Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-05
TwENry-FirTH Anniversary.
The Social Reunion at the Free Baptist
Vestry.

BE glad, my soul, to praise my Lord,
To Him doth praise belong.
We THANK thee, Father. wear by year,
For mercies mani OLE;
For tender love as sw II 10 cheer
AS in the days of old.
while to the Guiding hand we cling,
which led through weary WAYS,
Retire. thine altar now We bring,
The harvest of our DAYS.
And tho gp there be not garnered thrift
In ehcaves from fruitful ands.
Yet thou wilt bless he humber gift
OF torn and bleeding hands.
And W en- life grand. immortal cong
At last shall reach the skies,
When human praises, freed from wrong,
Exultan ly arise;
When love divine through all shall wake
Its glad, triumphant kew,
Dear Christ, let not our measures break
The perfect harmony.
The social re union took place last evening in
the vestry, tina, place beiug filed with representa-
lives from all the religious denominations 10 the
cuy.
The beloved pastor of the church, Rev. Mr..
Penney, presided, and welcomed the people to
this marked event in the history of the church.
Our relations have been pleasant with all the de-
nominations.
After singing by the choir, prayer, deep and
fervent, was offered by Rev. q. w. Bean.
The congregation then sang "Al hail the power
of Jesus name"
Mr.. Penney spoke of the early works of Elder
John Stevens, who always expressed the wish to
that request.
A letter was read from Dr. Cheney, dated Glas.
gov, which had something OF detailed account
of bis voyage. lie had been sick the entire
voyage, being unable to come to the table but
once during the time. He recalled the names OF
some of the sborers with the church-k nowlton
o'evens, Fogg, Williamson and Lombard, who
are eating food At the table Of the Lord. He had
tried to do his work at Augusta well, but II WAS
with great anxiety that he went there. He could
nuya dana pnfh haI mt hean fnrt hp
oand Of men and women who gathered about him
and stayed up his hands. He trusted Mr. Penney
would be spared many years to serve As pastor Of
The church.
Mr. Files read letter from the wife of DR..
Cheney, who had recalled many OF the incidents
OF her husbands pastorale. She paused at the
waymarks of the buried years, and remen bered
the anxiety felt by her husband in assuming the
duties OF the pastorate. lie had low estimate of
nis own powers. but he pressed forward TO lead
men to righteousness. There was small band
Of faithful, self denying men and women. The
pastor gained strength and courage from com
munlng with and laboring in CO opeI atom with
Mother Bese, Father Coombs, Sister Plummer,
Bro. Clifford and others. They gave him an In
sPiraton 10 labor on and to hope on.
Rev. Geo. W. Bean Iejoiced that he had share
IN these festivities, and that be had filled q niche
vi time 10 the life Of this church. II be had any
success here 1t was not because OF any strength
tuat be POSSESSED, but because he had joined him
The church had kept right along increasing in
numbers and influence. We did not meet III this
vest.y when he was pastor, but IN a"hti!e upper
room IN tie SANCTUARY. But there hearts had
oeen touched and melted, And made to rejoice IN
iedettning grace.
A letter WAS re ad from Rev. Hiram Whitcher Of
New York, who Was pastor OF the church one
year, who said that his Passionate had been pleas
ant one, and DUNG his years pastorste nine were
sufed 10 tue church.
D., e. Con
AUD who reached the dedlcato'y sermon, twenty
ave years ago, was the next speaker. lie well re-
hembered the small church OIL but seven mem
JeIs, meeting In little room III the Old town
house; now II has grown TO three hundred mem
Ders, with u beautiful, conmodious church. tie
lruy rejoiced at this His salary at that time was
out one hundred dollars, but be cared little about
,uoney--ouiy the salvation of men eDgrossed his
attention. He looked upon Augusta as tue centre
vi tue universe, and ielt perfectly at home. Never
"as there community where So much hbeiaiity
exercised. lie was received with great cour-
,esy. 1t seemed great honor to hun to have DIR.
isppaD ASK hun 10 preach IN BIS pulpit, anu Tor The
doctor 10 occupy his pace III the old town house.
AT that time he kUew every store ana every
house IN town, and we had interviews with our
christian brethren iegaIoless OF denominatGnsl
boundaries. ln com.ng back, after the lapse OF
,hese many years, tie missed hon the congrega-
Ion the faces tnat were once 50 familiar 10 him
The faces that were then young aadlfair, are now
Wllnkleu anu u.ToWeu lie saw III tue idCes VI
the young the likeness OF the fathers and moth
els who were once ia active life, but who are now
IN the heavenly shores. Although be WAS YET
young in heat, he ielt that the shadows were
.engtheLing, and tina. the boatman would soon
caii Tor hia. lie thanked God that the river he
ABOUT to cross seemed to him n calm and pla-
cid stream. and that there were no terrors before
A letter wa. read from Rev. Dexter w iteiman,
oi New Hampshire, who Was present NJ the .dl-
deaication.
Rev. Mr.. Mariner of Auburn, had now found
out why the pastor of this church had declined so
many tempting calls to otuer churches. When he
surrounds hlmselt with such friends as we see to-
night, including the Governor, The Mayer, and
perhaps the board Of Aide men-the minister,
and all the churches IN town-then 1t Is plainly
seen That Augusta is determined he shall not 90.
here is certainty one pastor who Is settled for
time and for eternity. tie referred to the growth
oi tue Free Baptist denomnat on in the state I'M
III it had reached l6 900 here. and 5000 over the
,lver, and hao lent enough 10 other denominations
make them use US well. ln tDIs time Old Sav-
cry has had to die, and the cause OF temperance
mas gone on. We don't know how mucn good
his church has done At tine capital tie had met
men oil over the State aud they had spoken Of
Mr.. Penneys effort, here. lie trusted his pastor
ate would continue twenty five years longer.
What shall the future be I lie trusted tue church
would send out dozen cOnsecrated christians to
proclaim free salvation.
A few remarks were made by Rev. Mr.. Smith
1t Gray, aud letters we're received from Rev. Mr.
Wood and Rev. Daniel Jackson.
Rev. DR.. Kicker was called upon and referred
10 hIs early recollection OF the founders OF the
Free Baptist demon instion, and OF their organ,
the Morning Star.
Rev. Mr.. Sterling, of the Methodist church, Of
teied few cong stulstory remarks, as did Kew
Dl. Cady, who Is supplying at the Gianits chuch
Rev. Mr. Howard OF Lewiston, was glad to re-
juice with those that do rejoice.
Mr. Penney here spoke ieeingly OF the help he
mad received from time to time, from warm friends
the community, and he felt as if he were In
certain sense, minister 1T large.
Gov. ConnoI would say word OF sincere con.
graduation, and wish, d Tor the future welfare and
,uccess OF he church. 1t is valuable institution
10 the state, and aid, in its stability. In the times
dpun which we have fallen we should take AL
Inventory Of all these stable and reliable relig ious
aud moral agencie-. In these twenty-five years
We have lost a1i won a country-have been
plunged into so row and raised to iejoi.ing. lie
would endorse ell that had been said complmen
TAR, to the pastor. He was q tue pastor and a
uue citizeu, and he trusted he would long con
tnue 10 that relation.
AT The close Of these htellectual exercises, the
large company were served with refreshments of
ice cream and cake, and the rest of the evening
Was speut in social enjoyment.
nnft m pranm mi 10