The Rev. W. H. Moore states that, in the 17 years from 1859 to 1875, this Congregation contributed $18,876.53. Dividing this into two periods, he finds that in the first nine years you gave $3,765.90, and in the last eight years $11,810.63, a gratifying increase, which, it is hoped we shall fully maintain. The Ladies’ Mite Society was formed in 1817 as a Dorcas Society. For 50 years it has annually contributed about $75, divided between A. H. M. S., Seamen’s F. and A. Ed. Societies. The Auxiliary to the Woman’s B. of Missions was formed in May 1872, “The Golden Links,” and “Star Circle” a year later. These organizations last year, together, contributed $389. Such, in brief, brethren, is the story of your Church, Society and town. It is one of which you need not be ashamed. A careful study of these old records has increased my respect and reverence for the men of the past. Their courage in facing difficulties, their heroic endurance of privation, their sturdy independence, their delight in the ordinances of the Gospel, their readiness to assist each other, and their generosity towards those who differed from them in opinion, are worthy not only of warm praise, but of careful imitation. And yet these men of the past were not all saints and patriots. In 1776 there were some bitter tories here: One of these was compelled by a company of riflemen to walk before them from New Milford to Litchfield carrying one of his own geese the entire distance At Litchfield they tarred him, made him pluck his own goose, bestowed the feathers upon him, and drummed him out of the place, after obliging him to kneel down and thank them for their leniency. And in 1757 David Ferriss was paid 11s. out of the Society’s treasury, to reimburse him for counterfeit money which he had received as Collector. This nest of counterfeiters was not broken up until 1768, when a dozen of them were arrested. The old Church books show that immorality was not unknown among Church members. The pastoral letter which was issued to the Churches by the Litchfield South Consociation in 1752, reveals a state of things in these Churches worse than any known to-day. Sixty years ago (1816) there was a distillery in every town—169 in Litchfield County,—26 of them in New Milford. To-day there are three distilleries in town, and soon it is hoped these will disappear and the nine places licensed to sell liquors.