The Portland daily press., 1888-10-02
THE SECOND PARISH.
Closing Meeting Of the Centennial
Celebration.

The closing meeting connected with the
celebration of the centennial of the Second
Parish occurred last evening. 1t was a
social gathering, of members, young and old,
and though the rain prevented crowded
house, goodly number came together and
greatly enjoyed the hour-feeling well re-
paid for their coming by the pleasant remin-
iscences furnished by the speakers. The
meeting was opened with prayer by Rev.
William Carruthers, after which Rev. Mr.
Daniels read letters from former members,
now living in other places. The first was
from Rev. E. p. Thwing of Brooklyn, N. Y,
| giving various items connected with the
history of the church. The second was
| from e. +. Duren, Esq, of Bangor, whose
letter was especially interesting in its remin-
iscences of pastors and private members of
the church. Probably no one in the State,
minister or layman, is so thoroughly at
home in all statistical matters and personal
knowledge of Maine Congregationalists as
Mr.. Duren, which fact made his letter most
interesting.
Rev. Dr. Chickering was then introduced,
and gave some pleasing "reminiscences con-
nected with the former pastors and mem
bers of this church. Among other things,
he referred to one occasion in his own
church at business meeting when pro-
position was read from the Second church to
abandon one of the long established customs
of union services among the three churches.
One of these was the preparatory lecture,
another the monthly concert, and third the
rotary monthly exchange of pulpits
oh. i.
labors of new and popular pastor. This
reminds me" said the witty brother W. G.
NJ, ''0f the woman, who having long been
accustomed to borrow brass kettle pro-
cured one Of her own, and then said she
would neither "b0rry or lend" Rather
hard upon the ministry, but not more SO than
what the late Bishop Haven said of an in
PRODUCTION of himself by a colored brother,
as real first-rate sounding brass and tink-
ling cymbal." Dr. Chickerlng closed by re-
had in Bangor with Mrs. William Hyde, 96
years of age, formerly a member of this
church and mother-in-law of Deacon E. +.
Duren. She is so engrossed with the thought
Of meeting her adorable Saviour as to have
quite lost her interest in the common Ques-
ton ''Shall we know each other in Heaven"
The speaker could not but hope that the de-
llghtful Christian intercourse of this evening
might be renewed in the better land"
Mr.. Mcdonald, of the Presbyterian church,
"reminiscences of his first connection with
the Second Parish, and with fraternal and
earnest wishes for the continued prosperity
and growth of the church.
Rev. Mr.. Loring was called upon, and
said that it is just 80 years since he was first
connected with the church. He recount
ed some of the difficulties that the ministers
OF those days encountered in doing the noble
work that they accomplished.
Judge Goddard was called upon. He gave
some amusinp rqc0llaetiOns of his VOnthful
impressions of pastors and church buildings,
mingled with criticisms of church architec-
ture OF half a century ago. The Judge was
making some complimentary illusions to DR..
Chickering, when the Doctor humorously
called him to order as wandering from his
subject speaking of High Street instead of
the Second Parish. The Judge excused
himself on the plea of old age. He closed
impressions received from the ministers and
associations of those days, and with earnest
wishes for the continued prosperity of the
church and its pastor.
Deacon Winslow, being called upon, re-
counted his pleasant experience in his first
and subsequent connection with the Second
Parish. He spoke of the pleasure we exper.
lence In being connected with enterprise
destined to be successful, and men held In
high honor; SO he felt 1t to be an honor and
high privilege to be connected with church
so honored in the past and so active in the
present as the Second Parish.
Mr.. Stephenson also spoke of his first
knowledge of this church in a distant city
and his subsequent reception into its men,
bership by the hand of its late honored pas
tor, DIR. Carruthers.
Deacon Pinkham offered the closing pray
er and Rev. DIR. Chickering pronounced the
benediction, thus bringing to a close this
most interesting series Of meetings, marking
the close of a century upon which the church
may look with gratitude and inspiration as
1t enters upon new era OF earnest and sue
cessful Christian work.