Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-30
Rev. G. R. Moor's Farewell, Discourse.

| pastOTale III December, 1900. lie uid not ac-
cept the call, but arranged to supply the pull
| PIT for three months, at the end of which time
he accepted renewed call and became pas
tor; so he had been the minister of this parish
six years and one month He alluded to the
changes in the pastorates of all the churches
in the city except one. The salary fixed was
nearly double what the parish had ever before
paid its minister forany year, and larger, he be-
lieved, than any parish in tie city or county,
except one, had ever attempted to pay. The
whole amount of current expenses of the par
ish per annum had not varied much on the
average from $500. This, as a rule, had
been paid with rare promptness, and the
Trea surcr had informed him that he had paid
every dollar due from the Society up to the
beginning of the present month, and had
assets or cash on hand enough to pay every
dollar of the present indebtedness. Many Of
the persons vino paid the largest subscriptions
at the beginning Of his ministry, were paying
at present considerable less than at that time
for current parish expenses, and none of the
largest payers then were paying as much now
for current parish expenses. Bat these regu-
lar current expenses do not fairly represent
the financial work of the parish during the
six years of this ministry. The whole cost
Of this church ediiice, including interest be-
fore the whole expense was paid, exceeded
$4,000. Calling it but $4,000, we have an
average Of $1,000 per year which YOU have paid
dur t,r, iu4- !
rent expenses, making in all more than S50,-
000 or an average of 5000 per year lie
alluded also t. tae public charities ami gifts
for general denomina;ional purposes Of the
parish during THESE years. In speaking Of
the growth of the parish in numbers, lie said
he knew that fair proportion Of the most
wealthy and liberal members had come among
them since lie came among them, ana that he
thought one half the presentyear S current eA-
penscs were paid by what might be called new
parislioncrs. Tie parish now represents
more wealth, intelligence and influence that
at any previous date OF ms knowledge Of them.
He alluded TO the fact that llle Sunday school
had spent more money the pas:year for looks,
papers &C., than for the several previous
wears together, and had a handsome sam in
the treasury. The records show that the
school has numbered more during the last six
months than at any other tine in its history
spoke Of the children's parties at lis house,
of the Sunday School concerts, and Of the
Children's Sundays, when In church has
been exquisitely decorated with flowers, and
children have been consecrated 10 God the
Father. In connection with this lie said "Ah,
those flowers, how they aided ia making the
church fragrant all summer long-all the win
ter through-thc whole year round. Oh,
those children, how they started fresh blood
IN the hearts Of the older persons Of
the congregation -- impulses, aspirations,
hopes, that help 10 make aEc beautiful
and youthful, and the eternal world more real
and blessed the nearerw approach its bounda
RES" H. had bapt vi on those occasions
-ix;y-tiye children, many Of whom Lave
passed and are rapidly passing from the
threshold Of childhood into manhood. He
hoped he had contributed something while
among them to their intellectual. moral and
spiritual education. lie alluded to his inter-
est in all christian fJl MS and religious meet
ings, to the growth Of the church organiza-
ton, and the interest he nal sought to awaken
and deepen in the Lords supper and chris
tan baptism. Spoke of his marriages and
funerals. Had attended, according to his
record, IS funerals, commenting teclingly
upon the departed men, women and children.
There is hardly ueighborhool in tile city in
which he had not Off oiated at the burial u
The dead He need not and could not par
ticularize, hut scented 10 see the dear faces
of the departed, and 10 feel their presence.
think they ara friends to Us still We can
love. They want to help Us yet--us and the
parish and all good persons and all G 1od ef-
forts for all the young, for all the az d. and
for all the world. He thanked the choir. the
singers and the organist, for their general cf-
forts to make their part of the services OF the
church good and impressive, and thanked the
church, the parish and the congregation for
ali their kindness to him and to his family
especially for the tender solici5ade aad 10, ing
care which he received DURING his hc)pless-
ness and pain from the effects " an injury,
some Of which lie must carry wiki him until
he leaves this body of dust bchi nd.
Ia closing he said if he wer. asked il he.
were satisfied with the results Of his ministry
in this city, he should reply that no wise man
was ever yet satisfied with his ok anywhere
for a single year. Oaly the foolish, who do
nothing and are nothing, would rejoice con-
inualy over their imaginary victories.
He knew his own defects, and felt the least of
his own failures far more keenly than any other
person, bat claimed to be man Of faith and
courage. and to possess some intellectual and
spiritual insight. So he had greatly reioiced
at some of the intended severest criticisms he
had ever received. He liked to be called a
friend Of education, evcn if some of the tax
payers thought him an expensive one. He re-
ioiced when enemies of tempcra nee and of