The Portland daily press., 1897-10-07

brOUnerS, presume. DO ne would
speak of the two churches, HighTstreet
and West End as brothers.
On this occasion it was pleasant to re-
call the works of those who had in
spired that early missionary effort and
were now gone. DIR. Chiokering and those
with him must look own from heaven
with joy tonight. The only lesson from
the circumstances of this church is that
we also should be full of the missionary
spirit. There are here tonight some of
those who helped to form this church.
They have had the merit of perseverance
in carrying this work forward. They
have been faithful and ought be car
ried in grateful remembrance for what
they have done.
1t is delight to see here in this audi
ence SO many young persons, having on
their faces the seriousness which shows
their consciousness that great work
is before them.
You have had in our time a succession
Of good and godly ministers; but espec-
tally congratulate you upon the pastor
you have. Brother Bean fits you as q
Jouvin glove, not too much thumb on 1t.
He loves his work and has a genius for
1t. I congratulate you that he is not
literary man. not q teacher, not an orga-
nicer, but man of character who teach
es you literature and organization by the
force of his warm spiritual life.
After congratulating the building COM
mittee, DR.. Fem urged the new church,
as soon as it attained full consciousness
as the parent High street church had
done. Beyond lay Scarboro, and even
the city of Deering. (Laughter.) IA
Mr.. Bean next announced that the
West church was rich in all products,
even poets. If they did not have what they
wanted they manufactured it. Then
Mr.. II. G. Houston was introduced, and
read the following original poem: !
With words of prayer.and swelling notes
of music sweet,
We come, to dedicate to God this ediflce
tonight
And, as we view the work His aid has
made complete
Our trustful faith sees all the future
bright.
For, since His hand thus far has led us
through,
Till all for which we hoped has taken
shape and form,
Shall we not learn to trust Him still for
blessingssnew,
And see His 'tbow Of promise" shine
mid every storm,
Content to know that of our steps He
taketh heed,
And will abundantly supply what Ger
we need.
For He to whom in reverence this house
we dedicate,
Has richly blessed the labor and the striy-
ing of the past,
And brought us safely onward, till with
hearts elate,
We see success our patient toillng crown
at last.
Clouds have been scattered in His own
good time and way,
And all that hindrance seemed, help
has proved.
And ever forward still into this happy
day,
The laborers, upheld by Him, have stead
fast moved.
Secure that they the wished-for end
should gain,
In such a time as His unerring wisdom
might ordain.
We here have raised no stately walls
of massive stone,
With groined arch and fretted pinnaoles
enwrought,
And 1.-THE dim, religious light to old
cathedrals known, asssas
In this, our modest meeting place, were
vainly sought.
No pictured oriel here burns with rudy
glow,
When, broad and clear, the westering sun
light streams.
And, when the crescent moon is wan and
low,
In her pale light no sculptured marble
CLEANS.
Not here are the adornments rapt Devo-
ton twines
In luxury of beauty, round it's cherished
shrines.
Yet none the less shall. this be still a
sacred place,
Wherein shall noble work be done for
God and man.
The Glands of the flock" shall here be |
taught to trace
The Infinite Love pervading all the Faith |
er's plan.
They shall learn that their Elder Broth |
er's grief and pain,
Sufficeth still to purchase their eternal |
joy and peace;
That by His blood they are cleansed from
stain,
And through his death they shall find a |
sure release.
From that bondage of sin, which has
cursed the earth
Through all the seasons since our world |
had birth.
And here, we trust, shall re st and calm
be found
By weary soul, outworn with bitter
strife,
And bleeding sore, perchanoe, from secret
wound,
As it struggles still in the stormy battle
of life
For well we know that all the myriad |
host of ills,
That burden our maturer years with |
anxious care,
Shall cease to grieve US, when His pres
ence fills
With sense of Heavenly peace, this house |
Of prayer.
And may God grant, whenever we shall |
gather here,
In all the years to come, we still may
feel Him near.
The dedicatory prayer was next offered