The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-10-20
Valuable Testimonial.

Rev. John w. Chickering, D. D.. after a
faithful pastorate over the High Street Church
Tor thirty years, signifed his intention last
spring Of disSolying bis connection with the
chorch ana congregation during the present
year. Efforts were made by the Society to
chahge his purpose, or to allow colleague to
De settied with him, but all in vain. The de-
termlnation he had come to, however painful
Doth TO himself and people was fixed one
and nothing could'shal1e him from it.
In order to show their esteem for his faith
full services for SO long period, during which
he had built up the church and Socie ty so
that it had become second to none in the
State a number of the members of the church
and congregation united in purchasing securi-
ties TO the amount Of about $4,000 which
they have presented to him. The following
Is the correspondence upon the subject be-
tween the venerable pastor and theScommit-
tee.
PORTLAND, 1854.
aCommlttee appointed for the purpose beg 10
hand TO you in behalf of a number of your
parlshioners OF High ST., the enclosed securi-
ties, as testimonial of their gratitude to you
for your faithful ministrations to them and
theirs for the last thirty years, and as an in
dica.ion OF their never failing interest In your
future welfare. While your Pensioners deep
" regret, and will never cease to regret, that
determination OF yours, which nov SO pain |
fully sunders connection that has endured |
SO long aud so pleasantly, 1t is still source OF
unall0yed satisfaction 10 them TO know, that,
that determination arose from no Disagree
ments ia your parccbial family, nor was caused |
by any difference or even the shadow of diff |
ference, between yourself and your flock.
For more than quarter of y century Won |
have been the devoted and untiring pastor of |
that flock. You have been their guide aud |
counsellor in sacred things, their tender con-
soler IN affilctioD. and their patient and con.
slant friend in all the circumstances OF life.
You have seen one generation pass away TO
the grave, and another, now grown to vlgor-
Gus maturity. occupy Its place. From the
Overlooking OF your own crowded and pros
porous congregation, you have aided in tie |
formation OF three sister churches, all, strong |
and healthy organizations
For such services as yours to the High ST. I
Parish, there can be no earthly remuneration |
unless it be in your own selfconsciousness of /
great work, nobly and thoroughly fulfilled.
and III the heartfelt gratitude Of your parish.
ioDers. They can only indicate that gratitude
TO you for mere words are powerless to ex- |
press IT,
Wishing you long continued happiness and
usefulness in The new field you have chosen to
enter, and asking your remembering prayera
for the prosperity of your old church and |
Parish,
We are respectfully yours,
JAMES B. CAHooN,
PHILIP HENRY BROWN.
In behalf of subscribers for the enclosed |
testimonial,
PoPrr ANN 1874
TO Messrs. j. b. Cahoon, P. g. Brown and |
their Associates,
Dear Sirs and Friends:-How shall l find |
fitting words to answer yours, or to express
by thanks for the more substantial, but not
more valued testimonial" which accompani-
ed them2
They will be precious to me, and to my chill
dren, when the generous gifts which they an
nounce are no longer needed.
While may shrink from exhibiting them,
~ PurpertlAB "a show the character of my I
thirty years ministry anong you, shall ever |
be happy to prove, through them and the mu- !
plGcent provision TO which they refer, crown
Ing g long course Of undeseryed kindness,
among what people that ministry, however /
imperfect, has been exercised.
May Ieyen yet minister somewhat In spirit
ual things, to those who have so abundantly
ministered to me in temporal things.
and laay ne and our families. with the en-
tire High ST. congregatlon-the HastQr and
all the dock-Wben the Chief Shepherd shall
Rppear, receive q crown Of glory which fadeth
not away. So will ever pray.
Yours most gratefully and aiIectiopately
J. w. CHIcKERING.