations, The echoing sounds grow fainter, and then cease, And like a bell, with solemn, sweet vibrations, I hear, once more, the voice of Christ say, 'Peace.'
' Peace,' and no longer from its brazen portals The blast of war's.rude organ shakes the skies, But beautiful as songs of the immortals The holy melodies of love arise."
MR. IVES. Even the brightest day draws to its close; and so these most delightful exercises must be concluded. Let us join in singing the 155th hymn, after which the benediction will be pronounced by Mr. Holden, of the Olivet Church, Bridgeport.
BENEDICTION.
REV. E. K. HOLDEN.
AND now may the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift upon you the light of His countenance and give you peace. Amen.
€
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Congregational Church, Stratford, .
Frontispiece.
Church Decorations, Looking West, Interior of Old Church,
. 38
Collation Tables at Town Hall,
. 45
Church Decorations, Looking East,
76
Old Congregational Church,
92
Collection of Relics in Lecture Room,
82
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9
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NOTE .- The Committee on Publication are indebted to F. C. Beach, Esq., for photo- graphs, and to Deacon R. B. Lacey for electrotype used in illustrating this book.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Address, Historical, Rev. J. S. Ives, 16
Of Welcome, Rev. J. S. Ives, 47
Rev. William K. Hall, D.D.,
95
Rev. Frank S. Fitch, 100
Rev. Henry M. Booth, D.D.,
107
Anniversary Hymn, Rev. J. S. Ives,
11
Benediction, Rev. J. S. Ives, 44
Rev. John G. Davenport, 90
Rev. E. K. Holden,
115
Committees, List of .
5
Communion, .
42
Greeting to the Children, etc., Rev. William K. Hall, D. D., 48 Rev. Frank S. Fitch. 52
Prayer, Rev. G. F. Prentiss,
12
Rev. C. R. Palmer, D.D., .
13
Rev. Frank S. Fitch, (Communion),
43
Rev. H. A. Davenport, (Blessing, Collation),
45
Rev. G. W. Judson, 46
Rev. Alfred E. Ives,
93
Programme, .
Reading of Scriptures, Rev. J. A. Freeman, Rev. Charles L. Pardee, 93
13
Response, Woodbury South, Rev. J. A. Freeman,
50
First Church Bridgeport, Rev. C. R. Palmer, D. D., . Newtown, Rev. J. P. Hoyt,
57
Huntington, Rev. A. J. Park, .
61
Trumbull, H. L. Fairchild, Esq.,
62
Monroe, Dea. W. Wells Lewis, .
65
Southbury, Rev. David C. Pierce,
67
Bethlehem, Rev. J. P. Trowbridge,
69
Washington, Dea. E. W. Woodruff, 51
' South Britain, Mr. John Pierce. 74
Woodbury North, Rev. J. L. R. Wyckoff, 76
South Church, Bridgeport, Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, . 59
8
Park Street, Bridgeport, Rev. H. C. Hovey, D.D., . Olivet, Bridgeport, J. J. Rose, Esq., . .
85
West End, Bridgeport, Dea. J. W. Northrop, . 87
55
Rev. William K. Hall, D.D., (Communion), 42
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