The Portland daily press., 1876-07-24

pressive preacher and mpulsive nature. Mr..
1853.
In December 1858, the church extended an
invitation to Rev. w. FL. Smaller to become its
pastor. The invitation was accepted and he
entered upon his duties March 10, 1854 The
church then had membership of 2l9-a body
happily united and ready to cooperate with the
pastor in the promotion of the cause. What 1t
lacked in wealth it made up in harmony, ac-
tivity and sacrifice. 1t promptly met its cur
rent expenses and paid off debt of some
years standing. In the great revival of 1858,
sixty converts were added to the number.
Through the dark days of the rebellion the
church continued to increase in numerical
strength and material resources; also in the
knowledge of God-the essential element of
success. July 4, 1866, came the terrible confa-
grafton. The church edifice was swept away
and nothing saved except the pulpit Bible and
two hymn books. Not only was the church
lost but the greater part of its members lived
within the track of the fire and were rendered
homeless and destitute. None who did not ex-
perence the effects of that calamity can realize
it DOW. As soon as possible thereafter the
Sabbath School was reestablished, but for some
time the church did not meet. AT length the
members got together to consult as to the fu-
ture. Their circumstances could hardly be
more discouragng. AS the result of these
consultations it was decided to proceed to build
a church. Friends of the cause elsewhere Of
fered liberal aid. The lot of the present church
edIfice was secured and plans and estimates
obtained. To.the estimated cost $4,000 was
added but this was not sufficient A consider
able debt was assumed, but the society went
forward to the completion of the building, and
on July l, 1869, the church edifce as it now
stands was dedicated. The church now has
membership of $50, united in effort and faith,
and an efficient and Furnishing Sunday school.
Evening Services.
In the evening very interesting service was
held in the vestry, which was decorated very
pretti]y with flowers. The pas tor, Rev. DR..
Smaller, presided, and after the opening SER
vices several former and present members of
the church gave interesting "reminiscences of
the church and its members. Rev. DR.. Champ
lin, former pastor, was the first speaker, and
he was followed by Micah Sampson, now of
Free street, W. G. Beckett, a present member,
Lewis B. Smith and Joshua G. Morse of Free
street, and Rev. DR.. Bosworth, formerly of
Free street, now of Haverhll, Mass
Birdie ToUR-A PORTE of so or 100 Travel-
ing hacognnio. the past week the
old While Hills of Hampshire have reechoed
the mirth of as jolly party as ever entered its
rock-bound Businesses. In accordance with
time-honored custom, party of the class of
70 z. H. S., equipped with knapsacks, porte
manteaus and other paraphrenala for tramp,
started from the Wiley House on Monday for
walk around the mountains They assembled
Mt. Washington by the old Crawford bride
path-a journey seldom if ever attempted by
ladies-and passed the night at the Summit
House, where they were rewarded with beau
tiful sunset and sunrise. They descended by
the carriage road to the Glen House, from
whence two of the gentlemen made a trip to
the wilds Of Tuckerman's Ravine and visited
the snow arch. The party then went to Jack
sen and the remainder of the week there was
spent in trying to realize that they had
braved sold GRANTEES noblest height and that
their journey was really at an end. They tell
about Old Black Joe, Thunder Storm Gene
and his Toga, aud other incomprehensible per.
sonages. That they had splendid time can.
not be gainsaid, for the weather was delightful
during the whole week, and while we in the
city were swetering in the nineties, they were
in land both cool and free from dust. In
fine, without drawing on our stock of diect-
ives, the entire thing may be summed up in the
expressive words of one of them, "'Twas
the s-w-e-e-.est little to wer 1 think 1 ever
k-n-e-o-u." Further than that we cannot con-
tinue.