The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-11-07
FIRST PARISH MOUSE.
The Comfortable Quarters which
We're Dedicated Last Evening.
Reports and Addresses on the COM
pIetIon OF the Work.

Reports and Addresses on the Conn
pIetIon OF the Work.
An audience entirely filling the cosey new
parish house Of the First Parish church
gathered last evening to listen to the de-
dicatory service Of the building. The front
yard was graded during the day, and plank
walk laid from the entrance Of the church
to the door Of the addition, so that all eyi
dences Of the confusion Of construction had
disappeared. Inside everything had the
most cheerful and homelike appearance
Imaginable. The comments OF the par
ishioners as they looked for the first time
upon the interior OF the structure were ex-
tremely flattering and must have been de-
cidedly pleasing to the building committee.
a description Of the house has been prevl-
ously given in the PRESS. A small palm plant
was the only decoration on the platform,
aside from some handsome easy chairs. The
programme of the exercises furnished by
Mitchell & BIekford, was handsome specI-
men OF printing. On the back was cut of
the church, including the addition in the
view. The house is much larger than would
be imagined from glance at the exterior.
Three hundred chairs were in the room last
evening"
Geo. Q. b ugess, Esq, acted as chairman
OF the happy gathering. The exercises be-
gan with a fervent prayer by the
pastor, Rev. DIR. Hill Mr.. John @. Perkins
then read the 122d Psalm. The original
hymn written fort occasion by Mrs. Marcia
Bradbury Jordan was read by DIR. Hill. and
afterward sung by the choir Of the church.
the music having been specially composed
for the hymn by Prof. Kotzschmar. The
hymn follows
What gifts 10 grace our christening
Shall we bespeak today?
Wise action. kindness, faith In God,
True hospitality
An all fOrgiving charity
Should our endowment be.
Forth from thts centre let us send
radiant warmth and cheer;
Let eOmradeshp unite cur hearts
Add hold MS streng hened here.
How clear the lesser virtues shine
With duty made divlhei
Rsee souls to best intent;
Forward with courage high.
The present calls us, let us give
Our hearty fealty.
Gan we not lend a helping hand
To meet today's demand?
Here happiness and brightness reign.
Gods blessing we beseech.
His helD TO follow out the truths
Ihat every day can teach.
day all good things our work befall
And love be with us all.
Geo. @. Burgess, chairman Of the building
committee, said he was much afraid he
might omit mention of much that ought TO
be told in relating the story OF the inception
and gIowth Of the idea and might fail to
give credit TO some who we'll deserved 1t, but
such omissions would be unintentional.
Long ago the need Of such building had
been recognized, but various circumstances
had prevented the matter taking definite
shape until some Of the ladies had visited
Saco and saw the great advantages such a
vestry gave the parish there. At the annual
meeting Of the church last year consent was
given for the erection OF the proposed build.
ing, coupled with the wise provision that the
parish should not be made to incur a debt
thereby. A building committee was at
once appointed. Efforts to raise funds were
so generously met that within week the
necessary amount had been subscribed,
when counted with the $1,000 given by the
Ladies' Aid, which had been raised by fairs
in City Hall, etc. He paid deserved trib-
ute to the ability Of the building committee,
and in handing the keys OF the house to the
chairman OF the parish committee, said that
he did 1t with the fervent hope that the best
wishes Of the warmest friends Of the euter-
prise might be more than realized In the
work which Is to be accomplished there.
Mr. Benjamin +. Harris said that he re-
celved the keys with pardonable degree Of
pride and pleasure, and he thought all honor
should be accorded to the ladies who were
orieinators Of the enterprise, and much cred
1t also beloPged to the efficient building
committee.
After the singing by the choir of praise
the Lord, Oh My Soul" Rev. DIR. Hill said
that he received the other day an unde-
served compliment. Somebody wrote TO
know whether IL was his happy thought TO
call the rooms the parish house." He said
1t was not, but whoever invented the name
was particularly fortunate In the selection.
In the old world the word "parish" signifies
territory not men, but with Yankee inge-
nulty we had given u higher signidcapce
and 1t implies In addition the people con-
nected with the church. Vestries have be-
come necessity In the changed condition OF
theology and society. The straightest sects
are now having such houses. He thought
there was no need to fear that Innocent
recreation would do anything TO dull the
spirit of love and loyalty to Christ. DIR.
Hill then read letters Of congratulation from
Professor A. b. Morrill,, a former Sunday
school superintendent, and from Rev. Samuel
LOngfellOw, and said letters had also been
received from Rev. Benjamin II. Bailey and
DIR. Nichols, former pastors.
MIR. William ). Kyle said that be was glad
lie had made long journey TO join In the
happy house warming and congratulated
the parish upon their pleasant new rooms:
Judge SymOnds spoke most happily for
the parish, saying that IL he might be al
lowed TO refer TO his own experience, the
pleasantest change which ne saw In Port
land after a brief absence In the summer.
was the new parish house. The old church
seemed to be enlarged and enriched. while
nothing had been taken from the simple, Sc
riOus, aud perhaps, grave aspect Of the exte-
rior IL was a delicate undertaking to at
tempt additions to this church, around
which associations Of so many years have
gathered; it was like attempting to add
something to an old piece Of tapestry; but,
rs has been said, the venture Of William, the
NoTman, was dangerous one, but he be-
came William, the ConquerOr; and so In this
instance, out Of the nettled charges the com
mittee have .plucked the flower safety, and
harmony and beauty as well. He spoke elo-
quently OF the history Of the parish, and
said that while history should be kept sa-
credly in mind, 1t should not be forgotten
that the pr sent moment Is the true king. TO
whom whole allegiance Is due; the true
king, In disguise II may be. and
unappTeciated by us, but still regal
and sovereign, bringing TO US
one treasure better than all the past can af-
ford, the treasure Of opportunity. We can
act in the present; we cannot act In the past.
The opportunity lies largely with the young.
In the little village Of Grindelwald among
the high Alps Of Switzerland, looking on TO
the glaciers, a church and school stand side
nv Side. as is often the case In New Eng
land village. Over the schoOlhonse door Is
This Inscription in substance: school and
Church may we'll be placed side by side; they
ara hut two fingers of Gods hand" II was
in t6at spirit that he believed the new Par
ism House became part OF the old Parish
church.
struction Of the house, reviewed the history
of the movement TO build the new house, and
spoke Of many old relies which would be
given to adOTn the rooms, among them two
beautiful bronze chandeliers, which Origi-
nally hung in the old church.
The audience then joined heartily In sing
ing the DOxOlogy, and Rev. DIR. Hill pro-
nouneed the benedictiOn. A general inspec-
tion Of the rooms followed, and everyone
appeared thoroughly delighted with the new
house,