Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-30
WARMLY WELCOMED.
Rev. Norman McKinnon Installed as Pastor
Of South Congregational Church.

J nC NdIlntSl anu lilOSt tOIuldl SIcCL-
inps were extended Rev. Norman Nc
| kinnon. last evening. when he was in
stalled as pastor Of the South COnErc-
gational church. The services were
largely attended. The auditorium was
for the greater part filled with people
eager to give their new pastor a well
come. In addition there were a large
number of the pastors present in this
and surrounding towns, who by their
presence sigEificd their willingness to
cooperate with him in his work.
The meeting of the council, when thc
candidate was examined. was held at
o'clock in the afternoon, at which
were present the greater part Of the
congregational clergymen in the coun-
III The findings Of the council were re-
ported during the evening service over
which Rev. f. l.. Marsh ut Waterfalls
presided as moderator.
When the Invocation had been said
by. Rev. Everett Lesher. which was fol-
lowed by music by the choir, the report
of the council was given by Rev. M
Marsh. The findings We're that the
belief Of the new pastor is in accord
aucr with the teachings and belief of
the CONGREGATIONAL church. and he was
adjudged worthy Of becoming pastor of
the church.
The Scripture reading by Rev. II.
Dunnack. pastor Of the Methodist
church. was followed by music by the
choir, after which Rev Smith Baker.
u. H., delivered the installation ser
mon.
In commencing his sermon he told
what reason had not been able to ac-
complish, but what the microscope and
the telescope had revealed in the
stones. the flowers and in the heavens
These instruments. he said. have re-
vcal'l what the eye ana the reason
had failed to discover. So in the same
manner Christ has revealed to Us what
We could not understand. The human
mind asks the questions that reason
cannot answer but which Christ can
ara does answer for US. SO carrying
oUt the same idea. he showed how.
through the New Testament. we have
learned what God is. that God is
Christ and that the question. what is
the perfect man, had been answered
BY his personifcation in Christ. In the
various church questions ana fourSi an
answer to all il Christ. In closing he
said;
Memory paints in mv mind a picture
of b1YhoOd days vixen to my father :
home in a nciGhboTiuG parish there used
TO come as frequent visitor. one who
WIS the incarnation of Christian dignity.
refined manners, elegant culture and ten
d"rcSt sympathy. one who in the homes
the poorest widow was an ideal pastor,
who in the pulpit Of this Old South
church where the rulers Of the state
then worshipcd ana in the plainest school
in the county. with classic dictiUn ana
mrSt bcnignant spirit preached the ola
Gospel Of Christ ana Him crucihed. /
remember the frequent pressure Of his
hand upon my head as he said, May the
iad We Il good man." ana at my own urdi-
nation. the pressure of that same hand
upon my mead ana the charge he gave u
preach Christ ana Him cruciiied. ! seem
to hear his measured Sn-cch ana see ms
uuIi1hrd manners rs wear after year to
ills churcn he wisely, bencv"lently:
strongly. 10y his words and his life held
IIp Christ a. the rcVt1lcr Of God and Ills
truth May his mantle of faithiulncss,
wisdom and tenderness rest upon you.
The mantle of that ideal Christian gen
tlvmau, pastor and Preacher Benjamin
TappIn.
Tn" Installing prayer by Rev. J. NJ.
Wyman Was followed Ey selection by
the choir. after which Rev. J. $. Will
hanson gave tn" charge to the people.
ne showed he kindly feeling that had
existed between him anu his people
while 10 was pastor Of the C1nSr"%a-
tiGnal church in this city. lie said he
is still preaching the same doctrine
that he first preached in this city. In
closing h. gave the simple charge that
they should treat their new pastor as
they had treated him. and treat Mrs
McKinnon in the same loving manner
that they had treated Mrs. Williamson.
III his charge 10 the pastor, Rev. +.
l.. Marsh referred to the broader
thinking on religious subjects that is
now occupying the minds Of the par
ishiOncrs. These people. he said. do not
have the time for study that we have.
You are to have 4 very earnest SYM
pathy for and an interest in these
thinkers | have found it necessary for
me to begin this construction work ana
I think that the time is come when the
church demands Of the pastor that
they shall begin this work of construc-
ton of faith which seems about to be
torn down. If you can tell them what
to believe. you can bring a most i'm
portant lesson to them. Second, thai
an interest should be taken in the
children of the church that they should
be brought in to share the church life
now instead of waiting for repentance
and regeneration. Third, that the time
had come when the people were no
more to be taken to heaven than that
heaven and happiness and peace is to
be brought into their lives
The warm welcome which the
churches of Augusta give the new pas
tor was extended by Rev. c. A. Hay
den of the Universalist church. He
gave assurance that the pastors are in
need of his service here in carrying on
the church work, and they on their
mart were willing to extend every pos
sible assistance to him in his work.
Rev. f. f. Newbert offered prayer,
the final hymn was sung and the bene-
diction was pronounced by the new
nastor. Rev. Norman Mckinnon.