ORANGE CONG. CHURCH 53
all-around-man. Such the church found in Mr. Pinneo. Immediately the church began a long period of unbroken prosperity such as has fallen to the lot of but few churches in New England. He was born in Lebanon, (now Columbia,) Conn., July 28. 1769, and was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1791. He was ordained pastor of the First Church, Milford, Oct. 26, 1796. In 1839, in consequence of age and infirmity, he retired from all official duty. Thus for fifty-three years he was in pastoral relation with the church. He died Sept. 18, 1849. Mr. Pinneo's prevailing talent was the power of weighing well whatever he said or did. He ruled his own spirit and was prudent in everything. At the time of his call, it had been stipulated that he should preach six Sabbaths during the winter at Bryan's Farms. Mr. Lockwood had done so since 1791. This arrangement was continued until 1805, when in the face of earnest opposition of the Milford Society the people of Bryan's Farms were set off as the parish of North Milford, known now as Orange. Jan. 3d, thirty members were dismissed from the First Church for the purpose of assisting in the organization of this church whose one hundred years of history we gladly celebrate to-day. Dear youngest daughter of the First Church in thy one hundredth birthday robes thou lookest the fairest to-day among the churches. To-day yours is the brightest, the most prosperous chapter in your history. Gladly does the Mother Church, in her two hundred and sixty-sixth year, sit in your beautiful spiritual home. She feels that her life has, to some measure, gone into your making. May your years be many, your service deep and strong and wide. While here we may be separate families-yet we look forward in the prophecy of the word when again we shall all be one family, one Church, and Christ in the midst shall be our light. Yea, verily this, if we have an ear to hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.