The Portland daily press., 1873-02-06

CHURCH RECOGNITION. Yesterday afternoon
an ecclesiastical council, consisting of the pas
tors and delegates of the Pilgrim church at
Cambrldgeport, Mass, the church at Deeripg,
the church at Cape Elizabeth, and the ortho-
dox Congregational churches of this city, as
sembled at the Williston Chapel, and
organized by choosing Rev. DR.. Carruthers as
moderator. The council was called for the
purpose of recognizing the new church to be
formed from the attendants at this chapel. The
examination was satisfactory and it was voted
t. recognize the applicants as a chnrch. This
chapel was originally formed from State street
church, and was dedicated in 1866 by Rev. G.
L. Walker, at that time pastor of the church.
1t was formed for the purpose of accommodate
ing many people IN that section of the city who
were attendants at State street, and those who
had no public place of worship to attend.
Last evening the public services attending the
church recognition took place There was a
large attendance, the bvldius being quite filled.
The chapel was beautifully decorated with
flowers and notices, magnificent Gala lily
being placed on stand before the altar, and
baskets of flowers and evergreens pendant from
the walls.
The exercises were opened by fervent nvo.
cation to the throne of grace by Rev. M. H.
Williams. after which Rev. A. A. Smith read a
portion of the scriptures suitable to the occasion.
Rev. DR.. Small then offered prayer. The SER
mon was then delivered by E. Y. Kinks, Of the
parent church. twas an able production, con-
tanning much sound advice to the new church,
and giving the history of and reasons for it's
formation. The articles of faith and covenant
were then read. The creed is substantially
that of the kindred churches, embracing a be-
lief in the trinity, in the fall of man, in foreor-
dinat'on and in salvation by grace. The ordi-
nance of baptism was administered by Rev. DIR.
small to four persons, who were received into
the church by profession of faith. Twenty
were received by letter, thus making the num-
Der OF members twenty-four. The prayer of
recognition was offered by Rev. Dr. Carruthers
Ine r.ght hand OF fellowship was then given by
''es. W.. H. rem, and accompanied by earnest
anu wei considered remarks on the duties and
Responsibilities which the new church had as
sumed. Charles A. Lord, ESQ.,, editor of the
Christian Mirror, acted as the church represen
tatsVe IN this ceremony. Rev. George R. Leay-
it,, Of Cambridgeport, Mass, delivered the
address to the church, explaining the nature
of the church proper, as distinguished from the
society ana from secular organizations. and
claiming tnat IL emanated directly from God.
Rev. Asa Dalton gave the address to the neo.
de- congratulatng them ON the favorable
al spices under which they started. and enlarr-
ing upon the advantages which small, com.
pact and united church possesses over many of
the older and wealthief organizations in which
Indifference has measureab.y taken the place
of the early fire and devotion. The concluding
prayer, short, fervid, and to the poin., was
made by Rev. A. X. Wright. The exercises
conclui led by the singing of the doxology, and
the boz ledction by Rev. Francis Southworth.
This little church starts under very favorable
auspice 3, and is destined, we trust to a long
aid sful career. Its present able pastor, Rev.
Burke F. Leavitt, has consented to remain in
char,e of it for some months longer, and under
his carr lest and judicious pastorate, it cannot
but do well.
At church meeting held yesterday, S. r
Lowell was elected clerk, and Chas H. Payson
treasuI er.