The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-09-10

REV. w. E. GIBBS.
His Reception by His Buffalo Parish.

The Buffalo Courier of Monday last says the
Church of the Messiah was filed yesterday
morning-Sunday-with an expectant audi
ence. waiting to welcome the new pastor, the
Rev. William E. Gibbs The floral decorations
of the pulpit were elaborate and beautiful
The desk was festooned with smilax and set
with baskets of cut flowers, the table below
contained beautiful floral pyramid. while the
pulpit steps were set with cannas, fan palms,
and other broad-leaved plants, and enlivened
by great bunch es of the golden plumes of soli-
dago. At the pulpit steps the Rev. Mr..
Gibbs, on being escorted thither, was greeted
by former well-beloved pastor of the Church
of the Messiah, the Rev. DIR. Montgomery,
now of Rochester. AS he clasps the hand Of
his venerable friend, the audience is measur-
ing him and drawing quick differences.
The Rev. W. E. Gibbs is a man of good
presence, tall and heavily-bu in early mid
die age, free from wrinkles as yet, firm
mouth, a good high head and very kindly eyes,
behind spectacles He is a graduate OF Tufts
College, class of $50; entered upon the minis
try sthe following year at West Cambridge
(now Arlington), Mass; went from there to
Newark, N j., and after three years pastor
ate in that city went to Portland, Me, which
has been his beloved f cid of labor for the past
twelve years. He has the reputation of being
one of the most vigorous thinkers and success
full ministers in the Universalist'church, as is
attested by his long pastorate over his late
charge. Thus the audience look him over; 1t
is clear the first impressions arc favorable.
DR.. Montgomery addressed him in few
brief sentences of welcome. He was succeed
ing to line of pastors, including such names
as DIR. Reese, DR.. Stephen r. Smith and 9TH
ers He must not look upon his new field OF
work as bed of roses, for much work was
awaiting him; but he would find loyal hearts,
who would give affection, time. and money to
help him in his work. With these, under the
blessing of God, the society and Sabbath
school of the Church of the Messiah would
take the commanding position among the
churches of Buffalo to which it was entlt ed.
To which Mr. Gibbs responded: 81 thank
you, and through you the trustees OF this par
ish, for the welcome you extend me-. nope
your words may not have fallen heedlessly.
do not come to you hoping to lind a bed OF
roses Beds OF roses are not for men. l trust
to be able to testify that am not unfalthful
to this charge, and am glad to succeed such
honored and beloved men as those you have
named. The former, if [ mistake not, was
my predecessor at my late church in Portland,
and the latter the pastor of the church into
which I was born. I thank you again, anc
trust we shall all work earnestly and success
fully together"
In reading the Scripture lesson for which
the revised edition of the New Testament was
used); in the responsive service which fol
lowed; and in the delivery of his sermon, Mr.
Gibbs showed himself pos sessed of pleasing
voice and very distinct utterance. His man
ner is plain and earnest; and his habit OF
thought, as illustrated by the discourse, sim
pie and direct. His reasoning is progressive
without confusion or intricacy. When he has
finished the nearer knows just what he has
been talking about; and though he may have
made but few points, the few have been driy-
en- home. Judged by his sermon yesterday,
he relies upon neither elaborate rhetoric nor
startling effect. He is very undramatic. His
illustrations are homely, but complete. His
sermon yesterday was read from manuscript,
but we understand it is his custom to speak
from brief notes. The readiness with which
he left his manuscript yesterday to speak as
tie thought of the moment prompted him, es-
tablishes the purity and fiuency of his Ian
guage and the freshness of his ide as There is
nothing cut and dried about him.