The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-11-06
WEST END CHURCH.
Installation of the Rev. mr.. Anderson
Last Evening.

Last evening, the installation of Rev.
James A. Anderson occurred at the West
Congregational church.
An anthem by the choir followed the organ
voluntary.
Rev. DR.. Merrill read the minutes of the
council on the installation. he then read
selections from the Scriptures and offered
prayer. The congregation joined in singing
the hymn 81 love thy church, o Lord"
Rev. F. Il. Bayley preached very able
and interesting sermon from the text found
in Deut., SD chapter. 3lst verse: "For their
rock is not as our rock, even our enemies
themselves being judges" Christianity is
philosophy, history. an experience. For
the Common mind there is nothing better
than experiment. What has Christianity
done for man? What has the gospel done
for the race? The absence of hope, comfort
and cheer is the system OF unbelief. The
testimonies Of certain noted unbelievers,
like Darwin, and Strauss, the head of the
great school of rationalists, Goethe and
Schoppenhauer, who said that existence is a
blunder and a crime, were contrasted with
the testimonies of Christians. There is no
note of gloom. NO gesture of despair in the
epistles of Paul. The speaker quoted from
men who had tried both unbelief and faith.
1t is striking commentary on infdelity that
few who profess it are willing to teach it to
the children. Patrick Henry wished he
could give his family the Christian religion.
The speaker ended with quotation from
COleridge, who said that the greatest thing
is to be Christian.
After the hymn ''We Bid Thee Welcome"
fellowship. In briefly reviewing the one
hundred years of the Second Parish church,
as its pastor, DR.. Merrill said that ameng
those who had gone out from that church,
Mr.. Anderson might be considered the Ben
jamin of the flock. 81 give you the right
hand of fellowship, not merely as pastor of
the Second Parish church, but representing
the fellowship of the Congregational church
in the city-a goOdly fellowship to which
you have come-and 10 some sense l repre-
pastor for rs years, as matter of course l
look upon minister's life as the one to be
chosen. The fellowship of the gospel of the
ministry is the best fellowship under the
sum-"
Rev. DR.. Fem gave the charge to the pas
tor. Give yourself to the ministry unremit-
tingly. Never forget the fact
that you are called to this
church and you are to build it up. Be iden-
tilted with Christ in heart, soul and expert
ence. The ministry is an infinite field. The
indispensable thing in a minister is genuine
ness. The great art of ministry is growth.
Adjust this church to this community. 1t is
placed here for the purpo SO of outstanding
the section about it.
la his address to the people, Rev. Mr.. Hal
lock said that as there had been four pastors
in eight years the people must believe in in
stallati0ns. But as there was strength and
beauty in the sanctuary in material things
so he hoped that strength and beauty In
spiritual things would be promoted.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Dwight M.
Pratt, and the pastor pronounced the bene.
diction.
Rev. Mr.. Anderson is native of this city,
where he was formerly engaged in business
straits