The Portland daily press., 1886-05-03
PULPIT AND PLATFORM.

INSTALLATION OF REV. MIR. DUNHAM.
Rev. Howard C. Durham was installed
as pastor of the New Jerusalem Church yes
terday forenoon in the presence of large
congregation. The Introductory services
were conducted by the Rev. VIM. B. Hay
den and at their conclusion, Rev. Joseph
Pettee, General Pastor of Massachusetts in
stalled the pastor elect, who was presented
by Messrs. Oliver Gerrish and Henry H.
| Hay. Mr.. Pettee prefaced the impressive
service of installation with fitting remarks
upon the relations of the pastor to his peo-
pie. The sermon was preached by Rev.
Julian K Smyth of Roxbury, Mass, a former
pastor of the church, who took as his text
| the 10Th and two following verses of the
| Hath Psalm.
That our sons may be as plants grown up in
their youth; that our daughters may be as corner
stones polished in the similitude of palace
That our gamers may be full, affording all man
ner of store; that our sheep may bring forth
thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
That our oxen may be strong to labor; that
there be no breaking in going out that there
be no complaining in our streets.
The preacher said that he was sure this
prayer would find loving response in the
hearts of his hearers. 1t comes at this time
with special force because of the new rela-
lions of pastor and people about to be en-
tered upon in this church. Mr.. Smyth allud-
ed feelingly to the fact that he had been per-
mitted to be pastor of the New Jerusalem
Church, which was also his first pastorate.
Everything that the pastor and people could
wish for their guidance is found in the text.
First, the sons and daughters are prayed
for. How often we say the hope of the
church lies with the young people, 1t is
pie lies in the church. The young man who
grows up in the church is indeed spiritual
plant grown stroug in truth, and the young
woman a polished and engraved stone in
the temple. This double petition in the text
is plea for the growth of spiritual things
in the young. There is danger which be-
sets young people today of falling into the
belief that morality is a substitute of relig-
ion. The young man who entertains such
belief may be sober, industrious, cultivated
and brilliant, but death will find him spirit
ualy undeveloped. And the loss may be des-
tined to be felt by him through his future life.
Then let the young enter upon that life of
spiritual struggle which it is glorious to live.
But the other :petitions of David's prayer
should be remembered. The text is store
house from which the pastor may draw food
for his people. The people should meet the
pastor in the right spirit. Without affec-
, tion among the people, uniting them in the
practical support of the church, the prospect
for the future will not be bright. A church
must be sustained bya strong working body.
These are the oxen, strong to labor. Then
there is the necessity of guarding against
the foes of the church from without, such as
false doctrine, and from dissenSi0ns among
the members of the church, which are the
complaining in the street referred to in the
text. Opinions must and should differ, but
there is unity of affection which transcends
all minor difficulties. Labor in the great
work for the salvation of soul S, and if diff
ferences exist, they will be borne with love
and patience.
The relations of the pastor to his people
are sacred. The pastor knows his flock, and
becomes their friend; his interests become
more and more theirs; their burdens must
be his burdens. Although he may be some
times misunderstood, his own cares weigh
ing him down, his own faults clinging to
him, he must vet try to guide others. The
Good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep.
The pastors life, if entered upon religiously
can but bring great joy.
Rev. B. n: Stone Of Fryeburg, Me-, deliv-
cred the address to the people, enforcing the
fact that when church has found pastor
suited to it, he should be retained in his of
flee. Mr.. Stone said the pastor is not to preach
in order to secure popularity for his church
nor is he called upon to be a. social or politi-
cal reformer He is to preach the gospel and
minister to his peoples spiritual wants.
The congregation was dismissed with the
benediction by the pastor.