The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-02-14

j. F. Choate, c. A. Weston,
John f Card. ore q Hooper,
g. 6. Edwards, B. NJ Edwards,
w. R. Evans, G. A. Woodbury.,
Osman Adams, ". L. Dana.
Daniel Chase, W. l.. Llttle
After the discussion of the supper the
names of W. Lawrence Dana and Joshua
C. Libby, were proposed for membership
by J. G. Chute; also Chas. A, Brown was
proposed for reinstatement.
President Merrill then remarked that
Congregationalism in this city had re-
Gently received a serious loss, and that it
was appropriate for the club to express
it's appreciation of the departed brother.
Since DIR. Fem was one of the first
members Of the club and since the late
Mr.. Burgess was also an early member
be would call upon him. DR.. Fem said
that he would suggest that the heartiest
coincidence of the club be extended to
the widow, and the members of the ST.
Lawrence street church. It was SO voted.
President Merrill, first remarking that
the programme Of the evening was to
present a view of Congregationalism of
Portland, past and present, $50 that we
may more fully understand the problem
to be solved here today introduced Mr..
Prentiss Loring, who read paper on
the changes in Portland in the past 40
years.
Mr.. Loring's paper was comprehen-
sive statement of facts and their signif-
canoe. He referred to the extensive
commerce of 1850 with the West Indies,
and to the fact that John B. Brown used
about $50 hogsheads of molasses alday in
his great sugar house, and also that now
the imports of sugar and molasses, and
exports of shook and lumber are very
limited.
After mentioning the changes in all
our varied industries, Mr.. Loring said
that of Portland's population of 20, $40 in
1850, Is per cent was foreign and 10 per
cent Irish. The present population is
1886. The number of scholars in 1850
was $500; now, II, 454; salaries of teach
ers in 1850, $9,044.14; in 1892, $s2, 656.49.
In 1850 there were five state banks
Canal, Casco, Cumberland, Manufacture
ers and Traders, and Merchants. We
have now nine banks. In 1850 there
were two brokers, John B. Brown and
VIM. FL. Wood. Now there are eight
banking and brokerage houses; then
Advertiser, Argus, Christian Mirror, Iii
AIuoooto anI Traponri,et c1ryivo
Now there are 2S. Then there were IS,
churches. Now there are So.
In 1850 the &c. 879 people had only 81
skilled physicians; but now scarcely
twice that number are tenderly cared
for by SO disciples of Ksculapius. I'm
this regard, who will dare to say that
the former days were better than
these.'
Mr.. Loring spoke at length of the
changes in location of the better class of
residences, mentioning that forty years
ago even Plum and Cross streets num-
bered among their residents, in attract
i've homes, such men as DR.. Carruthers,
who lived at No. 12 Plum street.
Mr.. Loring emphasized the fact that
between 1912 and 1866 was period of
notable growth and the beginning of
many great enterprises, that were accom-
panied by, possibly resulted in, the cree
ton of many of our churches. All the
railroads were built during that time,
the Portland Steam Packet Co., the Casco
Iron Co. at Falmouth, the Portland Co.,
the Gaslight Co., the Sugar House, the
Kerosene Oil Co., the Electric Telegraph
Co., were establishedj also the Board of
Trade, the Society Of Natural History,
the Young Mems Mercantile Library and
tho Va,,pO Mon3c Gbpi A ccooiotinr
OF our SO churches there were erected
in that period, the State street in 1858;
st. Luke in 1854; Bethel church in 1849;
st. Lawrence, 1858; Pine street, 1916;
Chestnut street, 1857; Congress street
M. E., 1851; Preble street chapel, 1851;
Central church, now owned by the Free
Will Baptists, 1856, and the Friends
chapel in 1851. Mr.. Loring's paper was
altogether an admirable presentation of
the subject.
Rev. A. Fl. Wright next read paper
comparing Congregationalism Of today
with that of the time covered by Mr..
Loring's paper. He said that the changes
had been in style of church edifices and
in style of worship, notably in music,
but there are changes of more serious
kid that ought to excite our apprehen-
sion. The general piety now is such as
would offend and grieve one of the old
saints of 40 years ago.
The main object of comparison is to
find out if Congregationalism in this city
is making progress. 1t should be con-
sidered in point of numerical growth
and also growth in influence. In 1850
there were six Congregational churches;
two that have disbanded, the Third Par
scI, ond tho p1uun n11th Mr. WpiNhf