44 A HALF CENTURY. 



have been the means of relieving distress and ministering 

 to the comfort of those of other folds, or not connected with 

 any church. 



In addition to these bequests Dr. Woodruff gave $10,000, 

 and Mr. Erwin $163,333 to the New Britain Institute. Mr. 

 Erwin also bequeathed to missions, Christian colleges, the cause 

 of Christian education, churches of other denominations, and 

 to various benevolent objects, different sums, in all aggregating 

 with the foregoing, $866,419, besides the residuary estate not 

 yet divided. Other smaller bequests have been made by other 

 members of the Church. 



WOMAN'S HOME. 



The Erwin Home for women, though entirely undenomina- 

 tional, is really an institution of this Church, under the care 



• and management of the pastor and Church committee. 



In compliance with the provisions of the will of Cornelius 

 B. Erwin, the pastor and Church committee, on the receipt of 

 the legacy for this purpose, purchased a lot bounded by Bassett, 

 Ellis, Edson, and "Warlock streets, and caused to be erected 

 thereon a building for the purposes mentioned in the will. This 



'building is fitted up with convenient apartments, in which 

 worthy women who have little or no property, find comfortable 

 homes, and a relief from much of the trials and anxiety which 

 their circumstances sometimes entail. While the administra- 

 tion of this bequest involves grave responsibilities and a large 

 amount of care, it gives to the Church an additional opportu- 

 nity to follow the example of its Divine master in ministering 

 to the poor. More than twenty persons are now enjoying the 

 blessings of this bequest. 



ECCLESIASTICAL SOCIETY. 



The South Congregational Society of New Britain was or- 

 ganized May 9, 1842, when a constitution was regularly adopted 

 and signed by fifty members. At the first meeting the officers 

 were appointed as follows: Henry Stanley, clerk; Henry 

 North, treasurer; Elnathan Peck, William H. Smith, and Wil- 



