The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-02

| Here were all of us ministers on this
platform who hadn't stayed 25syears in
one place and they had to sit there and
hear just why they hadn't There they
were up before large congregation, and
all their defects had been pointed out
and it was all done to glorify Brother
Wright, who At the same time was
called very modest man. 1t was all, to
say the least, very singulaly arranged.
DR.. Jenkins kept everybo laughing
for time and then spoke seriously and
very much to the point of Brother
Wright's special powers that had made
him SO successful for so long time.
Rev. Rollin L. Hack said that the Sec
oDd Parish church wanted him to bring
their congratulations and their love. He
said that before he came to Portland he
received letter from Mr.. Wright that
Was so loving and sincere and wise that
it showed him just what the man was.
MR.. WRIGHT'S RESPONSE.
When Mr.. Wright arose to respond he
was very cordially received. He said
that if there was one thing that filled his
heart with inexpressable joy on that
night it was that he was a minister of
Christ, that he had had the blessed privi-
lege of standing on that platform and
preaching the truth of the Gospel.
The secret of his success in that church
was that he had been surrounded by
good, loyal friends.
In conclusion he said that he had
prayed and longed for a new sanctuary
He was filed with satisfaction that the
site for the new church had been selected
where it was and il in another year he
could see the church completed he would
feel like saying: Lord, my eyes have
len the glory of the Lord; let Thy SER
want depart IN peace
Mr.. Gerrish announced that on next
Friday evening in the vestry the parish
would give a public reception to the
pastor and his wife.
The benediction was impressively ro-
nounced by the venerable Rev. D. B.
Randall, ID.
Letters Of congratulation were received
from Prof. Samuel Harris, d. D., of
New Haven Prof. E. Y. Hincks, D. D.,
Andover; Rev. G. A. Dickinson, Rev.
E. I. Bailey. Boston, Rev. L. H. Hal
lock. d. D.. of Tacoma; Rev Charles
H. Daniels, D. D., of Boston; Rev.
Stephen Hayes of Boston; Rev E. 7.
Duren, of Bangor; Rev. George Rey-
nolds of Gorham, Rev. George W. Kelley,
Francis K. Swan, Esq, and Mark P.
Emery, ESQ.,, of Portland, and many
others.
Mr.. Wright received telegram OF con-
graduation from Rev. Francis E. Clark,
ID. D., and from Mr.. John H. Gerrish of
West Medford
SKETCH OF MR.. WRIGHT,S LIFE
AND PERSONALITY.
Rev. A. H. Wright was horn in Cam
bridge, Mass, in 1910, and is therefore 90
years of age, and in tie prime of his vigor
and usefulness. His father, David N.
Wright, carpenter and builder, moved
to Oxford. N. H., when the son was
seven years Of age. There he lived the life
of the country boy, attending the district
schools, until he was IA years old, when
his widowed mother returned to the old
home IN Cambridge He was her only
son and main support and his school
training was limited. He did not even
enter the High school, but engaged in the
photography business, of which he be-
came a master in SO far as it had deyel-
oped at that time.
He carly Joined the church, becoming
a member of the parish of Rev. William
Carruthers, son of DR.. Carruthers former
ly of this city. 1. was this latter veneer.
able divine to whom Mr.. Wright is in
debted for his life of ministerial labor.
AS young man it had never appeared
possible for him to become Clergyman.
The obstacles were apparently insuper
able. There seemed no way for him to
obtain the necessary education But DR..
Carruthers was visiting his son in Cam
bridge and heard young Wright speak in
prayer meeting. He was so impressed by