The Portland daily press., 1879-03-20
AGRACEFUL TESTIMONIAL.
Happy Reunion of Rev. DE-. Smaller and
His Old Parishioners.

A very delightful affair took place last even
ing, and all the more delightful because it
proved complete surprise to the recipient.
Twenty-Five years ago Rev. DR.. Smaller was
called to the pastorate of the First Baptist
church and his old psrishioners desired TO make
some acknowledgment of the occasion. Ac.
cordingly they repaired to the Doctors resi-.
dence on Pearl street in the evening, and soon
the spacious parlors were completely filed.
When all were assembled, Rsv. DR.. Car
ruthers, the former pastor of the Second Par.
ish church. offered prayer, and then delivered
an address suitable to the time, full of kindly
thoughts and expressions, and references to the
days that we're past. 1t seemed singulafly ap.
propriate that such an address should have
been offered by the Oldest ex-pastpr of the city
to the next Oldest. The remarks of DR.. Car
ruthers will be Published in the Advocate.
Addresses were also made by Rev. Mr.. An
derson-Df. Shailer's successor-and Rev. Mr..
McWhinnie, pastor Of the Free street Baptist
church. The presents were very elegant, con.
sisting of an elegant reclining chair, the up
holstery of which was very handsomely en-
broidered, a beautiful Fr4nch gilt and mala.
chite clock with ornaments. neat, warm
dressing gown. with roll of new handker-
chiefs in the pockets, and other we do not call
to mind. There was also a. basket of superb
flowers, and numerous boquels presented.
The following letter was read:
PORTLAND, March 18th, 1879,
To my good friend and former pastor, Req w.
Fl. Shailer, D. D.:
fiad 1t Impracucable to be present to-moI-
row evening, with those who assemble ia your
parlors, 70 congratulate you on your arrival al
one of those way-marks specially noted in the
Journey of life, but SO seldom reached by the
faithful laborsr in any one field. a.
Twenty five years ago you and I-almOst on
the same date-sopk mp our abode ia this city /;
you to labor for the Master, for myself and
those dependent upon me. Your labors al
crowned with no ordinary success, and those of
US who have D. ea emf ,ying the benefit of those
labors owe debt of gratitude that can never
be liquidated. After a very intimate acquaIut-
ance, extending over nearly the fall quarter of
CT injury, il gives me great pleasure to pay
this ui5o'e to one | so highly e-ttem No
FREUD who meets with you to commemorate
the day your la6ors among US COMMENCED, Is
under per obligations than the writer, and
no one, think, more SINCERELY desires that you
may eujoy 10 full est measure those temporal az
We'll as spiritual blessings consequent upon a
we'll spent lite
L have 10 words to express the sorrow l
should feel at the thought of yonr going from
among US, and l most sincerely hope that the
remainder of long life will all be spent with
this people. Youf continued and valuable ser
vices and lsbors Of love are greatly appreciated
BIS assured, that while he lasts, neither yoU
DOR any member of that family with whom A
have spent so many pleasant hours, will ever
be forgotten by me.
Yours, respectfully and truly,
j. II COFFIN. ,
After the speeches social intercourse prevailed
aud a general good time followed. DR.. Smaller
was settled sixteen years in Brookline, Mass,
add tweDty-three and half years in Portland.