The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-01-10

-
pes and lover ends Of The tits, tbs Idea heig
| tin, ,iit4e heaithfai parishes might esentualls
| be formed. St. Stephens Church felt that a
more central situation than the lot proposed
would be more advantageous, but it was the
most central location that could be obtained.
1t was thought that as Bishop Southgate was
about leaving St Lukes that the two parishes
could unite and thus very strong society be
formed. This scheme, however, failed Com
plants were made that st. Stephens was en-
croaching on the parochial grounds OF st
Luke's, and although it was felt by the st.
Stephens Parish that they had right to es-
tabish themselves where they liked, and al.
though the debate on the question came near
er dividing st. Stephens on account of the
strong feeling expressed by many members
that they had right to do as they pleased,
the society ultimately decided to take lot
nearer home. In 1866 it was decided to re-
model the church, and in August 1866 the re-
modelled church was reconsecrated. great
deal OF talk was made on the subject Oh reoon-
secrating church, but Bishop burgess con'
sdered the matter an eminenty Propei ono do
the building had undergone such eA al
| tarations as to be emphatcaliy ne" churcn
| B ishop Clark preached the sermon on the oc-
casion. and the day was one never to be forgot
tan. 1t was ON this occasion they felt the loss
| of friends in those who had joined the Uptown
church, who had been consistent friends of St.
Stephens but nevertheless these friends re-
ceived hearty God-spead, for they went with
the understanding there should be nothing in
consistent in the new to what had been done
in the old church. The revenue remained tine
same to st. Stephens as before, for new faces
came in to take the places of those who had
gone. But we must now give the rest of the
Doctors discourse in brief for want of space
Ia 1858 there was great revival and over 100
men and women who belonged to the congre-
CATION experienced religion. In May, 1853,
Bishop Burgess confirmed 80 persons before
congregation that completely crowded the edi-
ace. Shortly after the revival Doctor Pratt
was absent for four months on account of i'll
health. In the fall the lamented Tying died in
Philadelphia, and DR.. Pratt went there to FL
his pulpit
During the nineteen years that DR.. Pratt
was settled over the parish of st. Stephens he
baptized 500 persons, married 303, and oficiat-
ed at the burial of 522. Seventy-one commu-
nicauts belonged to the parish when be Joined
it, and when he left 463 had been added, and
$40 persons had been confirmed.
In conclusion, the Doctor said as he looked
around the church he could see here and
there the faces of those who had stood by
him from the beginning, but they were few in
number since memorable time had gathered
ham in Not eli ola oinis far
pulpit in the city who was here when he was
settled. Alrhad gone. Never shall he forget
the dark days OF the church when their hearts
would have tainted if he had not seen the COM
ing of the Lord. Those faithful men and wO-
men had stood by the cross, had spoken words
of courage and hope, and believed that light
would beam from the walls of Zion. Unity,
love of the church, faithfulness and harmony
were the power that had produced the pros
perity of the parish and not the power of the
preacher. The settled principle of the parish
never to be in debt was another secret of their
success. No church can prosper that is ham
pered Those that are within feel the burden
and are glad to escape. When the church was
in Pearl street there was scarcely young man
in it. They had fled as from the cholera St.
The speaker urged upon the congregation
shat if they would keep their church live one
they must make conscientious, prayerful, full
attendance. An empty church is looked upon
as dead, a full one draws attendance Forty
years ago people said they would as soon go to
Romish as to an Episcopal church: they did
not understand the doctrines. They consider
ed Episcopalians strange people. People
outside call our church a church of forms. We
do have forms, but there is the spirit of God
shining within the church, and our forms be-
come something more than forms as we ear
nestly and with the true Christian spirit turn
our hearts to God. Again, be kind to one
another. The success of the parish has been
greatly due to the kindness of each towards
the other. Know each other, rot by the mere
shake of the hand, but by the heart-throb that
beats responsive to all true affection. All We
who eat of the same spiritual food at this ta-
BILE and partake of the same spiritual drink.
Finally, love the brotherhood; love all denom-
nations who are sincere, earnest Christians,
for what right have we to say that we will draw
our priestly robes about us and sit in judgment
upop men who are l~~a;.,, Christian lives
according to their lights, and striving with all
their might to serve the Master.
We wish we could have given tho closing
peroration, it breathed such grand sentiments,
and what was better, the true spirit of Christ.
1t embodied the golden rule so fully, ''do ye
unto others as We would have others do unto
you," and put aside so thoroughly the idea
a man could not be Christian unless he be-
longed to particular sect. The discourse 90
cupied both the morning and afternoon SER
vices and, therefore, we have perhaps omitted
much that should have been inserted, certain
ly much that was ennobling in theory, and po-
etc in expression, even if it was not connect
ed directly with the "reminiscences.
A collection was taken up at the end of the
morning service for the Widows Wood Socie-
ty and in the afternoon Mr.. Dalton, the rec.
tor, urged an attendance upon the annual meet
ing of the Young Mems Christian Association
in the most fitting terms