Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-11-26

strengthened ana qu1cKened Dy WITNESS
of their fealty, the believers Of the pres
emit times are to more and more built
Iup in personal loyalty to q society
which, organizing under msasurelesi
difficulties of an hundred years ago, has
become a sacred inheritance to be sc
magnified and passed on, as that, at the
next centennial, the historian can fur.
Their emphasize the proud judgment OF
to-day that 1.-THE first Universalist soci-
ETY. of this state is Names handsome
heritage for all the centuries to come. "
At1:30 in the afternoon a platform
meeting was held, with congregation
which comfortably filed the church.
Rev. w. W. Hooper was in charge of the
meeting. After the opening voluntary
there was invocation and Scripture
reading by Rev. B. F. Pickett Of the
Norway Methodist church, and prayer
by Rev. E. w. Pierce of South Paris.
Rev. Miss Angel mentioned briefly the
many letters received from invited
guests who could not be present, and
the pleasure which they gave them.
There followed number of brieftad-
dresses, the list of speakers including
six Universalist ministers-Rev. w. w.
Hooper of Woodfords, Rev. Gertrude
Earle of Gorham, N. H., Rev. Isabel
McDuff of Berlin, N. H., Rev. j. F.
Rhodes of Fairfield, Rev. W. E. Gaskin
of Mechanic Falls, and Rev. F. E. Bar
ton of Bethel; two Universalist laymen
Ara Cushman of Auburn and j. Fl.
Barrows of Bethel; two Congregational
ministers-Rev. B. S. RideOut of Nor
way and Rev. w. E. Brooks, D. D., of
South Paris; one Methodist minister
Rev. B. F. Pickett of Norway; and one
Baptist minister-Rev. E. S. Cotton of
Norway. 1t was an interesting meeting,
without dull minute, and in some re-
spects remarkable meeting. All the
speakers expressed the most fraternal
feelings, and the one prominent thought
of the afternoon, aside from the con-
gratulatiOns extended to the church on
having rounded its century, was the
progress that has been made in establish
ing better relations between the de-
nominations. Though each one of the
speakers believed his denomination the
best. and did not hesitate to say so, there
was a recognition of the fact that all had
some common ground on which to work,
and that all were working for common
purpose. 1t was to quite degree what
the leader termed it, love feast.
The evening service was to have been
addressed by Rev. j. NJ. Pullman, D. D.,
of Lynn, Mass, one of the foremost pull
pit orators of the denomination, but he
was prevented by illness from coming,
and sent in his stead Rev. F. A. Bisbee,
D. D., editor of the Universalist Leader,
of Boston. In the audience which filled
the church to the doors were some who
had been disappointed at hearing that
DIR. Pullman would not be present, but |
all went away satisfied. DIR. Bisbee's |
address was based upon the words of
Jesus to his disciples, "Be of good
cheer" and was an appeal which could
not but uplift and inspire every Chris
tian worker and give renewed courage
for the contest.
Very good and appropriate music was |
furnished for the evening services by
the regular choir, consisting of Mr.. and
Mrs. Frank Kimball, Miss Agnes Beal,
and Mr.. George A. Briggs, with Miss
Virginia Sargent organist. During the
day services selections were given by
Mrs. Kimball and Miss Beal.
The visitors were entertained at din
ner and supper in Concert Hall, where
several hundred partook of a social
meal. Provision had been made for
possible even larger attendance, and the
supply of food was even more ample
than was required.
The work of preparation for this event
was of course considerable, requiring as
,ne item the writing of several hundred
etters. The committees which had
charge of the work were as follows:
General Committee-Freeland Howe, DR.. 9. A..
Bennett, Mrs. Alice Oxnard, Mr.. and Mrs. T. A.
Corresponding Committee-Rev. c. E. Angel
md Miss z. s. Prince.
Entertainment Committee-C. s. Akers, Mrs.
Emma Mann and Mrs. F. A. Danforth
Reception-Mrs. Freeland Howe, Hon. A. s.
Mrs. s. B. Cummings anu FRANK
Valdron.
Music-Frank Kimball:
Food Committee-Della Noycs, Mrs. 8. A.
Bennett, Elizabeth Beal. MRS. Alice Oxnard,
drs. James Danforth and Honor Quincy.
Gen. Levi Hubbard, the first signer of
he original subscription paper for the
of Mr.. Barnes preaching, was
represented at this centennial by three
of DESCENDANTS grand
laughter, Mrs. Mary R. Marble; her
daughters, Mrs. o. A. Thayer and Mrs.
7. Pierce; and her granddaughter, Mrs.
!. G. Harlow. all from Paris Hill.