The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-07-25
FOR A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.
Lengthy Pastorats OF Rev. w. n.
Fem, o. o.. Of tho High Street
Church.

Twenty-Five years today, July 25th, has
Rev. William III. Fem, ID. D., been pastor Of
the High Street Congregational church in
this city and ln short time the anniversary
OF his installation occurs. So rarely in
these days does a minister continue In
charge of a church for so long time that
the parish committee feel that some public
recognition of the occasion should be made
aud with that end In view the following cor.
respondence has passed between committee
and pastor.
That the church and congregation will
echo the sentiment OF the committee In their
letter is is hardly necessary to state, and also
join sincerely Ia the warm congratulations
extended by them. and In their hearty good
wishes for long continuation Of their
pleasant and friendly relations.
PORTLAND. June "a, 1891.
Req. WBl. II. Fem, ID. d., Portland:
Reverend and Dear Sir The parish CON-
mittee Of your parish, remembering that
few weeks more will complete the period Of
twenty-five years OF your pleasant and sue
cessfnl connection with the High street
church, respectfully request that you CO..
tion Of the occasion. They suggest, subject
to your approval, a special service on the
anniversary of your installation as pastor, at
which 1t might be desirable to review the
events OF your pastorate, adding such other
matter as you may think proper. A service
so long as yours has been. is. in these days
OF restlessness and change, sufficiently un-
usual as to be worthy OF being signaliZed-
both for the good reputation Of pastor and
people, and as va liable example to others.
Differences Of opinion, II there have been
any In these twenty 1--WE years, are now for
gotten, but the recollections Of difficulties
overcome and embarrassments vanquished; !;
the pleasant associations and warm friend
ships that have grown out Of the intimate
relations OF a quarter OF century; the
sacred and holy memories that are shared by
faithful pastor and loving church all Of
these things are In our hearts, and some of
them might be mentioned in an anniversary
DISCOURSE
Without venturing to suggest, however.
what would be proper for you to do on such
an occasion, the parish committee extend
their warm congratulations to you on the hap
pygaccOmplishment Of this long term Of your
faithful connection with the parish, and ask
you 10 commemorate the event by some ami
views Of such things. They win be very
glad to hear from you in relation to the mat
ter, remaining, with their hearty good wish
es for a long continuation Of their pleasant
and friendly relations with you.
Yours faithfully,
PHILIP HENRY BROWN,
JOHN L. EUsTIs,
CHARLES ). CHASE,
CHARLES Cook.
PORTLAND, July 16. 1891.
MeSsrs. William N. Marks, PhiliD Henry
BBrotcn, John T. Eastis, Charles s. Chase,
My dear friends: fully concur with the
feelings which you express in your recent
oQ rfob kkaa IN.l.a aN-..n
church, touching the celebration Of the
twenty fifth anniversary Of our union as pas
tor and people. We owe Ii to our pre- edeces-
sors In High street church and parish, and
to ourselves-to our sister churches and to
the great.head of the church, to take suitable
recognition Of the mercles vouchsafed to us
during these many years. l owe 1t to you
and TO the dear families whom you represent
to declare publicly how deep is my sense of
your patient considerateness aud your loving
iavor. L thank you for the warm terms Ia
which you refer to me personally and reeip-
rocate them with all my heart. We will do
what we can to make the anniversary hap
py and successful one.
After careful deliberation would suggest
the third Sunday in October October 18th
as, on the whole, the best occasion for the
celebration. 1t will hardly be possible for
any OF those who took part in the installa-
tion to be present in July. Besides. our
schools are closed and large number OF our
regular ccngre cation viii be absent from the
city. 1t Will be remembered, also, that
though was formally established as your
pastor in July. 1866, properly speaking, was
not located and settled among you until the
autumn Of that year.
With every assurance of hearty affection
to each OF you. aud with earnest desires for
the welfare Of the church and parish.
Very truly yours,
VIM. ii. FEM.
In accordance with the pleasure Of DIR.
Fem. as expressed In the foregoing letter.
Sunday, October 18th, will be observed with
the 18th anniversary exercises.