History of the First Universalist Church in Somerville, Mass. Illustrated; a souvenir of the fiftieth anniversary celebrated February 15-21, 1904

Rev. H. D. Maxwell preceded his introduction of the first speaker with a few eloquent words of welcome. ‘The city of Somerville,’ said he, ‘has many things of which to be proud. Its soil has been pressed by heroes and martyrs. Its citizenship is progressive. It is a city of homes. Its churches are broad in spirit and motive.’ He then presented President E. H. Capen, of Tufts College, as the head of an institution of which Somerville is proud.

President Capen's interesting review of the life and services of ‘Charles Tufts’ was listened to with close attention.

John F. Ayer gave the historical address, which was a valuable contribution to the occasion.

The anniversary hymn, written for the occasion by Frank M. Hawes, was sung, following which Rev. Charles Conklin, superintendent of the Universalist churches of Massachusetts, in his short ‘one-minute speech’ expressed the pleasure and congratulations of the other churches of the state in such an auspicious event.

Rev. Charles A. Skinner touched many tender associations of the past in his brief address. The greetings of the Winter-hill Universalist Church, now approaching a quarter-century of history, and whose original members were parishioners of the First Universalist Church, were extended by Rev. Francis A. Gray. Rev. William A. Couden alluded to the Third Universalist Church as the youngest member of the family of Universalist churches.

The closing address was made by Rev. Levi M. Powers, of Buffalo, N. Y., who referred to several objects