Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-16

l 1tev. Mr. Whftmarshs
The Baptists of Maine are holding their an
| niversaries this week with the church at Eas
Winthrop, it being the semi.centennial of the
formation of the Baptist State convention
OF the fathers who gathered in the beauti
full town fifty yeats ago, all have departed
this life with the exception of two. One, 6
feeble old gentleman, will attend the meet
ings at East Winthrop, where the present gen.
Grafton meet to review the past and take
courage for the future.
The ministers ard delegates began to
gather last evening in good numbers, and all
who come are provided with stopping places
among the pleasant and beautiful homes OF
this people whose hospitality is well known to
be unbounded. The weather is all that can
be desired, and everything argues a good
meeting and an interesting season.
Prior to the meeting of the convention
proper, the services attending the installation
of the new pastor of the East Winthrop
church, the Rev. w. T. Whitmarsh, took
place last evening, the church being crowd
ed.
= hS 'ONotioh was Wy NV
W. y. Thomas of Gardiner, who also read a
selection Of scripture.
After singing, the installation prayer was
offered by Rev. A. X Crane of Hallowell,
who invoked the divine favor upon the new
relations of pastor and people.
The choir again sang.
The right hand of Christian Fellowship
was given by Rev. A. V. Tilton of Augusta
This he looked upon more than matter of
mere form; it was sustained by examples in
the New Testament. In extending the hand
he felt there was fellowship of the spirit
already existing. He bid him God speed,
and gave him cordial welcome to the fell
lowship of the ministry fellow
ship of suffering, always a fellowship of
work.
The charge to the pastor was administered
by Rev DR.. Smaller of Portland. Paul gave
Timothy the model of all charges when he
said "take heed to myself and to the doc
trine." DO your work SO we'll as never to be
ashamed. Be good man; pastors have
failed tor want of manhood. Be a good
christian man; drink deep from the fountains
of salvation; draw from your own experience
these great truths of God. Be good preach
err preach the Word after diligent study in
vestigate every subject; preach truths that
shall be adapted to the circumstances of the
people. In order to do this you will need to
be good pastor; sympathze with your peo-
pie in seasons of sorrow and joy; pay atten-
ton to the aged and infrm. Pay attention
to the young, to train them to the RESPONSE
bilities of life. Preach the word of God
that alone is our authority as Baptists; make
the cross the centre of all attraction and all
your preaching. God will honor such preach
ing.
The charge to the people was given by Rev.
DR.. Kicker of Augusta. He said the pastor
needs faithful people. We may counsel
the pew as well as the pulpit. Do not ex-
pcct great sermons always; they are terrible
drafts upon any pastor, and produce sort of
intellectual gymnast, instead of faithful
minister. Encourage rather good sermons
those that will send the hearer home to his
Bible and his closet. He recapitulatod in
vivid manner the various duties expected of
the pastor.
Rev. Stephen Allen, d. D., of Winthrop,
addressed the meeting as representative OF
another branch of Zion. He would extend to
his new brother cordial welcome. He said
the great growth of the Baptist and Metho-
dist churches was because they have endeav-
ored to preach the Gospel of Christ. 1t is
cheering to notice the signs of the times in
the matter of christian union. The walls are
falling down and the churches are coming
together. We meet upon common grounds
and upon a comprehensive basis upon which
we all NAV stand. He thanked God that the
denominations were coming together.
Prayer by Rev. DR.. Shaw, and benediction
by the new pastor closed the interesting ex-