The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-26
Ibe East.

MAlNE.-Parish Items.-Dr. Bolles
lectured in Congress Square church,
Portland, January 10th. DIR. Blanchard,
who is member of the State League to
oppose sectarian appropriations, took an
active part in recent meeting of the
League-The Cumberland Y. p G. U.
Association met at the Church of the
Messiah, December 80. There was a
large attendance, many took part in the
prayer meeting, and DR.. Blanchard and
Rev. Mr.. Kimmell added helpful words.
Rev. W. w. Hooper, Stale Missionary, is
holding meetings at Madison. The
Congregational church kindly offered
the use of it's audience room and vestry.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.-At Marlboro
the average attendance of the P. G. u
has been forty three for the past year.
The two annual fairs given by the
Ladies' Circle and the Merry Cleaners
will be held in the near future.
VERMONT-At st. Johnsbury, where
Rev. E. A. Hoyt is the pastor, large
and enthusiastic parish meeting was
held at which it was found that the
parish was in practically sounder state
than it had been financially for some
time. The Sunday school gave concert
recently which did the school much
credit. New Years evening the gentles
RHODE ISLAND.-Rev. w. c. Sci
leck began his pastorate of the Church
of the Mediator, Providence, Sunday
morning, January 9th, and a large con-
gregation. considering the weather. was
present to welcome the new pastor. Rev.
DR.. Rugg assisted in the opening ger
vice, and in few cordial words pre-
sented the pastor to the people. and ex-
| pressed the wish that the utmost success
might attend their united labors. Mr..
Selleck delivered an able and timely dis
course. pointing out the mission of the
Christian church in the human world
and making evident some of the large
demands which it imposes upon all true
disciples of the Master. Mr.. Selleck is
assured of the support of a united and
we'll equipped parish.
PENNSYLVANIA Girard.- Forty
years ago (the Christmas of 54) Rev. DR..
A. j. Patterson, then in charge of his
first passionate, stood in the pulpit OF our
church in Girard, Pa. The church was
decorated in the good old-time way, with
greens" and Christmas candles. Among
the choir stood Mrs. G. F. Rockwell who
sang "Watchman tell us of the night"
From the altar came the answer:
Traveller see that beaming STAR
Morning light shall dawn again."
and so on, with question and answer,
proclaiming the truth that the Stars"
light could not be bounded by time nor
space
Strangely enough that hymn was
given to the choir a few Sundays since
by H. B. Taylor. a student in Tufts
Divinity School, who is preaching in
Girard at present, and who holds DR..
Patterson in highest reverence as friend
and adviser.
Heart memories were reused. and in
answer to letter came messages from
both Dr. and Mrs. Patterson to the old
time friends and Father Shipman."
These letters were read after service
Christmas Sunday by Mrs. Rockwell as
was also poem, 1.-THE Singer" written
by Mrs. Patterson. This poem commem-
Grated reunion of former friends.
Only four persons-Mr. and Mrs. Q. F.
Rockwell, Mr.. and Mrs. A. Anderson
were present at this Christmas service
who we're present at that service forty
years ago. Near the altar sat Rev. G. l..
Shipman, who for more than twenty years
had been pastor of the Girard church
In the choir we're children andsrgrand-
children of those who took part in that
long ago Christmas service, and who
have passed into the Beautiful Light.
A copy of the poem, with names of those
present, was placed in the Bible. as will
also be old-time photographs of DIR. and
Mrs. Patterson. and Rev. Mr.. Shipman,
besides that of Uncle 'Lijah" Drury of
sainted memory. 1t was service long
to be remembered, and the room seemed
to echo again with
''Watchman. tell us of the night"
and the answer
1.-The day is here!
Never darkness on this height"