The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-15
ABYsslNIAN CHURCH.
Ordination Services of Mr.. Theob aid A.
Smythe.

The ordination service OF Mr.. Theobald
A. Smythe. S. T. L., as pastor OF the
Fourth (Abyssinian) Congregational
| church took place last evening in the
presence of large congregation COM
posed of members Of the parish and mem
bers Of other churches. The exercises
we're very interesting. This was the
! order of exercises:
Doxology, by the Congregation
Rev. B. SouthwoIth
| Invocation. Vocal Quartette.
| Hymn-How beautiful are their feet,
who stand on lions Hill, 80.
| Rev. J. @. Merrill, D. D.
Ordination Prayer, Rev. A. b. Wright
| Hymn-A Charge to Keep / Have,
576
Charge to the Candidate.
Rev. L. 8. Bean
Right Hand of Fellowship,
| Address to the Church, Dea. I. b. Percy
Concluding Prayer, Rev. j. 6. wilson
Doxology.
Benediction, Rev. L. A. nmy tne.
The ordination sermon had for It's
text L. k, 14:1S, and theme what the
churches of today have q right to expect
of their ministers. The speassr declared
that In no other way could he so well
answer the query suggested BY his theme
as by calling to mind the characteristics
| of cur great exemplar who declared that
he was ennointed to preach the gospel.
BE was called to preach. He made
patient preparation for his vocation,
deep conservation in it. AS An outcome
of there factors In his life lie became
methodical in his labors, was flexible in
the forms that he employed. He made
men feel that they were sinners, that
he was their savior. that Of all things
possible nothing surpassed lofty Chris
tim character.
An ecclesiastical council of ConQrega-
tioaal churches convened at p. m
at the Abyssinian church on Newbury
street, and examined Mr.. T. A. Smythe
as the pastor-elect of that church for the
pastoral Office. Rev. r. T. Hack Of the
Second Parish church was chosen mode
rator, and Deacon A. 1. Davis of the Will
liston church scribe. The can
didate was examined as to his
credentials, Christian character and the
illogical training and the council voted
the examination satisfactory.
Rev. Theobald A. Smythe is a native
of the Island Of Jamaica. His grand
fathers were both Europeans and his
grandmothers natives OF the island. AT
the age of 16 he left the district school,
and few days later entered upon mer-
camille caTeeer. Entering the store LOT
william Gentles Esq., he speedily ac-
gained the confidence of bis employer
who promoted him to the first place IN
his store before he YVES Is years old. his
aptitude for business was second only to
his love for the work and his employer,
who is himself thorough business man,
has more than once sald, young
Smythe undoubtedly possesses An old
head upon Young shoulders.' In the
year 1892 Mr.. Smy the, who was then re-
caiving q large salary, and with a
promise of increase rs business prospered,
resigned his position to devote his lite to
the preaching of the gospel. n
| Sailing from Jamaica on tile 14th of
| August of tho said year he arrived in
| Boston seven days later, and in Septa1n-
| ing spent one year In that college he felt
| that the facilities offered in Canada for
| classical and theological education
suited him better. He thereupon left
Boston and entered thu Weyleyan. theo-
logical department of the McGill Unlver-
sity, Montreal. CANADA, from which In
s.itnt.on he graduated last spring with
the degree of Licentiate of Sacred Theo-
looy, He is now writing for the degree
| nf PHI. b. in the Wesleyan University,
Illinois.
On the first of last June he was called
to the passionate of the Abyssin, in
church. This was an undertaking that
would have bean too great for q man
with less COURAGE and faith. The church
| had been without pastor for three
months, the congregation had scattered
and the faithful few undecided as tc
whether the church had any future; bnt
nothing daunted the young preacher
took hold, and in short time the.forces
vera united, the interest in the church
began to revive, new mem bers were add
ed and all began to vie one with the
other to make the churcb.worthy of it
SELF and blessing to all. Mr.. Smythe Is
early business training has teen OF ines.
Unable value to him, and his ability to
organize and unite forces one of his
marked characteristics he experienced
a change OF heart when he was IA years
| of age, but again returned to the ways
OF the world until the year 1891, when
| he once more put on the Lord Jesus
ChriBt and began to serve Him with m
falrerina zeal and untiring devotion. The
prosperity of tho church for the past siS
months has been phanomenal, and the
many friends of the cause will be great
" pleased TO know that their assistance
| given from time to time is not unworth-
| ily bestowed.