The Portland daily press., 1870-09-07
dral was again flled with the clergy and q

dral was again filed with the clergy and a
very large congregation for evening prayer
and to listen TO the semi-centennial discourse
offhe Rev. VIM. Stevens Perry, d. d., the for
mer Rector of st. Stephens parish in this city,
on the history of the Episcopal church Ill
Maine. Evening prayer was said by clergy
men formerly connected with the Diocese but
now residing elsewhere.
DR.. Perry took as his text these words from
l Samuel 7:12-"Then Samuel took stone
and set iebetween Mizpeh and Sher and called
it Eben- Ezer, saying, hitherto hath the Lord
helped u.s." He first traced the application of
these words to Jewish history in its various
changes and fortunes. Then he applied them
to the general history of the church and espec-
tally to colonial history of the church in Amer
lea 1t was baptized in strife, assaulted by le-
Called persecution, denied its rights denied
even Bishops, and yet made progress because
God was with Der. The church before our in
dependence was strong in leading men and
strong in her faith and zeal. What is true of
colonial church history is true of the later
founding of the church in Maine. The earliest
eHorts here were made by the church of Eng
land at the mouth of the Kennebec in 1907
though Weymouth had raised the cross on
tnese shores vet earlier. The Rev. Richard
Gioson IN 1886 succeeded him in efforts to
plant colonies of churchmen, but was arrested
ana Imprisoned for marrying and baptizng at
the Isle of Shoals by the Puritan authorities of
massachusetts,. In 1910 the Rev. Robert Jor-
dan succeeded him and met with similar per-
secutlons at the same hands He held his
ground however for thirty -six years and may
be considered the father of the church in
Maine. In 1853 measures were taken in Fall
mouth for the organization of parish which to
the surprise of the Congregational pastor and
the people declared for the church. Some
other efforts were made but the war of the rev.
Oution put an end to them.
The diocese OF Maine was organized in $780,
aud placed under apostolic GriswOld, the Bishop
OPP of tten Eastern Diocese During the next
ten wears parish was organized at Westbrook
In 1883 the parish at Bangor began as a mis-
slonaTy station, and came into union with the
convention 10 1885 In this decade there were
several abortive attempts to make Maine do
cese with Bishop, and to establish a training
school and to secure clergy from England as in
colonial days. Old st. Paurs, Portland, was
established and St Stephens parish had be-
gun its career. The clergy was increase and
their abors blessed.
The third decade was more abundant in ag-
gresslve work and results. In 1871 st. Marks,
Augusta, was admitted into union with the
Convention At the death of Bishop Girls
void, 10 1S43, Bishop Henshaw of Rhode Is
land became provisional Bishop and did much
to establish the church at new points, as at
Brunswick. Bath, Haowell, Odtown and
Milford. From the first Bishop Henshaw urg-
ed the choosing of diocesan, aud this was
done on the 4th of October, 1S47, when DR..
George Burgess was chosen the first Bishop.
Dr. Perry bore eloquent testimony to the soirit
which animated the beloved and sanity Bur-
CESS in assuming the Episcopate of Maine,
with his handful of clergymen and seven par
ISL organizations among population of 600,-
600, and to his far-sightedness and lberality in
the provision which he made for the future.
Al the close of the third decade the parish at
Dresden was revived.
The fourth decade begun with the Bishops
primary charge on Great Principles" and dur.
ing its term Of years Grace Church, Bath, st.
AIMS, Calais, ST. Peters, Rockland, st. Luke's,
Portland, Trinity, Lewiston St.Thomas" Cam
den, and Christ Church, Eastport, were ad-
mitted into union with the Convention. This
was in the golden period Of his Episcopate.
The next decade opened upon the time of
war, and was not blessed with progress like
that of other years. 1t was sad period for the
Bishop, who with falling health, saw par
ishes vacant and men more absorbed than ever
in the world. and sadder yet for the Diocese in
the loss of its Tirst Bishop by too early death.
The rest is soon told; how DR.. Alexander Bur-
CESS was chosen to, butitdeclined the Episco-
pate; how DR.. Huntington declined, and how
it was accepted by DR.. Nicely, who, building
upon the whole foundation of the lamented
assume degree of prosperity which it has
never known before.
Dr. Perry concluded with some observations
on the changes which have come over the feel
ing towards the church within the last fifty
years; most interesting discourse, which
ought to be published in full. The singing at
this service was led by the choir and carried on
by The congregation, and was remarkably
hearty, vigorous and inspiring.