“They knew well the truth of their Holy Religion, yes, and its value. No mess of pottage, however alluring, be it greater position in society, or greater financial considerations, could tempt them to part with their Divinely given birthright of Catholic faith. They were in Peter’s boat and well they knew it, and, better still, they showed it by their lives of rugged righteousness. “The fair name and fame of the Divinely built ship that has ridden over the waves and through the storms of nineteen centuries was safe in their keeping, for not only did they love their religion, but they also lived it. You, their descendants and successors, to-day, I would say to you, in the words of your Divine Master, ‘Go you and do likewise.’” THE UNION MEETING At three o’clock in the afternoon, a union open-air service of all the churches in the town was held upon “The Green.” Three thousand people, it is estimated, were present. A chorus of one hundred voices, conducted by Prof. Clemence and accompanied by the band, rendered the “Gloria in Excelsis” and “The Heavens Are Telling” in a highly effective manner, and led the audience in a number of familiar hymns. Rev. F. A. Johnson of the First Congregational Church presided. Rev. J. F. Plumb of St. John’s Church, Rev. S. D. Woods of the Baptist Church, and Rev. H. K. Smith of the Methodist Church offered prayer, and Rev. Stephen Heacock of the Advent Christian Church read the Scripture. The addresses were by Rev. Frederick A. Wright, D. D., of New York City, a former New Milford boy, and by Rev. Charles J. Ryder, D. D., of New York City, Corresponding Secretary of the American Missionary Association, who, although not himself a native of New Milford, is connected with a family formerly prominent in the affairs of the town. Dr. Wright said: “It is a pleasure to me to address you, both because I count it an honor to speak to this audience, and because I feel it a privilege to speak on this occasion, and in this place. My ancestors, both on my mother’s side and on my father’s, have been identified with this town for six generations, so that I feel a sort of intimate kinship with the very fields and mountains; and this soil is in a double sense my ‘mother earth.’ And, just as Antæus, the child of earth, gained tenfold strength every time he stretched his length upon the grass, so, wearied with the rush and crowding of the city, and the sorrows of its poor, [Illustration: NEW MILFORD PASTORS Rev. Frank B. Draper Professor of Mathematics and Chaplain, Ingleside School Rev. Marmaduke Hare Rector All Saints Memorial Church Rev. Father John J. Burke Curate of Roman Catholic Church Rev. Timothy J. Lee Former Pastor of First Congregational Church Rev. Frank A. Johnson Pastor of First Congregational Church and the Chairman of Religious Committee of the Bi-Centennial Rev. Solomon D. Woods Pastor Baptist Church Northville Society