exercises. We could but feel and see the favoring smile of that good Providence, who has so wisely and tenderly watched over this church during the two centuries of its existence. At an early hour, the people of this and the neighboring towns began to assemble, the streets were lined with vehicles of every description which had come from the hills and valleys of the "ancient town,” and the church was almost immediately filled to its utmost capacity. Settees and chairs were carried into the aisles above and below. The vestibule and every place where standing room could be found were immediately filled, while there was a large crowd without, which could gain no admission. There must have been more than 1,500 people in attendance. As a test of this estimate, it may be remarked, that 1,000 collation tickets had been issued, and yet it became necessary for the committee to admit large numbers, who had not been provided with tickets.

Pursuant to the admirably arranged programme of Dea. P. M. Trowbridge, chairman of the general committee, the exercises commenced precisely at 10 A. M., by the great congregation rising and singing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." The reading of an appropriate selection of scripture, and prayer by the pastor next followed, after which the congregation sang the old, familiar hymn,-"Ye tribes of Adam join," &c. This was followed by a carefully prepared historical sermon by the pastor, of great beauty and excellence, briefly narrating the history of the church and its pastors for two hundred years.

OPENING PRAYER.

O Lord, Thou alone art great-glorious-good! Hence we would adore and serve Thee. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; but the fathers, where are they? And the Prophets-do they live forever? Alas! Alas! We do all fade as a leaf. Thou carriest us away as with a flood. We spend our years as a tale that is told. But Thou art the same and of Thy years there is no end. Thou hast been the dwelling place of Thy people in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting Thou art God; and Thou hast ever had thoughts of mercy and love toward the children of men. We praise Thee for their early manifestation in the prediction of Thy word and in the advent of Jesus Christ Thy Son and our Saviour. We adore Thee for the Church set up in His name and which is graven upon the palms of Thy

hands, guarded by Thy power, guided by Thy wisdom and against which Thou hast said the gates of hell shall never prevail. We especially praise Thee at this time for Thy guidance and care of our ancestors in planting a branch thereof in this place. Thou didst cause them to go forth like a flock. Thou didst cast out the heathen before them and divided them an inheritance by line. The wilderness and solitary place soon became glad for them, and the desert rejoiced and blossomed as the rose. They trused in Thee and Thou didst deliver them from fears and foes; didst prosper the work of their hands. Yea, Thou didst cause the little one to become a thousand and the small one a strong nation. In consequence of their faith, forecast, labor, the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, and we have a goodly heritage. We have pleasant and fruitful fields, quiet and happy homes, rich and rare, civil, educational and religious privileges. Gathered here in Thy Sanctuary after the lapse of centuries to review the history of Thy dealings, we find that goodness and mercy followed our fathers and havé followed us. We would therefore recall their virtues and catch a new impulse from all that was noble and Christ-like in their example and strive to perfect and perpetuate their work. We know O Lord that it is Thy will, that one generation should praise Thy works to another and abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness that men may set their hope in Thee. We praise Thee for our free government and beneficent institutions, with the righteous peace vouchsafed unto us. We entreat Thy blessing upon our President and all in authority in State and Nation, that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. We pray Thee to bless our Colleges, Schools, Churches, that the Gospel may permeate the land and drive out from it, all ignorance, error, vice, irreligion, and make us a people to Thy praise. And we beseech Thee to send the disenthralling life-giving Gospel over the Globe, that Jesus may speedily have the heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his posessions. And now, O Lord, we humbly invoke Thy presence and blessing during this sacred Jubilee, Smile upon the associated Churches here represented, and those who are to take part in these exercises, that they may utter fitting and forceful words, for our profit and Thy Glory, O Lord, shine Thou upon us from Thy throne of light and love. Yea, grant us the favor which Thou bearest unto Thy people, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Redeemer. Amen.

BI-CENTENNIAL DISCOURSE.

BY THE REV. GURDON W. NOYES.

"I HAVE CONSIDERED THE DAYS OF OLD: THE YEARS OF ANCIENT TIMES."--Psalm 77: 5.

To many in this age there is little enchantment in the distant past. The present is so full of duty and enjoyment, and the future is so bright with hope and promise, that they readily forget "The days of old, the years of ancient times." Hereby they lose much of help and cheer in their life-work. It is, as we trace our connection with departed worthies, and realize our indebtedness to them for present privileges and blessings, that we are incited to emulate their virtues, and fitly labor for posterity and Heaven. Today this church completes a history of two hundred years. Within this period great events have transpired on this globe in rapid succession; events which have changed the entire face of human society. Empires have been built up and cast down; nations have been born and buried; modes of government, and systems of opinion, have flourished and decayed, and yet amid all these changes, this church has continued steadfast in its faith and worship. Its founders ere long passed away, but they left behind a godly seed, and so from generation to generation this candlestick of the Lord has been kept in its place, and from it has ever shone forth the pure light of the Gospel. It is a fitting time to trace its course, recall the bright names identified with it, and note Heaven's favor toward it. The church and congregation of to-day, on whom has devolved the duty of arranging this celebration, do here and now, through, me, most heartily welcome to these sacred festivities all who are drawn hither by filial or fraternal affection. Let us together scan the wisdom and love of God in planting this goodly vine near the Indian wigwam, and keeping it in such vigorous growth down the ages, and join our earnest petitions that it may continue to flourish in the future, ever covering the hills with its shadow, and extending its boughs like goodly cedars.

The church has been signally fortunate in receiving one from another State, William Cothren, Esq., who, in filial love, and with great skill and fidelity, has written her history, and that of the

town as well. In this, her records, and kindred sources, I have found such rare and rich materials for a historic sketch, as to be puzzled in deciding what to leave out, so as to bring it within proper limits, and have it symmetrical and just. Aiming only at impartiality, pertinence, accuracy, I frankly submit my work to your kind and Christian consideration.

In 1650 the churches of New England began to be agitated by what was termed the half-way covenant system. By this system persons of good moral character, recognizing baptism, assenting to the creed, and signifying their intention of becoming true Christians, were admitted to all the rights and privileges of church members, except partaking of the Lord's Supper. Controversy rose to such a pitch upon the matter, that a council of leading ministers convened in Boston, in 1647, to deliberate upon it, and they decided in its favor. The church in Stratford did not believe in the practice, and would not adopt it, even after the decision. A respectable minority, however, clung to it, and were uneasy at its disregard, and the more so as they felt that it was largely owing to the influence of Mr. Chauncy, who had been recently settled against their wishes. By earnest argument, and fraternal remonstrance, they sought to secure accordance of views, or if not that, an arrangement by which each party could have its own minister, and worship at different hours of the Sabbath in the same sanctuary. According to the custom of the day, the aid of the general court was called in. The discussion was keen and spirited on both sides, though dignified and courteous. As the result, early in 1668, the minority had the civil sanction to obtain their own minister, and had three hours of the Sabbath to worship in the Sanctuary. They soon engaged Rev. Zechariah Walker, a licentiate from Jamaica, L, I., to act as their pastor. But their position was still unpleasant and unsatisfactory, as the other party would allow them no use of the church, and spoke of their unordained minister to his and their disparagement. So, despairing of any agreement, they determined to set up for themselves. They appointed a day for the purpose, and spending most of it in prayer for the Lord's guidance and blessing, they entered into solemn covennat with God, and one another. Then calling neighboring churches together, and renewing that covenant, which is a model for brevity, scripturalness and beauty, they were constituted the second church in Stratford, on May 5th, 1670, and Mr. Walker was ordained their pastor. Twenty males comprised the church at its outset. Some of them

forcasting separation as the probable relief from their difficulties, had made provision for a new sphere for growth and enjoyment, by applying to purchase lands of the Indians, as early as 1667. Accordingly, at the suggestion of Gov. Winthrop, who deemed the course best for the churches and the colony, the court, in May, 1672, granted them the privilege of erecting a plantation at Pomperaug. Early the next spring twenty-five families migrated to this place, then a wilderness. Mr. Walker divided his ministrations between this flock and that at Stratford until June, 1678, when he moved here. Seventeen more had been added to the church, and so it started as the first church of Woodbury, with thirty-seven members, six of whom were females, and full one-third of the half-way covenant type. Yet, few as they were in numbers, busied as they were in procuring food and houses for their families, beset as they were with difficulties of every kind, beyond our conception, they cheerfully undertook the sustainment of the Gospel in their midst. They sequestered lands for the use of their pastor, and freely taxed themselves for his support. At first religious services were held in each other's houses in winter, and in summer on the east side of the Orenaug Rocks, with sentinels stationed on their summits, to guard against sudden attack from hostile Indians. On this account the name of Bethel Rock has been given to the spot. In later times, good men, their descendants and others, have repaired thither for meditation and prayer. Hence, though beautiful in itself, with its surroundings of tree, shrub and flower, and for its clear out-look upon the charming valley, it is more so for its historic incidents and hallowed associations. For several years, during King Philip's war, the people were so absorbed in erecting fortified houses, furnishing soldiers for the colony, and providing guards for their own safety, that they could do nothing toward supplying themselves with a place of public worship. But early in 1681, when the stress of care and peril had passed, they took the matter up, and after some little difference of opinion as to the site, they came to a pleasant agreement by leaving the decision to two prominent and disinterested outsiders. The house was at once erected, and stood just below the present residence of Hon. Nathaniel B. Smith. It was large and plain, with pulpit opposite the entrance, and with elevated pews and high-backed seats. The people were called to worship therein by the peculiar tap of a drum upon the high rock nearly opposite. Here Mr. Walker preached the word until his death in 1700, at 63