The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-08-08 00:00:00

RECOGNITION BERVIOEB.

We congratulate our Primitive Methodist friends
on their rucces• in obtaining the Rev. H. Portnall, of
Cornwall, as their pastor. It had long duce been the
desire of this society to have • minister stationed at
Dorchester; now this wish is fulfilled, and the rev.
gentleman preached his first sermon at this place about
• fortnight since, when he was well received. We
hope that his awning to the Dorchester statios will
prove a step in the right direction, for the Primitives
lure have striven bard in times put to do the work
set them by their Great Master. They have, It is
true, risen from meeting in a wash-house, at Fording.
ton, to that pretty little chapel at the bottom of the
town, which they had built some seven years ago, and
even now they still see the necessity of further and
greater efforts to promote the Gospel of Christ amongst
the masses—arnonut thou who go to no place of
worship—sod we believe in securing the services of
the Rev. H. Portnall they will still persevere and
prosper.
A public tea and riveting were then:leans of recogni-
tion, which were held in the chapel on Monday evening
lasi, when but a limite I number partook of the good
things prowl led, doubtless owing, to • great extent, to
some misunderstanding in the announcement. How-
ever there was • oomfortable gathering.
Tie meeting was after ward* held, under the
presidency of Mr. William Garland. Suitable addresses
were delivered by the local brethren previous to that
of the rev. gentleman.
Mr. Riinsa was the first to address the meeting.
Raving made reference to the rapid growth of Primi-
tive Methodism, and the necessity of individual
support, he call he was very pleased to meet with their
newly-appointed minister, as he believed be promised
to be equal to their requirements. As far ash, knew
him, he believed he was heart and soul in the work
of God, and his beloved partner would prove herself
equal, although in • different channel. (APPlsust)
Mr. G. MOORS thought this was only the beginning
of better times. They now had a minister stationed
at Dorchester, and he trusted the work would go on
awl prove even more successful than in the past. The
present was very promising; but, with the help of God's
Holy Spirit, he tithed what would the future be? He
totally failed to see why this society shouldn't prosper'
he believed it would bcause the very gates of hell
could Mot prevail against them. He hoped and trusted
that the blondes' o Heaven might rest upon the corn.
blood labours of Mr. and Alm Portnall, and that their
labours might be greatly owned of God in the exten-
sion of Me kingdom. (Applause.)
Mr. A. DASIRLIS was thankful there were enough
present to claim the presence of the Master. tie had
often heard people say they didn't see why they
shouldn't have • minidsw stationed st Dorchester.
Now they had one, let than all be thankful to
Almighty God, and pray that his labours amongst
them might be made • blessing to them all. The
secret of swam did not all rest upon the minister;
but let each officer and each member of the church
work with him, bear him up in their prayers, and ask
God's blessing upon him and his partner. He did not
think the time was far distant when there would
be • mighty revival even in this oorner of the
Master's vineyard. God's Word they all believed to
be true, and there it was stated "My word shall not
return unto Me void," therefore let them work on,
pray ow, and the blowing would at last be theirs.
13mineeina trusted God would pare Mr.
Portman, and make him very useful in saving souls in
their midst. They had gone to quarter board time
after time till their endeavours were so far accomplished,
vlx., to secure the services of • minister at Dorchester.
He believed that cause would rise; it had risen within
the last few years, and now they had • shepherd to
lead them, what wvuld hinder it? People were not
all satisfied it appear", but he must tell them that
mar intend. In engaging Mr. Portnall was that they
should pay him, and have his services; that he should
try to gather in those who went to no plan of worship,
and he believed he would be used by God In saving
l e:us
70,very many, from nature's darkness to His
(Applause.)
M.r. W. B. DAVIS said they were not there to crap
up • system that would totter and fall—they were
ther, to do the work of their Master. When the
Primitives first came to Dorchester they met with a
great deal of opposition, and If they had more of it
now he believed they would be more earnest in this
gust work. When he joined that society in the year
111136, he was hooted even in the streets; but he had
to hear it, and beer it be did for Testis sake. When
they mom from Fordington, they took the old British
Schoolroom, and had to pay 210 a year foe an old
deity room. Then people said they ought to have
strayed at Fordington. He maintained they had had
• good rubbing in their time, and that was what they
wanted. He believed they would not let Mr. Port-
man starve. nor would they allow the bailiff to come
la. He wag born in the fire, as it were, therefore he
was full of enthusiasm. When he w vetted they
were living up to antraing their privileges, and
that wee what they to do now. may Gm
Meters the time when this would be • flourishing sad
01011P•dous dOcAlft• (Antietam)