The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-05
FIRST UNIvERsALIsr CHURCH.
BY THE PASTOR, REV. HENRY BLANCHARD, D. D.

The pastor, Rev. Henry Blanchard, made some
brief Introductory remarks, in which he referred
to the sacredness of the day-Sunday and July 4th'
He then dwelt upon the condition of the religious
world in 1886. Universalism was even then held
by a large number of Christian believers, but it
was not till April 10. 1921 that the first Univer-
sallst society of Portland was organized.
The speaker.spoke of the early advocates of the
faith and extolled their courage their eanestness,
their wisdom, their power. Chief among them
were Hosea Balou. Russell Streeter, first pastor
of the society, Edward Turner, Thomas White
more and Sebastian Streeter.
The first services were held in the "town house,"
aud there is vote on record that tine parish
committee appoint two persons to carry around
the box on Sunday, and that they be authorized
to alter the windows of the town house by permis-
sion of the selectmen"
According to the admirable paper prepared
some time ago. at request of the pastor, by Philip
F. Turner, Esq, clerk of the parish, to whom the
speaker felt himself greatly indebted, the list OF
pastors is as follows:
Rev Russell Streeter, August IL, 1921, to April
Rev John Bisbee, June 20, 1928, to about two
years later, when the passionate was ended by
Rev: W. j. Reese, 1929 to 1881.
Rev. Menzies Rayner, 1881 to 1886.
heV. ID. ID. Sm1Ln, 1850 10 lo4O.
Rev. G. c. Burr, 1S4o-about one year.
Rev. L. L. Sadler 1912 to 1847.
Rev. Russell Streeter, 1847 to 1858.
Rev. G. r. Moor, 1858 to 1860.
Rev. i. c. BolleS, 1860 to 1869.
Rev. W. E. Gibbs, 1869 to 1881.
Rev. Henry Blanchard, 1882.
OF the first two pastors, the Hon. Israel Wash
burn, Jr., was accustomed to say that the first
was st. Paul and the secondalSt. John.
At meeting of the parish, April 23, it was vot-
ed to purchase lot of land corner of Back street
(now Congress) and Pearl. The price paid was
500. Portland had then 5000 Inhabitants A
church was erected on this lot, and dedicated Aug:
IS, 1921. 1t was destroyed in the great fire OF
1866. The Sunday school was established under
the ministry of the second pastor, Rev. John
Bisbee
Under the ministry of the third pastor, the Wild
oWs Wood Society was formed, and on so broad
basis that today representatives from all the
churches are on its board of management
The Samaritan Association was organized in
1928, and is a noble monument of the philanthro-
Ply of Mrs. Bisbee, wife OF the second and sanity
pastor, John Bisbee.
The third pastor. Rev. Mr. Reese for whom a
monument was erected in the Eastern cemetery,
died in Buffalo, ministering to the cholera sui
ferers.
In 1881, financial tronbles came, and in the
trying years from 1881 to 1837-the great years
of diSaSter-the society suffered severely. For a
while the church was closed, but meetings were
held in the houses of the parishioners 1t was re-
During these years excitement concerning slave
ry was intense throughout the country. The fol
lowing vote Will show something OF the prevailing
feeling 1t was recorded at the meeting of the par
iSh, June 20, 1874. Voted-"That our confidence
in each and every member of the business COM
mittee of this parish is full and undiminiShed by
any act of theirs since their election.
THAT it is the sense OF this meeting that we re-
greet the action of any individual Of this parish in
taking the key from the sexton and depriving the
abolition society Of the use of the house on the
evening of the 10th inst"
Ine parish thus 6onplimented. The
pastor referred in eulogistie words to the ehesao
far a,,Ac arxTiaa nj
ish, so long constant attendant at the church,
but now confined at home by illness.
Under the efficient ministry OF Rev. l.. L. Sadler,
Rev. Russell Streeter, in his second pastorate,
Rev. C. R. Moor Rev. E. c. Boles, the church con-
tnued to prosper In the pastorate of Mr.. now
Dr.. Bolles, the need of larger church was felt,
and the present noble editice was built. The dedi-
cation took place Feb. Is, 1865.
Rev. W. E. Gibbs, now of Buffalo, remained pas
tor for the long period of twelve years,-a kind
friend a faithful pastor. He was succeeded by
the present incumbent, Rev Henry Blanchard.
Both he and his immeniate predecessor are gradu-
ates of Tufts College in the class of 1859 The
two deacons, Charles s. Fobes and w. B. Coolidge,
and the superintendent of the Sunday School. Mr..
f. w Hamilton are also graduates of Tufts, and
there are three other graduates VINO are members
of the parish.
the pastors list is about $50. The Sunday School
has nearly 400 members. MIR. Blanchard, after
giving these statistics spoke at length of the great
change which had come in the religious opinions
of the community between the years 1921 and
1886: At the former date, Uniyersalists were IN
world is coming to their faith. He then spoke of
the services rendered the church and the faith by
Hon. Israel WaShburn, Jr whose tablet has been
placed upon the wall Of the church. He spoke
also of the minister, and the noble men and wo-
men to whom memorial windows or mural pictures
had been given. He then referred, in loving words,
to the recent great loss suffered by the society in
the death of William 7. Small, the secretary of
the parish committee the efficient planner and
executor of church methods, the devoted, noble
co-worker with the pastor. In conclusion, MIR.
Blanchard expressed his great gratitude for the
present great prosperity of the church. He re-
1oiced that bgotry is dead-that holders of differ
ent beliefs are willing to hear 1.-THE declarations of
Universalist opinions. He rejoieed in the unity
ends. The ministers of the city are united ia
working for the righteousness of Ged under the
leadership of Christ Workers for temperance,
for the Indian for the fallen for the boys of the
street, are all coming together and deed is seen
to be more important than creed. The 25th chap
ter of Matthew receives new reading. pres
ent heaven is prayed for and worked for. He
to 1885, with the fragrance Of noble characters
and with the works of Christian sef-sacrifice. He
would have the church be truly "Al Souls Church,
"a church dedicated to the glory of God and the
service of man, under the leadership of Jesus
Christ the Lord and Master and Saviour of men.
So shall we serve our beloved city; so lshall we
help our noble commonwealth and our beloved
country. May those who shall follow us and cele
brate the end of another century in 1886, rejoice
in the heritage which they shall receive from us.
For God and Church, for Home and Native Land,
let us work with will that our city and our coun-
try, hundred years from now, may be great, and
and prosperous, and holy through coworking with
God and fellowship with Christ. And let all the
people cry "Amenw