and Salem,' and on the festival of St. John the Evangelist, on the 27th day of December, 1797, the first officers of Harmony Lodge were installed by Bro. Jesse Beach, of Derby, then Deputy G. Master. Harmony Lodge then and there commenced her work; a work that she has carried on for 68 years, adding, we humbly trust, some good square 'ashlars' to the great temple of Masonry.

"Previous to this time, many of the brethren had been compelled to go from ten to fifteen miles to attend Lodge; and permit me to say that their regular attendance, as it appears upon the records, should put to shame some of our modern Masons, who can not make it convenient to attend lodge, though living almost within the shadow of its portals.

During the terrible convulsion through which our country has passed, churches have been rent in sunder, societies have been scattered to the four winds of heaven, social relations between the two sections have been destroyed; but Masonry has stood firm and immovable, repelling every attack that has been made upon her, like some vast New England rock which the waves buffet in vain! While the strife lasted, Masonry could do but little. She can never gain laurels upon the tented field, or in the wild havoc of war. She can only protect the fallen, comfort and relieve the wounded, and gently bury the dead. Now that Peace once more waves her olive branch over the nation, it is for Masonry to do her work. The day of noble deeds and manly daring is not yet closed. There are still broad fields in which we can work and win crowns that shall never decay, laurels that shall bloom in fadeless beauty forever."

Rev. William T. Bacon, though not a member of the Order, was present as an invited guest, and being called on to reply to the toast "CHARITY," responded:

"The speaker, en route to the east 't'other day

Met his friend, "Master" Lewis-yes, right in his way;
"You sir-all th' elité-have express invitation
To be present with us at our grand celebration;
Where sermons, historic addresses, and toasts,
And last, tho' not least, Mr. Kelly's good roasts,
Are expected-believed too-if anything can,
To fill full, and satisfy every man."

And he added, (you all know his genteel persuasion,)
"You'll give us a word, just to grace the occasion."

Now my friend Lewis knows mankind has its weak side;
Would he tickle my vanity, or touch my pride?

Or resort to that other power which so far reaches,
Would he snare me with dear Mrs. Kelly's good dishes

Well, whatever his motive, he caught me, that's certain,
And he's got me here under this wide-spreading curtain,
And demands that I give, in response to his whim,
This sentiment, song, or

Rev. Jno. Churchill, Pastor of the North Congregational Church, Woodbury, replied to a call from the Brethren:

"OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF KING SOLOMON'S LODGE:

"It was the custom of Dr. Dwight, when lecturing to his classes, to inveigh in good set terms against the use of tobacco, somewhat in this wise:

"Young gentlemen, [taking a full pinch of rappee' from his vest pocket] never be guilty of using [applying it to both apertures in his nasal organ] tobacco [repeating the dose] in any

form. It is a very [applying pinch number three as aforesaid] deleterious practice! [Finishing the balance between his thumb and two fingers]. So I am about to recommend to all the young men present to do what I have never done, which is to send in at once to King Solomon's Lodge their applications to be made Masons. Should any one here suggest that I ought to practice what I preach, I reply, that were I not somewhat advanced in life, I would most certainly petition, myself, for initation.

"In making this recommendation, I do it, I think, for good and sufficient reasons. As I remarked upon a former occasion,1 I saw the open Bible borne before you in procession. That act assured me that Masonry teaches a respect and reverence for the Scriptures. If there were nothing else to recommend the institution, that alone would be sufficient to convince me that the aims and objects of Masonry are good.

"But this is not the only argument which commends Masonry to the approval of my judgment and conscience. If I understand its cardinal principle, it is charity, which is declared by St. Paul to be the greatest of these three.' I cannot but conclude, therefore, that an institution which inculcates a reverence for the Bible, as 'God's most inestimable gift to man,' and which is built upon charity as its chief corner-stone, is entitled to the esteem of every man who loves his race.

"There is yet another reason that makes me a friend to Free Masonry. An institution which has stood, as I am credibly informed, since the building of King Solomon's Temple, surviving the wreck of dynasties, and empires, and nations, must be established upon a good and worthy foundation-must be a promoter of good and worthy objects.

"For these and other reasons, which to me seem incontrovertible, I have no hesitation, bere, in this public manner, and before this assembly, in giving your fraternity the humble endorsement of my honest esteem and confidence.

"Again, I recommend every young man who hears me to apply for initiation into the mysteries of the Order, who have celebrated this joyous anniversary in so decorous and becoming a manner, if it be good, to support and advance its interests; and if it be bad, to right or restrain the evil.

1 In an address at the funeral of Merritt Thompson, a member of King Solomon's Lodge.

"I thank you, gentlemen of the Masonic society, for your flattering invitation to speak upon this pleasant occasion, and for your kind attention to the unpremeditated thoughts which I have offered for your consideration."

Thus ended the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of King Solomon's Lodge. More than five hundred Masons were present, from different parts of the State, and, according to estimates made by those accustomed to large gatherings, more than five thousand persons were in the streets to witness the imposing procession.

May the brethren who in 1965 celebrate the two hundredth anniversary of King Solomon's Lodge, have as pleasant an occasion as their forefathers, of this year of Grace, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and of Masonry, five thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

So MOTE IT BE!

E now come to the next, and, to this date, the
last celebration in Woodbury, that of the First
Congregational Church, held May 5th, 1870,
Although the change between the old and new

styles has made eleven days difference in dating, and so the celebration should have been on the 16th of May, to be accurate in the present mode, instead of the 5th, yet it was thought advisable for various reasons to hold the celebration on the 5th of May; thus corresponding with the record, though the precession of the equinoxes, and "man's devices," had made a change in the way of dating. A succint report was made by the writer of the proceedings in said celebration, and he has carefully examined it to see if he could in any way condense it for the purposes of this history, and yet do justice to the occasion. But he has been unable to see where it could be judiciously curtailed, and so it is here introduced almost entire :

For several years past it had been a matter of consultation and agreement between the writer and Dea. Philo M. Trowbridge, that when the Bi Centennial year of the existence of our Church approached, they would suggest to the brethren the desirability of a proper observance of its natal day. It was thought to be appropriate to celebrate so joyous an anniversary. It was belived to be well to set up a monument to mark the passage of the ages. It was thought fitting that the Church, which had for two hundred years acknowledged the same confession of faith, and "owned the same covenant," written and adopted by the fathers by the shores of Long Island Sound, taken "from out the Word," should, with devout joy and thanksgiving, render praise to Almighty God for all His wonderful mercies toward it. We could do no less than to render thanks to the Lord. It seemed to redound to His glory and our great good.

In accordance with these views, the subject was brought before the Church, and the following action was taken by it and the Committee of its appointment:

"ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,

SEPT. 16, 1869.

"Voted, That Deacons Trowbridge and Linsley, and Brother William Cothren be a Committee with power to make full arrangements for a public observance, on the 5th day of May next, of the Two-Hundredth Anniversary of the organizetion of this Church.”

The Committee held its first formal meeting February 22, 1870, and, after due consideration,

"Voted, That the Mother Church, at Stratford, and the six daughters of this, be invited to be present, and participate in the exercises.

Voted, That the Pastor be invited to deliver the sermon, and that he invite the Pastor of the Church at Stratford to assist him at the Communion.

Voted, That Brother Cothren be instructed to prepare sentiments for responses from each of the churches invited."

At the same meeting, various sub-committees were appointed to carry on the work of preparation.

All the committees, under the inspiration of the general committee, performed their several duties with alacrity, fidelity and