THE SOUTH CHURCH. 131 



have followed one another here in the ministry of Jesus Clirist. 

 Their names will ever be held in remembrance with grateful praise. 



It was a good providence that sent the Rev. Samuel Rockwell to tliis 

 flock in 1843. Mr. Rockwell was not a magnetic man ; he never 

 strove for oratorical effect ; but he was one of the truest and purest 

 of men, and one of the most faithful and sympathetic pastors that 

 ever served a church. He was a wise leader, a good preacher, a 

 judicious adviser, an efficient helper in every good Work. He was 

 just the man for the time and place. 



And when he laid down his office, after more than fifteen years of 

 service, it was God's hand that brought to this spot young Constans 

 L. Goodell, and made him to be your minister for fourteen happy, 

 eventful, prosperous years. "The Model Pastor of Connecticut," he 

 was called, and he was in every way worthy of the distinction. 

 Ardent, devoted, spiritual, full of the love of God and the love of 

 souls, how joyously he worked, and how marvelously the church was 

 blest ! 



Both these grand men have entered into the triumphs of their heav- 

 enly reward. The one, as the memorial window reads, has been 

 received "into the joy of his Lord"; the other, passing "through 

 the gates into the city," has joined the throng that greet each other 

 there, himself to welcome those whom he has led into the Saviour's 

 love, and to rejoice forever in the presence of the King ! 



It was our exceeding great desire that the sole surviving pastor of 

 this church, the Rev. Henry L. Griffin, might be with us to day, to 

 share the pleasures of this anniversary. We are glad to have messages 

 from him, which will be read at the service to-morrow afternoon. Mr. 

 Griffin's ministry was a short one, but it was abundantly fruitful. 

 Two hundred and thirty-eight received to the church fellowship in 

 four years, is the record of this eminently evangelistic pastorate. In 

 many a regenerated home in this parish the name of the young minis- 

 ter will long be cherished with reverence and affection. 



And now we stand upon the threshold of a new half century ! Our 



circumstances, our work, our outlook, are all very different from what 



they were fifty years ago. The theological atmosphere has changed. 



The old-time discussions of the "governmental theory" and "uatu- 



