Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-05-24
of the Baptist Church

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the
South Paris Baptist Church was cele-
brated on Thursday evening, May l9sh,
by a reunion of about two hundred mem
bers of the church and congregation and
friends from the mother church al Paris
Hill and the sister church at Norway.
At $50 p. NJ. nearly two hundred en-
jOyed the excellent supper provided by
the ladies of the church in the large
vestry. DR.. F. l.. wilkins of Portland
asked Gods blessing on the occasion and
the large company joined in singing
"Blest be the tie that binds"
At 7:45 the people moved from the
vestry to the handsome auditorium for
further exercises. Mrs. Nellie l.. Brick.
EFT, the church organist, presided at the
new Estey pipe organ with great &C
ceptance throughout the evening. After
the organ prelude, the pastor, Rev. <.
A. Davis, offered the invocation. A
statement concerning the founding of
the church was briefly made by the first
pastor, Rev J. E. Cochrane, State Mis-
sionary. The Scriptures, Acts 2:29-4I,
were read by the pastor. Then there
followed a selection by the male quar-
Jette, consisting of l.. 5. Sessions, Geo.
A. Cutting, L. Hollis aud Albert Dean.
The roll of church members was read
by Dea. Geo. B. Crockett, church clerk,
and one hundred aud seven responded
TO the roll call The quarteite sang an
other selection, and special thank
Offering was then received toward funds
for new furnaces.
Rev. j. T. COchrane offered prayer.
The quartette sang beautiful response.
Rev. Frank l.. Wilkins, ID. D., pastor
of the Free Street Baptist church OF
Portland, gave the anniversary address
on the subject-The Church of To Day.
II. 1t must be a self-respecting church,
MT a club but Gods organization, come
down from God out of Heaven. 2. 1t
must be Scriptural church made up OF
believers in the Word-cOnverted people,
and have two ordinances, baptism and
the Lords supper-symbols of the life
of the believer with Christ. 3. A sing.
ing church. Baptists have produced
great singers in the church, such as
Prof. Gilmore of Rochester University,
IN Y, who wrote "He Leadeth Me"
Dr. John Fawcett, who wrote "Blest BE
| the Tie That Binds" and my Country,
IT'S of Thee" by DR.. S. f. Smith. 4.
II must be sympathetic church. D
A soul. winning church. The address
was an inspiration and greatly appre-
ciated by the people.
| Following the address there was a
selection By the quartette and at the
close the audience sang the doxology
Rev. G. W. +. Hill, pastor of the mother
church at Paris Hill, offered the closing
prayer.
During the evening letters were read
from former pastors. Ramsdell, Chesbro
Pinkham aud Mayo.
This splendid occasion closed with a
fine pOstlude by Mrs. Brickett. The
male quartette was much appreciated.
Note was made during the exercises
of the new church sign, neatly decorated
and placed at the outside of the church
door. This was the gift of two members
If the church, and the decorator was
specially thanked.
The church is grateful to all who help
ID make this anniversary great success
The celebration was continued on Sun
lay, May ed, all day, Rev. j. (. Coch'
rane and others participating 10 the
exercises. The Sunday School had 6
special programme at the noon hour.