USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > The semi-centennial anniversary of the Free Street Baptist Church, Portland, Me. September 26-27, 1886 > Part 1
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M. O
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01187 6288
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Free St. Baptist Church as remodelled 1836.
John Calvin Stevens. Feb. 87.
PHOTO-GRAVURE CO. N. Y.
THE
SEMI - CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
FREE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
PORTLAND, ME.
SEPTEMBER 26-27, 1886.
ILLUSTRATED.
1887.
One Hundred and Twenty-Five Copies.
No
36
From the Press of BROWN THURSTON & CO., PORTLAND, ME.
1241166
PREFACE TO THE ILLUSTRATED EDITION.
THIS edition has been published in response to the earnest desire of a few members of the church and society, to preserve the proceedings of our Semi-centennial Anniversary, not only as a matter of church history, but in a form worthy to be treasured as a souvenir of the delightful occasion.
It has been printed from the same type as the edition issued by the committee, but on heavier paper, and with wider margins. To the letter-press has been added a new title page, list of illus- trations, table of contents, index of names, descriptions of the old Theater, with the changes which have been made since its conversion to sacred use, and incidents relating to the semi- centennial.
Twelve photogravures have been inserted, comprising portraits of all the pastors who have presided over the church from its com- mencement, as well as views of the church edifice at different periods. Care has been taken to secure the best portraits of the several pastors. Those of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Eaton, Dr. Stock- bridge, Dr. McWhinnie, and Mr. Dunn, are from originals taken while they labored here; those of Mr. Colby, Dr. Bosworth, and Dr. Small were taken later, but will be recognized as fine like- nesses.
The pen and ink sketch of the church, forming the frontispiece, was made from an outline engraving found upon an old chart of the city. The chart is in the possession of Hon. William Goold,
IV
PREFACE.
who kindly permitted it copied, and what is noteworthy was published in 1836, the year the church was organized.
Grateful acknowledgments are made to the few members who joined with me in the publication; to M. F. King, who furnished nine of the plates from which the illustrations were made; to Messrs. Holland & Roberts, of Boston, for similar favors; to John Calvin Stevens for the pen drawing of the old church, and to George F. Emery, the editor, and Geo. H. Watkins, the publisher of the former edition, for their kind assistance in the work.
One hundred and twenty-five copies have been printed, each numbered in order; twenty-five will be presentation copies to Colby University, Coburn Classical Institute, Ricker Classical Institute, Hebron Academy, Maine Historical Society, Public Library of Portland, the several pastors, and others.
P. C. M.
PORTLAND, March 23, 1887.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
I
Free Street Church in 1836.
· Frontispiece
FACING PAGE
II Interior of Church, showing the decoration for Semi-
centennial
5
III
Portrait of Rev. Thomas O. Lincoln.
10
IV 66
Lewis Colby ..
14
V 66 66 J. S. Eaton 20
VI 66 66 Geo. W. Bosworth, D.D. .24
VII Free Street Church as remodeled in 1856
45
VIII Portrait of Rev. J. C. Stockbridge, D.D. . .
52
IX
A. K. P. Small, D.D.
58
X 66 66 James McWhinnie, D.D 65
XI
66 66 A. T. Dunn. 72
XII Free Street Church after the removal of the spire in
1876
78
General programme inserted in front cover.
Sunday-school programme inserted in back cover.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
List of Committees. 2
Present Organization of Sunday-school 2 Preliminary Statement. 3
Description of the Decorations 4
SUNDAY MORNING.
Discourse by Rev. A. T. Dunn. 6
SUNDAY NOON.
Exercises of Sunday-school. 16
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
Communion Service
16
Original Members Living. 16
SUNDAY EVENING.
Sunday-school Jubilee. . 17
Original Hymn, Miss Ellen True. 19
History of Sunday-school, 1836-61, L. B. Smith 20
66 1861-86, Charles A. True 22
Address, Rev. H. M. King, D.D. 31
Original Hymn, Miss Harriet Lynch.
41
MONDAY MORNING.
Informal Reunion in the Church 42
MONDAY AFTERNOON.
Historical Reminiscences 43
Poem by George F. Emery .
Remarks by Rev. George W. Bosworth, D.D.
55
J. C. Stockbridge, D.D 58
A. K. P. Small, D.D. . 58
66 James Mc Whinnie, D.D. 60
Letters from Absent Members 61
VIII
CONTENTS.
MONDAY EVENING.
Festival in Mechanics Hall. 64
Poem by Rev. James Mc Whinnie, D.D. 65
" Dress Parade"; Remarks by Members of the Church 70
" Mosaic," George F. Emery 72
History of Church Edifice. 74
Incidents Relating to Semi-centennial S2
Invitations Sent to Members 84
Programme Accompanying Invitation 85
FREE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH SEMI - CENTENNIAL.
GENERAL COMMITTEE.
Rev. A. T. Dunn, Geo. F. Emery, Percival Bonney, Joseph A. King, Rev. H. S. Burrage, D.D., S. A. True, Lewis B. Smith, to whom were added Mrs. Joseph A. King. and Mrs. A. T. Dunn.
This Committee organized by constituting Mr. Dunn, Chairman, and Mr. Smith, Secretary. SubCommittees were appointed as follows : -
EXECUTIVE.
CORRESPONDENCE.
DECORATION.
Joseph A. King,
Holman S. Melcher,
Chas. Fred Morse,
Mrs. Joseph A. King,
Lorin D. Austin,
Mrs. Chas. E. Webster,
Prentice C. Manning.
Chas. A. True.
Fred. B. Smith, Miss Alice May Little.
MUSIC.
FINANCE.
COLLATION.
Geo. F. Emery.
Hanson M. Hart,
Mrs. Percival Bonney,
Warren Robinson,
Samuel A. True,
Mrs. J. H. Adams,
Fred V. Chase,
Albion Little.
Miss Claramond Chase.
Lewis B. Smith.
The publication of the proceedings was committed to the General Committee, who designated Geo. F. Emery to supervise the same.
PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
President Rev. A. T. Dunn. First Asst. Librarian ..... Fred A. King. Superintendent. H. W. Noyes. Second Asst. Librarian ... Frank P. King. Sec'y and Treas. sher C. Hinds. Pianist. Miss Carrie Haskell. Librarian Frank E. Orr. Supt. of Primary Dept ...... C. F. Morse.
REPORT OF EXERCISES.
In view of the lapse of nearly half a century since the establishment of the Free Street Baptist Church and Society in Portland, at a meeting of the former held March 5, A.D. 1886, a unanimous wish was expressed that its semi-centennial anniversary should not be allowed to pass without suitable observance of the occasion ; accord- ingly a general committee was appointed to report a plan for execution. The names of the committee and those of sub-committees will be found on page two, all of whom entered heartily into their service, and performed their various functions in a manner highly creditable to all concerned. The plan reported was adopted, and suc- cessfully executed, as will sufficiently appear from what follows. For reasons of convenience, and to ensure larger success, it was deemed best that the occasion should be observed a little later than the precise day of the anni- versary, and the time ultimately agreed on therefor was September 26 and 27 of the semi-centennial year. Invi- tations to attend were extended to the number of about six hundred, with a view to secure the presence of all present and past members of the church, and if any were omitted it was not because they were overlooked, but for want of knowledge of their address.
4
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
SUNDAY MORNING.
At an early hour the house of worship was occupied by a large audience, including many from abroad. The dec- orations in it attracted every eye, and were pronounced beautiful and eminently appropriate. The profusion of evergreens, flowers, and autumnal fruits, in and about the pulpit, and adorning all parts of the house, was sugges- tive of the benignant hand that produced them, and of the delicate fingers which arranged them. In the recess over the pulpit platform was the inscription,
" We Shall Dallow The Fiftieth Hear - It Shall Be A Jubilee Unto you."
SHAL
HE FIFTIETH YEAR
1336 -- 1886
AND YE
IT SHALL BE A JUBILEE UNTO YOU.
WESC WERE THE FOUNDER ..
CLASE
... CỤ4
OTMER FOUNDATION GAN NO MAN LEY TRIN IS LAID WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.
0
-
.
5
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
On the right of the pulpit were conspicuous, in gilt let- ters, the following: -
"And God Dath Set Some In The Church."
1836. 1886.
THESE WERE THE FOUNDERS.
Arabella F. (Baker) Robbins,|
Jane Edmond,
Pamelia (Baker) Pearson,
Eliza Evans,
Elizabeth R. Bates,
Sibyl Goding,
Hannah Bradford,
Lydia Gould,
George W. Cheney,
Byron Greenough,
Sarah D. Cheney,
Catharine Greenough,
Francis Clark,
Henry B. Hart,
Sarah H. Hart,
Abigail C. Scamman,
Sarah M. Clark,
Caroline T. Hooper.
Alpheus Shaw,
Susan D. Cloudman,
Henry Ilsley Jr.,
Jane Shaw,
Catherine P. Cloudman,
Nancy Ilsley, Ann Jackson,
Sally (Ulrich) Wilson,
Mary M. (Colcord) Shirley,
Elizabeth A. Veazie,
George W. Dam,
Christianna Kelley,
Susan Waterhouse,
Joseph Davidson,
Elizabeth S. Kelley,
Mary Wheeler,
Charlotte Davidson,
Susannah Knight,
Hannah Whittier,
Harriet Day,
Sophia C. Manning, Jacob Mills,
Sally Wilson,
Abigail Deering,
Daniel Balclı,
Francis Edmond,
Olive Nelson,
Silence C. Balch,
Abigail Edmond,
Lydia H. Noyes,
Mary Ann Edmonds.
Cotton Owen,
John Pearson, Nancy Pearson, Margaret E. (Pearson) Edmond,
Mary (Pratt) Walker,
Mary S. Reynolds,
Mary Riley,
Catharine Clark,
Other Foundation Can Ho Han Bay Than Us Faid, delhich Us Jesus Christ.
Underneath were suspended portraits and pictures of Byron Greenough, Henry B. Hart, Sarah H. Hart, Al- pheus Shaw, Jane Shaw, George H. Cheney, Sarah D. Cheney, Sally (Ulrich) Richards, Henry Ilsley Jr., Mary M. (Colcord) Shirley, Sophia C. Manning, to which that of Mrs. James Greenough and some others were subse- quently added.
6
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
The exercises were as follows :
ORGAN VOLUNTARY.
INVOCATION - by the Pastor, Rev. A. T. DUNN. ANTHEM - " Jehovah's Praise," by the Choir. RESPONSIVE READING - Psalm xc.
HYMN - sung by the Choir.
PRAYER - by Rev. GEO. W. BOSWORTH, D.D.
The usual Morning Offering.
HYMN - by the Choir and Congregation.
The pastor then preached the following discourse, based on the text
THOU SHALT CALL THY WALLS SALVATION, AND THY GATES PRAISE. - ISAIAH Ix. 18.
THIS is a prophetic utterance of the Hebrew seer, as, looking through the centuries, he beheld the Christian church. Israel had long suffered violence, and she came at last to afford no pro- tection. She had allowed the destroyer to enter her walls, and he had brought trouble and disaster. Her defences had been re- moved, her walls had become a scorn, and through her gates there poured only the children of sorrow. But Isaiah, with divinely illumined sight, beheld the coming of a brighter day -that day for which the Sun of Righteousness should give the light, - that day when the Prince of Peace should wave the olive branch, and give to the whole earth the invitation, " Come unto me."
In just so far as the Church of Christ has been true to her great Leader, these words have been true as descriptive of her charac- ter and work. As it was the mission of Jesus to " save the peo- ple from their sins," so has it ever been - and so must it ever be - the mission'of the true Church to warn, rescue, and save men.
7
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
Her walls are for salvation, and her watchmen are the world's saviours; her gates are but the entrance to earth's truest joy, and the exit for the songs of praise to God and the hymns of welcome to all who will believe and live.
No truer or more expressive words could have been chosen by the seer of twenty-five centuries past concerning the church of today, and it becomes us to watch lest in any individual case we should seem to make these words untrue, or contradict the state- ment, "Thou shalt make thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise."
To a marked degree have these words seemed true of this Church, whose record we are called today to examine. From the beginning has there been an evident purpose to reach and save men. The watchmen have proclaimed the message of salvation; the walls, while men rush to shield or protect the unrepentant sin- ner, have proved a safeguard to hundreds who have declared alle- giance, and they have given protection to those who have come in the Master's name. And her gates have been open passage- ways to the redeemed ones who have entered with songs of re- joicing, and returned with hymns of praise.
For fifty years this church has stood as a refuge for those op- pressed by sin, and within her sacred enclosure there have been trained many who have gone forth to speak the praises of Him who redeemed them.
The Free Street Baptist Church was not the result of hasty action, nor the sudden fruitage of impulse. For several years the conviction was strengthening that the growth of the city called for increased facilities for Christian work, and members of the Federal Street (now First Baptist) Church and Society shared this conviction.
So strong was this feeling of interest that in December, 1835, eight members of the Federal Street Society united in purchasing the house we today occupy, which had five years before been erected for theatrical purposes. The cost of its erection was ten thousand dollars; the purchase price was five thousand dollars.
8
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
At a monthly meeting of the Federal Street Church, held De- cember 21, 1835, the following action was taken: -
Resolved, That the time has arrived when a second Baptist church should be formed in this city, and this church cordially approve the movements of brethren and others in purchasing the Theater, with a view of forming a second Baptist church.
This action was hearty and unanimous, as also was the action of approval taken by the Society at a meeting two days later. Steps were at once taken to promote the enterprise, and " a sub- scription was raised for the purpose."
The Free Street Baptist Society was formed January 11, 1836. Officers were appointed, and committees chosen. The Treasurer was instructed to purchase the building formerly known as the Portland Theater. At a meeting held February 15, 1836, the Fed- eral Street Church
Voted, That a committee of five be appointed to consider the subject of the formation of a second Baptist church, and report the names of those individuals who, in their opinion, should be set off to form a new church.
This committee was appointed, and at an adjourned meeting, April 28, they reported the names of fifty-four persons - twelve brothers and forty-two sisters -to whom "they would recom- mend to form themselves into a second Baptist church." This report was accepted. At a subsequent meeting these persons made formal request for dismission, and at that time, July 18, 1836, "after solemn prayer," the following action was taken by the Federal Street church: -
" DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: - The church having con- sidered your request . ... have voted unanimously that it is granted. You are accordingly hereby dismissed. ... May the blessing of the Great Head of the church attend, and may we all at last, through Him who has washed us by His blood, be permit- ted to meet again in heaven, and form a part of the church tri- umphant."
With such a blessing from the mother-church, the child could enter life with hope.
9
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
The first meeting for organization was held July 21, 1836. Dea- con Byron Greenough was chosen Moderator, and Henry B. Hart Clerk. Articles of Faith and the Church Covenant were adopted July 25.
Pursuant to the call of the newly formed church a Council con- vened, August 11, to recognize the church organization, and to dedicate the house of worship. The council organized by choos- ing Rev. Geo. B. Ide, D.D., of Boston, for Moderator, and Rev. T. O. Lincoln, of Kennebunk, Scribe. After proper investiga- tion, it was unanimously voted, "That we approve the proceed- ings of the members .... and that we recognize them as a reg- ular organized church, under the name of the Free Street Baptist Church."
Following this action of the council, this house in which we today worship, after having been completely renovated, was " sol- emnly dedicated to the worship of Almighty God"; and the church was publicly recognized. The services were as follows: -
Invocation, by Rev. C. Cibley, of Saco; Reading of Scriptures, by Rev. A. Felch, of New Gloucester; Sermon, by Rev. Geo. B. Ide, of Boston; Dedicatory Prayer, by Rev. Adam Wilson, of Portland; Address to the Church, by Rev. Thomas O. Lincoln, of Kennebunk; Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. J. S. Maginnis, of the First church; Constituting Prayer, by Rev. R. S. Cushman, of Philadelphia; Dea. John Pearson receiving, on behalf of the church, the " right hand of fellowship."
The church adopted its first Letter, and appointed delegates to the Cumberland Association, August 28. In that letter are these words: "We feel deeply interested in the cause of missions, Bibles, tracts, Sabbath-schools, and Ministerial education. .. . We have two Sabbath-schools connected with this church, con- taining 233 scholars and 33 teachers."
Such a church, with such a work at hand, would not wish to be long without a pastor. Steps were promptly taken to this end in the appointment of an efficient committee.
10
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
In October a unanimous " call " was given Rev. William Phil- lips, which call was declined. In November a unanimous call was given Rev. Thos. O. Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln accepted the in- vitation, and was publicly recognized January 12, 1837. The church increased in numbers and efficiency. The pastor was per- mitted to baptize the first converts April 23, 1837. This was a formative period, but they were permitted to reap as well as sow. This first pastorate was an almost continuous season of ingather- ing. It extended four years and nine months, and during that time 241 persons united with the church, 200 of them by baptism.
Several still abide with us who distinctly recall these blessed seasons, and speak in terms of highest commendation of the man of God who led them. Great interest was manifest in the work, and meetings for the study of the Bible and the Church Covenant were frequently held. There were also many special appoint- ments for prayer. God honored an active faith. This pastorate closed October 25, 1841.
After an interval of one month, a call to the pastorate was given Rev. Lewis Colby, of South Berwick, who accepted, and com- menced his labors in February, 1842. He remained for two years and four months. This was a period of education and discipline, made necessary by the ingathering of previous years. Fifty-four were added to the church, the greater part being by baptism.
On the eighteenth day of August, 1844, Rev. J. S. Eaton, of Hartford, Conn., commenced his services as pastor. This pastor- ate was marked by abundant labors, and blessed by abundant results. Close attention was given to the membership of the church, and at the same time earnest work was given to ingather- ing. Of the one hundred and ninety-three added to the church, several are with us today, and hold in sacred memory, the pastor and his faithful wife.
Because of failing health he closed ten years of faithful service July 16, 1854, though continued his membership in the church and residence in the city until his death, September 27, 1856.
11
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
On the 25th of January, 1855 another period of interest began with the pastorate of Rev. Geo. W. Bosworth who had been called with marked unanimity from the South Church, South Boston. These were years of great financial and civil disturbance. The panic of 1857-1858 and the war of the rebellion from 1861 to 1865 were events which affected churches and multiplied the cares of pastors. Attending the financial depression, if not in part the re- sult of it, there was a great spiritual uprising, and this church shared in the blessing. Meetings of great power were held, among which was the meeting for prayer which was held daily in this church for several months. Hundreds received great spiritual blessing, and many scores were led to admit the light. In the year 1858 one hundred and four united with the church, - sixty- nine of them by baptism. Closely following this gracious season came the days which "tried men's souls " and caused strong hearts to tremble. The war cloud was rising, and soon it broke in all its fury. The attention of the people was turned to the affairs of the nation, and church life in a measure suffered. A faith- ful true-hearted pastor was at the helm, and with great patience and discretion he steered the course.
On the thirty-first of August, 1865, Dr. Bosworth closed a most successful pastorate of more than ten years, during which he received to membership two hundred and twenty-seven. Many of these are today strong men and women, and they are to be found in prominent places of trust, - in the home, the school- room, the pulpit, the bar, and in the practice of medicine and trade. Such lives are " living epistles."
After a short interval of outlook and effort a " call " was given to Rev. John C. Stockbridge, D.D, of Boston, which was accepted November 12, 1865. This pastorate, though short, was blessed. From the church letter to the Association, written near the close of the term, it appears to have been a period of prosperity, - spiritual, financial, and numerical. About seventy persons, mostly by baptism, were received to the fellowship of the church,-nearly one-half of whom are still associated with us. This pastorate ex-
12
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
tended over one year and eight months, and was terminated by Dr. Stockbridge's resignation July 22, 1867.
The attention of the pastorless church was once more turned to the choice of one to lead and instruct them, and the hearts of the people inclined toward one who had previously been the choice of many. At an earlier time many desired the leadership of Rev. A. K. P. Small, and now again they made their wishes known to him by extending a unanimous " call " to the pastorate. After due de- liberation and prayer the " call " was accepted, and Dr. Small closed his labors at Bangor and commenced his work here in March, 1868.
From this date followed a period of quiet, earnest effort by pas- tor and people. The ingathering during these years was gradual but constant. The seed fell into good ground and an abundant har- vest followed. No seasons of special interest mark this pastorate. It seems rather a continuous season of healthy, spiritual life. During this period of about six years, more than ninety persons became members of the church, - fifty-four of them being bap- tized. On the third of April, 1874 Dr. Small resigned to accept the pastorate of the First Baptist church, Fall River, Mass.
After a brief interval the church united very heartily in extend- ing a call to one of her own sons-Rev. Henry M. King of Bos- ton. Upon careful deliberation Dr. King declined the call, much to the disappointment of many. Such a call was an honor to both mother and son.
On Lord's day, January 31, 1875, Rev. James McWhinnie was publicly recognized as pastor by interesting and appropriate exer- cises. Dr. McWhinnie's term of service covered a little more than nine years. These were years of toil, earnest and untiring, and resulted in great blessing to all concerned. Nearly two hundred united with the church, of which number more than one hundred were baptized.
Dr. McWhinnie's work was characterized by his high sense of truth and his faithful declaration of it in public and private. He
13
FREE STREET SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
had decided opinions and proclaimed them. A clear head and warm heart united in the service, and abiding results followed.
Contrary to the wishes of many, but in obedience to what seemed to him the call of duty, he closed his labors as pastor of this church on the twentieth of April, 1884.
Then followed months of watching and waiting -the church watched and candidates waited. Quiet, though aggressive steps were taken to secure the right man. Pulpits far and near were " shadowed." Letters long and short - but many of them - were received and sent. The beardless youth from the Seminary, and the grey-haired veteran in active service was examined. At last, in March of 1885, the summons came to Rev. Geo. C. Baldwin jr., of Bennington, Vt., but he heard the call of his Master to other fields and could not respond to this.
On the fifteenth of October, 1885 a call was extended to the present pastor, Albert T. Dunn, which was accepted and the term of office began November 1.
This historic sketch has followed the line of the pastorates, not with the design of giving to the pastors undue prominence, but rather to make of them the means by which the different phases of church life and growth might be traced. The men who have labored here for years, even a few, have left their impress, and each has given an uplift to the work in his own peculiar way. Unlike in very much, they have yet been the same in spirit and purpose.
Examined at almost any point of its history the church reveals a strong and forceful character. There have been dark days, but strong men and faithful women have at such times only stood the more closely. The church has been rich in its spirit of prayer, and strong in the loyalty and devotion of the members.
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