The Portland daily press., 1896-04-22
Continued from First Pace.
Low Westinghouse, high steeple,
Weak minister, foolish people. -

sermon; ana rev. SylVhnuS CoDb, OF
Naterville offered the prayer. AT the in
stallation. iii the afternoon Mr.. Ballou
preached the sermon, Sebastian Streeter
offered the installing prayer and gave the
right hand of fellowship. Maine had
Aecome q State the year previous, the
Legislature met in Portland, and Mr.
Streeter had many in his congregation,
mostly men, for Uniyersalism was not
popular, and women shrank from the
sneors and social Ustraoism that pursued
these who sympathizod with the faith. :
On April 10th, 1927, Mr. Strester re-
signed and moved to Massachusetts. His
wife had did. and he was Frustrated by
his great sorrow. The society had great
ly prospered in his six years of faithful
service. He had also been editor of the
Christian Intelligencer. In 1926 Mr.. W.
a. Drew beca me oo-editor, who estab-
l1shed the Gospel Banner in 1884 Rev.
John Bisbe was called May IA, 1927, and
he YVES installed August 21st. Two con-
ditions Of his coming as pastor were
made: that a Sunday school should be
established and church formed Mr..
Bishe was young man of deep spiritual
at5ainments, possessing "a wonderful COM
N tnd of language and using no manu-
script. The church was organized in
1877. The early records were burned in
1856. May IS. 1928, the Sunday school
was organized. The Female Samaritan
Association wasstormed in 1928 under the
leadership of Mrs. Bisbe. In TWO years,
on March s, 1929, Mr.. Bisbe died, to the
great sorrow of all. for the church had
prospered under him, and he was be-
loved. Rev. w. j. Reese was called
Sept 28th, 1929. He did not excel as an
orator, but was a practical philanthro-
pist. He form d the Widows Wood Socie.
ty. and lie used to seek out poor and
deserving families and have them pro-
vided with supplies, frequently splitting
the wood himself. He resigned in No
vember, 1880 A marble monument in
The EssteIn Cemetery, erected by dona-
teils on its panels, in brief. the story of
Mr.. Reese's life, is monument to beEproud
Of. He died in Buffalo Sept. 6, 1884.
Rev. Menzies Raynor succeeded Mr.
Reese in 1882. He was about sixty years
old, vigorous and strongly polsmioal in
his writings. He edited the Christian
Pilot, which member of the Third
Parish printed. This printer was ex-
communicated, but was told if he repent
ed he GOULD be restored to mem bership.
He said he didn't know of any sin he
had committed, and had nothing to re-
pent of.
During the thirties the financial storm
prevailing in the country affected the
church. A debt of $4,000 had accumulat-
ed. The pews We're put up at auction,
bought in by the clerk, resold, many of
them to their former owners at the new
valuation. ranging from $40 to So, and
The total amounting to S.. TIC. Mr.. Ray
nor left on leave Of absence in Septem-
Der, 1884, and never returned. In April,
1886, Rev. d. d. Smith became pastor,
and served the society for three years.
Rev. G. q. Burr, a brilliant speaker,
succeeded him. The church building
Inn od ION,
torate. great revival also took place
in all. denominations, the niversali st
as we'll as Others, and what was unusual
to UnlVersalistS, many new members
joined who were immersed at the fine
beach where the Grand Trunk station
now stands. Mr.. Smith afterwards en-
tered political life. In March, 1842, Rev.
good minister, and thoroughly praoti-
cal. but had to resign in 1S47 on account
of Ill health. The beautiful memorial
window in the church is a loving token
from his family to his memory. At
the annual meeting in 1S48 Rev. Russell
Streeter was again invited to comeh from
Woodstock, Vt, and preach as long as
suited his convenience. He remained
seven years, and the society grew in
strength and influence. In January,
1854, Rev. G. r. Moor was called. His
ministry was helpful, and he stayed un.
til 1861.
Then began new era of prosperity for
the society. In April, 1861, the youngest
pastor the society had ever had, the Rev.
Edwin G. Bolles, came TO them. His
rare powers, his great eloquence, revived
the feeling that u new church edifice
must be obtained. The crowds that
hocked to hear the brilliant young pastor
made this a necessity. In 1868, notwith-
standing the depression and uncertainty
caused by the civil war, the lot OH which
this church stands was bought. Twenty
earnest men became responsible for the
money Necessary, beyond the So, 500 OBJ
tanned from the sale of the old building.
to erect the church. and it was finished
and furnished and transferred to the
society January 2, 1866, at cost of $40,
co., and dedicated February Is with elab-
crate ceremonies. The enviable position
the society then attained has been fully
maintained. In June, 1869, DIR. Bolles
resigned to go to Brooklyn, n Y. No
words of eulogy are needed for the man
VINO throughout the perplexitiss and sor-
ows of the Civil War enabled his people
to undertake and carry On successfully
so great work. In October 1859,
another young man accepted the pastor
ate the Rev. VIM. E. Gibbs, and he well
continued the work so we'll Begun. His
presence was ever a CLEAN of sunshine.
ny MS energy the final $4,000 debt on
the church was paid off, and now we are
practically free from debit for 81, 600 would
pay all We owe. Mr.. Gibbs left in 1851
to take mp the work in Buffalo, N. Y.
On Sept. 28, 1882, Rev. DR.. Henry
Blanchard. our present pastor, was in
stalled. His work and worth are known
to all Preaching eevry Sunday to one
OF the largest audiences gathered in any
Protestant church in the city; fearless
in proclaiming what he believes is the
truth; honored and recognized for his
culture and advanced stand on matters
Of interest religious and CIVIC: kind
friend and faithful pastor; holding this
society and its interests ever uppermost
in his heart; no further words are needed
TO proclaim his unselfish devotion.
After Mr.. Turner's history was con-
cluded, DR.. Blanchard, in most fitting
language. introduced the Rev. DR.. VIM.
f. Gibbs Of Lawrence. pastor of Congress
Square church from 1859 to 1881. DR..
Gibbs said in suhstaDca.