The Portland daily press., 1898-01-20

chapel; it needs parish house. A town
like Gorham needs such place more
than "a CITY or rural district, because
the boys and girls of villnge in New
England. in DIR. Merrills opinion, are ia
jeopardy. They have access to the papers
taken by their fathers and from them
learn of the world while they do not
have the opportunities Of the city for
selecting their companions or the eleyat-
ing influences of country life. Yet these
village boys and girls are largely the hope
of the nation and for this reason DR.. Mer
rill welcomed efforts to aid them and
hoped that this parish house might be
an fundamentally for the good Of the
young people of Gorham. 1t was for
this opportunity to use what they had
acquired for the good Of others that Or.
Merrill congratulated the church and
parish.
Rev william Cashmere, pastor of the
Methodist church of Gorham, spoke
briefly in hearty congratulation, creating
considerable amusement when he said
that the Congregationalists had show
disposition to join the Methodists when
thew built the chapel which is near the
Methodist church.
Rev e. p. Wilson Of Deering was the
last speaker, and interested his hearers
in a few we'll chosen words.
Then Pastor Reynolds said he had never
been preached to as no had on this coca
sion and added that he was filed with a
sense of his obligations. The choir sang
again and the exercises were concluded
with the benediction by the pastor. 1t
was most successful occasion worthy CT
the church which celebrated so impor-
tant O. centennial and of the beautiful
chapel which was dedicated
Gov. Robes interesting address fol-
lows:
Ladies and Gentlemen Of the Congrega-
tional Church and First Parish of the
town of Gorhain:
We have come together to-day for the
purpose Of dsdicating new chapel, which
has been built under the direction and
largely paid for by the generous sUhsorip-
lions of the member of the First Ccngre-
aational Church and Parish of Gorham
We have seleued for the dedication of our
new chapel a day of the centennial year
OF the building Of our presen5 meeting
house, which was erected and completed
in the years 1898. The commencement
OF the year 1885, therefore, seems to be
suitable OCCASION for a,loint JubllSe in
honor Of two interesting historic events
which arc brought by the bonds Of chris
tian labor into close communion ihe
completion of an elegant chapel, whoss
need has hsen long felt and whose ereo-
sion was favored by the unanimous voice
of the church and parish, affords good
and sufficient reasons for general re-
iOicings, and gives US an opportunity TOR
hearty congratulations upon this new
achievement, as q means of promoting
renewed Christian fellowship ana en-
deavor among our people. LII is wish
thankful hearts that we assemble on this
historic spot, in this ancestral meeting
house. for the purpose. OF adding new
force TO what already exists for the devel-
oprnenG of a larger Christian experience
AND stronger religious growth In be-
half Of the citi7ens of the Firss Parish OF
Gorham, / moss cordially and SINCERELY
welcome tle SONS and daughters of the
town, and our many warm-hearted
friends from osher localities who honor
this occasion with their presence; we
salute you all. and greet you with the
waruest feelings OF friendship, and ex-
tend to you all che hospitality of and free
dom OF our homes.
The town of Gorham was first settled in
the year 1885, by the descendants or the
| heroes of the Management baeele.s Whioh
| Whs fought in 1875. Our ancestors emf
grated largely from Bafnstable and Var
mouth, Mass. they were orthodox Con-
| gregationalis6s, and we are assured that
| their Christian acts and heroic Deeds re-
corded in the early history OF our town
manifest the hereditary nobility OF char
aeGer which they derived from the race
| OF Pilgrims, whose Darae has become
| illuetrious throughout the oIFl5lzed
world. The interesting exercises OF TO-
DAY are the ena OF an unDroken chain OF
| historic events which commenced IN
| Gorham over one hundred and fifty years
age, when the Christian soldier and
patriarch, Capt. John Phinney, and MS
sou, Col. Edmund Phinney of kevolu-
tionary renown; Hugh MoLellen. Daniel
Mosher, Eliphalet Watson, John Irish.
jacob Hamb len, Benjamin SkilllnRs,
| William Cotton, and others whose names
have long been household words among
us, laid the foundation OF our present
religious and material prosperity, ana
| established tho First Parish and Ortho-
| do1 CONGREGATIONAL Church Of GornaIn.
| The first conditions under which the
| township of Gorham was granted by the
| State of Massachusetts to the Narragan-
| sest pToprietors for settlement, required
| them to settle learned orthodox minis
| ter, to erect meeting house. to clear a
| certain and adequate number of acres OF
| land for the support of the ministry, and
especially for the firat settled minister. u
| This was an absolute and legal require
msnt In accordance with these cherished
principles and chartered rights, and to
| the end that pious Christian race should
| be established and continued in our town,
| at the first meeting of the proprietors of
| Narragansett, No. Z afterwards Gorham.
| held at the log cabin of Capt. John Phin-
ney, on the goth of November, 174l. over
which meeting Joseph Pearson was elected
moderator. and John Gorham. clerk, 1t
was voted THAT meeting house be built
| for the worship of iod in Gorham town,
| SO feet long, 20 feet wide. with a 90 fest
shed, and the assessment necessary to
carry this vote into effect was made on
| the holdings of the Droprietors of the
township. By these means the first meet
ing house was built on the west side of
the way called King Street.
The first public act of the settlers of
Gorham was to make ample provisions for
religious worship. In erecting this new
ohseel, which we dedicate to-day. we
have been loyal to the early principles
and examples Of our forefatners. When
the first orthodox congregational log
| -uoe;r,. houro uac nuilt in GnPhayn Il n