50 BANQUET TO THE 



The Rev. Edward N, Packard, Minister of the Second 

 Church, Dorchester, was called upon, and responded as 

 follows : — _ 



Mr. President, — I owe my invitation, on this 

 occasion, to the fact that I stand in the relation of 

 pastor to our venerable guest. I count it a great 

 honor to be in such a succession of ministers as the 

 Second Church in Dorchester shows. Colonel Wilder 

 was for many years the intimate friend of the first 

 pastor of that church, the Rev. Dr. Codman. He 

 joined in welcoming the Rev. Dr. Means, as next in 

 succession, and proved himself for thirty years, while 

 Dr. Means held the office, a most valued friend and 

 helper to his minister. It was a great pleasure to me, 

 when a few years ago I returned to New England, to 

 be so cordially welcomed and heartily supported by 

 this beloved parishioner, whose name stands on the 

 call which I received, and who for more than fifty 

 years has been a most conspicuous figure in the par- 

 ish. " Without all contradiction, the less is blessed of 

 the better." 



The relation of a pastor to his people is unlike any 

 other. No ties of friendship are more intimate or 

 more sacred. How much the minister depends upon 

 the affection, the counsel, and the encouragement 



