The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-04-19

vices begun in the church, which presented az
full an attendance as in the afternoon, by .
voluntary on the organ, followed by an anthem
made brief address appropriate to the occa-
non, abiding to the great progress which
fortiand had made during the last fifty years,
ana TO her brilliant prospects for the future.
ne also alluded to the great changes which
ha9 occurred IN the moral and religious world,
ana claimed that Universalism was the pro-
gressive religion Of the century.
rev " x. Moor Of Augusta, was the first
speaker: He commenced by relating an &C.
count of his first meeting with the Rev. Rus
sell Streeter, and the great influence which it
had upon his whole after lie, and the circum-
stances which induced him to settle in Port
land. He alluded to several interesting rem
lnlscences of his pastoral experience while
connected with the society, during the seven
years Of his ministry in this city. The charac-
ter OF Rev. Mr.. Bisbee, former pastor of the
society, was alluded to; as pulpit orator he
had few superiors, while his private character
was eminently worthy of praise and emula-
ton. The characters OF Rayner and Sadler,
Smith and Churchill were also discussed, and
their various virtues and peculiarities elabor-
ately dwelt upon. The various charitable and
benevolent institutions, which are an honor to
our city, were referred to, and the history of
their foundation to some extent, narrated.
Many incidents of the great growth of the Un.
iversalist demon ination in the State and
country during the same period were also re-
marked; tho changes in the theological world
during the last fifty years had been great and
even marvellous, and the progress of free
thought and liberal Christianity has been in
deed encouraging. and should afford US the
most brilliant hope for the future.
Rev. B. H. Bailey was then introduced
He commenced by abiding to his connection
with the mother church Of this vicinity, and
the very intimate relations which existed be-
tween the Unversalist and Unitarian denom-
nations. He spoke of the growing liberality
of the age, and closed by referring 10 the pres
ence on this occasion Of Rev. E. G. Bolles, who
was next introduced. He commenced by say
ing that the truest kind of courage, is 2 o'clock
10 the morning courage, but thought that
higher kind of courage IS half past O clock re-
iiglous meeting courage. He spoke of the many
pleasing incidents of his pastoral relations with
the society, and the many important events
which occurred during his ministry. At the
time of it, commencement the old spirit of con-
t trv;. had passed entirely away, and the
Of his stay in this city were almost universally
pleasant and unmarried by any act of uupleas-
antness. The heat Of political controversy,
nor any other cause, in any way detractsd
He gave an eloquent and soul-stirring de-
soription of the great fire of 1866, and the sub
sequent eventiul scenes which followed These
memories are ever before me and never will be
IorROtten. de also alluded to the noble traits
Of human character which were developed by
the great catastrophe, : and the Christian
virtues OF resignation and submission which it
drew forth. An eloquent tribute was paid to
the memory of those departed brethren who
had passed from the scenes of earth and en-
tered within the golden gates, " here they dwell
now to watch over and to bless us.
He closed by reference to the work which
had been accomplished during the two years
which had TRANSFERRED since be had been absent
and trusted that in the future, not only the
church, but the entire city would move onward
in the path of success and prosperity, and fully
realize the hopes of les warmest friends.
Hon. Nathan Webb then made q brief adj
dress and read two letters, one from j. N.
Murdoch, relative to the health of Father Street
er, and the other from Rev. George w. Mont
gomery, a former member of the society, ex-
pressing sincere regret that he could not be
present.
The exercises closed with singing an original
hymn by Rev. H. G. Leonard, to the tune Of
"Auld Lang Syne"