The Portland daily press., 1885-05-04
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The First Presbyterian church of this city
effected an organization and partook Of Its
first communion yesterday. The movement
which has resulted in the formation of this
church began shortly after the fire of 1866.
Then about eight hundred dollars we're sub
scribed, but it being found impracticable to
continue the work at that time, the money has
been at interest from then until to-day, now
amounting to nearly $1,000. During April of
this year, Portland Ptesby terians to the num-
Der Of fifty, pelitioned the Presbytery OF Bos-
ton to establish church here and after an ex-
animation, the petition was granted. Rev.
Mr.. Baird has held services here for number
of Sundays and yesterday Rev. DR.. Wallace
of Newport, r, l., and Elder Robert Giichrist,
of South Boston, who had been appointed
commission for that purpose, organized the
church
In the morning, DR.. Wallace preached an
interesting sermon, taking for his text the
first six verses of the third chapter of Exodus.
AT three in the afternoon occurred the organi.
zation services. After congregational singing
and reading of the scriptures, eleven persons
were received into the church by profession OF
faith, and sixteen were received BY letter from
other churches. 1t was then voted that the
byteTian church of Portland, Name" DR..
Wallace explained that formerly the elders In
the Presbyterian church were chosen for life,
but within the past fifteen years desire has
been expressed in many places that the elders
be appointed for a term of years. To this the
church has consented with the provision that
the three elders shall go out of office in rota-
tion, one retiring each year. The Portland
church wished to adopt this system and APP
pointed elders as follows: for three years.
" anp for mn uno
Gum, for one year, Allan McKinnon. The
ordination Of the elders was conducted by Rev.
DIR. Wallace and the right hand OF fellowship
by Elder Gilchrst.
Elder Gilchrlst made few remarks in
which he expressed his thankfulness at being
sent to Portland to take part in the organiza-
ton Of the church. This church is not only
the first Presby terrain church in Portland, but
the first church Of the denomination in Maine.
Its members have undertaken great work
and gone at it in an earnest manner. Great
things are expected of them. Mr. Gilchrist
assured the new church Of the hearty appre-
citation of the Presbyterians Of New England
and urged upon them the necessity of winning
the cooperation and esteem of other churches
to whom they should be helpful rather than
antagontistic. Some helpful words were spok-
en- to the members in regard to their conduct
towards one another.
DIR. Wallace made some appropriate and eff
fective remarks before the communion service
90 to partake of the communion. After the
service, the congregation was dismissed with
the benediction by DR.. Wallace.
The Presbytery of Boston embraces all Nav
England, with the exception of Connecticut,
which is o part OF the Presbytery OF West
chester. Although there are few Presbyterian
churches in New England, there are six thous-
and in the country.
In the evening, Rev. DIR. Wallace preached
a sermon, taking as his theme following
Christ" Rev. DIR. Baird will conduct the ser
vices next Sunday.
PINE ETREET CHURCH.
The new pastor of Pine street church was
welcomed yesterday morning By a goodly au-
dience, and large number Of commandments
participated in the commemoration of the
Lords supper. The singing, with Mrs, Damon
as organist and Mr.. Nickerson for chorister,
was excellent. Mr.. Clarks sermon was ap.
preciated by all. It was from Haggai "a.
The Sabbath school in the afternoon was q
profitable session and the prayer meeting in
tho evening well attended and much in
tsrest manifested by all present. MIR. Clark is
a new pastor but we'll known to many, it bav-
ing been but six years since he served at Pine
street before. The remembrance of his success
at that time gives us confidence that he will
meet with cordial reception now, and az he
has always proved an efficient worker, we
hope and believe that he may be the means of
accomplishing much for the ca use in which
he is laboring, while he remains with us.