The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05

Our particular history as church has beer
brief; only fragment of the century have we
seen,-the babe of the family. We have walked
alone little while, and of late have stretched om
hand toward our little sisters and cousins to aid
them in turn. We approach maturity, and though
now at thirteen years enduring the awkwardness
of a transition age, not always knowing what tc
do with our hands, yet we are growing some. Let
us not think too much of the precOcitieS of 0ul
recent for each passing year is bfm
We must dig the rudimentS of new acquisition
enlarge by dint of effort the breadth of our hor
Zon, stretching daily little beyond our measure
thus to broaden and lift ourselves aoft into the
manhood of Christ; so shall we fulfill the hopes
which attend late birth into the galaxy of Ec
clesiaStical stars in Portland.
Twenty years ago this first Sunday of July, vii
listOn Chapel was dedicated, on Danforth street.
while the ashes of our great eontiagration were
yet hot, with sermon by Rev. George Leon
Walker Five years before, a Sunday School had
been gathered, of which this Chapel was the out
come, and seven years later, February 5, 1878
Williston Church was organized with twenty-five
members, which have multiplied to upwards Of
$50, with Sunday School Of about 400, owning a
house of worship without debt, aiming to make
its religion businesslike and let us hope, also tC
make its business christian-like.
Its pastors have been three. Rev. Burke r,
Leayltt, now OF Chicago installed May B. 1878
was the first, serving three years with marked
fidelity; man winning and genial, tender and
sympathizing in pastoral work, sound in the faith
and Incorporating in presentation of the truth,
at once pastor, manager and missionary, faith
full in ALL"
Rev Frank E. Clark was installed Oct. 10, 1876
and continued seven years. During his passionate
the present edifice, corner Thomas and Carroll
SITS. was built it was first occupied Sept. 1873
but not dedicated until the payment of its debt
Feb. 6, 1881. The struggles Of those days, even
thrilling to the men and women who shared them
are duly recorded but need not be detailed in the
public ear. Mr. Clark organized the Young Peo-
pies Society of Christian Endeavor in its present
form, in Feb. 1881; his pastorate was noted fol
rapid increase in the membership of the church.
a widespread interest and abundant ingatherng
among the young In that department. and in
social and in and sympthetic work Mr.. Clark ex-
celled and his fruits abide.
Rev. L. FL. Hallock was installed pastor Dec
IS; 1888, and stills remains.
Items of interest are, Laying the corner stone
Oct. II, 1877 meeting of the State Conference in
1881 ; payment of a dept of $4,000, on the morn
ing of Nov. H. 1881.
Among causes for gratitude we note, the I'M
ceasing kindness of our Alma Mater the State
ST. church, and of all the churches; the prompt
ness md unanimty which has marked the secur-
ing of our pastors without exception; the entire
harmony Of administration, and our steady, and
sometimes phenomenal growth. Unto God be the
praiSe!, while we press on, Forgetting those
things which ale behind andlreaching forth unto
those things which are before" thus proving our
right to be- and aiming to fulfill our mission to the
honor OF our LORD.