The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-14

rockingham was a thinker. profound and
problems Of life. and with decided and pro-
gressive opinions of his own regarding both
private thought and duty.
There were four ministers Of the Orthodox
church, so called, DR.. Dwight and DIR. Car
ruthers being the downtown ministers. DR..
power of Jonathan Edwards, while DIR.
Carruthers had all the staun :hness of the
Scotchman, with his absolute faith in the
ultra Calvanism which was the sub
stance of his preaching. d need
the east when they passed me on the street.
l have smiled, sitting before DR.. Dwight, to
find myself classed as the third person In the
trinity of infdels, heretics and Universal
lists.
The church on Congress street. so near to
this, was under the ministry OF Rev. Mr..
cept chaplaincy In the army.
The church across the way was under the
lead Of DIR. Chickering, whose house stood
near by. My acquaintance with him was
most pleasant. l believe that he lovsd what
ever was good wherever he found 1t, and
energetic successor a breadth OF Christian
culture, and an Inheritance of Christian love
to which he has been faithful.
Dr. Smaller and DIR. Bosworth, l think,
were the Baptist clergymen. With DIR.
Smaller was most intimately thrown in con-
tact during the scenes which followed the
Portland fire. His practical wisdom, his un-
affected good nature, his genial spirit are be-
fore my memory as l breathe his name.
1t must have been soon after my coming
that Dr. Dalton, who still remains, came, to
minister In his simple, earnest, faithful and
enthusiastic way to whatever IL good, true
and noble. DIR. Brooks, afterwards bishop
OF this state. was another Episcopal preach
er. Rev. Mr.. Hayden. the learned and ex-
cellent pastor Of the New Jerusalem church
at that time. Is still with you. The Metho-
dist preachers he would not mention. as
they were birds Of passage, but he thought
that Dr. Dorchester was associated at one
time with one OF the churches here in con-
nection with that enterprislng. faithful and
vigorous church.
With heartfelt earnestness / thank God
that he has given you the ripe scholarship,
the enthusiastic zeal, and 1.-THE single Chris
tlan purpose which have made the years OF
the last pastorate in this church more glo-
rlous that those OF the first can ever claim to
be.
DR.. Bolles referred in fervens words to the
scenes at the time Of the great fire OF '66,
aud to the meeting held after Lincoln's as
sassination. He closed with eloquent refer
Zee to the loving remembrance In which he
should hold the church until his life was
ended.
In the Evening.
A social gathering of parishioners. friends
and the visiting clergy was held in the vestry
in the evening. Rev. Mr.. Blanchard called
the assemblage to order, expressed his hap
piness caused by the days exercises, was
sure that all felt profound congratulations
for the blessings of the past twenty. five
years, and called ON Rev. Mr.. Gibbs to ask
divine blessing, after which Mr.. Blanchard
introduced Rev. c. A. Hayden Of Auburn,
who doubted that he could interest the gath
ering after the exercises of the afternoon. by
words Of his which we're necessarily extern
poraneous. He congratulated the society
upon the success achieved In the past TWEEN.
ty-five years, and remarked upon the fact
that they had had but three pastors
In that time. With anecdote, etc., Mr. hay
den greatly interested the gathering.
Mr.. Blanchard introduced Rev. DIR. Stafford
who made an interesting five-minute talk.
Mrs. George S. Hunt was called upon to
speak as a representative OF the women Of
the society. Mrs. Hunt gave touching eu-
logy on the life and noble deeds Of her moth
or, Mrs. Bsrstow. She also paid cempll-
ment to Rev. Mr.. Gibbs. and closed her re-
marks with Tiny Tins words. "God bless
us, every one."
Mrs. Jennie King Morrison rendered vo-
cal solo, with Miss Alice Philbrook as ac-
companist.
Mr.. J. Henry Crockett. former superin-
tendent Of the Sabbath school, was next
called upon, and included in his remarks
memories of the past.
Mr. Chas. S. Forbes was the next to ad-
dress the assemblage. he explained the cir
cumstance of the society being Incorporated
as the First Universal Society, and then by
some mistake transacting business as the
First Universalist Society, which was finally
legalized by an lact of the legislature. His
further remarks were in happy vein. Mr.
Blanchard here exhibited the first hymn
book arranged for the use of this church;
also one Of the programmes used at the ded-
ication Of the church In 1865.
Mr.. George Duncan, choirmaster. rendered
a vocal solo.
Interesting remarks from Rev. Mr.. Gibbs
and DIR. Bolles finished the addresses Of the
evening, and the young ladies Of the annex
passed around refreshments.
The reception committee consisted Of Mr..
and Mrs. Alfred Woodman, Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles S. Fohes, Mr.. and Mrs. George NJ.
Moore, DR.. and Mrs. S. p. Getchell, Mr.. and
Mrs. George S. Hunt. Mr.. and Mrs. G. j.
Harrington, Mr.. and Mrs. G. l.. SWEET and
Mr.. and Mrs. Il. G. SWEET.