The Portland daily press., 1875-06-15
PINE STREET CHURCH CORNER
STONE,
The LAYING of the Corner Stone Of the
Pine Street M. e. Cburch-Thc COntens
of the BOX, etc, etc,

The corner stone of the Pine street Metho-
dist Episcopal church was formally laid at
o'clock last evening. The ceremonies were at
tended by large concourse of people. Bishop
Wiley was unable to be present, and the cere-
monies were conducted by Presiding Elder
Luce.
At a little past six o'clock Rev. MIR. Luce be-
gan the services by reading the hymn begin
ming Crock of Ages" which was sung by the
audience. Rev. D. B. Randall then offered
very fervent prayer for the successful finishing
of the church. and for the prosperity of the
society, The cxxxid Psalm was repeated by
the audience The lesson, 1st Corinthians, Sd
chapter and from the 9th TO 23d verse, was
then read by Rev. j. E. c. Sawyer of Sarato-
ga. At the close of the reading Rev. Mr.. Luce
delivered short address. He thought that it
was very appropriate to stop the building an
hour and shake the hand of Christian fellow
ship over the corner stone. He remarked that
he did not think there was Christian living
who did not rejoice to see them prosper. His
remarks were short and to the point
Rev. Mr.. Wetherbee of Lewiston, was then
called upon, and began by congratulating the
trustees of the church upon their progress to-
wards new building. He spoke of being set
tied over the church two terms, and of the &C.
tivity of its members in the cause of Christian
ity. He said they were always in revival, be-
cause God was with them.
At the close of Mr.. Wetherbee's remarks
Mr.. Luce said that it had troubled him how he
could connect the remarks of the Methodist
elergymen with those of the clergymen OF the
other denominations present, but the problem
had been solved by the arrival of DR.. Tefft OF
Bangor. He then called upon that clergyman
to speak as connecting link. The Doctor re-
sponded, saying that he was connecting link
in the sense that he always preached to such
as are willing to listen to poor preacher
like himself. He then spoke of how he be-
came Methodist, and concluded by speaking
of true Christian fellowship. He was willing
to say as did Wesley, IF thy heart is as my
heart, give me your hand" sentiment which
embodies Methodist doctrine the world over.
DIR. Smaller was the next speaker. He con-
graduated the church and society on their
prosperity, and said he was glad to see it. Il
shall have lived long enough" he remarked,
"when cannot congratulate every Christian
church on its prosperity
Rev. Mr. Luce then spoke of the kindness of
the State street society in inviting Pine street
to worship at their church during the building
of their own, and called upon Rev. Mr.. Hlncks
of the State street church.
Rev. Mr.. Hincks was glad to be able to con-
graduate the society, and thought that the day
of rivalry between churches had passed. He
concluded by speaking of the great power OF
Methodism in this country.
Rev. Mr.. Johnston, the poster, thanked the
audience for their good order, and was glad to
see such an excellent spirit manifested among
the clergymen present.
Mr. c. X. Ladd, one of the trustees, then
read the list of the articles to be placed in the
box, which is as follows:
History of the Church.
List OF Members.
History of the Sabbath School,
History of the Ladies CiIcle
History of the Young PEOPLES Social Union.
History of Building Movement.
Minutes of the last session Maine conference
Constitution Old Ladies Home.
Guide to the City of Portland.
Report of the Board of Trade, City OF Portland
Name of the donor of the first dollar to the build
ing, Charles Abbott.
"Ziops Herad,' of June 10th.
The Daily Papers Of the City of Portland, this
Packages of coins presented by E. Corey, Esq.
Photograph of Old Church.
Specification of New Church.
Municipal Register City of Portland, 1875.
History of Ladies and Pastors Christian Union.
Sketch of organization Woman's Foreign Missiona-
ry Society.
"Christian Advocate" June Sd, 1875.
The box was then placed in the stone by Rev.
Mr.. Luce with the following Words
In the name of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Ghost, we lay this corner stone
for the foundation of house to be builded and
consecrated to the service OF Almighty God,
according to the order and usages of the Meth
odist Episcopal church. Amen.
The trowel used on this occasion was of solid
silver, and bore the following inscription:
Used at the laying of the corner stone of the Pine
street NJ E. church. June 18th, 1875, and presented
by the trustees to William Deering, Esq, as me-
mento of their personal regards and also of his gen.
erous subscriptions to their building fund.
Prayer was offered by Rev. S. f. Jones, of
Chestnut street church, after which the whole
audience joined in singing, Praise GOD from
whom all blessings flow" The ceremonies
closed with the benediction by Rev. b. Lufkin
of Cape Elizabeth.
The following named clergymen were pes
ent: Rev. Dr. Tetft of Bangor; Rev. Messrs.
Woodbury. of Cape Elizabeth Gibson of Deer
ing, Randall of Saccarappa, Wetherbee of
Lewiston, Sawyer of Saratoga, n. Y, Cousins
of Kennebunk, Lufkin of Cape Elizabeth,
Budden of Scarboro, Collins of Cape Eliza
beth, and Rev. Dr. Smaller, Rev. Messrs. Jones,
Hncks, Gibbs, Bicknell, Bradee and Johnston
of this city. Mayor RICHARDSON was also pres
ent