“Rev. Edwin R. Browne succeeded him, and, as the contract for the new church had already been made, he carefully attended to its erection. This was carried forward for two years, and entirely paid for by the congregation, so that on Thursday, the fifteenth day of March, 1883, we all assembled to take part in its consecration.

“The Rt. Rev. John Williams, D. D., Bishop of Connecticut, the Rt. Rev. Charles Quintard, D. D., Bishop of Tennessee, and thirty of the clergy of this and other dioceses, met to put on their vestments in the old church, before proceeding to the new. The emotions which filled my soul on that day were many and varied. It was the last act to be performed in the old Saint John’s Church. I went into our old family pew, where I had grown up to manhood, and, there, I put on my vestments. I went up to the chancel rail and, kneeling down, offered the last prayer in that old church—where I had first heard the service of the Book of Common Prayer, first listened to the preaching of the word of God,—whose walls had witnessed my baptism, my confirmation, and my ordination to the holy ministry—and I said, ‘Oh, to have enduring churches of stone, where the holy associations of a lifetime may never be disturbed!’ It was this thought which led me forth to assist in the services of the consecration of the new Saint John’s Church of stone, where the services might hereafter continue, undisturbed, from generation to generation. The vested procession of bishops and clergy walked from the old church to the new. The day was full of sunlight, and even the March winds seemed to cease, so as to give us Heaven’s own benediction. We entered this beautiful stone church, filled with a congregation which occupied its whole capacity. Bishop Williams then consecrated this new Saint John’s Church, and called upon me to read the sentence of consecration.

“That day was the greatest red letter day this parish ever saw—twenty-five years ago, on the fifteenth day of March next!

“The Rev. Mr. Browne continued his ministry here until 1890. He was a most indefatigable parish visitor, and the sympathy of his people and their prayers followed him, in the affliction which afterward came upon him.

“He was followed by the Rev. E. T. Sanford, who was the rector from 1891 to 1895, a man of exceedingly lovable character, who endeared himself to all.

“He was succeeded by the Rev. John F. Plumb in 1896, who after eleven years still continues in the rectorship. His character and ability are so well known among his people, that it would not become me to enter into them here. Suffice it, then, to say, that he is held in such honor and respect by his brethren of the clergy of his Diocese, that they elected him Archdeacon of Litchfield County some years ago, which position he now holds with honor to himself, and with appreciation by his parish and friends. May he long continue to go in and out among you as your rector, pastor, friend, and long continue to occupy his high and honorable position, as the venerable Archdeacon of Litchfield County.”

THE AUTOMOBILE PARADE

No feature of the whole Bi-Centennial Celebration partook so much of the nature of an experiment, perhaps, as the Automobile Parade of Monday, which took place a little before noon. It was the first event of the kind that had ever occurred in New Milford, and there were consequently no precedents to go by. It was, however, an unqualified success. Fifteen decorated autos, followed by nearly a score without decorations, were in line. The owners of the decorated autos were:

The judges were George B. Noble of Northampton, Mass., Mrs. Dr. Wallace of Glen Ridge, N. J., and Miss Beatrice Fisher of Montreal, Canada.