The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-02-18
raw. alDMEY K. PERKINS,
lie installation over West church.

His Installation over wet Church
A council of churches was called by the
West Congregational church Of this city yes
terday, to assist in the installation of Rev.
Sidney K. Perkins as pastor. The council
met at half past ., electing Rev II. S. Hunt
ington Of Gorham, as moderator, and Rev.
II. C. Mcknight of Falmouth as scribe. In
the examination Of the candidate, full state
ments were made Of his religious experience
and call to the ministry. He was converted
and united with the church at the age of
twelve years. The candidate read state
ment of his doctrinal beliefs, and was ques-
toned at length upon various points of the
ology, inspiration, atonement, doctrine Of
sin, saving faith, relation Of the children Of
believers to the church and kindred topics.
The candidate denied a second probation for
those who die impenitent. The examina-
ton was voted satisfactory by the council, as
the candidate seemed to be sound in the doe
trines of the CONGREGATIONAL churches. Mr..
Perkins graduated from Amherst College
and Andover Seminary, and his coming to
the West church will be an acquisition to the
ministry of the city.
The evening public services began at 80
o'clock Introductory exercises were con
Quoted by Revs. j. A. Atkins and G. A.
Marsh. Then followed the sermon by Rev.
c. FL. Daniels, from the text found in Rom.
10: 1-3:
"We then, that arc strong ought to bear the in
irmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves
Let every one of us please his nelgnD0r for his
gg6a G Tbo s Gr e eorreet apbeaoa
Christianity, and represents the true relation OF
man with man, in imitation Of Christ. 1t opens
up the foundation principle OF Cnrlstlanlty sacri
cing self for the sake of others. So long as life
touches life this question is worthy our considera
ton The fourteenth chapter i the application OF
this idea, and is direct opposition to the worlds
idea of living. The world exalts self In the same
proportion that Christianity does not exalt self.
The spirit of tile world says please YOURSELF
The spirit of Christianity says "please yonr
neighbour The law of the moral universe binds
the stronger to care for the weaker. We ought
TO bear the inlrmities of the weak on the grounds
of both expectancy and necessity. 1t is q law of
social and home life-the parent cares for the
child, the strong watch with the sick.
nature are brought out BY the dependence of the
weak upon the strong. We do not fully estimate
the niTmities men carry, and the privilege of the
strong to help such in word and act mot to please
ourselves" This law, mot TO please ourselves,
is the vital life of the pastors the sustaining power
of church life to help the troubled, raise tie fall
len and save the lost. LET every one please his
neighbor for his good to edihcation.n Publication
is the preparation of material Tor building. Here
the design of the church is to fit men into the iY-
ing temple There is emphasis to be laid upon the
words for his good not out Of easy compacency
for flattery, or for selfish ends but for his good
the glory OF the living temple, the transformation
of life. This law was the law OF Christ. Even
Christ pleased not himself He bore suffering,
opposition, the hatred of enemies and the stupid
ty of friends. "He was rich yet for our sakes he
became poor, that We through His poverty might
be maze rich" In this great truth is the striking
quality of Christian life. The ministry must be
strong in sef-sacrifice the church must be mighty
in the manliness of its MEMBERS Subduing self for
others. This will make religion something more
than a mere profession. 1t will be a power
and life.
The prayer of installation was offered by
the Rev. w. Fl. Fem, d. ID. Following was
the charge to the pastor by Rev. L, H. Hal
lock, who said:
To give charge to you is to carry Goals to
Newcastle and yet we exercise the Congrega-
tionalists' privilege of giving advice. BE man
of strength. The times require heroism as much
tan character IN your people; conversion Is only
the beginning. 3-Be willing to be old fashioned
as the gospel is the substance Of your preaching.
however Illuminated its biading. 4-Use your en-
tire stkit of TOOLS" 5-Expect great things OF
yourself,your people and of God. 6-Be apreacher,
make the word of God the food OF men. Preach
much also from your own experience and yoH
will find response in the hearts OF men. Finally
live close to God and you cannot thus be far from
yourself nor far from your people.
The right hand of fellowship was extended
Dy rev. u. M. COuSenS, former pastor, now
Of Cumberland Mills.
Rev. f. T. Bayley gave the address 20 the
people, reminding them that they had a
joint responsibility with the pastor. He
cannot make the work more alone. 1t is a
joint privilege and responsibility. There
cannot be good speaking without good hear
ing. Open your hearts to the pastor and he
will help you. The pastor is set il the com
munity to reach men. His field is beyond
his church. The people must be to the
pastor, as the many refectors in the light
house are to the lamp, to reflect the light he
sheds all about. Practice the gospel, the
gospel the pastor breaches. The concluding
prayer was by Rev, /. p. Warren, D D., and
the new pastor pronounced the benediction