The Portland daily press., 1895-11-08


and lot was s51, 800 This with the inter
est before the debt was paid amounted TO
S100, 000 After the money raised by the
sale of pews. and the generous subscrlp-
ton Of those able to pay, there still re-
manned heavy debt on the society, that
struggled with the oppressive burden for
rs years. In the midst of this oppressive
burden there was a gracious revival SO
that at the end of Mr.. Cox's four years
pastorate, he reported 455 members. Now
came H. b. Ridgaway from Baltimore
Conference, the eloquent, and popular
preacher, who was afterwards president
of the Theological Seminary of the North
western University. His two years SER
vice at Chestnut street was very accepta-
BILE. He was followed by Rev. W. H.
Clark, transferred from the New Eng
land Conference, one of their ablest
preachers, to help this church str juggling
under their heavy pecuniary burdens.
Dr. CLARK was an able and fearless cham
pion of anti -slavery during the slave
holders rebellion. His severe political
denunciaticns occasioned some tur-
MOL. One prominent Methodist
Democrat declared that while Clark
was preaching he could feel
his heels elongating. and the wool
growing under his hair" These inn
ported preachers did not succeed in raising
money enough to meet current expenses.
couraged the society. My second appoint
men to Chestnsut street was in 1864. Elk
| b austed by their protranted efforts to pay
for this costly house of worship, the So
ciety was in dependency. Some faint
hearted one feared that on account of the
debt of more than $50, 600, they would lose
the church. One of the creditors, to
whom $4,000 was due, would not renew
the trustees note unless they would sign
| it as individuals, and pay nine per cent
| interest.
Stung by this insult, the trustees were
encouraged to make an effort TO raise
enough to pay this note. In one day this
sum was subscribed and all paid within
a week. Encouraged by this success the
society resolved to pay $4,000 the next
year. But the great fire of 1866 which
left hundred families of our society
homeless, prevented this enterprise.
Though pressed by heavy debt, Chestnut
St church always responded Ii literally to the
claims of benevolence Nearly 81, 800 were
raised for this purpose, the year that So, COO
was raised for the debt. This society
has always been ready for every good
word and work. The Allen Mission was
established in 1864, bv this church which
enrolled on her records the names of many
that were there converted. This was af
forwards transformed to the Gospel Mis-
sion. In 1867, Rev. e. r. Reyes trans
!. ferred from the New York conference,
was appointed to this charge. He be-
came Swedenborgian. The church was
rent with dissension, from which it slow
! ly recovered, The storm was hardly quiet
ed under the earnest efforts OF the young
J pastor, Rev. is. R. Bailey. Then came
Rev. /. Luce from Vermont, who restored
harmony and called out the energies of
the church in his three years pastorate.
, Rev. S. +. Jones. popular and attrac-
tive preacher from the Vermont confer
J ence, attracted a large congregation and
inceased the number of church members.
Rev. J. Roscoe Day, d. D. came In 1876.
Under his leadership Sl0,47 were sub
scribed for the payment of the debt.
Dr. c.. J. Clark continued the good
work till SO, 1856 were pledged. Most of the
money subscribed was collected. Leaving
only $3.50 to be raised under DR.. Nc
: On July 9Th and 9th there was grand
jubilee. The society celebra ell the
twenty fifth anniversary from tie dedica-
tion of this splendid temple and held great
rejoicing in building now free from
debt The two Maine preachers, DIR. Day
and DR.. Charles Clark deserve especial
notice. j. r. Day born in Whitneyville
in 1915, was converted in Monmouth in
1866, He entered the Maine Conference
in 1879, and in four years reached Chest
nut street church. He has filled pastorates
in Gracec Church, Boston, st. PauPs and
calvary ClurCl6S, NEW 1Ofk, dIlu Is uOW
Chancellor of Syracuse University. @. j.
Clark born in Portland 1899, was con-
verified at the altar of this church lin 1858
and Joined the Maine conference in 1869.
Appointed to Chestnut street church In
1879 and 1880, he served four years as
presiding elder of Portland district. Three
| times he was sent as a delegate to the
general conference The last time, he was
elected assistant secretary of that body.
Six days after the opening of the session
he suddenly died in 1888. Chestnut street
mourns the untimely death of her favorite
son and beloved pastor.
The three years successful pastorates of
DR.. McKeown. and DR.. Bashford were
followed by the four years pastorates OF
DR.. Whitaker and Rev. Matt S. Hughes.
And now comes the administration of
the present pastor, DR.. @. w. Parsons.
Of these later years need only say the
prominent events and successful results
of the faithful labor of eloquent and
popular preachers are well know and to o
recent to pass into our history.
The women of the church have con-
stituted more than two thirds of the
membership; and they have nobly per-
formed their parts in sustaining religious
worship. A greater proportion of the
sisters than of the brethren according to
their respective numbers have been con-
slant in their attendance on public wor-
ship as we'll as in the class and prayer
meetings. The various organizations of
the women have done much for the f1nan-
cial and spiritual life of the church, The
Doreas Society formed in 1889 has been
a model of usefulness. The original
mem bers were Lucy Holmes, Carrie Nc
Lellan, Martha and Catherine Evans,
together with Sarah and Jane Townsend.
These last two are still with us.
The great amount of good this organiza
tion and the Ladies' Aid have done in
clothing poor families. ministering to the
needy and in furnishing financial aid to
the church cannot he estimated. In the
three years of my pastorate they raised
thousand dollars, used to pay the inter-
est on the church debt, to furnish the
parsonage, and for the support of the
Allen Mission. Other female societies
will be fully noticed hereafter The his
tory of the Sunday school organized in
1882 under the superintendent of Hon.
J. B. Cahoon, will also be given at an
other meeting.
On this centennial when the hearts of
the children turn to the fathers in loving
| \ NJ hot al