THE SOUTH CUURCII. 171 



history and of the blessings of God, Only fifty years old, and the 

 peer of the strongest churches in this goodly commonwealth." 



Dr. Seward alluded, with grateful acknowledgment of the 

 grace of the Head of the church, to the strength and increasing 

 prosperity of the mother church, and of the delightful and un- 

 marred harmony between the churches. He drew a brief 

 picture of the possible and brilliant future in secular and re- 

 hgious spheres, and maintained that the deep and perpetual 

 longing for something better and richer alid diviner was ^n in- 

 timation of another larger and immortal life. He gave some 

 personal incidents in his early ministry, and concluded with 

 some fitting stanzas of an autobiographical quality, on the 

 building and the coming in of the ship of life. 



For fourteen joyful and prosperous years the Rev. Constans 

 L. Goodell, D.J)., was pastor of this church. He was ordained 

 here, and here he brought his young bride in the year 1859. 

 It was with peculiar appreciation and gratitude that the church 

 welcomed Mrs. Goodell to its semi-centennial, and listened to 

 her graceful and tender reminiscences. 



PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. 

 Mrs. C. L. Goodell. 



I should do injustice to myself no less than to you, if I disregarded 

 your courteous invitation to me, to contribute a little to this hour of 

 mutual congratulation and reminiscence. It is an occasion which stirs 

 many of the most precious memories of my life, and thrills my very 

 soul with praise and thanksgiving to God. 



As I attempt to give utterance to some of the overflowings of my 

 own heart, I feel, that in some sense, I am speaking not only for my- 

 self, but also for one pther whose lips are now silent, but whose 

 quick sympathies, during his pastorate here, were wont to reach out 

 toward you in tender and strong ways, and whose affection for each 

 member of his flock never afterwards diminished during the years of 

 his absence from you. I would have you believe he is now a privi- 

 leged and sincere beholder of your joys and triumphs, from the " great 

 cloud of witnesses " by which you are " compassed about." 



