The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-01-03
ST. Stephens Church.

SUuuuucu W AutSudys
ST. Stephens Church.
A THIRTY YEARS RETRosPECT.
On Sunday morning the Rev. DR.. Pratt, for
mer rector Of St. Stephens Church in this city
delivered a colloquial discourse to the parish,
intended as review of its history, Sunday be-
ing the thirtieth anniversary since his institu-
ton as its rector. The day was very stormy
one, and, owing to rain, sleet, and snow, many
besides the members Of the regular congrega-
tion were no doubt deferred from being pres
ent on the occasion.
The text was taken from the 18th Psalm,
the 18th and 18th verses. II ,ciU remember the
aoorks Of the Lord; surely will remember thu
soonders ofold. soM mediate also of thu aoork
and talk Of thy doings."
The speaker commenced his discourse by
saying that as we stand here in the early hours
Of the New Year it is quite impossible for us
to avoid turning to the past, and when we do
SO what view is presented to us. To many
the retrospect displays life filled with unalloy-
ed blessings. God has been very near to us in
these years and has manifested his love for US
In many ways, showing that His mercy endu-
reth for ever. In the life of others there have
been times when the skies have been dark and
lowery. Still, even then, they have been aware
OF Gods presence and felt that He, in His inf
mite mercy, was guiding them out of the gloom
Of night into the full light of day, and they
were cheered with that faith 1t is always
profitable to look back on the past for there is
this truth, not to be forgotten, that God requir-
eth the past and that when we are called before
the Judgment seat we shall have to give an ac-
count of it to Him.
The speaker said that on this thirtieth ami
versary he been asked to glance back and mark
the work of the Lord in the years that have
rolled by. 1t was vast undertaking, for it
had bsen filled with events which were of great
interest to the congregation And vat it ia ar,
eminently proper undertaking, for in doing 70
we are only following the example of the holy
men of old. And there is still another reason.
Such a rovew arouses spirit of gratitude to
God as we see how from perplexed beginning
we had been guided by Him into paths of peace
and prosperity. 1t also humbles us to review
the past. Christian men as well as others are
apt to be more or less boastful Of their own
powers. They are inclined to say, my own
right arm hath accomplished this work" We
therefore need to have our pride humbled, to
see it was owing to Gods mercy these success
es were achieved and not to mortal efforts
alone. This review also serves to strengthen
our faith for all coming time. When we see
how God has helped us out of our difficulties in
the past we are strengthened in our faith that
He will be equally masnanimous and loving
inthe future.
In commencing his history of the past thirty
years the speaker desired to be acquitted of
sgotism if it should happen that the personal
pronoun was extensively employed. He had
been so bound up in that history that it must
necessarily occur. About the month of June,
in the year 1889, the old parish of st. Paul's
died. During that month services were given
up in the parish. Debts had accumulated to
such an extent that the members felt that they
could not 60 on longer. They determined,
therefore, to organize a new church society,
which was done, and the new organization was
call st. Stephens. The bell, organ, and other
movable property of the old st. Paul's parish
was in the hands of the sheriff, taken on execu-
ton. Rev. Mr.. French had been officiating for
six months as rector, but in September, 1889,
he left and DR. Pratt was called for six months,
At that time the doctor was settled over COM
Portable parish in Rhode Island, but he accept
ed the call. Nothing was said of more def
mite arrangement when the six months should
be ended, and the doctors salary for the stated
period was to be $500. In accepting the call he
told the parish that be intended to stay when
he came. This remark pleased them, for old
st. Paurs had lost Vinton, Clark, and French,
and they felt glad that minister was coming
who proposed to abide with them. He arrived
on the Sd of January, 1910. St. Paul's still con-
tinued its corporate existence, though in debt.
Its last parish meeting was held in June of that
year and was adjourned to October, but when
the time came for the adjourned meeting there
was no one present and the society came to an
end.
After the first Sunday in January, 1910, it
was determined by the new society to leave the
old church. The old building he could distinct
ly remember with its lofty wine-glass shaped
pulpit and great sounding board, the pulpit
decked with crimson satin trimmings all in tat
tiers. The committee tried for several weeks to
secure a suitable place of worship and at last
procured hall in Union street, and when they
met there for the first time all the pews had
been already taken, some forty in mum ber.-
This success cheered them. About that time
too there was revival of religion in this city
andMSt. Stephens experienced its share OF
Gods blessing. During that spring some
forty-one were converted and Joined the
church, most of them young men. They now
felt secure for the future. 1t was during this
spring course OF lectures was commenced by
the doctor on Bunyan's "Pilgrims Progress -
and the lectures were continued for twelve
months TWAS not, perhaps, great subject
for lecturer, but what was the result. The
men VINO We're converted wanted just such a
course of lectures to awaken them.
The experiences of the Pilgrim were Their
experiences, and the result was, they were
awakened to their need of Christ and became
Christians, not in form, but in spirit, and have
been the warmest in their love for the Church
and most active in sustaining it.
The Society met in the hall in Union street
until November, 1910, when it was proposed :,
guild church Then it became evident thai
many OF the old members desired the ole
lot on Pearl street, and SO they thought the,
would try to buy the old church of st. Paul.,
and remodel it, Many of the members ha
been members of the old society, and, upon il
quiry by the committee, the committee
Gid st. Pauls said, "we will sell you the PROF
erty ifyou will assume the debts of the oil
church" Some of these debts we're twent
years old, people had used the notes that ha
been given for waste paper. Others had lost th
valuable papers, thinking they never would b
worth anything. But they paid the debts, an
took the church, the ladies sewing circle payy
ing half the cost of remodeling-some fiy
hundred dollars-and the other five hunare
dollars came from Boston. Outwardly tn
church was nondescript looking affair. II