The Portland daily press., 1896-06-19
A JUBILATION MEETING.
The Peoples Church at South Portland
Celebrate.

The members of the Peoples' Methodist
church of South Portland were inb,1ant
last night and with good reason. pav-
ing rebuilt and fitted up very handsome
edifice at the cost of several Thousand
dollars. a mortgage remains on the
church, for $4,000. This sum tina church
society has been trying to meet
for several years and yesterday afternoon
the last cent of this obligation was paid.
The occasion was duly celebrate last
night by jubilation meeting which was
largely attended not only by the members
of South Portland society. but by many
prominent divines and laymen from OH
er Methodist churches in and about
Portland. The chancel of the church
was handsomely decorated with flowers
and charming programme was success
fully carried out. Rev. W.. E. Wood.
pastor of the Peoples church, who has
worked hard to raise the church debp.
acted as master of ceremonies and intro
duced in turn the speakers of the eve
ming. After pleasing piano duet by
two Dung ladies Rev. Mr.. Clifford offered
prayer in which he devoutly gave thanks
for the great blessing the church had en-
joyed in freeing itself from debt
Rev. Mr.. Bean was introduced by Rev.
Mr.. Wood as former pastor Of the
church during whose pastorate the old
church was remodelled. Mr.. Bean said
that much credit was due the pastor, MIR.
Wood and those who had stood by him in
lifting this load of debt from the church
Right years ago the speaker had come to
South Portland and at that time the soci-
city was worshipping ID the old church.
1t was deemed nece ssary to change the
old church somewhat and the work was
commenced with a feeling that If the re-
modelled church could be fitted up and
paid for in 10 years great work would
have been accomplished. And now in
less than that time the debt has been lift
ed, an elegant edifice completed and the
people OF South Portland had good rea-
son to feel jubilant and to celebrate the
occasions. sit is a beautiful church and
good enough for us and If we are what
NO OhSAuNuO No VIC CAO S3OOSk oAOukA LIZ
it,
Rev. Mr.. Adams was introduced as
former pastor of the church, during
whose time more souls were saved than
ever before in the ohurch's history. Mr.
Adams said that as he gazed upon the
handsome church he was agreeably sur
prised and rejoioed greatly at all that had
been done. He said he felt like saying,
"Praise the Lord Oh my SOUL" and the
speaker aptly closed his remarks by quot
ing one of David's songs.
When Rev. Mr.. Woodbury., who was
the next speaker, was a pastor Of this
chul oh he with his own hands helped to
build the parsonage, ard he said last
night that this was where the church
debt started and he was glad that it had
been lifted.
Mrs. Freeman, the wife Of former
pastor Of the church, briefly spoke Of the
church as it was 30 years ago and feel
ingly referred to the hardships endured
by the society at that time and Of its old
members.
Rev. Mr.. Lindsay of the Congress
Street church, Rev. Mr.. Roberts of Pleas
antdale, Rev. Mr.. Leach of the West
End Church, Mr.. Doten of the Chestnut
Street church, Mrs. I. S. Locke and Rev.
Mr.. Phelan of Westbrool1 all delivered
briof addresses of oongratulation to the
church society for its success in liquidat-
ing the debt.
Mr.. York, the only living founder Of
the church, was called upon for few re-
marks and was greeted with great APP
plause. Rev. MIR. Luce of the Chestnut
Street Methodist church also made
short address, After the addresses and
a selection from male qusrtette, Mr.. A.
E. Thurrell, the treasurer o. the church
society, formally handed to Mr.. W. T.
Studley, the president of the board of
trustees the note for $4,000 and Mr.. Stud
ley, applauded by tho large audience,
held the paper in the flame Of candle
until it was consumed.
Following this ceremony the ladies of
the society served refreshments in the
vestry.