The Portland daily press., 1890-02-14

Isaac G. jackson, Edward Hamblen,
Rufus Stanley, Alfred Woolman
Joseph Hale, David Thompson.
Of this number committee of five con-
sisting of Edward Hamblen, Willard w. Har-
ris, Charles Fobes, David Thompson and Ed
mund Phinney were chosen as building
committee to have charge of all the details OF
the work.
The confidence Of these good friends of the
parish that when when their work was
done the society would be willing and glad to
do what was expected of it, was not misplaced
as 1t will soon appear
The meeting of Nov. Doth was adjourned to
Dec. 18th, when the parish committee were
instructed to ascertain just what the parish
property consisted of and to retain or dispose
of same as they might determine would be for
the best interest of the parish.
On Jan. I'd, 1865, the committee appoint ted
to confer with the proprietors snd builders of
the new meeting house on High street reported
at length, but the report being ordered on file
and not on record it is impossible to quote from
it, the original not being in the possession OF the
parish if indeed it is IN existence at all. That
1t was satisfactory, however, is evidenced by
the fact that it was adopted.
Rev. +. q. Bolles (the pastor) Israel
washburn, Jr., John l.. Shaw, Charles S.
Fobes, s. III. Colesworthy and John L. Gilman
were appointed committee to ascertain what
new and suitable hymn book could be fur
nished for. A committee of FIVE consisting of
Israel Washburn, Jr, Charles S. Fobes, Ed
ward Hamblen, Gardner Ludwig and w. w.
Harris were appointed to prepare a new code
of bylaws for the government of the society,
and at meeting held January 10th COM
mlttee of seven, consisting of Israel Wash
burn, Jr, Charles Fobes, c. P. Kimball, John
I. Gilman, Edward Hamblen, George NJ.
Harding, (the architect of this building), and
Alfred Woodman were chosen to make ar
rangements for the dedication of the new
church on High street.
AT a meeting held on January "a, it was
voted that the society purchase the new house
and lot and the furniture and fixtures therein,
including organ already contracted for, at the
actual cost thereof, upon the terms and condi-
tons contained in the propositions made by
the proprietors of said new church to sell
same. These propositions are entered at
length in the record book and set forth very
clearly the terms and requirements upon
which the transfer should be made. Joseph
Hale, George S. Barstow and Charles S. Fobes
were chosen a committee to ascertain and de-
termine the actual cost of the property and to
arrange all matters necessary to the carrying
out of the purchase and to receive the deed for
same.
The committee on hymn books reported
that they could arrange with the New England
Publishing House for suitable book in which
should be included the vesper and special SER
vices, and the committee were authorized to
make such an arrangement. The book now in
use by us at every service is the result of the
labors of this committee.
The committee on bylaws also reported
and fha Arafr L IL
These bylaws were all repealed in 1886 and a
more comprehensive and complete code, bet
ter suited to the needs of the society," was
adopted and it is under these laws that the
business affairs of the society have been since
and are now so satisfactorily conducted.
On January 80. 1865, at a meeting then
held it was voted that the act of the State
legislature, approved by Governor Cony, es-
tablishing the ZANE of the society as the First
Universalist Society in Portland and confirm.
ing the doings of the society in all its acts in
the past and authorizing the purchase of the
new church and lot on High street on the
terms submitted by the proprietors thereof, be
accepted.
AT meeting held on February 9th, Alfred
Woodman, Charles S. Fobes and Elijah
Adams, I'd, were chosen committee to furnish
the new vestry in suitable manner for the
use of the Sunday school.
On February 18th, 1866, the last business
meeting in the old church on Congress street
was held. At this meeting the reports of the
committees on dedication and furnishing the
vestry were made and adopted.
On Wednesday the 10Th of February, two
Gays later, this church was solemnly dedicated
70 .ne service of Almighty God by appropriate
services IL was crowded to its utmost ca
paeity. Inc order of exercises was as follows:
natei% Sv R OF Palms read and chanted alter
choir. VI Narulner, and the
psrt s sro. prayer by Rev. Mr. Hewes of
oS .; leading of the Scriptures by Rev. Geo. w
4. Original hymn. written by Mrs. 4 NJ psr...-
and read by Rev. .. H. cCafIsstsr, of Ws.tbrs0owS