The Portland daily press., 1876-11-24
.Ehe Advisory Council.

The Advisory Council called to consider the
Rev. Mr. Fenn's withdrawal from High street
church, met at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon
Delegates from the Congregational churches in
this city, Lewiston, Auburn, Gorham and
Cumberland Mills were present, also Rev. Mr.
Manning of Boston and Prof. Sewall of Bruins.
wick. Rev. E. H. Byington was chosen mod
orator, and Rev. A. A. Blanchard scribe. The
council was called to ratify the action of the
church and parish, but upon the opening of
the session petition was presented from mem
bers of the church and parish, asking the coun-
Gil not to be too hasty in their action and init
mating that Mr.. Tenn would withdraw his re-
signation if it was the wish of the council. Up
on bearing this it was thought best to hear both
parties and they we're heard. The afternoon
session adjourned to evening wien the council
held secret session, and the matter was fully
discussed, after which the following vote was
passed:
Voted That WE do not see our way clear to
advise the dismissal of the Rev. w. III. Fem
from his pastoral Office IN the High street
church and parish, and we recommend that he
and his people reconsider their action IN the
premises with view to his continuance with
| them.
| Among the reasons which have led US to this
result, are the following:
| 1st.-The Rev, Mr.. Fem during more than
| ten years of labor in connection with the High
| street church, has greatly endeared himself to
| his brethren in the ministry and to the church.
4 es throughout this commonwealth. We regard
him as a man of superior native gifts, thorough
| education, and unusually varied culture. We
| have also found him genial, hgh-minded and
| honorable in all his relations. But that for
which we now especially esteem and love him
is his earnest and prayerful devotion to the
& 81 uo...L
| him as he is, and remembering how he has
| borne himself for SO long time we feel that
| lis removal would be loss to the cause of
| Christ in the city of Portland and in the state
| Of Maine, which the people of the High street
| church and parish should do all in their power
| to prevent.
2d.-Facts have come to or knowledge dur
| ing our session as a council, which induce US to
| believe that large portion of the members
| and friends of this church earnestly desire the
| Rev Mr.. Fem to continue in his present office.
| Sd We sincerely desire that this beloved
| church may increase in numbers and useful
ness. But how this can be and the congrega-
| ton be saved from disintegration in case OF the
| withdrawal of the Rev. Mr.. Fem we are una
| BILE to see. We can think Of no man with the
| gifts aud devotion Of Mr.. Fem whom the
| church might hope to secure in his place. 1t
| seems to us that what needs to be done here in
| order to the peace and efficiency of this church
| is more likely to be accomplished il he remains
than if he goes away. We do, therefore, most
afectionately commend the Rev. Mr. Fem and
thls people to God and the word of His grace
advising them, and as brethren in the Lord
earnestly entreatipg them to reconsider their
actlon ~ the premises; to remove out OF the
way any hlnirances to the efforts of the pastor
Wnich may now exist; to renew their covenant
with Cnrist and one another; and to give them
selves IN love to the service Of the Master in
this city.
E, II. BYINGToN, Moderator
ADDISON BLANCHARD Scribe