The Portland daily press., 1884-11-07

EsT END CHURCH.
Installation of Rev. Il. It. Pitts


The Rev. e. 7. Pitts was installed as pastor
of the West Congregational Church. yesterday
afternoon and evening. The council was
composed Of the pastors and delegates from
thirteen neighboriDg churches, also Rev. j.
W. Chickering, D. d of Washington, D. c.,
and Rev. Grin Pitts of Gilmanton, N. 81. Rev.
DR.. Fem of this city was the moderator. Tue
candidate gave an interesting account Of his
personal and religious experience, and also
read a carefully prepared atement of his the
illogical beliefs which for soundness aud ortho-
doxy was quite satisfactory to the council.
In the evening good audience assembled in
the chapel to listen to the public services OF
installation. The Rev. F. Fl. Southworth
opened with prayer and the reading of the
scriptures. The sermon was by Rev. f. T.
Bayley from the Scriptures in John vii:37-38,
In the last day, that great day of the FEAST
Jesus stood aud cried, saying 'If any man
thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He
that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath
ssid out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water
The source of the living water is the heart of
God. God longs to impart Himself to His
ture. The Divine love pours out in all direc-
tioDs, universal and Unlimited love. The
fountain is full because of its connection with
the source OF supply. Christ gives to every
soul satisfaction. Toe fountain is not filled
for itself alone. II is law of Christian life to
be full and running over. The renewed soul
Ia a channel of communication. The over
flowing of the fountain Is its own life. When
the Christian ceases to overflow he becomes
stagDant and dead. The law Of the child of
1od Ia q Ia w n the diviuQ To Do
the connecting link between the soul and the
heait of God. The Christians part is to con.
meet his needy soul with the source of supply.
Out of Gods fulness We are satisfied.
The charge to the pastor was given by Rev.
L. FL. Hallock of this city. The minister's
duty was emphasized, first. in preaching, then
in pastoral work.
The hearty welcome of the churches to the
new pastor was given by the Rev. @. Fl.
Daniels in the right hand of fellowship. Rev.
e NJ. Cousins epjoined upon the people their
duties to the pastor, urging upon them the
development of deeper spiritual life, as well
as the kindling OF new life.
A special feature of the evening exercises
was a supplen entary address by the Rev. j. W.
Chickering, d. D., of Washington d. c., who
WAS chiefly instrumental in the building Of the
West Chapel.
DIR. ChickeriDg referred to the origin OF this
church, as growing out Of legacy left him by
MISS Eliza A. Hanson, a member of High
street church, who died in Florida in 1882 She
was one of three sisters deeply interested in
evangelical work, aud had been devoted
laoorer in branch Sabbath School on the
corner of Congress and Weymouth streets
Her gift amounting to $4,000. was for the erec-
ton of a building suitable for the work of the
school and for evangelical worship, $4,000 of
the amount being set apart as permanent
fund for maintenance and repairs. 1t was
thought best to enlarge the sum, sufficiently to
erect q building which might be used for
public worship. This being done, through the
help of friends in this and other parts of the
city, this substantial and commodious chapel
was built; the whole cost, including the legacy,
being 5000.
DIR. q. remarked that no part OF his life work
including 80 years pastorate in Portland gave
him more satisfaction in this respect than this
enLerpr 81 which had been respectfully intrust-
cd to his sole care and responsibility. That
responsibility on the completion of the build
ing be had transferred TO trustees whom he
Constituted sell-perpt taating body, with the
provision that each successive pastor of High
Street church should be president of the board.
He was happy to say that their duties had
been faithfully performed, the fund remaining
intact and productive and the building pre-
served in condition which speaks for itself
and Tor their good care and judgment.
The spiritual history and results of the un-
dertaking have been highly encouraging. A
church vas formed in 1862 with II members
the whole number on its roll being 14l. 1t has
had pastors besides stated supplies for longer
or shorter periods, succession of faithful
laborHrs in this part of the Lords vineyard.
Many of the flock have joined the general as
semby of the first born in Heaven, while 9TH
ers are doing christian service either here or in
other parts of the country. One of the earlier
ofiicers of the Church, Dea. VIM. Campbell,
now sustains the same Office in large Congre-
gatiopal church in Philadelphia of which his
sop bearing DIR. {. 3 name, is an active mem
Der, and his two daughters being wives of Con-
aregatona ministers.
Tnis brief address was closed by reference to
the Tuesday evening meeting held in the mp
per chamber of the Chapel this week at which
the speaker was present, the meeting both in
numbers and spirit being such as to inspire
fresh c. nfiIepce In the Divine grace which has
nurtured this vine aud which already gives
promise Of rich fruits under the ministry now
commencing.
Rev. J. G. Wilson offered the concluding
prayer and the pastor offered the benedietion.