THE SOUTH CHURCH. 177 



of souls may be born here, who shall, in turn, become sliining lights in 

 this community, to the praise of Ilim wlio loved us and gave Himself 

 for us. 



"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have- 

 right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the 

 city." 



Mr. Charles L. Mead of New York city was the last speaker 

 among the ^'Co-workers of Former Days," representing that 

 large number of former members of the church who have gone 

 from us to other places and other work. 



After some pleasing opening remarks, Mr. Mead went on to 

 say : 



"In coming to New Britain twenty-five years or more ago, this 

 building in which we now sit was just ready to be occupied ; and the 

 first religious service I attended in this city was the dedication of this 

 noble edifice. The wisdom of the men who founded this town, in 

 making such liberal provision for succeeding generations in the matter 

 of churches and schoolhouses cannot be overestimated. The devoted 

 and able men who have in succession ministered to this church, have 

 given to the plans of the early fathers their fullest value. It has been 

 my great privilege to know well all the ministers who liave thus far 

 served the South Church. 



"Just outside of strictly church work, an abiding impression was 

 received here by me in witnessing and participating in the remarkable 

 temperance revival which came to this, whole community about the 

 year 1870. Wonderful results appeared in the reclaiming of confirmed 

 drunkards, and in educating a whole generation of men and youth in 

 the principles and practice of sobriety; and all this was done in a 

 short time with the simplest possible organization, and with only the 

 informal meetings of the ' Good Samaritans,' so called. 



" An instructive incident to me in church life here, and one that 

 has always remained fresh in my memory, was that of over-hearing a 

 conversation between two poorly-clad urchins who had evidently been 

 attracted to the door of the Sunday-school concert one evening, and 

 had there hesitated as to the propriety of entering, or as to their being 

 welcomed if they did so. The remark of one to the other was, " If we 

 can see Goodrich, it will be all right." A little inquiry, later, satisfied 

 me that Goodrich was one of those helpful persons, though but a boy, 

 who could be relied on to see that all his comrades had a share in every 

 good thing that came within his reach. A very ' doorkeeper in the 

 house of the Lord.' 

 12 



