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

BY THE PASTOR, REV. H. C. DUNHAM.
Taking for the text of his historical discourse
Deuteronomy 4 :32, "Ask me of the days that are
past" the pastor OF the society, Rev. Howard Z.
Durham spoke in substance as follows: Inc
whole history of the Portland Society OF the New
Jerusalem, as indeed of all the religious bodies OF
this city except two, is comprised in the period
since this neck of land jutting into the waters OF
Casco Bay was set apart as the Town of Portland.
In fact, the whole history of the New Church, as
an external, visible organization, has been enact
ed since 1856. One year later, on the evening OF
July 81 1887, the first religious service OF an Or
ganzed body of protested receivers OF the heaven
" doctrines made known to the world through
Emanuel Swedenborg was held in London, Eng
land. Five years later, in 1871, the first New
Church Society in America was organized at Hall
fax, Nova Scotia. Lectures on the new doctrine
had. however, been delivered in Philadelphia and
Boston as early as 1884.
The doctrines of the New Church appear to
have been first introduced into Maine in the year
1905 by the Rev. DR.. Wm jerks, the distinguish
ed author of the once popular Comprehensive
Commentary on the Bible, who in that year was
called from the neighborhood of Boston to the
pastorate of the Congregational Church in Bath
In 1912 Mr. John Savels, a paper manufacturers
came from Dorchester to Gardiner. He may be
said to have been the first full receiver in Maine,
the first protested New Churchman. In the win
ter of 1926 Mr.. John L. Megquer, a lawyer, came
from New Gloucester to Portland, bringing with
him Swedenborg's little treatise entitled DOCTRINE
Of the New Jerusalem Concerning the Sacred
Scripture which he had obtained from the Con,
gregational minister at that place rms soon 1ell
into the hands of DIR. Timothy Little, man OF rare
inf leading DlVSIcldQ, anu u Skllul
surgeon. He was son OF Paul LltIle, SILVER
smith of celebrity whose shop before tne heHolu ,I
India( streets Dr. ttle was nIst eo9c ,5, I0f
monty received idea of the three distinct persons
in the Godhead and the singular doctrines when
have sprung therefrom, that he was led to re-
linquish theology for medicine.
In the doctrines of the New Church DIR. Little
found religious food satisfactory alike to his mind
and heart, and he was earnest In communicating
the newly-discoverd treasure to others. IL was
not long before Mr.. Megquier Mr.. Oliver Gerrlsh
and DR.. Albus Rea became INTERESTED WIN INN, illln
selves or with others who chose to come, met
regularly Sabbath evenings at each others houses
the New Church. Mr.. Gerrish, splendid speei-
men of venerable patriarch, past 30, is sun
with us an aetve clzen t anu ;fe gho IL also
bright and active although long past fOur,ScOre;
is a sister of DR.. Little and daughter OF the OLD
had so far increased that it was deemed advlsa..
BILE to hold public meetings, ana the VeStry OF
Chestnut street church when tneh Tan ii9 s t te
purpose. This kindly action OF Methodlst socl-
ety. IN permitting the use OF their Dulldlng Dy taI
little band of New Church WorshppeTS, Is speeldl-
Nv deserving of grateful mention, for In those
days New Church people We're often regarded as
hefetics of the worst kind. DIR. Little conducted
the services and read discourse, sometimes one
which he had himself prepared. Ex-Mayor VIII
Senter was the sexton OF those carry tneetiings,
Sometimes being assisted by the late Mr.. ADner
lowell On the 21st August, 1851 the society
was permanently organized. Rev. IhoHas NOT
cester and several leadng for VI the oeea
sion The ORIGINAL members were tmrteen IN
number: DIR. Timothy Little ana ms WE En "a
beth Oliver and Sarah Gerrish, Samuel an9 IA
mela Coleman DR.. Albus Rea, EbeneZer Mason,
VIM Hunneweil, Sarah Rea of Windham, and
iS Ws1aa In the Years 1851 the Rev Henry
A. worcester a cousin of Rev. Dr. In0maS Wor-
cester of Boston, preached alternately lor te So
ciety continued to use the Cumberland street YES
try until the summer of 1886, When PERMISSION
was granted them to hold their services IN the U
s. Court Room which stood on the corner OF Con-
gress and Myrtle streets. In the same year VIC
parish was Incorporated under tne laws Oh cue tne
State and soon after land was purenaseo On N ~
oress street. opposite Locust street., Tor the
erection Of a church. This was built and
dedicated August &c, 1887, Rey. Ihomas
worcester of Boston preaching the sermon.
soon after Rev. Joseph Pettee, who recently
officated at the installation OF NE pres pres
emf naStor preached here for several SaDbatnS'
In November, 1887, Rev. Henry A. MoIcesIeI'
already mentioned, became the nfst setIleg INNS y,
ter or pastor OF the society," ne was q x 81
yale man of fine ability, and loved and respeete.a
by all who knew him. He was early removeu 70
tie other world, May "a. 1S41, after past4trate
of only three and q half years. during thaI tlne'
he was not only constant contributor to the pc
riodical literature of the church. put ne also pun
lished two volumes OF great mert; Maiv 1bmrcb
destined to hold permanent place IN VIEW S ti
literature Rev James Scott preached 1Or lne SO
ciety from 1S43 to 1S45 eeasng by reason al P1Sr
health He was followed by Rev. joshua A; O9E
hnrn and he in turn was succeeded in 1S46 by
Rev. j. T. Sturtivant In 1S47 the societyswerse;
again without Pastor, Of ah Batb Visited Portland
and oficiated occasionally during tnosS SeSt,s anu
when no minister was present DE- Ltle ,nfo me
SniritIial world Nov 27 1S49 He was in many
respects a remarkable man. His portrait, when
is said to be striking likeness, now hangs III tAe
In February, 1850, Mr.. VIM. B. Hayden, young
man. who had attracted attention by reply ~ ~ ~,
Ponds atrociOus attack on the doctrines OF tne
New Church. was invited to Portland TO lecture.
He at once attracted attention, soon deelue9 On
the ministry f9r of he SOCIETY," In 1854 the
general Convention OF the New Jerqsalem III
America" met with Portland Society, Lancaster
This large body of able and distinguished men
attracted much attention. directed many minus ~, 70
the new doctrine. and tended to promote the
In 1864 Rev. Mr.. Hayden resigned and removed
to the West His place was soon hlled Dy new
Thomas Peckam Rodman. The following year,
however Mr.. Hayden returned, and not long aiter
was at work again for his old society In that
Street church was burned. and every family of the
society except six, were bereft OF their homes
BEFORE that however, the young people hdu PuI-
chased and presented to the society tne spacious
High street lot on which we are now aSsempleu'
The fire but little delayed If at ALL the new Suuc
ture which had already been anticipated. henS
ious services were held in private parlors III AIN
street church, kindly loaned TO tne soeety, anu III
the Mechanics Library room FuhdS MSIS oo sup y
scribed and the new edifice begun. April "a II
was dedicated. In 1876 Rev. Mr.; Hayden again
resigned the paStorate and went abroad. he now
resides in this city, not having since taken any
permanent charge. - s,
Under Mr.. Hayden the Society had grown from
a very small body to a goodly number; he was
man of marked ability and many exceIen.t quatm1I
ties, who spent here five years OF hara puI nsedui
and encouraging work, and tneh 6estsneu W az
cept the pastorate of society In BOSTON, -,
Rev. Thomas A. King was then seltieu over tne
society for period of two years. he was from
church, an able theologian, and vigorous ana
eloquent speaker. 49,. o,o.,
During the most of the year 1885 the society
were again without pastor. In November rev
Howard @. Durham, of Topeka. Kansas VISITED
the Society, and in February, 1885, accepted
call to the pastorate. His formal installation oc-
Cured May I'd of this year. -. o.uo,
upon to part with many sterling men anu women
by removal to the spiritual world, VINO nav pesa
Of Invaluable service TO the New Church, ana
whose memory is affectionately eherlsneu II9mi-
nent among these are the names OF Il. T. ana j. T.
Fernald, Abner Lowell, A. M. Burton, Jas y BED
low, Dr. Chas H. Burr, Capt. Arthur small, Dr-
Marcian Seavey Judge Benz Kingshury and MIS-
I Il, FernaId. Mrs. Kngsbury and Mrs. Rea.
CONTINUED ON FOURTH PAGE.l