The Republican journal., 1918-06-27
Rev VIM. rockingham. The next year
he became nreceptor of the Academy and

was also hired to preach for six months.
II was under the spur Of his preaching
and influence that this church was built
in 1918. Before the church was COM
menced call was extended to MN, OUT
on account of his absence and the illness
of his wife, was not accepted until
December, 1873 This call came from
both church and parish. But by the next
summer when the time came to install
him. the theological distinctions that were
beginning to be sharply drawn IN New
England between orthodox and liberal
Congregationalists, made their appear
ance here and the church refused to take
part, The next spring they voted to
break away from the First Congregations
al society and form a new Congregational
society. The bitter feelings that theo-
logical differences of opinion caused IN
those DAYS are hard Tor us to understand.
The fact that three of this new society,
Young ministers were ordained in this
buildine before it had church OF its own,
shows that the bitterness was not carried
to extremes. | do not know how many
times these two church societies have
united in services during the past w
wears but the fact that for three months
this past winter they were together With
ont apparently any harm to each other,
and possibly with some new inspiration
and blessings to each, is happy augury
that the things that unite are more de-
sirable than the things that divide.
Rev. VIM. rockingham was the tlrst
minister to serve in the new church
building and really of the re-organlzed
parish. He labored long and faithfully
ending his service as minister in 1847
Rev. Marcus A. Niles was called as his
successor, installed, but lived only few
DAYS, beng in fact sick man the day OF
his installation. Rev. Cazneau Palfrey
was the next minister and served pas
torate of % years. DR.. David N. Utter,
now of Denver, COL, and DR.. James T.
Bixbv, now of Yonkers, N. Y, followed
in the order named. Rev. Edward Crown
shield, Rev. John A. Savage and Rev.
James M. Leighton covered the next ~
wears of ministerial labor in this parish,
all now deceased You are to have the
pleasure of hearing in July from this pull
Dit from the next minister, the Rev. Harry
Lutz and also his successor, the Kew
Adolph Rossbach. Rev. Charles b. Ames
served you for three years and am the
twelfth minister to span the hundred
years of this noble building.
It is of interest to note that our organ
is Just 70 years old, and is the second
one used in the church. In 1885 one was
made for this church but was lost at sea
when the schooner on which it was ship
ped was wrecked on an island at the
mouth of Penobscot Bay. Another was
purchased and used till the present one
Superseded it. The building was 10 years
old when the town clock, made by Tim
othv Chase and P. r Quimby, was placed
in operation.
If these walls could repeat to US what
has here been said on other occasions
than the Sunday services, we should hear
ringing, stirring, patriotic words from
innumerable Fourth of July orators; we
should hear strong anti-slavery talk and
fervent appeals for temperance; we should
listen to eulogies on Adams and Jeffer-
son and Lincoln and other great Amerl-
cans. If we could see some CT those who
have sat here on special occasions we
should see those 80 officers and soldiers of
the Revolutionary War fifty years after
the Declaration of independence, and
the two companies of soldiers of the
Fourth Maine Regiment Just before they
went south to help in crushing the Re-
bellion. This building has been used from
early times until late for notable concerts;
many famous lecturers have also been
heard here.
After one hundred years this building
stands true and sound and as we praise
our fathers for their vision and their
workmanship. we can say, "They build
ed better than they knew " With their
work as the foundation, and the loving
care and labors of all those who have had
the interest of this church at heart
throughout the century, we see it as it
stands tonight, church home of digni-
fed and simple beauty, and still the home
of devotional worship and inbreathing of
the spirit of the Most High. To many
of you these walls are fraught with hal
lowed associations and sacred memories,
that the passing years make not less but
more precious. You will naturally be
DESTROYS of guarding well this treasure.
Those of us of more recent connection
with this parish V i'll be equally DESTROYS
of its well being. AS we, tonigh honor
the memory of those who planned and
to build not for the passing moment but
for the future; walking with them in the
path of largest service even though that
should call for sacrifice.
We cannot do better than to voice our
prayer for this occasion in the words of
one of our own members, Mrs. j. W..
Frederick, who on the 18th anniversary
of the settlement of Rev. VIM. Frothing-
ham, said:
"Withn these sacred walls of prayer,
We come, o Lord, today;
With thank full hearts to celebrate
Our Church's natal day.
Though those who laid these corner
stones,
Have long 81 nee passed away;
Still staunch and strong, as our own
faith,
Our good Church stands today.
Long may it stand! Our dear old Church.
A faithful beacon light,
Whose sacred rays shall shine afar,
To guide our steps Alright"