The Portland daily press., 1898-01-20
At GORHAN..
dedication Of the Chapel Of the His
toric First Church.
1T WAS THE CENTENNIAL OF THE
HOUSE OF WORSHIP.

Interesting Exercises of the Afternoon
and Evening-Ex-Gov. Robes Histori-
cal Advertisements of Hon. james
=. fsaxter-The Other Speakers and
their Observation-Disclosures of Memora-
BILE Day.
Yesterday the members of the Congre.
cational church and First Parish of Cor
ham dedicated the pretty and commodious
chanel which they have just completed.
1t was not only the occasion of the dedl-
cation of the chapel, but the church
buiilding is one hundred years old and SO
the exercises had double significance.
They were attended by audiences which
taxed the seating capacity of the church.
In addition to the Gorham people there
were present many Of the sons and
daughters of the old town who have gone
ont into the world to make their homes
elsewhere and representatives OF the
churches in Westbrook, Portland and
other places.
the services began at two o'clock with
an organ voluntary by Mr.. G. r. Cressey,
and the singing of the Doxology oy
ouartette composed of Miss Ida Tarhox,
Mrs. f. W. Shaw, DR.. a. M. Nickerson
and Mr.. Charles e. jackson. The Divine
blessing was invoked by the Rev. 5. N.
Adams.of Westbrook, and selections from
the scriptures were read by Rev. W. u.
Ma1r of yVashbrofik
In introducing Hon. Frederick Robbie
to deliver the historical address Rev.
George W. Reynolds referred to him as a
man whose life had been spent in Gorham
and man who as he had prospered in
his business had always ev1nceo a deep
interest in his native town SO that his in
huenoe had been felt in its progress and
Improvement Tothis new chapel Gov.
ROBBIE had given not only financial sup
port. but an earnest interest which made
it especially fitting that he should be the
one to deliver it DO the church and parish
Gov. Robie's address contained great
deal of valuable information in regard to
tho historic town and the Congregational
church. The address also told the story
of the erection of the new chapel and de-
soribed the gifts Of windows and furnish
ings which add SO much to its attractive
ness. Gov. Robie's remarks were heard
with close attention. The address is
pl inted below in full.
Gov. Robbie delivered the keys to Deacon
J. S. Leavitt, the chairman of the Pru-
DENTAL committee who accepted them
with few appropriate words saying that,
while it had been said that the new
c lauel was too good building for its
purpose, no building could be too good
for the noble cause to which this is dedi-
Gated, and he hoped that this thought
would be in the minds Of those who
would use the building in the future as
we'll rs the people of today.
The sermon OF the afternoon was by the
Rev. S. Lane LOOMS, pastor of the Union
church of Boston, who was introduced in
n few pleasant words by Mr.. Reynolds.
Mr.. Loomis before beginning his sermon
congratulated the Fchurch and parish on
the centennial which they celebrated and
the completion of the beautiful parish
house which he said was one of the best
of the kind he had ever seen. Equipments
should be an incentive to effort, however.
1t WAS true that sometimes the grandest
results came from the humblest places,
from thellog cabins, the mission houses,
the oatacombs and the caves of the earth.
So the church here should not rely on its
fine equipment but use 1t as an additional
means Of doing good.
Mr.. Loomis then delivered scholarly
and interesting discourse on the doctrine
OF election.
Then the audience crossed the street to
the chapel where they gathered in the
large room ON the ground floor to partici-
nate In the dedication. The services con-
S sted of prayer by Rev. Mr.. Cousens of
Gray, responsive reading by the pastor
and congregation, followed by the dedi-
catory prayer by the Rev. A. 81. Wright
of Portland and the singing of the follow
ing dedication hymn written by Mrs
Clinton Woodbury.,
Lift up your heads with gIadness,
Ye everlasting gates;
Ye doors swing wide your portals,
The King of Glory waits.
Who is the King OF Glcryp
The Lord of Hosts Is he,
The Father, Son, and Spirit,
The HoIv 1'riuitv