davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05
ABYSSlNIAN CHURCH.
BY THE PASTOR, REV. j. C. WILSON.

Previous to 1900 there were very few, if any,
colored people in town. In 1869, there were two
persons, a man and his wife, owned as slaves by
Thomas Smith of Gorham. Others were held as
slaves in Wndham. OF these 1t is said, "they
went off in the war of 1775." In 1903, colored
man, whose name was George Peters, a resident
of Portland, was punished in the pillory, which
was erected on what was called the Training
Field" where the Eastern Cemetery now is. In
1910, but two families of colored people were
residents of Portland. These, mostly, resided
near Mountfort and Hancock streets, or on Mum
joy HILL AS class these are said to have been
generally esteemed Among the most prominent
men among them was Rev. Samuel Snowden, a
wealthy preacher of the Methodist denomination.
Others were Joseph and Lewis Shepard, Boston
Jackson. Peter Smith, Jack Williams, Isaiah Ru-
by, James Ball, and others, who are spoken of by
those who knew them as being respectable, in
dustriouS men.
During the period from 1918 to 1882, many of
the people of color were received into the Second
Parish church. Seats in the gallery Of the meet
ing house of this parish were reserved especially
for this people. Greatly to their credit and,
doubtless to their profit, they were constant and
regular in their attendance. AT length twenty
two OF these members were dismissed to form tile
Abyssinian church, which took place August 7th,
1885.
The ecclesiastical council, convened for this
purpose at the Abyssinian church, was organized
by the choice Of Rev. Joseph Vail, Moderator;
and Rev. John W. Chickering, Scribe. The chur
ches represented were the Second, Third, High
St, and State ST., of Portland. Rev. Asa Cum
mings, Sewell Berry and Rev. Mr.. Carruthers,
being present, were invited to sit and deliberate
with them. At this time, as appears in the min
utes of the general conference of the Cougrega-
tional churches in Maine, s. w. Chase was the
stated supply for the pulpit, who continued to
1910. From 1S41 to 1851 Amos N Freeman was
pastor, Benjamin Lynch was installed May %,
1854, dismissed 1856, E. J. Adams was Super
iendant Sunday School 1856 to '57, Amos G. Be
man from 1857 to 1860, James f. Brown from
Nov 16, 1860 to 81, Ebe ge Ruby Sept. 1851 to
for period subsequent to Dec 2 1855
whose decesse was Ssel HaSrson a n Oes
tor 1870 Aug LIST to July |o 1s72 m Rey " al
wad or bes The ast ho sno 6e
yed Dr. Of t M S dty and
Carrnthers y and a Mr. White, at different peri
d have supplied this pulpit and Ia among
time the present incumbent, Rev. John G. Will
son has been the acting pastor.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

the parish selected and called the minister, and
the church, cOncurred; and then afterward the
voice of the church was neglected altogether.
This change arose partly from natural reVulsion
from the artificial idea Of the church, held by the
fathers; and return TO Tic Now Testament idea
of the church. as the congregation OF tho faithful
But great practical evils had occasionally risen
from it; because the idea of the parish had
also changed; it no longer included the congrega-
ton. In one church in Massachusetts, few men
had quietly bought up pewS enough to dismiss
pastor, who was acceptable to, and beloved by,
majority of those who hired sittings in the house,
and nearly all the church. In another, during
vacancy, plan was discovered just in time to
defeat it, of secretly buying pews enough to settle
a minister who would have been exceedingly of
fensve to a majority of the old owners, and old
congregation.
These great changes in the nature of the church
and parish were accompanied by other changes in
theology, religion and morals. They were not al
together under the control of man. They doubt
less contributed on the whole, under Divine Prov
idence, to the furtherance of the kingdom of God
But these benefcent changes were destructive to
the INDECENT and the unbelieving. Inaction, and
the choice of innutrtious food, might lead to ill
health torpor and death, even in land of plenty,
and of healthful climate. The parish and the
church might swing about and change with the
changing times, but could not flourish, except by
clngfng to the essential truths and essentialmodes
OF action belonging to Christian church.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05


held in grateful remembrance. Soon after the
fire, about one third of our number united in form
ing new parish giving it the name OF st. Pauls
reyiving the old name of this parish. The ident1
ty Of this parish may say, by the way, was not
lost by change of name, any more than that OF a
person, or than that of whole church would pc,
by change of name or title. Without doubt the
change in our case was an error OF Judgment,
sincethere is good deal in an old name with hon
orable associations. Let us hope that the church
Episcopal Church in the United States OF Amerl
ca will always retain this now timehonored des-
ignation: Our parish changed Its name, but not
its principles. If the church in general conven-
ton should vote to surrender its title, fear that
the substitute for it will too plainly indicate a
hope for better things, though thus speak, ''let
us stand fast and hold the traditions which we
have been taught"
In the Book of Common Prayer we have a
precious inheritance, which should be common
not only to us but to all English speaking Chris
tians. The growth OF many ages, 1t mas from Time
gifted minds of many lands, and now offers its
priceless treasures to all who can appreciate what
is best in devotional and doctrinal forms. AS Of
ten remarked, the change of a few words only
would adapt it to any communion which confesses
the Christian faith as contained in the Apostles
and Nicene creeds. Next to the Prayer Book,
'sThe Christian Year. would prove the greatest
blessing to other churches it now is and always
has been to ours. If to these two points may
add third, ought it not to be the emphasis laid
on the conservation of little children to Christ,
and their careful training in the teachings of the
Lords Prayer, the Apostles Greed, the Ten Com,
mandments, and whatever else Christian should
be taught for his SOULS health.
Our mother church may well point to these as
children, and commends with confidence to all
''who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity"
To all such let us ever show a fraternal spirit,
counting them not as aliens from the ChTlstlan
commonwealth, but as fellow-citizens with the
saints of all ages, and of the household OF Cod"
Persuaded that outward rites cannot OF them
selves avail anything for salvation, but new ere
alton in Christ Jesus, we glory only in the cross
of Christ
AS many as walk according to this rule, peace
he on them and the whole Israel of God.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

+;,, o,,d +l,o,, ~, lr Al, a ;.o,, ,r;1 If u
gIegatioI a teii, utter tne ron MI VI y. y.
Day ana the splendfsa management OF q g. Clark
ana llle heroic sacrInces OF scores upon sGores VI
members, Ine ehIire dept was subscribed, Slo;;-
41l;24 unqer y II. Day Day ana $9,15o.52 un 9l ~
j. Clark; Inc last $S3O on these suDscIIlptiohs
was pald under DE- McheoWn ana tne zotn ami aId
versaIy OF tle deaieatlon Of lne chIircH WAS Gele
Drated July Stn, 1881 anld great relQlclpg' ~ T..
church budlng entlrely ifee from depl;. Y lot2
the present parsonage NO CuaDerlahQ stI9eI
was ptrchaSed fof $olo9 over 0I Nll t,n
has been paid by the LADIES' A1d Soelety o. the
church; The ladies have also Doreas Circle or.
garized in 1872 Which has done a large amount no
OF charitable WORK lhe women nave Iofne e AT
least tWo-tnlrds OF the churcn nempeIsllp from rom
the beginning, and the success OF the church mas mas
been to large extent due TO tnelr services u te
Sunday School and prayer meetings, IN SPIRITUAL
social, hnanclal ana charitable work; 49,. Is
Inc pastors since 1920 are aaron SanaerS9h, OF
blessed memory, q Colby, CharleS w: morse:
Henry cox, ID. b Rldgeway, u y, Presldehg " OF
the Inc ologlcal School OF the Northwestern Uni IN
Verslty VIM H. clark. ID. d., under whose elo-
quent preaching the church was politically, reyo-
lutlenlzed during the early years OF the civil war
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

ly entered into the new order of things, not even
nomnaly so, until after the defeat of the spanish
Armada. Froude, the historian says that after that
defeat the hope of return of the church 70 ade
Roman obedience died out of the hearts OF It's ad-
herents and they gradually conformed outWardly
to the English church though their hearts were
still with the lost cause. Hence the gradual re-
vival of high church principles, and their sursY-
al in the Church of England. -
The two parties, however, have thus far found
nsods ytyendt in the principle of compT,e aafa
sion which is Illustrated among us by the relatiVe
position and influence of two such representative
men as Doctors Phillips Brooks in Boston and
Morgan Dix in New York-the one being hearth
ly in sympathy with American ideas, and other
churches the spirit of the age 1.-The other re-actng
with all his might and the great resources OF Trim
ity Church, New York, towards the principles
The prayer book itself bears on its face the eyl-
dence of a compromise between two diverse
schools of thought and there never has been any
doubt with which party this parish has been IN
accord. The principles OF the parish have been
uniformly maintained by its successive rectors.
The fire of 1856 was great calamity, but many
kind friends extended helping hand, among
whom Mrs. Sarah X. Stafford, a former commune
cant of the parish, stands first and will be ever
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

mastery intellect; the church reached its high
water mark in membership 720, under John Ho-
bart: Eaton Shaw is well remembered for SPLEEN
did intellect and sanity character. w. #. Far
rington and Drs. Allen and Mcdonald are still
living, the last well known editor and writer
upon Christian Holiness.
A Methodist church was established at Ferry
Village in 1857, with 66 members, though
without much aid from Chestnut street In the
same year the Clark Memorial Church at Wood
ford'S was organized. with 81 members. by the
direct effort Of Chestnut street people. 'And the
Lord added to them day by day those that were
being saved" And despite the repeated swarm
ings the old hive was found too small. Rev. Hen
ny Cox was transferred from the Providence Con-
ference and by special arrangement allowed to
remain four years to complete the church. The
present lot was bought in 1856 for 81, 1890, and
the present church was dedicated July Sth, 1857,
at a cost of S47.230. including the land. At the
time of its dedication it was the finest Methodist
church in New England. The building cost, how
ever, twice as much as the trustees voted to eX-
pend The civil war ragged from 81 to 65. In
the latter year So 900 of the debt was paid under
Rev. G. +. Allen. But the 'great fire" of '66 left
one hundred families connected with the church
homeless, and banished all thought of immediate
payment of the debt. The church suffered griey-
GUS injury in the doctrinal change of her pastor,
Rev. E. w. Keyes in 1868, and in the circum-
stances attending the change. SO it seemed for
time as if the church had passed the days of her
glory But her strength had always been in the
devotion and spiritual life of her members. These
spiritual forces were Skilfully called out by Rev.
Israel Luce Rev. S. f. Jones built up the con-
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

historical verities until all is lost amid the misty
past save the consciousness that every erect
must have an adequate cause
The origin of the Congress Street Methodist
Episcopal church is so recent, the source oil IN
formation so near at hand that its conception, Or
ganzation and growth admit OF the plainest
historical statements.
Less than century ago Methodism was intro
duced into Portland by that heroic Christian
teacher and successful Methodistic evangelist,
Jesse Lee, who preached the first Methodist SER
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

have been no less active than. any three
far from desire to critcise Others whom | re-
gard asibrethren bel owed and who are active IN
all good works No system is perfect, nor IS any
church on earth. We have elements OF uSeIui-
ness and edification in church worship and work
which we would gladly share with our brethren
of other names, and in our turn we can learn anu
borrow from them.
The leading 'Note" of the Episcopal church is Us
comprehensfveness, which has come about by us
ton. the Church of England included nominally
the whole people of England, and this continued
to be the theory long afterward In point OF lacy
however not more than half of the people heartl-
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05
GROWTH In GRACE.
PortIand's RELIGIOUS Prog
ress During the Century.
Historical! Sketches of the
Various Religious De-
nominations.
The Changes Which a Hum
dred Years Have Wrought.
Churches, Pastors and Prom
inent Laynnen.
Sermons Preached by Our
cIergymen Yesterday.

In accordance with the suggestion OF the
Centennial committee, Portland clergymen
devoted their sermons yesterday forenoon to
a review of the origin and growth OF the
various denominations which they represent
together with historical sketches of the par
ticular churches over which they preside.
The historical portions of these sermons we
present very fully below.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05
CONGRESS STREET METHODIST
CHURCH.
BY THE PASTOR, REV. EZRA TINKER.

The rise, growth and aggressive movement OF
States, nations, political organizations or ecce-
siastical societies are themes for prolific thought
and instructive meditation.
The older the organization the more difficult
the search for exact historical facts. Death
buries the fathers, and time destroys many an
ancient land mark and tradition takes the place OF
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05
SECOND uNlvERsALIsr CHURCH,



A movement was begun in April ,1s6oto estab-
lish Second Uniuarsalist church in the city OF
Portland, and on the 18th OF -aey following a tenn
porary organization was effected by the apPoint
ment of chairman, clerk and committee, TO
which was assigned the duty of securing hall
and arranging for public services. Meetings
were held in the first place in Union Hall and the
Rev. Zenas Thompson was the first pastor. In
June of the same year, the congregation, through
an arrangement of the committee moved into Me-
chanics Hall and the services were conducted
there for time Rev Mr.. Thompson served the
society one year. He was followed by Harry Her
sey of Tufts College, and Rev. F. A. Hodsdon was
sent to assume leadership. But on the account
of the progress of the war the halls generally
were in use for recruiting purposes and for the
quartering of soldiers so that the young move
ment was disturbed for want of a place to hold
services. This difficulty together with other dis
couragements led to a suspension of effort in
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05
STATE STREET CHURCH.

BY THE PASTOR, REV. F. t. BAYLEY, D. D.
After sketching the antecedent history, the
speaker gave the following facts concerning the
church: The Rev. Dr. Chickerng then pastor of
the High street church, was a prime mover in our
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

BY THE PASTOR, REV. H. c. DUNHAM.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05
PREBLE CHAPEL.

BY THE REV. WILLIAM T. rHn1AN.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

BY THE PASTOR, REV. J. W. nAsHFoRD, D. D.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-30
Whiskey Rev0luti0ni8edl.
A GREAT DISCOVERY,


From the New York Times
What bids fair to revolutionixe the liquor
business in this country Ia . recent claim q .
Baltimore concern, 70 have discovered secret
process Of eliminating tusil oil from whiskey.
There is probably nothing IN the last century
that has been the source OF more investigation
and experiment, among scientists ana chemists,
than the search after this secret, and Ii the nrn
in Baltimore possesses it-As they evidently do,
judging from the statements Of our most emf
nent men of science, and the fact that they
openly submit their product to the analysis Of
any intelligent chemist, and challenge the
nndinE of any trace of fusl oil or other poison.
Gus ingredients thsrein-they will, indeed. not
only reVOlutioni1e this trade, but will reform,
in great measure. the practice of medicine.
Already, owing to the aiacrity with which ply.
s:eians take hold Of IL, IL has begun 70 be the
recognized stimulant In the treatment OF dis.
eases, such as consumption, dyspepsia, mala-
II is likely. therefore, net only n supersede
ali other WHISTLES, but brandiea, wines and the
like. Will have to succumb. The only differ
ence between these latter and whlskey being
new whiskey, which is said to be absolutely
tree from fusil oil, will only have to to diluted
In order TO make 1t correspond t2 strength with
any desired stimulant. The absence In it Of
the only stimulant not followed by after effects
most undesirable in their character, and SO
notable in the use OF all other stimulants. The
proprietors are distilling their new whiskey
from malt, and combining, as 1t does q food
and stimulant quality, II WIN no doubt have
TO wean over many Of the present devotees OF
rye and other manufactures, In which the fatal
fusll oil Is ever present. This whiskey, known
as Duffys pure malt whiskey, IL said TO be very
popular with invalids and others to whom
most stimulants are Objectionable.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-30
~ o n T A 10 q 8.

lam native Of England. and while was In that
country contracted terrible blood poison and for
two years was under treatment outdoor patient
at Nottingham Hospital, England. but was not cured.
suffered the most agonizng pains in my bones, and
was covered with sores all my body and limbs.
Finally completely lost all hope in that country,
and sailed for America and was treated ct Roosevelt
In this city. as well by prominent physician In
New fork, having no connection with the hoapitais.
saw the advertisement of Sw1frs SPECIFIC and
determined to give trial. took six bottles and
can say with great joy that they have cured On.
tlrely. am sound and well as ever was in my
life I. FRED HALFORD
New York City, June 18th, 1885.
In March otlast year Q9S4), I contracted blood
poison, and being In Savannah, Ca, at the time
went into the hospital there for treatment suffered
very much from rheumati.m at the same time I
did not get well under the treatment there nor was
cured by any of the usual means. 1 have now taken
seven bottles of SWIFTs SPECIFIC and am sound and
Well II drove the poison out through boils on the
skin. IAN IEAHY
Jersey City, N. J., August z, 1886.
Treatise ON Blood and Skin Diseases mailed frea
THE SWIFT SPECIFIC CO,
IA Drawer 8. Atlanta. Ga,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-30

life 10 leave their company for his desk in the
library ABOVE. Coming in from the balcony,
the President and his wife often promenade up
and down the long east room until they are
tired, and then he goes TO his work and re-
mains with IL until midnight.
Nearly every evening after Miss Gregg re-
tires Mrs. Cleveland follows the President to the
library and sits with him until his iabors are
laid aside. Sne reads old novels or the latest
magazine, and sfterward calls for the news
papers, and, absorbed In them, permits the
Chief Magistrate to write his veto messages
undiSturbed. Sometimes, when he finds an
amusing case. he throws the papers into her
lap, and she is much interested in the curious
letters, containing all sorts of absurd requests
and suggestions, that come daily in the Presi-
dents mail. Often she will sit at the opposite
side Of his desk and write letters to her mother
or her school friends while he frames q Presi.
dental disapproval of an act of Congress.
Altogether the lite OF the bride at the White
House Is happy and fascinating one She is
in love with the old place, and, being of an i'm
questionable disposition, enjoys the novelty of
her situation. She can realize with gravity the
popularity she has won, and as she reads the
papers cannot but be mindful that her girlish
beauty has added to her husbands political
strength. The compliments paid 10 her have
not turned her head, the elevation to which
she has been lifted has not disturbed her poise,
and she is conscious Of nothing but gratitude
and be ppineSS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-30
The Largest Telescope in the World.

I'll.
From the Hartford Post
Passengersout of Boston OF the Boston and
Albany railroad may have noticed just across
the Charles river, at the first bridge out OF the
city and opposite Cottage Farm station, hand
some residence, and back of it low, round
topped observatory, and outside, near it,
long white model of telescope, and in the
same yard II two-story brick building The
building Is the factory where the great Russian
telescope was made, rs well as many others also
famous, and where work is now going on for
the Lick telescope, which will he the largest in
the world.
OF the two discs of glass each one ward in
diameter for the Lick telescope, the flint glass
has been made long time, but the crown glass
although ordered five years ago. was only re-
ceived by the Clarks in Septem Der last. 1t was
made after repeated trials ana failures at an
esi ,;i near Paris, the only one that
could get out such piece o.! work. Each glass
cost S25, 900 in the rough, and they cannot be
finished before fall.
Al nrst machinery could do little rough
grinding, but Tor mQAIl,s- the bare hand only
has been used in applying the polishing sub
stance, which is rough. The glasses have now
reached stage where the removal of a small
portion OF the surface in the wrong place would
ruin them. They are frequently tested set in
circular iron frame called cell. No instru-
InenlS can be used for the test, but the long ex-
perience OF the Clalks has given them a iuda-
ment which is uneIring.
Very soon the tests Will be made In the model
OF the telescope outside the building. This
model is of the size OF the proposed Lick teIe-
scope, and is fifty-seven feet long. These two
lenses are set six inches apart in their iron
frame, which has openings to allow of the
glasses being properly cleaned on each side
Lenses and frame together weigh over seven
hundred pounds.
While everything now appears to be per-
fect some slight defect in the glass that has not
YET appeared, OF an accident, may render USE
less all the labor OF months When completed
the great telescope will be placed in the obser-
vatory on Mt. Hamilton. in Santa Clara county.
Cal. Mr. James Lick left 500 600 i'm his will
Tor the purpose OF constructing the necessary
buildings and ''for IL telescope superior to and
more powerful than any yet made
An astronomer has stated that this telescope
will bring the moon, 100000 miles distant
within, apparently, a hundred miles of the be-
holder. 1t will cost 100000 and will be COW
cred by a steel dome seventy i've feet in dame
Ter, weighing nlnety-hve tons. Besides the
observatory are many other buildings con-
tanning all the valuable instruments necessary
for a complete establishment to carry out Mr.
LICK 5 Intentions. The citizens of Santa Clara
county have built a road TO the summit of the
mountain, at cost of $4,000.