The Portland daily press., 1886-09-28
FREE STREET CHURCH.
Closing Exercises of the semi-cen-
tenniaI Celebration.
Interesting "reminiscences by Former
Pastors.

faOtStS.
| There was an informal gathering of various
| older and more rcent members Of Free street
church Monday forenoon in the audience
room, reviewing the past and exchanging
pleasant greetings and recalling pleasant
memories. The roll of constituent members
and portrait gallery attracted special atten-
tion, presenting the well remembered Inca
ments of some honored, not only in the
church, but in the community as we'll.
The afternoon exercises commenced with
appropriate music upon the organ and the
doxology by the choir and congregation, and
invocation by the pastor, Rev. A. 7. Dunn.
The chairman, Hon. Judge Bonney, then
introduced George F. EmeFyjs. ESQ. who read
a very interesting centennial poem, prefacIng
its reading by reminding his hearers of the
nature of the occasion calling them together.
The poem was full of pleasant "reminiscences
of church life, with its ever varying phases,
interspersed with amusing incidents marking
various epochs in its history. twas received
with great favor and gave special pleasure to
the audience. The poem was followed by a
memorial hymn finely rendered by the choir.
Rev. Dr. Bosworth was then introduced by
the chairman, and he commenced his re-
marks by endorsing the words of the chair
man, praising the pastors and people for
their kind and appreciatiye course-the peo-
pie towards their pastors, and the pastors to-
wards their successors. He referred to the
important changes made in the house of wor-
ship during his pastorate, and also to the
beneficial effect of the differences of opinion
that are always observed in churches, being
necessary accompaniment of vigorous
church life. He made interesting reference
to the establishment and interest of the morn
ing prayer meetings of 1878. and to the war
of the rebellion, and the noble work of the
church in that great struggle. He closed
with an earnest appeal to the church to con-
tinue the noble work entered upon by their
predecessors.
Rev. DIR. Stockbridge followed, giving
pleasant "reminiscences of his pastorate and
emphasizing his sense Of the kindness of the
people towards their pastors, and the affec-
tion of the pastors for one another. Dr.
Stockbridge gave some sad and amusing in
cidents of the great fire which occurred dur
ing his pastorate.
Rev. DR.. Small was then pleasantly intro
duced by the chairman, and he very pleas
antly referred to the noble history of the
Free street church as natural outcome of
the fact that it was the child of the old First
church. He made touching mention of in
cidents and persons under his pastorate, his
delightful experience with the church and
pleasant association with his brethren, the
other pastors of the church.
Rev.Mr. McWhinnie followed. He declared
that his pastorate here was the golden peri
cd of his ministry and spoke of his
loving memory of his aSS0cia-
tion with those who had also been pastors of
the church. He closed with stirring words
of encouragement to the church, bidding
them to look up, and not down; forward and
not backward, and ever, as they have done,
to lend a helping hand.
Major Melcher then read letters from alb
sent members, expressing their deep interest
in the welfare of the church and their pleas
ant memory of their association with it.
Among these letters were responses from
Rev. DR.. Elder of New York, Prof Small of
Wateryille and Francis Barnes, Esq, of
Houlton.
THE EVENING.
In the evening grand collation. was given
at Mechanics Hall where tables were
spread for five hundred guests. Mr.. Robin
son arranged the tables, but the ladies of
the society furnished the materials, and the
tables presented beautiful sight. The
guests gathered at O'Clock and enjoyed
half hours social reunion, and the commit
tees in charge had abundant cause to con-
gratulate themselves upon the fine appear
ance of the hail. Old friends recalled the
past, and new ones greatly enjoyed the
pleasant scenes and greetings that met them
on every side.
After the material repast the intellectual
feast followed. The presiding officer, Geo
F. Emery, Esq, with appropriate remarks,
introduced Pastor McWhinnie, who read an
exceedingly interesting poem, giving in
cidents and personal "reminiscences connected
with his ministry over this people.
Hanson nj. Hart, ESQ.,, was called upon,
and responded in humorous and pertinent
address.
Lewis B. Smith, Esq, followed in remarks
upon some of the faithful workers of previ-
GUS years.
The superintendent of the Sunday School,
Mr.. III. w. Noyes, spoke of the good work ac-
complished by that department of the church
workers.
Mr.. Lynch spoke of the prayer meetings
of the church, and recalled some of those
delightful seasons presided over by the pas
tors and deacons and enjoyed by the church
at large.
Mrs. Joseph A. King responded to the
chairman's call, and spoke of the noble work
accomplished by the faithful and devoted
women of the Free street church. In home
philanthropic and mission efforts, and in the
foreign work they have borne an honored
part. The address of Mrs. King was very
interesting and exceedingly appropriate.
Deacon j. G. Phenix spoke of the benevo-
lent work of the church, and he presented a
record exceedingly creditable to this progress
sive and enterprising people.
Rev. N ID. Curtis spoke of the social and
and spiritual element of the church, and pre-
sented impressively view of the Importance
of this spiritual power which has been so
fully illustrated in the history of the Free
street church.
Major Melcher spoke of the refining and
elevating influence of a true church life, and
referred gratefully to his own experience
of the kindly rendered courtesies of this peo-
pie.
Judge Bonney spoke of the influence of
church life upon the young and in the forma-
tion of character.
Rev. DR.. Burrage spoke of the relation of
this church to the work of the denomination,
and gave a sketch of the noble benevolent
work accomplished by the church in its cor
porate capacity, and by individuals connect
ed with it, especially by the late Deacon
Greenough.
Rev. Dr.. Bosworth spoke briefly and was
followed by Deacon Alfred Haskell, who
spoke Of the relation, of the church to the
city, and referred to the benefcent Influence
exerted by its membership upon the COM
munity.
Mr. G. F. Morse spoke for the younger
element of the church, and pledged to them
the earnest effort of the young men to work
earnestly for the great cause which they
were all laboring to advance.
The audience then united in singing two
verses of the hymn, "Blest be the tie that
binds
Rev. DR.. Stockbridge pronounced the bene-
diction. and brought to close the services
of this delightful anniversary.
The entire programme connected with the
anniversary was carried out with the most
gratifying success; and its observance marks
an important and most interesting epoch in
the history of this church. giving promise of