The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-04-14

IT'S Observance in the Churches Tho Doc
orattons-Abstracts of Farewell ser
mons.

mons.
Clear ekies and bright sun ushered in a
glorious Easter morn, but the soft west wind
Saturday was wanting and in its place in the
morning chilly breeze from the northeast
still rendered winter wraps comfortable. AT
noon the wind shifted TO the northwest aud the
temperature was more agreeable. The services
at the various church were all we'll patronized
and, ss is customary, throngs of people gath
cred In the auditorium betwe en- services to
view the floral decorations. The music and
sermons were appropriate to the day, and the
programmes OF the music, as heretofore pub
llshed IN the PRESS, were satisfactorily carried
out and interested large congregations.
CHESTNUT STREET.
There was no attempt at decorations, the ladies
OF the church reservng their labors in this regard
for another occasion. The singing by the church
quartette, consisting of Messrs. Houghton and
Watts and Mrs. Files and Mrs Norcross, with Mrs.
6osse at the organ, never better Their selec-
tons were appropriate for the day. and the musie'
both vocal and instrumental, grand and inspir-
| ing. After the morning sermon, two persons in
addition to the eleven received last Sabbath were
| taken into the church. and small child was bap-
tized. Dr. McKeown's pastorste in this church has
pOAAONV
| harmony between pastor and people during the
entire three years that he has filled this pulpit and
his church and society part with him with great
regrets. In the afternoon the church was filled to
| overlooking, and the eloquent pathetic parting
words OF the Doctor moved many of his congrega-
| ton to tears, while his own sympathetic heart
| caught back the tide of feeling which seemed to
| sweep over the whole audience
The following is brief extract from the conclud
| ing portion of his discourse:
Rev. DIR. McKeown preached his farewell sermon
in the afternoon before very large assembly from
Phil 1:27, "Only let your conversation be as be-
cometh the gospel of Christi that whether I come
and see you, or else be absent, may hear of your
affairs, that ye stand fast, in spirit, with
mind striving together for the faith of the gospel"
TEE events and circumstances Of the planting Of
sixteenth chapter OF the Acts, were of extraordina-
~ and thrilling interest. They well calculat
tie and his Phippian converts to each other. His
anxiety for them his great desire to see them und
utterance in the one wish and exhortation of the
text. that they should "live as becometh the Cos
| pei, that, whether he them again not, he
might bes Of their M unity and Labor
would follow. This the preacher said, if they so
lived, was what he wanted 10 hear of his Chestnut
street people-that they were steadfaSt united and
faithful in Christian labor the result of living in
| accordance with the gospel
| The discourse very tender and appropriate,
| and closed as follows:
1 but i must come TO the reluctant word, from
| which my heart holds back have delayed it as
long as can The polity of the Methodist church,
which brought me to YOU, and gave me the privilege
serving you and enjoying your society and fellow
ship of Christian labor, takes me from you Today
close term in my ministry that has been to me a
continual delight in its passing, and will be ever
| pleas ant memory. thank God from my heart of
| church.
OF my ministry than am; but it will be always
cause OF rejoicing and OF great gratitude to God
ordinances and through the prayers and labors of
the members OF this church, something has been
accomplished here all through these months for the
| glory of God aud the good of men.
During the three years of my pastorate some 200
have come forward as seekers of religion of whom
have received on probation 81. There have been
added to the church membership It's; of these 107
have come in by profession of faith in Christ. The
| BENEVOLENT collections have risen from $48l to
/ 81 1893 81. TIE debt the clnrch-mostly pro-
| yided for before came-has been fully paid some
$4,000; also $500 on the parsonage debt.
The Sabbath school has increased in numbers and
| efficiency and in its contributions, and was
In better con1itioa for doing Gods work in the
hearts and minds Of the young. The officers and
| superintendent, Brother George H. Lord who,
regret to learn, has just rendered his resignation
has been most devoted and successful superin-
tendent.
| Our Sabbath audiences have steadily gained in
| permanent congregation. tender and spiritual
atmosphere pervades our worship, and the power
of God is still present to heal" it is cause of great
you, that leave the church in condition so pros
porous and 80 full of promise for the future. an
ticipate for you, under the labors of new pastor
| still grander success, which may God grant you
l give you up with reluctance and yet / know it
must be So and therefore do not begrudge you to
another. You are mine still Mine to cherish and
love, with kindest feelings toward you all and with
an abiding interest in your temporal and spiritual
| welfare. With many of you have come into the
tenderest and closest relations. have stood with
you your mounts of rejoicing, in the brightness
| Of bridal hours, and 1 have walked with YOU the
haV mi for
your dear and dead. / have shared my heart with
you, and found comfort in carrying your sorrows.
steady nerves as since / have been in Portland.
Bearer to than all else has been the privilege of
I pn %s You many Of you IN M nou6 and
was shed abroad in your hearts, and your counte-
nances glowed with the joy of immortal hope.
1 You have been edited and built up, some of You,
In your Christian characters. in your knowledge of
the truth in your grasp of the Gospel. If an not
| mistaken have seen you broaden and deepen in
your spiritual natures and the plumnet of expert
ence sounds profounded debths. OF my pulpit la
bors here, which close with this word, shall ever
think with pleasure. Your unfagging attention,
your kind appreciative words, have sustained me,
cheered me on and it has been continual feast to
You every one! and reward you for your love and
kindness to me and mine! / leave you, dear breth-
meet you again occasionally in life, but if not here
then there, where the farewells are not spoken.
"We shall greet one another again.
The following statistics were given for the year
now closing:
Pastoral calls $50. ......................75O
Visits TO the SICK enquirers etc 200
Funerals many, but not counted
Seekers of religion (estmated) ,,............. rs
BaptizedIaduits AZ; children i6. ...,... IS
Received into the church-by profession 26, by
letter IL .,...,........ 500" ..-........,. 30
Finances.
| Paid ON parsonage debt and improve
ments OF church property ..,......... $685. 3
Current expenses. 3,75e.oo
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