The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-24
The Third Parish Church,

gencieS or possible events in the future were |
even limited at as an abatement of the force of |
this admonition. The probabilities are that |
nothing of the kind ever crossed his mind, |
and, 1 verify believe that If he were Iiv- |
ing to-day Re would repeat with still greater |
emphasis this same advice.
1t is with no feeling of pleasure that allude |
to the present position OF this once prosperous
religious society. am persuaded that if wise |
counsels had prevailed it might now stand in |
a more enviable position than any other of the |
churches whose houses of worship were de- |
stroyed by the great fire of 1866. Why? Be |
cause the parish was free from debt and in
cumbrances of all kinds. 1t owned an eligible
lot OF land which it had occupied for fifty |
ears, and had fund of about $4,000, and
subscription towards new building of $4,000
more. Again, the Parish has never manifest
ed any ambitious desire to erect costly edi
fice whereby heavy debt might be incurred
burden to the present and possibly an un-
welcome legacy to future generations. To all
this might be added the sympathies of the en-
tire community.
Under these circumstances, was there ever
fairer prospect presented to people to COM
mence building with good hopes of final sue
cess, than the one abandoned last year? And
yet just as the object seemed within grasp and
complete control, and without ever stepping
outside for aid as others have done, and with
good success too, the whole thing was given
Up, without, as many think, any good reason
being offered therefor. All faith in God and
the united purpose of the people was lost sight
o., and the slough of despond and iail6r
reached by the shortest route. Then came the
abortve effort to vote away the entire coDgre-
cation and its property to society away up
town, SO far removed from the Third Parish
population as to render it quite certain that
not one in ten would ever be able to make it a
home. Following this came the more objec-
tionable scheme of selling out and dividing the
pro erty among the pew holders. ...,..fs
L l am aware that some of the real friends of
this church have been induced to sign paper
having this object in view, under the belief
that all hope of rebuilding had been abandon
ed, but who will, belle ye, revoke the authori-
ty given by them thus to dispose of the prop
erty. Others have refused and will forever re-
fuse to sanction this sacrilegious use of this
property. Public opinion can scarcely have
been consulted in this movement, for although
the masses of the community are not church
members or even religiously inclined, yet there
is sense of propriety and fitness of things
which governs the minds Of all which would be
exceedingly slow to sanction such a diversion
of the property of church once consecrated
to the worship of God. Besides, this property
has been gathered together in very large part
through the exertions and contributions of the
members of this church and society from its
very beginning. Many of the donors have
long since gone to their rest, and gave what
they did for the purpose of propagating,
through the fundamentally of this church
what they sincerely believed to be the truth of
God-and not to enrich the pockets of those
who might come after them. To divide this
property in the manner proposed would be
palpable breaking of faith with the dead as
well as with the living who have entrusted
this property for a specific purpose to our
keeping. Can there be any question on this
subject? Who is there that would feel quite
satisfied in putting money in his purse obtain
ed from such source? Better let those
blackened ruins remain as they are than de-
vote them to so ignobe an end.
/ have thus referred to some of the circum-
stances mot ally which have brought this
church and parish to its present unfortunate
condition. Shall it be ever so? Must the fifty
or more families now forced astray from this
fold be forever debarred from having their
house of worship rebuilt because few seem
interested in completing its destruction?
Shall this leading church of New England
ESQ characterized by Rev. Mr.. Walker) come to
so ignominious fnality without one more
struggle for its salvation? hope not.
In the Providence of God the present hard
times have brought with them such reduc-
ton in the price of building materials and la
Dor as to warrant the coniect ure that the
house contemplated last summer may be built
for a considerably less sum than then Many
warm hearts are interested on the subject and
they are willing and anxious to help forward
the undertaking.
Again, is it not the duty of the officers of
this church to do something towards institute
ing public worship?
Is there not a just and fair responsibility
resting somewhere for the neglect in this mat
ter hitherto? After the fire, Christian liberal
ity was prompt in offering to the parish tenn
porary eonveniences for worship, which slight
con tributions from time to time would have
enabled the congregation to maintain; but I
am not aware that any concerted effort has
been made in this direction since the fire. The
communion which, according to the rules of
this church is to be observed on the first Sab
bath in every month has not been administer
ed for nearly two years, nor the ordinance of
baptism for like or longer period. Another
rule is to hold prayer meetings every Tuesday
evening, seasons of fasting and humiliation
every three months and monthly concerts for
prayer on the first Monday in each month
none of which have been observed
Will the articles of faith and covenant adop-
ted by this church be adhered to by its men,
bers, if the public services of the sanctuary
are thus totally neglected, its members left to
stroll around first to one church and denomi-
nation, and then to another, seeking rest and
finding none, and all because their
church takes no interest whatever in proyid-
ing for, their spiritual wants.
know that that some. advise Ito scatter,
but is this the wsest counsel? Is this the way
ITO watch over one another in love?" Let an
earnest effort be made to establish again pub
lie worship, and many great and good things
will follow that we do not now dream off.
te-'fs8 tbNi@ IA PARI sH1oNER.