The Portland daily press., 1881-06-23
Installation at Plymouth church.

installation at Plymouth Church.
A large audience attended the installation
OF Rev. Dwight M. Seward, D. D., in the pas
torate OF Plymouth church last evening There
was fine display of flowers. The reading
desk was bordeted with green and white, and
the entire platform was mass OF gorgeous
colors The sermon was preached by Prof,
Sewall of Bangor. The text was taken from
Acts $40. 1t was logical and scholarly con-
sideration of the theme of human degradation
and the remedy. Three forces are at work up
on the problem, viz, the state, society and
Christianity. The speaker analysed tho power,
scope and limitations of each OF these three
forces. At every Gate Beautiful lie the de-
graded OF the race. What is the cure? The
state sees in this cripple of the text only mu-
tilated member of the body polite. The state
knows nothing of pity or sentiment. The
state interferes not for the sake of human mis-
cry but for the sake of self-preseryation. So
ciety, on the contrary, sees in this cripple q
social problem. Fastidious society sees in the
cripple loatnsome object that must be man.
tied over with decency. Philanthrophic So
ciety sees here chance to test scientific meth
DDS of relief. Christianity sees in this cripple
not only sufferer but soul The motive
power of Christianity is higher than that of
the state and society, employing natural in
stincts but carrying them out to broader re-
suits. Christianity will not waste time in fur
blshing up the outward decorations of humani-
ty but works for a regeneration of the soul
One OF the most striking incidents of the
evening was the charge to the pastor by DR..
Carruthers of this city. His exposition of the
duty OF the Christian pastor was vigorous in
thought, vigorous and earnest in delivery
The remembrance OF his own long and faith
full ministry made his words doubly impress
i've.
The charge to the people was given by Rev.
VIII. Fem OF High street. He charged the
duty OF loyalty on the part of people to their
own church, their own minister. Lot a people
have peculiar affection for their own church
aud minister, whichsis not in consistent with
Christian breadth Be not church gypsies
pitching your tent in a new place every Sun
day Encourage your minister. Ministers do
not want to be coddled, but just praise will do
them no harm. The speaker thought that the
most encouraging fact in regard to the present
installation was that Plymouth church had Sc
lected pastor of years, and who had long
record OF attachments aud successes behind
him.
The fright hand of Fellowship was extend
ed to the pastor by DR.. Warren of tie Chris
tian Mirror. DR.. Warren was acquainted with
the pastor in his early ministry and related
several interesting "reminiscences. He gave
an abstract of sermon preached by Dr. Sew
ard shortly after he entered the ministry and
thought he could do better now. This opinion
met with no denial. He congratulated the
pastor in behalf of the installing council, the
churches Of the city and for himself PERSONAL
ly, on his happy entrance upon the pastorate of
Plymouth Church.
The excellent choir which has been recently
organized, added much to the enjoyment of
the occaeion by the good taste of their selec-
tons and the intelligence and beauty with
which they were rende red.