The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-20
THE BETHEL CHURCH.
Anniversary Services Held Sunday Sunday
Afternoon.

The services in the Seamen's Bethel
yesterday afternoon were exceedingly in
teresting to those who were present. The
occasion was the celebration of the 30th
anniversary of the passionate of Rev. Fran
els Southworth, and of the completion of
the work of repair and renovation of the
church edifice. The house was we'll filed
with those who now are, or in former
years have been worshippers in the
Bethel. There were a number present
who had also been at the dedication SER
vices in September, 1867. Capt. Pearl
S. Spear, Chas A. S. Harper, Miss Ora
ham. Mrs. John Elliott, Miss Augusta
Titcomb, James Mcdonald, John Fl.
True and Mrs. Alfred f. Clark were some
of those present who belonged to the
Bethel before Pastor Southworth came.
Capt. Spear, who is now about SIS years
old, was member of the Bethel Sunday
school when it occupied the Mariners
church, corner of Fore, Market and Moul-
ton streets.
Pastor Southworth made brief reference
to the work of the hand of time in effao-
ing the once beautiful shields, scrolls and
notices that had been so neatly painted
OH walls by our old townsman Schu-
macher. (now gone to rest). They have
become part of the Bethel and the peo-
pie could not bear to have them obliterat-
ed. In the renovation which has been
made the past summer these designs and
M ttoes have been faithfully restored
by Mr.. P. Alfred Dion.
Rev. DR.. Fem of the High street church
was the chief speaker of the afternoon, he
being the only clergyman now in the city
who was present at the dedication His
remarks were full of praise for his broth
er who worked so patiently and success
fully in his peculiar field for all these 80
years. He also spoke of the great value
to the community Mr. Southworth had
been as a defender of right and truth
and Of his exceedingly valuable example
and counsel to the other churches and
pastors of our city He remarked that
he was man of deep thought and hon
est conviction, lover of truth and a
HlttH VI poac0.
DR.. Fem then recalled an early council
which was before Mr.. Southworth was
pastor Of the Bethel. sit was peculiar
council" said the Doctor, "and many
hard questions and harsh ideas found
uttnrancessthere. We have greatly changed
since then as community, and broad
er charity and a moro Christlike spirit
pervades the church and the general pub
lie. Yet, Christian truth abides I'M
changed and Interchangeable and there is
more power in the gospel today than in
the olden timse.'
Rev. Dwight M. Pratt of the Williston
church, was very happy in his congratu-
lations. He referred to the help which
younger ministers receive from their
elders and to the hope which Is excited
by such a grand example of long and
patient labor as we see In Brother South
worth. Mr.. Pratt, as well as all the con-
Scripture notices which adorn the wall S
and in the beautiful canopy of flags of
the maritime Christian nations. He
spoke very earnestly of the motto sur
rounding the clock, "Now is the accept
ed time, and of the anchor and motto
over the desk, (Which hope we have
as an anchor to the soul.''
The house was simply but beautifully
decorated with flowers. The modest lit
tie desk also has been touched up and
new chairs furnished by Edward T.
Grover of the Walter Corey Co., who is
also one of the brothers of the Bethel