The Portland daily press., 1891-05-21
A NEW PORTLAND PASTOR.
Rev. Mr.. Robinson Installed at the
First Presbyterian Church.
What the Sunday School Workers
Did At Their Meeting,

Every seat In the Park street church last
evening was occupied on the occasion of the
ordination of Rev. VIM. Robinson of New
buryport
The services began with prayer by Rev.
Mr. Crosser, late pastor of the church.
The ordination sermon was preached by
Rev. Robert Court. d. D., of Lowell, Mass.
clerk OF the Presbytery of Boston, from the
text, Isaiah 81; II, IL: "Watchman, what of
the night?"
What is timer 1t is the measured success
sion OF eyents-the sequence of changes. We
cannot think of time without thinking of
change. Hence eternity before creation was
tlmeless duration. Time Is measured by
space as space is measured by time. Yet
there is another measure of time-that of the
mind, affected by the feeling. The sequence
OF change seems slow, in fact. according to
ones feelings. Here in the text, from Du-
nah, the land of silence, of stiffness, as of
death. comes the cry, "How goes the night ?"
How speed the dark hours? Who was the
Waterman? Isaiah, the prophet of God,
standing on his watch tower in Zion, looking
abroad on the nations, observing the signs
of Gods providential dealings, and doing
this In the interests of redemption.
The prophet is type of the Christian min
lister. The preacher, too, is a Waterman.
He watches from divinely chosen position:
LIST. called of God; I'd, ordained by the
church, and lastly, responsible to Christ.
lie watches the great world-movement in
the interests Of Christ's kingdom. His word
Is Of authority-"All's WE'LL"
II IL q oroot mil t lya 20 ounnosa khok ga
is found only in the sanctuary. He is to 10
found in the grandest aspects of nature
from the highest to the lowest-in all the
secular affairs of life. The preacher should
be faithful Waterman, discerning the signs
of the times In nature we see confusion
see confusion in the church. We must 60 to
the prophets, to the apostles. and they will tell
us that all these COMMISSIONS will pass away.
oh, weary night, will it never be day for
those In perplexity of mind about the social
problems, for those who sorrow and cannot
see for the tears that blind their eyes for
those who have passed away? Here is an
answer and you will see hope in 1t. From
the watch tower the Waterman can see the
dawn of day. The man who gets the light
OF Inspiration can see better than the man
who has only his natural abilities.
Think of the long night of the captivity of
the children of Israel. and then the dawn
when they entered the promised land. The
Waterman is privileged to tell them that the
gates of hell cannot prevail against the Lord
Jesus Christ. No man ever asked an answer.
In all sincerity, from God. or nature, that he
die not get an answer. You cannot compel
child to love you. and God has made man
In His own image, and with the fatal priyi-
lege of refusing Him.
The minister Of the gospel can say, when
earnest inquirers come and ask him, watch
continually, faithfully and anxiously. Watch
and cry. Cry earnestly, and not only earn
estly. but intelligibly.. so that you can be
understood. Speak lovingly. The watch
man himself is sinner. Paul himself had q \
tender, loving heart Let both preacher and
people discern the dawn of day.
The hymn II love thy kingdom, Lord,
was sung by the congregation.
Professor Geo. F. Moore of Andover, mod
orator of the Presbytery of Boston, then
stated that the commission had examined at
great length Rev. VIM. Robinson, and, the
examination proving satisfactory, he would
place the call to preach in Mr.. Robinson's
hands. Prof. Moore then offered the prayer
of conservation, and said that the relation
between the church and Mr.. Robinson was
established.
The congregation sang the hymn 81 love
to tell the story
The charge co the pastor was delivered by
his father, Rev. James Robinson'of Delhi,
N. Y, and was very impressive.
The charge to the people was then given
BIZ Rev. Mr.. Crosser.
The doxology was sung by the congrega.
ton and the pastor of the church pronounced
the benediction, after which the members of
the church and parish gave him the right
hand of fellowship