The Portland daily press., 1889-12-12
REV. DR.. J. o. MERRIlL's
Installation at the Second Parish
Church.


Church.
A council called to consult upon the in
ond Parish church Of this city. met In the
vestry Of the church at o'clock D. m. yester-
day, and organized by the choice Of Rev.
Mr.. Bayley, Of State street church, as
moderator. and Rev. Z. T. Wilson, Of Wood
fords, as clerk.
Rev. Mr.. Wilson, of the Fourth church,
read the call for the council. which was
composed Of the following pastors and lay
delegates:
State Street Church-The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Bay
High Street.-The pastor, Rev. DR.. Fem, and
81. Lawrence Street.-The pastor. Rev. Mr.
Virgin, ana J; J. Gerrish.
West End-The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Perkins, and
b. G. Fuller.
: Bethel the pastor, Rev. Mr.. sOuthwOrth, and
Fourth Church-The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Wilson,
Berkiey Street Church.. Boston Deacon B. +.
West Parish Church, Andoyer, Mass.-Rev. +.
w. Green and s. III. Boutwell,.
wOodtOrds- The pastor, Rev. Z. t. Wilson, and
Y. "A.
Cape Elizsbeth-Bev. b. p. Snow and George
HahnafOrd.
WateryIlle The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Hallock, and
Deacon Increase Robinson.
Also the following Individuals:
Prot. W. J. Tucker. D.. Andoyer, Mass; Rev.
E.A. Harlow, Rev. l. r. Warren, ID. ID.
Letters were read from Rev. Dr. Car
ruthers, DID,, and Rev. Z. A. Harlow, and
telegram was received from Rev. Mr..
Daniels, those writers expressing their deep
interest In the church and earnest wishes for
its prosperity and the success of the pastor
elect.
After prayer by the moderator. the clerks
OF the church and parish read the record Of
the proceedings Of those bodies In reference
to securing pastor; also the action of the
st. Louis church in releasing Rev. DIR. Mer-
rill
Or. Merrill then gave statement of his
call to the ministry and of his fields OF labor.
de had .labored as home missionary In
Kansas after the war, was settled eleven
years In Davenport, Iowa, and seven years
in st. Louis.
The moderator then by vote of the council
addressed some leading questions TO the can
didate. calling out his views upon the lead
ing doctrines Of the church. These ques-
tlons pertained to our knowledge OF truth,
the existence and character Of God, the rela,
tive Importance Of natural and revealed re-
llgion; the divine origin Of the Bible; the
relative Importance CT its leading truths the
theory Of redemption and the development
OF the Christian life: the nature and work OF
the Holy Spirit; the church, its membership,
authority aud ordinances; probation and in-
fant baptism.
The council then went into private session
and the audience dispersed.
The council. In private session, voted en-
tire satisfaction In reference TO the candi-
dates call to the ministry and views OF doc
trine, also that the installation services be
held In the evening In accordance with the
programme published yesterday morning.
The sermon OF Professor Tucker was from
the text In Eph. 4:13: It'll we all attain"
etc. In reading the New Testament. one
must be impressed with the extent and
thorohghness Of the work there set forth.
Tie work does not seem hasty; IL Is deliber-
ate, for II Is vast work. The religion Of
the New Testa ment has established dis
tinct. type Of character, differing from and
far above that Of any other presented In the
worlds history.
The speaker discussed the persistence of
this type Of Christian character which Is
permanently. peculiar to Christianity. Have
we this typesin Its purity? What Is the dis
tinctiye characteristic Of Christianity? II Is
the embodiment Of the idea Of God seeking
man and calling forth gratitude OF the deep
est degree. The beginning Of Christian
character Is characterized by the outflow Of
gratitude, devotion, and aspiration. The
Christian Is radiant with the sentiment Of
loving devotion and grateful service.
Can we hope and expect that this type will
be permanent In the worlds life? IL has
had two tests; the first was that Of persecu-
tlon and 1t stood firm In the face OF death.
The Christian could suffer.
The second test was as to its power OF re-
constructng:humsn society. Could 1t fight,
resist controi9 Yes; look at its work in the
struggle Tor freedom.
The present test Is severe; for II now Is
striving to transform society into the full
Christian type. The corporate, civil and
social relations must be purified BY carrying
the Individual conscience Into all those rela-
tons, and thus bringing them into the full
likeness Of Christ. Now shall we preserve
this type; FOR even its temporary 0bscuratiOn
Is an injury to the world?
The individual soul must live the higher
type or it will give place TO the lower. We
II the type Is complete, we may not be dis
turbed about diverslties OF sects.
we must especially seek to keep the Idea
Of Christianity high and pure: The sacrifice.
the person, the character OF Jesus Christ
must be the foundation and top stone OF the
Christian type. Take this out, and all will
be lost But still this type OF Christianity Is
as yet incomplete. 1t will. however, In the
progress Of the ages reach development
that will fulfll the glorious prophecies Of
perfect exempll1cation Of the Transforming
power OF the Immortal truths wrapped up In
the gospel Of God. The sermon was earnest.
ly delivered and held the undivided atten-
tion of the audience.
Rev. Mr.. Hallock, in the Hand Of Fellow
ship, referred pleasantly to his early asso-
Citations with the candidate In early life, and
welcomed him most cordially to the city, the
state. the churches, the homes and the
hearts Of the people.
Rev. Mr.. Wright, In his charge to the can
didate, said that The stood as the
representative OF the churches; and he
did not address the candidate as a nOvlce,-
but as tried labOrer A high Christian
character Is essential to true ministerial sue
good man. He must be spiritually minded:
and this presuppOses a lie OF communion
WIN God. The spiritual mind and holy life
are the ministers safeguard.
Rev. Mr.. Bayley spoke pleasantly of the
duty OF the church to help their pastor by
listening eandidly ana with interest 10 the
pastors word. They should open the doors
OF their houses and hearts to HIN. The pas
tor cuiiies not merely TO do good to the church.
the glory OF God and the salyatIon of men.
Inc Lord wishes 10 have not only preached
gospe, put gospel lived out in the lives Of
tne people. The minister Is the leader; but
sni.s All the people are to be earnest co-workers
All the services Of the evening
were deeply interesting, and greatly enjoyed
Dy the large congregation present, ana the
new pastor has great occasion Tor encourage
ment In view Of the pleasant circumstances
under which ne entered upon his work with
this church.