become so well acquainted with the pastors of other churches and the character of their preaching as we perhaps should have. But this is our fault, rather than that of the preacher; he has understood that many would be disappointed if he should be absent; and if a stranger filled the pulpit it was with a general feeling of regret and sympathy of regret that our pastor was away, and of sympathy for the visiting preacher because of the feeling of regret.

And why has this preaching been so attractive and helpful? Two reasons certainly can be given. One, the pastoral work has been preparatory to the preaching. The other reason is, the "old gospel" has been preached without a change. As our pastor said once in the preface to a course of sermons: "These sermons will only be popular as the gospel is popular." The character of the preaching of all these years has been consistent and loyal to the fundamental doctrines of our faith. During the last forty years there have been many revisions of creed in Protestant churches. Much has been said as to "modern theology,' "higher criticism," philosophical analysis," "scientific interpretation," "environment," and evolution," but as 16,000,000 copies of the Bible were sold and distributed last year, and only 6,000,000 copies of the 100 leading authors' works of the world, it would seem as if this old Bible was, after all, the most accredited and reliable of books, as we have it and as it has been preached from this pulpit. The preaching here has not varied in all these forty years. To be sure, some expressions, which were familiar years ago, such as the "Perseverance of the saints," was changed to "The constancy of love." But the fundamental doctrines of our faith, such as the Incarnation, the cross of Christ as the fullest possible expression of God's love for men and the only redemptive agency from sin and its penalties; the actual resurrection of our Lord as the only assurance of eternal life to men, and the only possible explanation of Christianity in the world to-day, without which it died and

was buried in His sepulcher - these facts of transcendent importance, these have been clearly, consistently, unmistakably taught and believed.

This teacher and preacher believes that he holds the gospel in trust as Paul did; that it is neither a discovery nor invention nor construction of man, nor a legacy from the schools, but purely a revelation of God to men, in the person of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, and that the preacher has no right to tamper with this trust, either to alter, amend, or obscure it in any way. And this is the message which by the gospel he has preached unto us.

Our dear pastor and teacher, you have often sent your and our greetings to the crowd of witnesses who were once with us here. To-night we are sure this invisible company are looking on, as we speak for them and ourselves, in memory of these long years of service, and with profound gratitude and love and approval of the way in which you have led us. Few have seen the fruits of their labors as you have may you live to see the golden anniversary, and may the years to come be filled with continued and still larger fruitage. This is our hope, this is our prayer - we greet you and bid you Godspeed.

THE CHAIRMAN: In the Congregational polity, there is a larger circle of the people, including the church, which is called the society or congregation, the whole body of regular attendants at the stated services. It is the congregation that sustains the public worship, promotes the manifold work of Christian service, and meets any emergency in the common life. Such an emergency arose near the beginning of the present pastorate, when a debt on this building of eighty-five thousand dollars was raised almost wholly in a single day. For the congregation will speak one who, in a notable career, has proved equally ready and efficient, not only in the service of the church, but also in the training of a college crew, in

the administration of a large city, and in the management of one of the largest public utilities in the land,— Major-Gen. William A. Bancroft.

ADDRESS OF MAJOR-GEN. WILLIAM A. BANCROFT.

The occasion is one of rejoicing and of gratitude-of rejoicing because our pastor has stood at the head of this congregation for so long a period; of gratitude because the congregation during all these years has received his ministrations.

For three reasons, at least, I come gladly to this happy gathering and share its feelings. First, because you have asked me to represent the congregation - a very pleasant part; but when the size of the congregation, its importance, and its history is considered, it is a part to which I am conscious I am not equal. Secondly, because of the memory of a pious mother, at one time a member of this church, in which she deemed it a high privilege to listen to our pastor and who would wish me to give this testimony; and, thirdly, on my own account, to speak a word in praise of this extraordinary man, and in commemoration of his extraordinary ministry. It is now nearly thirty-three years since I first heard him preach, and marveled much that a man could preach as he can preach. I have not ceased to marvel.

In some quarters it is held that words of praise should not be spoken of a man in his lifetime, and certainly not in his presence in this world. That I have considered; but Dr. McKenzie's life in this world has been such that he will receive an abundance of praise from those who meet him in the next. Some of us may not meet him there, and for one I think it prudent to say what I have to say here, while I have the opportunity.

Why has this man been so long the minister of this church and congregation? One answer is, that his nature, his gifts, his character, respond to this environment. This atmosphere

is vibrant with religion, with learning, with patriotism, with public spirit, with the refinements of cultured society; in short, with the influences which make for high intellectual, moral, and spiritual achievement. This community also contains its share of those who are subject to, even if they do not exert, these influences — those who are sometimes called the "plain" people. By whatever name they are called, they must be reckoned with, and indeed their character is a good test of spiritual leadership.

This diverse community, then, has needed and appreciated a man of conviction, but also a man of discretion; a man of zeal, but a man of toleration; a man of profound learning and of ripe scholarship, but of deep thought, and of wide observation; a man of fine sensibilities, but full of human sympathy. When to these resources was added the gift of eloquence beyond the attainment of most men, it was only natural that this pastorate, by the favor of the Almighty, should be extended these many years.

The founders of this community must have had Dr. McKenzie in mind - he was a part of their plan - when they "dreaded to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches, when their present ministry should lie in the dust." Worthy successor of the "orthodox and soul-flourishing " Thomas Shepard — Harvard College did for him just what it was intended in 1636 that Harvard College should do. If the spirits of the illustrious founders hover about this place of their mortal dwelling, what a congregation must be gathered here! Mingled with our joy and gratitude must be the glad rejoicing of the immortal fathers who see in the very town of their election, in the very church whose fostering care they sought, in the very pulpit whose minister they revered, after nearly three centuries of spiritual fruitage, of whose seed they were the heroic sowers, this crowning glory of a pastorate of forty years. And we, the living congregation, inheritors through the generations, of the great things that were done in that

earlier day, acknowledge in the person of our beloved pastor, whom a Divine Providence has permitted so long to lead us, the blessing bestowed upon us and that wider community which Harvard's consecrated teaching has continuously benefited.

To our pastor, then, the congregation presents its fond greetings. Though his influence has been wider than our confines, to us he has been the good shepherd. He has led the flock, wisely, gently, patiently, kindly. He has guided the well. He has comforted the sick. He has baptized. He has married the living. He has buried the dead. He has spoken tenderly to those whom death has afflicted. He preaches to us to-day as he preached to those who heard him when he came.

Two generations have called him blessed, and of these two, it is our happiness to be one.

May the time be far distant when the vacant space on yonder tablet shall be filled.

THE CHAIRMAN: Outside a minister's congregation, his most grateful and helpful associations are with the larger fellowship of his own order of worship and belief. In recent years our Congregational churches have been checking their besetting tendency to independence and isolation, and have been drawing together for mutual counsel and encouragement. Of these churches located in Boston and its vicinity, over eighty are now banded in what is known as the Union Conference of Congregational Churches. Many of these churches are represented in this audience by pastor or laymen, and they will be glad to have speak for them on this occasion one who, though born and bred an Englishman, has proved a true American of the highest ideals, and still adorns a pastorate that he has filled for over thirty years, Rev. Reuen Thomas, D.D., of Brookline.