The Portland daily press., 1862-06-27
MATTERS ABOUT TOWN.


was densely filed with eager listeners, and,
perhaps, at no time in the history of Portland,
were the love OF God and love of country so
happily blended, as was shown by the audience
there assembled. General Howard, of Maine,
the patriot, the Christian, and the soldier, be
ing present, was called upon to address the as
semblage, which he did, and in his own pc
culiarly enthusiastic and warm-hearted man
ner. The effect of his oratory upon the multi
tude was most thrilling. And, as the heroic
sentiments of patriotism, love of God and
country fell from his lips, and found instant ac-
cess to the hearts Of his hearers, feelings of
noble and God-like character filed their souls.
Tears poured from eyes unused to weeping,
and holier and stronger feeling of mans duty
to God and country animated the enraptured
listeners. Now, the audience was with him
upon the battle fields of our beloved country,
now, at the bedside of the dying soldier, and
now, at the earnest, heartfelt prayer meeting of
the camp, where the soldier, anticipating, per-
haps, a violent death on the morrow, could
consign his soul into the keeping of the great
God of battles.
Gen. Howard, in the course of his remarks,
alluded to the untiring energy of Chaplain j.
r. Adams, Of Gorham who, unmindful of his
own life, followed the soldier into the carnage
Of deadly strife, and who, while the swift shot
and bursting shell were carrying death to many
a heart, and sorrow to many home, chose by
his Christian impulses to prove to the people
of Maine his readiness to do his duty under all
and any circumstances. Chaplain Adams, of
Gorham was the only one out of four of his
profession who followed the Brigade of Gen.
Howard into every battle, and through every
deprivation, so attendant upon the lite of sol
dier. Gen. Howard spoke of a prayer meet
ing held hY Mr.. Adams, with the Brigade, Just
before entering the battle of Bull Run. The
troops were drawn up in little valley, and as
the devout chaplain stood among them and
implored the blessing of God to rest upon our
arms, as he also committed each and every
soldier to His holy keeping, the Holy Spirit
found an abiding place that day in the hearts
of many in the ranks; and who, with the dead
ly tube in readiness, felt themselves filed from
that moment with a calm resolve to do their
duty, let what might be the hazard. This chap
lain would offer prayer when an opportuni-
ity would present itself, and unintimidated by
the roaring of cannon, the bursting of shell,
the ringing of musketry, would solicit favor of
the Divine, in behalf of the manned and dying
hero, whose last thoughts Of home and the dear
friends behind him, would become sweetened
by the consciousness Of the presence of that
prayer utteriug chaplain, whose voice ascended
to the ear of God through the din and turmoil
of battle.
Truly, Maine has just cause to be proud of
such sons. With such men as these, breathing
a Washington spirit into the hearts of those
around them, the forces of the old Pine Tree
State viii win for themselves proud distinc-
ton among the brave defenders of our coun-
try.
The audience was also addressed by an In
dian preacher, of the st. Francis tribe, of Can
ada East and who, with the love of his people
ever before him, labored for them, as did his
Master among the Jews, without stipend or
compensation.
This gentleman received instruction from
certain ofthe Professors and Students of Dart
mouth College, many years ago. His remarks
were deeply interesting, and listened TO With
much delight As he closed, unsolicited aid
began to flow in towards the pulpit, and, the
sympathy becoming general, the plate was
called for, into which was placed most gener-
GUS tokens of Christian largess.
lB- Our friends of the Advertiser have
laid us under renewed obligations by kindly
copying items relating to the business matters
of our Office.
A CHANGE.-The trees have been weeping
tears for the past day or two, at the non-ap-
pearance of the great fructifier. But it gives
us pleasure to note, that with the foggy, ,murky
atmosphere, and the penetrating @Scotch mist"
have also vanished the gloomy look of the pub
lc-that dear public, to whom we always look
for favors, and upon the face of which we are
ever able to discern the "signs of the times"
Now, nothing but joy-ever radiant joys
depicted upon the features of every soul, which
seems to have won its kindly expression from
the generous sunshine, which floods spire and
dome with its glorious rays.
A GENERAL aSMAsH Up."-On Wednes-
day last, as the team of p. w. Gerrish, of Cor
nish, consisting Of six horses, was passing over
Hamien's Brook, In Limington, the bridge
broke down, and the driver, wagon, load and
two horses were precipitated into the brook.
BY good fortune, the driver escaped without
serious injury, although severely bruised
The horses, however, Jared sadly, getting
good rubbing up There were three tons Of
merchandise upon the cart, comprising part
of which, was beautiful melodeon. This of
course from sharp action became fattened;
thus demonstrating to the musical mind, that
high notes may be pitched upon low quay
tkey.)
FLORAL ExHIBIrIoN-The attention of
gardeners and all interested, is called to the
advertisement in another column of the Horti-
cultural Exhibition, to take place at Mechan-
les Hall, next Tuesday. A liberal list of pre-
miums is offered.
sV Portland will present unusual attrac-
tions on the approaching Fourth of July. The
regatta is to be marked feature of the day.
"All the world and the rest of mankind" are
expected to be here, and our city and her citi-
zens will spare no pains to make the occasion
worthy of the day.
sB- We are indebted TO Mr.. M. N. Rich, Of
the Portland Shipping Dist, for very late Lon
don and Liverpool papers, receive via. Quebec.