The Republican journal., 1897-04-08
A Golden Anniversary.
Sem-Centennial Of the Central Congregational
Church Of Bangor. An Address by Rev. G. W.
Field H. n.

Semi-Centennial of the Central Congregational
Church Of Bangor. An Address by Rev. G. W.
Field, d. D.
The Central Congregational church and
parish of Bangor observed last Thursday
their golden anniversary, the Central church
having been organized April 1, 1S47. There
were exercises in the afternoon at three
O'Clock at the Central church, the program
including an historical address by the Rev.
George W. Field, D. D. DR.. Field sketched
the history of the church from its founding
to the present day. In speaking of his own
services as pastor he referred to the close re-
lations with homes and hearts of his people
which he enjoyed, and it was great advant-
age for him. He referred to the growing
strength of the church and the amount of sal
airy which had been paid him, at first 81 )
500 and the highest $3.50, the advances
being unsolicited. After remaining at the
latter figures for few years, at DR.. Field g
own suggestion it was lowered to $500.
lowered to So $50.
II felt" said DIR. Field, that 1 was grow
ing out of my vigor of youth and that the So
such large sum for my limited powers.
Therefore, of my own action, L had part OF
my salary cut off for the uses of the parish.
1t was devoted to the expenses of the church.
"A few weeks ago had occasion to look
over the parish records. I had not done so
before. To my surprise l found that there
was not a single record OF the reduction in
salary which had myself requested. But
in every case had there been particular en-
deavor to chronicle the increase in remuner-
alton given me by the church.
81 am frank to tell you that my feelings
were hurt. 1t seemed to me that | ought to
have some credit for coming to the aid of
the society in time of financial distress.
Not only was my reduction not mention
ed in the records but the society went on
voting me $500 yearly when all the time l
received but a part of that sum-
These remarks caused something of a SEN
satOn in the church.
In note to the Bangor Commercial of
Monday last DR. Field said that it was a
mistake to represent HIM as complaining of
the action of the society Nothing could be
more generous than the action of the society
towards me-"
DR.. Fields closing paragraphs We're d.
rected to a review of the new theology, as
opposed to what he termed "the obsolete
and medieval theology he was glad, he
said, that that had gone forever. He con-
tinued:
81 am glad that we are no longer called
upon to preach total depravity as it was
preached fifty years ago. l am glad that we
do not have to write or hear sermons on
election and reprobatlon, or upon passive
dependence upon the Holy Spirit ! am
glad that the salvation proclaimed from our
pul pits is not so much salvation from fu
ture suffering as from present shining, and
a VAn w q ar "a lpG tn Aal-
IS not only Father Heaven (thougl God be
thanked beyond measure for that, and for
the hope and cheerfulness it puts into many
otherwise dark and cherries places, but
that it is primarily Heaven the elements of
which are now to be found in JOY and peace
and righteousness in the Holy Ghost.
81 am glad that we are no longer expected
to dogmatize upon the awful subject of fu-
ture punishment, and L am glad that the
vital element in religious experience is not
made to lie in personal trust in vicarous
atonemcnt (tho again blessed be God that
we may trust in His love as manifested in
His Divine SOM, but that it is made to lie
rather in personal conservation to Christ
as Lord and Master and example in all
righteousness and beneficient living. [ am
glad. in word, for the return to the simple
Christianity of the early ages, for the in
creased emphasis given to those simple,
grand truths which our Savior taught, which
are so potent upon our life and character,
and for dropping out from pulpit enforce
ment, and from popular religious thought,
of truths and speculations which are indffer-
ent in their influence upon character and
life"
At the close of the address the service
closed with a devotional service.
In the evening, in the vestries, reception
to the members of the parish and congrega-
ton was given. The guests were received
by Rev. DR.. and Mrs. G. W. Field, Rev and
Mrs. j. S. Penman, Prof. and Mrs. j. S.
Sewall and Mrs. Darling, daughter of
Prof. Shepard, one of the founders of the
church.