Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-20

Rev. A. FRANCIS WalCn
| Reverend A. Francis Walch, the new
pastor of the Universalist Church OF
Augusta, will arrive today from Ames-
bury, Mass, and with his family will
at once take up their residence at No.
TIA State street. They will receive
cordial welcome from the parishioners
and citizens of the Capital City. who
are famous for the warmth Of their
greeting to newcomers in their midst,
and it is confidently expected and
hoped that they will at once feel at
homo" in their new surroundings.
A. Francis Walch was born in East
Corinth, Me-, and reared on a farm IN
Garland, where he attended the dis
trict school He moved, with his fam
lily to Boston, where he worked in a
store until ready for college, for which
he fitted largely by night study. He
fitted for the ministry at Tufts College,
graduating in the class Of 1886.
| Mr.. Walch's church work has been
in Massachusetts,, Vermont and New
Hampshire. While in Manchester, n.
H., he was chaplain Of the 1912 Legis-
lature and for five years was chaplain
Of the Amoskeag Veterans Of Man
chester He has for several years has
been identified with the Odd Fellows
and Masons: also member of the n.
E. o. P. He was for seven years pre-
late of Palestine Commandery of st.
Johnsbury. VT
Mr.. Walch married Agatha S.,
daughter Of the late Prof. Jerome
Schneider, for over so years professor
of Greek in TUFTS College. They have
one daughter, Gertrude L., graduate
of Smith College, Glass of 1913.
| Augustus gain in the coming Of Mr..
walch is Amesbury's loss, as is evil
denced in the following very pleasing
articles from the Newburyport. Mass,
News and the Amesbury, Mass, News:
Mr.. WaIch's Farewell Sermon
| Amesbury, Oct. ia good number
was in attendance at the Universalist
church yesterday morning at the 1890
service on the occasion of the farewell
discourse by Rev. A. Francis Walch,
the past few years pastor of this par
ish. Rev. Mr. Walch has not only en-
deared himself to his congregation, but
has made friends all over town due to
his ability to make friends readily, and
once made, always keeps them. Many
have learned to esteem him other than
those who attended his church.
Rev Mr.. Walch is probably one of
| VII
siding over Protestant church Of
Amesbury Ever thoughtful of the
sick and aged, here again he has made
many friends over town. All Of these
will unite in the good wishes being ex-
tended at this time for the future well
fare and happiness Of this well known
pastor. 1t is with deep regret that The
citizens of Amesbury part with both
him and his family. The choir had pre-
pared 4 pleasing musical programme
for the closing service of Rev. Mr..
Walch. this included in addition to the
anthem. He Leadeth Me- solo part
by Miss Gertrude Walch.
The scripture lesson was from Math.
2S. The text was taken from the same
chapter. verses IS, 10 and 20: And
Jesus came and spake unto them, say
| ing. all power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Go We therefore
and teach all nations. baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the
Son. and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever
I have commanded you; and 10, l am
with you always, even unto the end Of
the world"
For a great many generations" said
Rev. Mr.. Walch, these words have
been considered the marching orders of
the church. Protestant and Catholic,
alike. They have been the marching or
ders Of all religions" The pastor dwelt
at some length upon the first of four
outstanding sentences contained in the
text. which was Jesus command to go
out and teach all nations. Spread the
light of this new hope and new vision
A second thought dwelt upon was that
this new religion was to be a universal
thing. Jesus desires that the teach
ing should go forth, that the people
were the children Of God, was also
touched upon with much earnestness,
as was the announcement, 10, and
am with you always" In the conclud-
ing thoughts, Rev. Mr.. Walch desired
to know what is it that stands espec-
tally in the world to carry out this mis-
sion. Behind the commissioners OF
Christ stands the church which bears
His name. We are responsible for the
church, and responsible for carving
out this mission. It Is the business az
the church to go out. 1t has its place
in the community
The church stands for the life OF the
nation. There cannot be anything
inner than for one to dedicate himself
or nersef to this great mission" In
| concluding, the pastor asked all to dis
play patriotic service to the church
lie pleaded with his hearers to 20 for
lward and accept any providence ana