The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-02-01

| not only at their strictly re igious gatherings
| but at their social gatherings also. The minis
ter who sustains himself with ability and pro.
| priety in these several relations cannot fail OF
| being highly useful man, and in the conn.,
| dent belief that you, my brother, will prove
| yourself to be such, 1 hail your coming among
us with unusual pleasure.
The welcoming hymn by the choir and con-
| gregation was then sung,
| The venerable Mr.. Ripley offered the prayer
| of recognition, which was followed by hymn
by the choir
| Mr.. H. S. Melcher, Superintendent of the
Sunday School, stepped forward and welcomed
the pastor on the part of the Sunday School
| He spoke of the flourishing condition OF the
school and hoped that the new pastor would
make himself at home there. He spoke of the
addition which the church had received from
the school, to show that they were closely con
nected The School sang hymn OF well
| come.
| The hand of fellowship by DR.. Smaller was
most cordial and appropriate. We are, how
ever, to give only the leading points OF it. lie
said to give the right hand TO another was
common thing. 1t did not, however, always
have the same Specification. 1t might be
token of mere acquaintance of friendship, OF
| Christian love and fellowship. But in giving
| the hand to one as minister of Jesus Christ,
| it meant more 1t is indeed an expression OF
friendship, of Christian love, but it is also ex
pressive of fellowship for one in the ministerial
| Office, and implies:
IA confidence in the motives and aims
| with which he assumed the duties of such
office-that it was not to obtain livelihood, or
position, or fame--but that he did 1t In oDedi,
| ence to what he believed to be call from Goa
indicated by moving of the heart by the dlVine
| Spirit-by the leading of Provldence-oy an
| oyerpoweripg desire to benefit and save men
through the gospel OF CHRIST. .,.e.;s
and abilities of one to discharge the duties OF
such office-that he has indebted loyalty to
Christ-fdelty to his kingdom, his church, his
truth-that he will rightly divide and expound
that truth-regard it as the instrument OF
power, which he is to use-and That ne VIII
present that truth clearly, boldly, taltnIeeIgy,
affectionateIy. Confidence in his views OF the
church of Christ-its order, its policy-lts mem
bership-its ordinances-its discipline It's nee
essary training in order to render Its service
and work most beneficial and effective
3-If he is to be pastor, it insples conn
dence in his practical wisdom, which will rem.
der him capable of being guide and leader OF
the people, One may have other quanhcatonS
of high order, but if he have not good practical
sense we cannot cordially welcome MIN as one
sent forth his disciples he said 'Be ye wise as
serpents and harmless as doves" 1t was
large share of practical wisdom he desired
them to have-an ability to read men-dlscrim-
mate character, to adapt themselves 70 every
variety of circumstance,-and the truth TO all
classes of men. Christianity is htted TO hu,
manity-touches it at a thousand points and
needs to be wisely presented.
And it implies confidence IN his aplllty 10 pe
a sympathizing pastor-not cold, unmoved by
the Affections of his people, but OF warm, sym
pathies capable of weeping with those VINO
weep, rejoicing with those who rejoice, per
forming all his work faithfully without par
TALLY and without Hypocrisy workman tnat
needeth not to be ashamed.
And my dear brother having confidence IN
you in all these respects, give you TINS rlgnt
hand of fellowship as minister OF Christ-Wei-
coming you to the circle of ministers IN TINS
citv. and those of your own denomination in
this state. They are company OF good men
and true and though acting without authority
from them, L venture to pledge you their sym
pathy, their cooperation and prayers. we
snail all stand by you, closely to you, SO long as
we perceive that you cling to "the truth as 1t is
in Jesus.
The highly interesting services closed with
few very appropriate remarks and brief
PRAYER by the pastor He said there would be
times when remarks from him would be more
in order. "But from my heart of hearts L
thank you for the expression of your affection
and already begin to feel at home among you.
am glad to be so heartily welcomed to the
ministers of Maine and to a church which for
mer pastors speak so well Of" He then spoke
of the call he received to come to the church
and of his declination, but subsequent accep-
lance. CT stand here o-day full of hope in
the Lord L accept your prayers which L
know have already gone out for me-" He then
spoke of his antici pated pleasure i'll the Sunday
School. He closed by pronouncing the bene-
diction.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mr.. McWhinnie was born in ThOmpsonville,
Ct. March 9th, 1910. He fitted for college at
the Connecticut Literary Institution, Sufield,
Ct In 1861 entered Rochester University, N.
Y, and continued one year. In August 1862,
he enlisted as private in the 10th regiment OF
Connecticut volunteers. Was connected with
the army of the Potomac In the battle of
Charlottesville, while on the field, holding at
that time the office of sergeant of his company,
he was severely wounded by "a minnie ball
which went through both of his legs near his
knees He lay twelve days upon the field
without surgical aid, when he was removed
within our lines. 1t was found that the wound
in one knee was so severe that it was necessary
that the leg should be amputated This was
done and his life was preserved. On account
of this wound and its results he received an
honorable discharge from the army He so far
recovered as to enable him to pursue his studies
and il 1864 entered the Sophomore class of
Brown University from which institution he
graduated in 1867. In September of the same
wear he became student at the Newton Theo
logical Institution, where he graduated in 1870.
In August of that year was married to Miss
Anna Louisa Smaller of Deep River, CT,
Young lady of superior education and character.
In the spring of 1871 he became pastor of the
Baptist church in Lansngburg, N. Y, where
he has labored with ability and success until he
was called to the important position which he
now holds as pastor in this city.
EVENING SERVICE.
In the evening a large congregation gathered
to listen to the pastors first sermon. 1t was an
able and scholarly effort. He took his text
from I'd Corinthians, xii, Al Seek Not Your
But YOU The following is a brief extract:
In this sentence is declared the aim Of every
true minister of the Gospel. an aim unselfsh
and definite, absorbing the best energies of
heart and life. 1t transcendssevery other ain
inasmuch as it has reference not merely to the
life that now is, but especially to that which is
to come. He asks far more than other teach
ers. He seeks more than the good will of men
or their assent to His doctrine. He seeks not
theirs but them; not their affection, their
praise, their wealth, but tn cir minds; their
hearts, themselves. He must be satisfied with
nothing less than his hearers submission and
obedience to his Master The question arises,
what right has any many to put forth such
claims, to make such demands upon his fellow
men? He has no right to do this unless he
can show himself commissioned by divine au-
thorty. How then is the aim of the preacher
justified
1-God sends him to seek men. The preacher
is the ambassador of Christ. "As thou has
sent me Dto the world even so also have 1 sent
them into the world"
2d-The message of the preacher is from
God He must preach the preaching that God
bids him in all its fulness of grace and precept
and warning
3d-The preachers aim is justified by the i'm
portance of his message. His is the ministry of
reconciliation. His message is the Lords mes
sage of peace and good will to our apostate
world, the offer of mercy and pardon to lost
and sinful men. IF they receive it not, if they
believe not that Christ is He they must die n
their sins
1.-The Lord confirms the preacher message