Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-08
REV. WIN. R. WOOD
BEGINS PASTORATE
PENNEY MEM. CHURCH
Sunday, and Is Greeted with
Large Congregations at Both
Morning and Evening Servic-
es, and All Are Pleased-Con-
gratulatory Telegram from
Rev. c. G. Mosher Read at
Morning Service


ing and forcible speaker who comes to
Augusta with record of unusual sue
cesses in his former pastorates.
In his prelude, before the morning ses-
sion, he said in part
"A new chapter is this day begun in
the history of an important church that
has been making history more than four
life record of man whose only boast is
that he is a servant of Jesus Christ.
The relation between pastor and people
is more vital and intimate than any other
relation in human life. except that which
centers in the home and family. This re-
lation is sacred in the proportion to which
it is entered into devoutly and prayer
fully.
The consciousness that we have been
brought together by the purpose and
providence of God will be an abiding in
centive to confident prayer for His bless
ing on the task before US, and an abiding
inspiration to work patiently and hope
fully, even when difficulties arise to test
our faith and devotion.
1T am not unmindfui of the honor con-
ferred upon me by the commission which
have received from the Penney Memo
rial church to become your minister.
i know something of the character
and ability of the men who have admin
istered this trust before me- ] know they
We're devoted and efficient servants of
Christ. | congratulate the church that
was blessed with the ministry of the Rev.
DR. Penney for an entire generation. I
congratulate the church that thrived so
greatly under the strong leadership Of
my very dear friend, the Rev. Charles
6. Mosher.
Il make no promises for myself other
than this: Henceforth. as long as it
may please God to permit US to minister
here,I shall have no interest. or ambition
superior to that of performing the -du-
ties of this office to the best of my abil-
ity. The supreme interest of my life, out
side OF any own family, will center in the
work YOU have entrusted to my care.
This beautiful city is now our resi-
dence Your parsonage is our home
Here is our field of work. You are our
fellow-workers, and in YOU we expect tC
find our dear and loyal friends The gra-
cious hospitality we have already received
at your hands has warmed our hearts and
causes us to believe that our love which
we now give to YOU is well bestowed"
Mr.. Woods subject for the morning
sermon was The Unfinished Task" sug-
gested by the words Of the prophet Iag-
gal, Chapter l. verses - and a.
lie said in part that the unfinished task
of Israel was to finish rebuilding the holy
temple in Jerusalem, to restore the ma
tiosal worship Of Jehovah and to make
the law of the Lord a vital factor in the
life of the people.
The unfinished task of the Christian
church as outlined in the commission
with which the church was chartered
by the Divine Master is as follows:
!. TO evangeliZe the world as
quickly as possible.
?. To apply the teachings of Jesus
to every realm of human life.
3. To bear witness to Christ's saw
ing and transforming grace for every
man.
A. To continue the compassionate
ministry begun by Jesus.
This is not a new task. 1t is precise
ly the same as that given to the dis
ciples almost 1000 years ago. 1t is
nothing other and nothing less than
working with God to build His King
dom among men.
1t requires that the imperative
claims lodged in the principles of Je-
sus be recognized in the counselS OF
states and nations. 1t requires that the
ethics of business be brought up from
the savage level of do Unto the other
fellow what he would like to do to you
and do him first" to the standard OF
the Golden Rule-"Whatsoever We
would that men should do to YOU, do
We even so unto them"
The Christian of the new era that
is dawning will be separate from the
world, not in the fashion of his dress,
the form of his speech or the manner
Of his recreations and amusements, SO
much as in the principles that govern
his conduct and invite his converse
ton.
The task set for the church today
is to demonstrate in a society honey
combcd with seltishness the principle
of brotherhood contained in the com
mand of Christ-"Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thysef."
This task will not be finished until
the righteousness of the Kingdom is a
reality in every realm of human life
and action.
At the evening service the pastors
subject was Good Shoes for Rough
Roads," taken from Deut. 1926. Thy
shoes shall be iron and brass" 1t was
an inspiring message for the beginning
of the New Year.
At the morning service the chair
man of the parish committee read to
the congregation the following tele-
gram received from the former pastor
Rev. c. G.. Mosher, now of Alhambra
Calf: ~ understand that Rev. w. r.
Wood begins his pastorate with YOU
today. With you I rejoice and look for
large things under his leadership. May
it prove the best era in the history OF
your church. Read Philippians, first
chapter verses three to six.
ctt~Nrccriu rNnN GALE