Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-16
A Maine Clergyman in Connecticut

IL is Ilot only fdiKef. VINO IL u
be congratulated today on his forty
five years here, but his church and the
courant. in speaking cditorially OF
Maine-born clergy in the Nutmeg
State. DIR. Edwin Pond Parker is
native of Castiae and graduate Of
Howdnin in the class of Sc, and his
passionate of 45 years at the head Of the
largest and oldest congregational par
ish in the city of Hartford, has made
him one Of the bcst-knOwn divin"s in
New England. Few indeed have been
the men who have held one pastorate
for as long a term of years, even down
in Connecticut. the land of steady
habits. In addition TO his regular
duties, Or. Parker has written much
and is we'll known as a public speaker.
A year ago ne delivered the address at
the dedication of Hubbard hall, the
new library Of Bowdoin. At present
he is chaplain Of the Connecticut leSls-
lature. His degree of d. ID. was con-
ferrcd by Yale, Of whose corporation
he has been a member for many years.
1t is to be noted that DIR. Parker
does rot tax" the same political atti-
tude as the Rev. Newman Smythe %!
New Haven. another Maine-born and
Northumberland man, who is also 4
leader among the clergy of his adopted
state: and who has been prominent in a
vigorous attack against both of the
men who were leading candidates tor a
nomination to the United States Senat"
10 succeed Senator Hawley. DR..
Smythe declares that neither of these
gentlemen. Fessend,n or Bulkclcy, are
qualified for the high office, and MAINLY
Through his efforts considerable feeling
was aroused against them. Dr
Parker. on the other hand. sees some
good in hotn of thc,I. and d"I'lor"S the
crusade ae;.inS, them. He plainly had
q leaning tnmarGs III" election 81 f''s
>.nd.n. who, by the way, IS still a!:"th-
.r Mniur-b,.rl man Whn has won iiin'
and Su, c.s; in Connecticut. 1t WIS
l:ulk,l-y, however. who W"n thu place
The Hartford Courant devotcS seN-
e,.I columns To an account of the re-
ceptinn rendered pr. Parker. last week.
and 10 tributes to him from the other
pastors ana leading men y the city.
In the same issue the courant speaks
as follows s.ditorially: 1T was MEM
orablc occasion. Only one other clergy
man since the settlement of Hartford
has been The pastor of a church herr
for 50 long as Is years, ana last hlSh'
WAS just A. years from the settlement
Of DR.. Parker. 1t was iove-i"ast'
AMI gave his friends an opportunity 10
ten him what they thought Of him ana
of his work here in Il manner thi'l
must have gone Il long way toward re-
vealing to him the place he holds IN the
hearts IF this community for when ne
has done 50 much. Dr.. Parker is an
essential part of Hartford. His IN
Curnce has been Il powerful factor Iii
making the city what it is ana the
LARGE. number Of thnSe present from
other churches indicates how Wide
spreoI is thu regard for him ana the
desire 10 demonstrate to him the aHec-
,iou which al of Hartford feels 10Y
Sim. The wish is everywhere that IL
r,,v long continue his noble work here
and no one. not familiar with the en-
cunst,uces would imagine that ne
could have been 50 long pastor.
Toward the close of the exercises last
evening. when DR.. Parker was begih-
ming to sneak. a stranger in the chnfch
;ro,,irc,, who WAS the 'youngish man
now speaking ana wanted TO Kii""
how soon DR.. Parker would appear
,r,,o,o is every evidence that the Doc
tor is as hale and vigorous as ever ana
the .voungish' appearance referred to Is
really the expression OF ne man MN
SELF