Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-20
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Nuusress square Universalist church, OF
Ior!land, celebrated their semi-centennial
ni,ersaIy on Tuesday. It was beautiful
Gay, the church was elegantly trimmed and
decorated, and large Congregation waa as
sembiad, many being present from abroad
The services commenced with very pleasing
voluntary on the organ by G. W. Mar.ton
the organist, after which the choir sano an
anthem with taste and feeling. Then fol-
lowed the responses by pastor and people.
and the reading of the scriptures by Rev. c.
W. Buck. A very earnest and impressive
prayer was offered by the Rev. j. c. Snow,
after which the hymn was sung ''Let children
hear the Mighty Deeds Rev. Mr.. Gibbs
gave complete history of the church from
its first humble beginning by meeting in a
cooper's shop ON Mount Fort street to the
regular formation in 1921, down to the pres
ent time, when it is so prosperous. Father
Ballou and Rev. John Brooks were its early
pioneers, Rev. Russell Streeter was its first
pastor. The church was built on the corner
of Congress and Pearl street, andYthe dedi-
cation and installation services were held
in August 16, 1921, Sebastation Streeter
delivering the dedication, and Rev.
Hosen Ballou the installation sermon.
Father Streeter resigned in 1927, after six
years faithful service. Mr.. Gibbs referred in
eulogistic terms to his successors, Rev.
Messrs. Bisbee, Reese, Rayner, Smith, Burr,
Sadler, Father Streeter, ssecond pastorate,"
abiding incidentally to his own ministry. In
1863 measures were taken under Rev. Mr..
Robes ministry to build new and larger
church, and his present fine edifice in Con-
gress square was the result. 1t cost over
100000. The society recently freed itself
from debt. The old church was burned in
the great fire of 1866. In conclusion, Mr..
Gibbs urged complete spiritual conservation
to God as essential to religions growth. The
choir sang beautiful original hymn by Mrs.
Z. M. Barstow. Mr.. S. C.. Fobes then read
an historical address to the Sunday School.
In the evening, Ex-Gov. Washburn presided,
and Rev. Mr.. Moor of Augusta made an ad-
dress. lie commenced by relating an ac-
count of his first meeting with the Rev. Rus
sell Streeter, and the great influence which it
had upon his whole after life, and the circum-
stances which induced him to settle in Port
land. He alluded to several interesting rem
iniscences of his PASTORAL experience while
connected with the society, during the seven
years of his ministry in this city. The char
acter of Rev. Mr.. Bisbee, former pastor of
the society, was alluded to as pulpit orator
he had few superiors, while his private char
acter was emminently worthy of praise and
emulation. The character of Rayner and
Sadler, Smith and Churchill were also dis
cussed, and their various virtues aud pecu-
liarities deliberately dwelt upon. The vari-
Gus charitable and benevolent institutions,
which are an honor to our city, were referred
to, and the history of their foundations to
some extent, narrated. Many incidents of
the great growth of the Universalist denomi-
nation in the State and country during the
same period were also remarked; the chang
es in the theological world during the last so
years had been great and marvellous, and the
progress of free thought and liberal Chris
tianity had been indeed encouraging, and
should afford US the most brilliant hope for
the future. Rev. B. II. Bailey of the First
Parish Unitarian Church made a capital con-
gratulatory address full of church fellowship.
Rev. E. C. Bolles followed in some eloquent
and touching remarks upon his recent pas
torate here. Letters were received from
Father Streeter and others regreting their in
ability to be present. The closing exercises
were singing an Irrational hymn written by
Rev. c. H. Leonard, of Philadelphia, and
benediction by Rev. z. Thompson, of Me-
chanic Falls.
The Independent says that the mystery of
the SAGE tragedy has not yet been solved.
ALI the statements made last week have been
confirmed by subsequent investigations. 1t
has been shown conclusively that the body
found was that of Mary McCarty, and that
Henry l.. Joy accompanied her to this place.
OF him just nothing at all is known, and the
statements in some of the papers in this State
and Massachusetts, in regard to the opinion
of the Coroners jury are entirely without
foundation. The jury have not as yet rem
dered an opinion of it, in fact, they have
formed one, and their Investigations are not
yet concluded. OF one thing the public may
be certain, that the matter will be probed to
the bottom, if bottom there be. 1t is a first
class mystery, and whatever hypothesis is
adopted leads into innumerable difficulties.
The Coroner and his jury will exhaust all
means in their power to find out the truth
without fear or favor. .5.
Items from the Lewiston Journal: Rev.
j. Haytt Smith of Brooklyn, N. Y, has been
invited by the students of Bates College to
deliver the annual sermon before the Phillips
Missionary Association, Sunday evening,
June 5th-Commencement week. The Pine
Street Congregational Church and Society
have unanimously invited Rev. F. F. Ford,
late of Marshall, Mich, TO become their pas
tor at salary of $2500. Mr.. Ford has
preached several Sabbaths for the Pine Street
Society with great acceptance. Rev. Mr..
Day, who for the past six months has labored
with such marked success with the Hamp-
shire Street Methodist church, Auburn, will
preach his last sermon in the Conference
next Sabbath. The population of Lewiston
and Auburn is now increasing more rapidly
than for any period for several years. Au-
burn Bank is putting new safe into their
new banking rooms. Its weight is $500
pounds.
The Portland Press says that M. II. Coch-
ran, Esq, of Compton, c. E., the celebrated
breeder of neat stock, shipped by the steamer
HISTORIAN last Saturday, from that port, two
fine animals from his herd, destined for Nor
folk county, England. One was BULL eight
months old, which grted about five and
half feet, and the other two-year's old heif-
er, which girted six and half feet The
price received for the bull was 500 guineas,
$4,000, and for the heifer 500 guineas
($25O0). These cattle were of the famous
Bates short horn breed of which MIR. Coch-
ran is the only owner on this continent, and
he prices brought were probably never be-
ore realized in America for neat animals of
heir ages.
H., J,h, I yuoh has enlarged and romnxl-