The Portland daily press., 1875-07-05

memorial windows
The pulpit furniture is the gift of child of
the church and formerly member of the Sab
bath School whose early associations and kind
ly feelings toward the Pastor and the society
have prompted him to make this liberal dona-
ton. The communion service which we now
have in use, and the Bible onthe vestry pulr 1t
are his gifts also. The elegant Bible upon the
desk was presented by our Pastors youngest
son. 1t is appropriately inscribed.
Our organ was made by Mr. George Stevens
of East Cambridge, Mass. Its musical quail
ties have been fully tested, and pronounced by
competent judges to be first class in all re-
spects.
We take pleasure in saying that the builder,
Mr.. Stevens, has dealt very generously with
with our society. After having contracted to
build the organ much below the regular price
for such an instrument, he has donated five
hundred dollars to the society. So that with
the deduction and donation, we are provided
with four Thousand dollar organ at much less
cost.
1t affords still farther pleasure to say in
this connection that, when the fire occurred
that destroyed our old house OF worship and
organ. Mr.. Stephens was then building an
organ for the old house. On hearing OF the
calamity that had befallen the society, he at
once informed us that although the organ was
far advanced towards completion, he would
cherfully cancel the contract which he did.
without any solicitation on our part
One other tact in relation to the organ must
be alluded to. La October 1865, the late Mrs.
Ellphalet Greedy then member of this church,
wishing to do something for the society and to
perpetua!e the money of her late husband who
had long been connected with the society, have
ing been for twenty eight years one Of the
parish assessors, acting upon the suggestion of
a friend to make donation to the parish for a
new organ for the old church, readily complid-
with the proposal and donated two thousand
dollars for the purpose, this liberal gift has
been held in reserve until the present time
The Executor of the estate of the late Mrs.
Greedy has paip the two thousand dollars, the
same is to be applied to the payment of our new
organ, and an inscription has been placed upon
it to the memory of Eliphalet Greedy, in &C
cordance with the original design, and request. ,
Many points and incidents in connection
with the building could be referred to, and at
some future time it may be of interest to do So
1t has been the aim and purpose of those
who have had the charge of building this
house so to conduct the affairs as not to entail
heavy debt upon the society. To accomplish
this to so good degree has required an immense
amount of hard work and much time. The
wisdom CT such course however, we think is
apparent to all. Upon the receipt of expected
donations, the sale of pews which we hope to
effect, and the thank-OfferiEgs of to-day we
hope will be- sufficient to enable us to pay all
our Indebtedness, except the twelve thousand
dollars # bonded bebt before referred to. And
we have but little doubt, judging from the
past, that our hopes and expectations will be
realized, and that our good friends who are
present will be glad to join with us In making
their thank offering 10 our behalf.
And now as we are come to this long-hoped
for occasion, after having passed through man
fold trials in the prosecution of our work, to
give to God the fruit of our lab0rs, or rather
to return to Him that which is His own, it be-
comes us gratefully to acknowledge His good"
ness for all He has enabled us TO do, and for
the many kind friends He has raised up and
disposed to lend us the helping hand.
Whilst we of the Second Parish acknowledge
the goodness of God in the bestowment of the
benefits so cheerfully conferred by others-let
us cherish the hope that they may stimulate us
to acts of benevOlence and works of charity;
and having the opportunity on this occasion
aud at other services of to-day to make our
thank Offering for this house now to be dedi-
Gated to the worship of God, let US give liber-
ally and thus show our faith by our works.
Our hearts am sure are full to OVERLOOKING
as we remember and recount the mercies of
God, and we are led to give utterance to the
words of the Psalmist as applicable to each of
us on this occasion, "Bless the Lord, Oh my
soul! and all that is within me, bless his holy
name. Bless the Lord Oh my soul, aud forget
not all his benefits
''He hath not dealt with us after our sins;
nor regarded us according to our iniquties.'
If our desires are sincere to bless God and &C.
knowledge his kiEd dealings towards us, we
can safely and in faith and with hope put up
the prayer of the man of Goo"
''Let thy work appear unto servants, and thy
glory unto their Children
"And let the beauty of the Lord our God be
upon us, and establish the work of our hands
upon us: Yea, the work Of our hands establish
Thou it.
THE DEDICATION.
A more delightful morning for the dedica-
ton of church ediice to Divine worship than
yesterday could not be imagined. The air was
cool and refreshing and the sun shone from the
blue heavens above in all its beauty and SPLEEN
dor.
J.. E. Gilman presided at the organ and a
quartette composed of Miss Brown, soprano;
Mrs, Chas. Howe, contralto; Mr.. William
Weeks, tenor, and DR.. Fernald, basso sang at
each service
DECORATIONS.
The floral decorations of the church were
very tastefaly arranged by the ladies of the par
ish. In the arch over the pulpit was a semi
circle composed of evergreen. On the left
hand side of it was the date, 1888, and beneath
was an anchor showing the faith the original
members had in the church aG the time of its
organization at that date. On the right hand
side of the circle was 1866 and a cross, the
date when the old church was destroyed. In
the centre was the date of the completion of
the new church, 1875, with crown. The effect
was very fine, the letters being white on THE
green groupd work. In front of the desk there
was a fine floral display. The table was fairly
loaded down with rare flowers intermingled
with evergreen. On either side were baskets
hn ytI,ro ON
the sides of the desks were trimmed with ivy,
while from the gas jets on each side of the
church depended hanging plant. On the
gallery, in front of the organ, were large vases
of cut flowers. The fragrance from the multi
tude of blossoms filled the church.
MORNING SERVICES
The crowd of people seeking admission to the
church was so large that the services did moi
commence at the appointed time. Every pew
was filled and the aisles blocked with seats
The service opened with an organ voluntary
the full round notes of the organ sounding
very clear in the new church. The quartette
then sang the anthem "How beautiful are the
Dwellings," with fine effect. At the close Of
singing the venerable pastor arose to offel
prayer, and as he spoke the congregation with
one accord bowed in silent reverence. Rev. Mr..
Wright then read the 84th, S5th, seth and 87th
Psalms, and offered prayer.
The chairman of the building committee
Deacon S. w. Larrabee, read the report, which
we give above. The pastor then invited the
whole audience to joiu with the choir in sing
ing.
THE OBLIGATORY SERMON
was preached by the pastor Rev. DR.. Carruth
ers who took his text from Romans /, Is. 81
am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for il
is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that beleveth." The following is an abstract
of the excellent discourse:
The long-cherished purpose pf the apostle to
visit Rome, even if no reason for it had beer
assigned, would have surprised none of his
contemporaries. A city which, in its ruins
and at this late day, attracts and invites Sc
many of the most civilized and cultivated in
habitants of Earope aud America must, in it,
pristine magnifcence and splendor, have been
universally attractive. We know that it was Sc
and that, in the view of the sweet poet of Man
tua, q sight of Rome was one of the highest oh
iects of ambition. The Coliseum was then un
shorn Of its grand proportions. The palace o
the Caesars, the FORUM, the Senate-hou sc, ant
the innumerable< mansions and neighborne
villas of luxurious patricians, were still stand