The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-06-30
R coaNlTIoN SERVICES.
Installation of the Rev Thomas s. Samson
at Free Street Church-Addresses by the
Rev. Drs. Fem. Small, Stockbridge,
Dunn and whitman.

The public services of recognition of
the Rev. Thomas S. Samson as pastor of
the Flee Street Baptist Church took
place in the church building last evening
before large and interested congrega-
ton, the Rev. w. S. Ayres of the First
Baptist Church conducting the services.
The reading desk was beautifully deco
rated with roses and flowers of the field.
/ The opening anthem, prepare Ye the
Way Of the Lord" was followed by in
vocation and the reading of Scripture by
the Rev. w. S. Ayres, the second chap
ter of Timothy being the reading lesson
selected. The singing of the Congrega-
tional hymn No. $50, ''Go Preach My
Gospel, Saith the Lord preceded the
address, IA Welcome to the Christian
Ministry in Portland delivered by the
Rev. DR.. Fem of High Street Congrega-
tional Church.
DIR. Fem began by repeating the say
ing that change in the ministry is the
minister's heaven and he hoped that the
new incumbent would find his change
SO. Portland is beautiful city, its peo-
pie are intelligent and God-fearing. They
have made the place city of homes and
to these homes will Mi. Samson be
heartily welcomed. Portland is also a
city of churches and the different
churches, which have been the glory of
the city from the beginning, dwell to-
gether in brotherly unity. Turning to
the new pastor, he predicted for him
successful field Of labor, a hold upon his
people and foresaw that like his Scrip
tural namesake he would, if he put his
whole strength to it, bring the house
down. DR.. Fem happily closed his
brief remarks with a reiteration of his
words of welcome.
The Rev. DR.. A. K. P. Small, former
pastor of Free Street Church, followed
DR.. Fem with a welcome in behalf of
the pastors in the Baptist denomination
in Maine. DR.. Small briefly outlined the
meetings of ministers held during the
year and assured Nh. Samson of cor
dial welcome to him and of plenty of
work to do. He pleasantly referred to
his acquaintance with the new PASTORS
father and SO closed his fraternal well
come.
The anthem Come Unto Me- proceed
ed the welcome to the pastorate of Free
Street Church, extended by the Rev.
j. G. Stookbridge of Providence, R. |.
This venerable clergyman, former
Free street pastor, began by saying that
he was nearly the only man. possibly the
only one, in the house, who had person
ally known all the pastors who had
preached there. He called the honora-
BILE head-roll, distinguishing each one as
it dropped from his lips by some cpl
tibet of approval and mention of some
memorable characteristic. He spoke
feelingly of his pastorate, of his tender
relations with the people, and the pleas
ant memories he cherished of his con-
nection with them. To this glorious as
ISOLATION of pastors he welcomed the
new conner, and invoked upon him the
divine blessing.
The singing of the Congregational
hymn 55S, "We Bid Thee Welcome in
the Name preceded prayer by the Rev.
Matt S. Hughes of the Chestnut Street
M. E. church, who was followed by the
Rev. DR.. A. T. Dunn, secretary of the
Baptist State Convention, whom DIR.
Stockbridge humorously styled the Bap-
fist bishop of Maine, and who extended
welcome to the work of the denomina-
ton in the state. He assured Mr.. Sam
son that he would find the Baptist clergy
in Maine loyal and true and firm in the
faith, able and Jealous co-workers in de-
nominational work and in that of
the church at large. There is
surely much work yet to be done in
Maine. though much has already been
done and much is doing. The founda-
tons of the denomination in this state
were laid broad and deep and Sc not to
be disturbed. They are firm foundations
to build on in times to come. In the
very forefront of the Maine Baptist
churches Free Street is to be found. Her
record is honorable, her name high in
our annals. one is conspicuous by her
position and memorable by her good
work. We look to the new pastor to
lead her on in her honorable path.
DR.. Dunn was followed by the Rev.
DR.. B. L. Whitman, president of Colby
University, who welcomed Mr.. Samson
to the educational work of the denomina-
ton in Maine. In behalf of Colby, of
Hebron and of many other Baptist insti-
buttons of learning he welcomed him
welcomed him to the work of edifcation
and evangelization, to the work of
Christian education. Surely secular edu-
cation Is not sufficient. Man also needs
radical religious education, for know
ledge without. piety is dungeons and
desecration. President Whitman con
tinued at some length to dwell upon the
absolute necessity of a pronouncedly re-
ligious element in the education of yout
and of the place taken by the Baptist
educational institutions of Maine
in promoting that education. He
closed by saying that III his heart he
held Free street church dear beyond all
others for the work it had done, for the
possibilities Of the future, and because
Of hn fnfi Of L.