The Portland daily press., 1895-11-08
A CHURCH CENTENNIAL.


not OF moment, in these hundred years
has this pulpit been vacant. In the larg-
been, nor will ii ever be, one man S
church. At different times, at the SEES
sion of an annual conference, bishop
has said: Portland, Chestnut street
church Elijah Heding, II. B. RidgWaX,
G. f. Allen, I. Luce, ]. r. Day, >. ";
Bashford, M. S. Hughes, G. W. Parsons ="
and the rest, and coming here these men
have tofled and sacrificed, ministered at
these affairs, preached in this pulpit,
wrought their lives into this fabric ana
gone in and gone out among you. But
at 40 time has anyone OF us dreamed OF
saying, "This is my church exclusively.
Men change, but Methodist Passionate
endures, and it is this very thing that
binds our ministry in q very close bond
of fraternity. Brethren | want to say 1t,
there is no class of men on earth so mu-
tually independent as Methodist preach
ers-and there is no class of men who
ought to be SO tender of each other, and
in the main I believe they are almost
without an exception. And so we meet
this hour, colleagues, in an unbroken
pastorate-and welcome each other, greet
this dear people and bow together at our
altar.
And what passionate this has been
Jesse Lee to begin it, Timothy Merritt,
easily his first lieutenant in the charge
on sin, and of the movement of the Metho-
dist host into New England, Joshua Souie
and Elijah Hedding, bishops of the church
Joshua Soule. strong and sturdy, Elijah
church; George Weber, who came within
one of being bishop. Four college presi-
dents, one theological seminary president,
three editors, several authors, half score
of presiding elders, and others equally
fitted for high Office, OF lack OF votes
or love of the passionate, continued in
the itenerant ranks. A church thus led
And what shall l more say? for the
time would fail me to tell the full story
of the living and the dead.
OF Ridgway, charming spirit, minister
of Christ richly endowed, symetrical
and self-poised, preaching Jesus SO loving
ly that men fell in love with the Savior
he loved and when it happened, as at
some times it did, that his pulpit famed
in righteous wrath agalnt sin, always
right there the cross cleaned through
the flames for the sinner.
OF Clark, W. R.-devoted servant of
God, well equipped for his work, a
doughty champion of the word and de-
fender of the faith.
Of Allen-God bless him. of rich and
large ability who has done more. things
and done more things we'll in his long
and useful life than perhaps any of us.
OF Luce-Well if there is anybody that
knows Ia truer man, more faithfully and
loyal to hiss brethren, with an all round
genius for Frightening things to pass and
keeping the train on the track I'd be
pleased to hear his name.
OF Jones-the true gentleman loved pas
tor and brilliant preacher of the word.
OF Day-transparent as the day, firm
as rock and sturdy as pine of the
old Mains State. He cannot be little for
he doesn't know how-a man who as
boy and man and minister and educator
has brought his choicest gifts to lay them
at the feet of Jesus
OF Clark-Always effective he, was
effective to the last-"Like plumed
warrior he went sweeping through the
gates washed in the blood of the Lamb. :"
OF McKeown-Clear thinker and fear
less preacher, consecrating every power of
SOUL body and spirit to the great work.
OF Bashford-Admirable leader of the
young, glorious preacher, pulpit orator
of commanding and versatilesability
Of Whitaker-Strong preacher, loving
pastor enemy to nothing but the wrong,
and blessing with the benson of his pres
ence every people he serves.
OF Hughes-Yes, you love him and you
admire him, preacher by Inheritance,
in the apostolic succession by birth,
who is this moment without doubt one
OIL buo ifsb sioAou youhS 1HiuiStotS VI
the church in brilliancy, achievement
and promise.
Indeed, what shall I more say for the
time would fail me to tell of these and
half a hundred more men who through
faith have subdued kingdoms, wrought
Righteousness and obtained promises
I must speak yet one other word, the
demand is imperative, without it my
task would be incomplete. In reunions,
military, fraternal and educational, at
some time during the festivities, hush
is called. The master of ceremonies rises
in his place, quietly says 'To our de-
parted brothers, loved and lost" and
in sombre silence, all standing the SEN
tenee is received. Lost, but our loved
are not lost, we may not so think of
them. we need not even think of them
in silence, and when we think of them
we cannot be silent " "They served their
generation by the will of God, and fell
on sleep" Transferred, transfgured,
translated, crowned, gloried, they have
entered in and are forever with the
Lord. We miss them, but we have not
lost them, and pleasd God we shall join
them everyone When the day breaks and
tine shadows fee away"
sob, where are kings and emperors
now?
OF old they went and came,
But, Lord, Thy church is praying yet.
A thousand years the same. I"
DIR. Parsons's address was punctuated
by numerous ''amens," Father Randall
leading off with these expressions of
approval
The second address of the evening was
the