The Portland daily press., 1866-12-06
Meeting I'm Relation TO the Erection OF q
Congregational Church.

Congregational Church.
Agreeably to call published in the Press, a
meeting was held last evening at the vestry of
the Chestnut Street M. e. Church, to take in
to consideration the subject of forming new
church and erecting suitable ediice There
were present between sixty and seventy per-
sons, principally members of the Second and
Third Parishes, quite large proportion of
whom were young men.
The meeting was called to order by Edward
Gould, ESQ., and Mr. Charles Small was chosen
chairman and Mr.. William Weeks clerk
Prayer was offered by Deacon Joseph Libby.
After a few remarks from the chairman, Ed
ward Gould, Esq. remarked that when he sup
posed there would be unity of feeling be-
tween the members Of the Second and Third
Parishes upon the project of erecting House
OF Worship, he had some correspondence with
Messrs. Barring Brothers upon the subject of a
bell and clock for the new church. The cor
respondence was then read and it appears that
Messrs. Barring Brothers & Co., of London are
ready to present bell and clock for the new
edifee, when it is ready to receive them
Deacon Libby of the Third Parish Church
made some remarks favoring giving up both
the organizations of the Second and Third
churches, and establishing new church, with
new name, new minister and new officers.
VIM. D. Little, Esq, of the Second Parish.
said that he felt deep interest in the Second
Church, but, like Deacon Libby he was willing
to sacrifice his feelings. He thought that uni
ty of feeling should prevail and that new
church should be formed, with an entire new
organization.
The following resolution offered by Deacon
Gould was adopted:
Resol0ed That it is desirable and necessary
to erect Congregational Meeting House, in
the neighborhood of the two DESTROYED BY the
late fire.
W.D. Little, Esq, stated that it was under
stood by the Second Parish Church that they
would not erect on the old lot, but somewhere
on Congress street. They had voted to retain
their old organization. !
Mr.. Gabriel Mark, of the Second Parish,
spoke in favor of unity, and building but one
church. His sympathies and feelings were
with the Second Parish, but he could sacrifice
them, He thought it would be difficult to sus
tain the second church as matters now stood.
Dea- Crie, of the Third Parish, said it was the
opinion of many members of other churches
that but one church should be organized from
the two societies.
MI. S.B-Haskell said that so far as he knew of
the opinion in other churches, it was decide lily
in favor of establishing but one church.
Mr.. Newman, of the Second Parish. said he
should be glad to see the two churches unite d.
He thonght building erected on the site of
the Third Parish Church, or on the Barrett lot
would be desirable object.
Dea. Gould spoke in favor of contributing lib
orally toward the erection of an edifice.
Mr.. Charles Merrill spoke in favor of inme-
diate and earnest action in the matter.
Dea. Libby offered resolution that measures
be taken Immediately to raise the funds for the
erection of House of Worship, but withdrew
it at the suggestion of
w. ID. Little, Esq, who thought it might be
better to adjourn the meeting to some future
time, and, ia the mean time, confer with each
other as to the best means for raising funds.
MIR. Cyrus NOVEL; thought this meeting had
been for good. He hoped at the next meeting
to have an expression whether the members Of
both parishes were willing to give up their dis
tinctive organizations.
Mr. Gould thought they had progressed far
enough to start subscription tonight
Mr.. A. j. Merrill moved that subscription
paper be opened for them this evening.
Mr.. Z. P. Banks was opposed to starting the
subscription paper tonight. He wished to
hear more from the members of the Second
Parish, and thought it would be better to have
an adjournment.
Mr.. William E. Gould, after some remarks
offered the following resolution
ResolCed, That under existing circumstances
a union of all Congregationalists within the
limits of the Second and Third Parishes may
be deemed almost indispensable: there
fore, the members of the Second and
Third Parishss are invited to unite individual
ly in the work, and to use their influence to-
wards transferring the corporate property OF
each Society in aid thereof
Mr.. Charles Carruthers questioned the pro-
priety of passing the resolution, as most of the
members of the Second Parish had retired
Other members thought that the resolution
was very proper one to be adopted by the
members of the Third Parish
The resolution was then adopted, and the
meeting adjourned to next Wednesday even
ing, at the same place.