Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-08-08

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The strength Of religious Societies. as well
rs OF individuals, consists, in great measure,
In their ability TO adapt themselves to new cir.
cumstances, without jostle or dctrimeut, and
to go on in the even tenor of their ways, as il
nothing unusual had TRANSFERRED. To gather
up the broken thread in the wool Of life. and to
weave out the texture without spot or bem-
ish. often calls for the highest courage and the
| greatest wisdom.
A signal exemplihcation Of this strength or
ability has come under the observation OF your
Reporter within the week just closed. Four
weeks ago last Sunday. Rev. W. II. Lyon
| preached his farewell sermon as Pastor of The
Unitarian Church In thi. city. IL Is needless
to recite here. how strongly his people were
attached to him, and how keenly they felt his
loss TO the Society. For 4 brief time-a very
brief time-it seemed impossible TO sunder the
sacred lies which bound together pastor and
| people; and almost sacregious TO call new
man to his place but the members Of his soci-
ETY. did it-they did 1t neutrality-suspicious. s
jar or pause in the machinery of Church.
Last sunday witnessed the ordination of
Rev. Charles =. Lombard the third pastor
was all tina, could be desired the Churc Oh edi-
fee was very beautifully and tasiefully deco.
rated; and large number Of people was pres
ent from abroad, including Rev. DR.. Rufus
| Ellis OF the First Church of Boston, Rev. +. II.
| Hall OF Worcester, Rev. Clsry McCsuey OF
Washington. ID. c.. Rev. ID. NJ. Wilson OF Mall
den, Rev. Francis Tiffany OF West Newton,
Rev. J. G. Brooks of Roxbury. Rev. W. II.
Savary Of Canton and Rev. W. II. Lyon of-of
ELLSWORTH. There were also present Miss
Lsngford, the affanced wife OF Mr.. Lombard,
her Aunt and the Misses Lombard. two sisters
OF the new pastor.
The ordination services opened at 10 IL
| O'Clock A. NJ, by the singing of an appropriate
HYMN.
Mr.. Robert Cole on the part Of the Society.
then came forward. and made some very ap,
remarks explaining the object for which the
people had gathered together. He said: The
past is pas. We have met here to-day TO COM
mence new page in the history Of this Society.
We come TO ordan a new pastor. The act Of
ordination confcrs no divine pewer-thsi can
come only from conservation 10 divine work.
and from the inspiration which gymnastics from
the fountAin-hesd Of divine truth. All that
this act can confer on the pastor Is the hIman
seal Of the ministry by which his calling Is rec
ognized by the world. That fitting eeremo-
mics might be had on this occasion. = number
ofclergymen had been called here TO act for the
Society, and be requested these reverend
gentlemen TO perform such religious services in
connection with the occasion As they might
think W. uld be for the interest and profit OF the
church and Society.
At the close Of Mr.. Coles remarks. prayer
was offered by Rev. W. II. savsry. and a Sc
lection from the Scriptures read by Rev
W. II. Lyon; also hymn No. $50. which was
sung by the choir and congregation.
The ordinai ion sermon was preached by the
Rev. DR.. Ellis. DR.. +. prefsocd his sermon
by say ing that 1t Is the lot of churches 10 change
pastors and this fact taught the nece ssity Of
making the best Of these changes. Wha; We
have 10 do In this world is not to make our
conditions, but TO make the best OF them. With
these preliminary remarks he announced hi.
text: Acts XXIV IA u. "But this ! confess
unto thee, that AFTER the way which they call
her,sy, 80 worship the God Of my father-,
and hope toward God
He said that Unitarian- wish 10 msintzn and |
extend their Church organizations not because /
there Is any lack Of churches in the land 50 far
mere members are concerned. but because
they believe their organic stions are doing |
work that 1t is impossible for other organiza-
iions 10 do. lie then proceeded TO examine
some of the distinctive features IN the Unitarian
faith. When unarians pray, they say
''our Father" because they believe in one God |
who rules and directs everything. They be-
lieve in Christ the great exemplar and |
thank God that because Of the humanity Of thi. |
exemplsr. II il possible for every human being |
10 be tles in some measure W ith the spirit Of |
God with which Christ was filed. They 90 /
not believe 30 much ip being saved from the /
punishment Of lin. in being saved fiom /
wrong-doing. In religion the grand essential |
Is character. Without this there can be no /
true piety. With many, Christianity Is SOFT |
OF magic by which they hope 10 ward Of the |
punishments which are due 10 their usnsgres- |
sions. You can be perfect Christian only by |
being aiperfec, man morally, and inieI- |
lectually. 1t IS religion that men need. not
creed.
A; the close Of the sermon the congregation |
joined in singing an ordination hymn.
The Rev. Mr.. Lyon then came forward 10
extend the Hand OF Fellowship.
He said: The hand Of fellowship which |
AIN 10 extend 10 you Bro. Lombard, is like the |
rite OF baptism As 10 its meaning. Ii effects |
nothing in itself. i, is only symbol Of what |
Is already true by virtue Of whA, has, or ought |
to have taken place in yourself The church 10
which you are TO minister is strictly congrega-
"A L.. t.
superior and bows to the dictates OF no visible |
master or body of masters. II has chosen you
rs its leader, and II has asked me to call your
attention TO what thereby follows in accord
ance with the moral laws OF God and the Gus
toms Of men.
welcome you then TO the fellowship oftbis
church. When you shall look back upon years
OF union with it, IS l do now, when you shall
pass in review, rs l have many Times Of late,
the unremitting kindness, the thoughtful gen.
erosity, the willingness TO hear and learn from
those ii trusts, which have marked l., when
your life shall have become rooted in their
lives and your heart bound to their hearts. then
you will know IS you cannot know till your
experience has been like mine, what mean,
when say that welcome you to the church
Wnicn Is 10 De your nrst cnhr2e. hemeLnDeT
your responsibility for its proper teaching. 1t
will look to you As its head. II will seek coun-
sci and instruction from you. Be true and sin
cere TO it'll chsrse you. II your people need re-
buke, give it to them to the face and they viii
thank you and respect you. BE with them as
friend. In times Of bereavement and trouble
they will look 10 you, not only man whom
they trust, but as the representative OF Divine
Love.
Ifyou have come to the ministry for pleasure
and pastime. turn now away from it. But if
instead Of ease and pleasure you seek an oppor-
tunity 10 do good, then 1 welcome you to the
fellowship Of the liberal clergy. l welcome
you TO the ranks Of those who are searching
for truth everywhere with earnest and sim
cefe desire, whether they have the same sec
tartan name as yourself or not. To the fellow. |