The Portland daily press., 1869-07-19
Rev. Her.t.e sssbbIus

Yesterday marked an event in the history OF
the First Parish (Unitarian) Church. On the
Sd day Of April, 1864, the Rev. Horatio steb-
bins (who had for 70 long and 80 acceptably
nainistered to the wants Of the parish, preach
ed his farewell sermon to a congregation which
flled every seat and overAowed the aisles, and
wascomposed notonly ofthe regular attsndants
at this place Of worship, but many OF other
denominations. After an absence Of five years
in California, where ne has been hlling the
place occupied BY the late lamented Starr
King, he returned on Saturday to the city
which has always bsrne him in loving remem-
brance, and where for so long he was recog-
nized power. y a. .aEfw2WSE
cit was no wonder, then, that the old First
Parish, the Oldest church in Maine east of
Wells, adorned herself in her gsyest apparel
to welcome her loving child back again to her
longing embrace. The fragrance of hundred
|tperfunes impregnated the atmosphere from
the superb horai decorations about the pulpit
and ergan. With exquisite taste had the Ia
dies OF the parish arranged the mowers ana Is
you entered tne cnurch tne sHect upon tnesye
was truly charming. Inc whole o. tne upper
part OF the pulpit was encircied by bed OF
the choicest howers fashioned like an Immense
coronet-broad in the centre and gradually Ia
pering toward either end-whose varied hues
were most harmoniouslA blended. From the
the centre of this coronet depended huge
cross of beautiful flowers, which covered the
front of the pulpit, and beneath which, on the
communion table, stood an elegant basket Of
the same, supported on either hand by two tall
bouquets. A splendid pyramid and bouquet
of flowers stood on the floor in iront Of the
| communion table, which, ON small tables, at
the right and left OF the platform, were baskets
| OF choice flowers, from which depended trail
ing vines. Bouquets were Also placed IN the
shades Of the pulpit lamps, the brackets being
entwined with trailing vine, which fell from
them in q graceful festoon around the front oi
the pulpit "A garland Of evergreen was also
fsstooned about the organ, on the frons o.
which was placed Deau ami narp ana wrea'n
OF light colored nowers, and also three mag
nifcent bouquets. .,. ....s.e., ~,
The services commenced with tho singing Of
| the voluntary, Praise the Lord, Oil my soul i"
by the choir, which was rendered in manner
that showed that they remembered how fond
| their old pastor was of music We never rs-
| member to have heard them sing with better
effect or to have been in better voice. The
sermon was from Psalms XCth, 1st verse
"Lord, thou hast been orr dwelling place in
all generations" Although we had taken full
notes Of the sermon, yet, at the request Of mem
bers Of the parish and from the fact that thil
was an occasion to which o reporter abstract
would hardly do Justice, we shall publish the
sermon on the first page of to-morrow's issue
,Aftef the services very interesting seene
l took place. the Congregation all crowdipe
around, Mr.. stebbins to welcome him back,
and for at least half an hour 1t was a DER.
| petual hand shaking and interchange of greet.
l ings. The interview between Mr.. stebbin,
and Kotzschmar was a most enthusiastic ous
and delighted all present. lsas. is.5iisazo ~
The Rev. Mr.. Bailey. the present pastor. oc
cupied the pulpit along with Mr.. Stebtips
and at the close Of the sermon made a mo,
proent and eloouent anneaI to the coporusoa
tion to contribute Hberaliv. in The collection
that would then be taken up, for the benefit o
tho new church in Pennington. The amount
contributed amounted to $225 and there il
enough more spromissd to. bring the sum up
probably, to $500.
In the evening, as in the morning, ths
church was flled to its utmost capacity By tn,
large congregation, chairs being placed in 81
the aisles There was the usual Vesper ser
vice, and the choir sang God is love-" sCom
Holy Spirit" Kotsschmars 4Te Deum. n 81
the lilies The singing IA, M pavr;6osnt nj.
choir were all in splepdid. voice part;cpI.yl,