The Portland daily press., 1882-02-20
Pine St. Church Reunion.


MR.. EDIToR:-The reunion of ministers at
Pine ST. M. E. church on Wednesday evening,
Feb. 22d, can but be an occasion of deep inter-
est. The invitation extends to all pastors (now
living) who have labored in this church from
Its organization down to the present. Three of
the number-Blake, Cox, and Abbott-have
passed to their final and everlasting reward
They were men of talent, Of deep piety, untir-
ing in their effort and labors to promote Gods
cause and win souls to Christ. One of these
heralds of the cross served the church when
they were few in number, in the ward room on
Bracket streets. Years after this he was sent
back to the same society on Pine street wor-
shipping then in their new edifice but his time
was short He was stricken down on his way
to the church for Sabbath morning services
was taken into house near by and soon
breathed his last. The doctor attending him
exclaimed he must be good man to die with
such heavenly expression on his counte-
nance. The writer had the painful pleasure of
witnessing this halo of glory resting on his
brow. Just before his deceaSe he said in the
public congregation that every night when
he retired to rest his work was all done up.
OohoSiOhSO hppIoFOA AAA wv oAAAAsA' ~A~RPJ
any man or woman or any of Gods children
who can say this. G. f. Cox died in Massa-
chusetts, Howard Abbott in Maine. 'They
rest from their labors and their works follow
them" 1t will be seen when these servants
of God convene that time has been busy at
work. There will be whitened hairs, wrinkled
brows, furrowed cheeks and forms once erect
bending beneath the weight OF numerous
years.
Quite number of them are still vigorous,
young, and in the prime of life. They will be
glad to come back to their old charge and will
be ioyfully received, and happily entertained.
This society has been somewhat noted for1 its
continued revival interest and more or less
conversions every year. What a cordial greet
ing. Well, brother A., you were under God
the means of my salvation; you led me to the
fountain of living waters, then I drank and
was satisfied, and have been drinking ever
since. Numerous will be such cases and re-
joicing on both sides.
This church has never imported minister.
1t is true that Rev. /. w. Johnston, of Dublin,
Ireland, first came among us nnder an engage
ment OF the presiding elder to serve out the un
expired term of Rev. d. H. Hannaburg whose
health had entirely failed him This young
man had preached but few terms, was young
and inexperienced. 1t was thought his stay
would OF necessity be short, but he more
than met the expectations OF the people and
strange to say remained with us three years. 1t
is but just to say that in our Judgment the
same number of years under any ones admin
istration have not been attended with greater
success, spiritually and Financially. Rev. j. @.
Aspenwall, of Lodi, Wis, cannot be present:
infrmities of age prevent. Last summer he
paid us flying visit on his way to his native
hills in Vermont. He is in the sere and yellow
leaf but the flowers and fruits were not all
gone. The old gentleman was full Of spiritu-
atty and power, standing firm in the faith of
the gospel he loves so well to preach. There
will be marked changes in the church. A
great many vacant seats, "reminiscences OF tho
past, will bring to mind scores who have been
from this soil to one deeper and
richer, from this cline to one more genial, and
from earth's storms to heavens sweet and re-
freshing gales JUNIUs.