USA > Maine > A history of the Baptists in Maine; together with brief notices of societies and institutions, and a dictionary of the labors of each minister > Part 12
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NEW VINEYARD, (now INDUSTRY.) This town joins Farmington on the east, and was first settled by persons who removed from Martha's Vineyard, Mass., about the year 1793. Some of them were Baptists. A revival was experienced among them in 1795 and '96, and those who
*Min. L. and W. Asso. tMin. L. and W. Asso.
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CHURCH IN NEW VINEYARD.
became pious embraced their doctrines .* They were favored with occasional preaching by Elders Case and E. Smith, who constituted the church of nine members in 1797. Rev. Mr. Case, who had baptized these disciples, preached on the occasion, from these words, 'What could I have done more for my vineyard,' &c. For several years the church remained small. In 1802, a Congrega- tional church was gathered here by Rev. J. Sewall, of twelve members. The Baptists then numbered sixteen. In 1810, Elisha Robbins was ordained pastor, and was instrumental in promoting a revival in 1809 and '10, which increased the number of the church to sixty-one. Mr. Robbins' work was short. He was removed by death, 1811, in the midst of promising usefulness. Thomas Merrill also was raised up in this church, and ordained as an evangelist. He removed to Prospect, where he was very useful, and where he died much lamented. Rev. Levi Young preached in 1814. It was called Industry in 1818; in 1819, twenty-one were added as the fruits of a revival, and in 1820, the church had fifty-two members, and the Congregational church about twenty.
Since that time it has had one pastor. Rev. D. T. Allen was ordained in 1828, when the church was again enlarged by a revival, and by another in 1832. In 1835, Mr. Allen resigned the pastoral charge, but continued some years after, a member, and preached occasionally. In 1838, Rev. J. Haines favored the church with some preaching. In 1841 and '42, some additions were received in a revival by the labors of Rev. Wm. Wyman and others. The church is now destitute, and numbers sixty-six. Dea. Benjamin Pottle, one of its early members, was for many years eminently useful in promoting the advancement and influence of this church.t Several churches in its vicinity
*Eld. Case's Jour. tMin. B. and K. Ass. and Elder Case's Com.
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CHURCH IN FARMINGTON.
received members from this church at their organization. FARMINGTON. This is another inland town of consid- erable importance, and has now two flourishing villages. The Baptist church is at the 'Upper village,' where also is a Congregational church and an Academy. The revival which occurred in Industry, 1795 and '96, extended into this town, then a small settlement, and in 1798, a church of seven members was gathered and organized by Elders Case and Smith. The roads 'to this place' at that time, says Mr. Case, ' were exceedingly bad, even for travelling on horse-back.'* For many years, this church was desti- tute almost entirely of preaching. In 1807, it numbered nine members only. At the time of the second revival in Industry, 1809, Mr. Robbins, preacher, it received the small addition of 13. In 1810, the peace of the church was disturbed by some internal difficulty which was settled by the assistance of Mr. Case. From its organization to 1821, a period of about twenty-four years, it received only occasional preaching, by Messrs. Case, Smith, Briggs and others, who voluntarily supplied them by the request of the Association. In 1821, Rev. Winthrop Morse, from Mass., . became pastor ; it had fifty-two members. It may be no- ticed here that in 1812, a Congregational church of twelve members was gathered in Farmington, by means of Mr. Sewall, of Chesterville, and in 1821, had about an equal number of members with the Baptist. In three years, however, the church was again destitute, Mr. M. having resigned. Their next minister was Rev. Hezekiah Hull, from Nova Scotia. He labored with the church in 1828 and '29, with acceptance. In 1835, some were added as the fruits of a protracted meeting, and during that year, Rev. Wm. Wyman preached one half of the time to the advantage of the church; and in 1836, they erected a *Elder C.'s Journal.
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CHURCH IN LITCHFIELD.
house for worship, on account of which they were much straitened in their ability to support preaching. Churches, like individuals, sometimes transcend their means unnecessarily. The church, however, secured preaching, statedly one half or three-fourths of the time, generally, till the settlement of Levi B. Hathaway, by ordination as pastor in 1841. Their present pastor, Rev. N. M. Williams, was settled among them in 1842. Al- though it has been with much extra effort that they have discharged their liabilities created by the building of their house of worship, yet spiritually, the church has prospered, and, at present, is much encouraged. Its present number is ninety-three .* The revival in 1843, almost made them feel that their trials and toils were over.
LITCHFIELD, (first called SECOND LITCHFIELD-in 1811 FIRST LITCHFIELD.) The church which we now describe, is therefore the present church in that town. It was con- stituted in 1798, with fourteen members. About this time a glorious work of the Lord commenced in Bowdoin and Litchfield, under the ministry of Elder Potter. As the re- sults of this revival, seventy-two were added to this church in 1799 ; and ninety-six to the first church in Bowdoin, of which Elder P. was then pastor.f Thus in less than two years this church was increased from fourteen to eighty-five, having lost one by death. And although without a pastor till 1804, it prospered by the occasional preaching of neigh- boring ministers, receiving a gain equal to its losses. Feb. 1804, Rev. Henry Kendalli moved from Meredeth, N. H., to Litchfield, and by request became pastor of this church. Mr. K. preached for the church only one half of the time, the other half being devoted to itinerant labors among the destitute. In such labors Elder K. has always been suc- cessful. He was pastor until 1817, when he resigned his *Min. B. and K. Ass. +Min. B. A. ¿ Rev. H. K.'s journal.
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CHURCH IN WALES.
charge and removed to Topsham. The church remained destitute, and suffered an annual loss of members, until 1824, when Rev. William O. Grant became its second pas- tor. Mr. Grant was at first cheered with seeing some pre- cious seals of his ministry in the enlargement of the church by baptism. But though faithful to his trust, the church again declined, and by small annual losses, became much reduced, and Mr. Grant retired from the field to labor in another, in 1834. In 1837, by the earnest solici- tation of the church, Mr. Grant returned and again labored with them for advancement. There was a little revival at first, but it was like the early dew and morning cloud. In 1842, Mr. Grant retired again ; but he did not leave the church with a diminished number. His labors were not in vain. Since that time they have had occasional sup- plies. In 1843, they had ninety-six members .* This church worships in its second house, and is abundantly able to sustain an efficient pastor. The second and most glorious and extensive revival witnessed in this church, was in 1810, under the ministry of Mr. Kendall, when, 'in the course of seven months,' he says, ' I baptized one hundred and thirty-two willing converts, the larger part from among the youth.' He adds, ' this was a powerful work, in which there were no anxious seats, and no rising for prayers.'t A large portion of the losses have been occasioned by repeated dismissions to aid in building new churches.
WALES. As Baptists multiplied in all the settlements in the vicinity of Wales, the first occupants of its soil were brought under the influence of their doctrines. Eld. Pot- ter visited them as early as 1793, and found them willing to hear the gospel. In 1798 and '99, the 'great revival,' which occurred in Bowdoin and Litchfield, extended its influence into Wales. Here too Eld P. saw evidence that
*Min. B. A. tElder Kendall's Com.
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CHURCH IN JAY.
he did not preach Christ in vain. A church was gathered in the place in 1799, consisting of about forty members, whom, Eld. P. says, 'I visited from time to time till God raised up others to take them by the hand.' Mr. James Pierce became its pastor in 1811. He labored with this church for about twenty-two years. In 1838, the church was again revived, and a general work of grace was witness- ed, which increased its number by more than one half. This work of mercy was a means of raising the church from a very tried and discouraged state, and placing it among the prosperous. Rev. Daniel Pierce became a member in 1835, and officiated as pastor about two years, when he resigned his charge, but retained his membership. In 1839, Rev. S. Hinkley became a member ; since which time, Elders Pierce and Hinkley, by their occasional preaching have aided the prosperity of the church. A good union among the members, and special mercy recent- ly enjoyed, encourages a strong and active faith. Present number of members is seventy-nine .*
JAY. At first, the people of this town enjoyed but few gospel privileges. By the occasional preaching of travel- ling preachers, a few became pious Baptists, and were united in church relation in 1799, by a council selected from the churches in Fayette and Livermore. It then con- sisted of fourteen members. Prosperity commenced with he existence of this church, and though it has had periods of extraordinary trials, it has notwithstanding, been blessed with a general and pleasing growth. One of its early members, Joseph Adams, was called to be its first pastor. He was ordained in 1804, by whose ministry, during a period of fourteen years, the church enjoyed almost unmix- ed prosperity. The numbers and ability of the church were much increased. Within this period, both pastor and
*Min. B. A.
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CHURCH IN JAY.
people rejoiced to be co-workers, to promote the cause of truth, and were rewarded by many special seasons of mer- cy. In 1818, Mr. A. resigned his care of the church, and in 1821, Rev. E. Nelson was elected pastor, and entered upon its duties. The interim from 1818 to 1821, was fill- ed by the alternate preaching of Rev. Joseph Macomber, and Joseph Alden, a licentiate. Mr. N. was pastor three years only, and saw the glorious work of the Lord in 1824. The church now had one hundred and fifty-three members. A circumstance now occurs which constitutes in its results an eventful period in the history of this church, and un- known in the experience of any other among the Baptists in this State. A large portion of its members in 1826, dissented from its faith and practice. This schism pro- duced much altercation, which destroyed the union and harmony so long enjoyed. This dissenting party believed that Christ died for a part only of the human family, and therefore objected to preaching the gospel to all indiscrim inately. The church retaining their faith in the sufficiency of the work of Christ to save all who believe in his gospel ; and that it is the duty of all to so believe, could no longer walk with them in church fellowship. This state of trial continued about one year, and after much forbearance, the church excluded forty-six. These persons formed what they called 'the Church of Christ,' and so continue till the present time, without prosperity. The church was not free from the effects of this trial till 1830, when it comes as one out of the fire, purified. Since that period, although without a pastor, by the pious and faithful preaching and assistance of a rapid succession of ministers, it has moved on in union and peace, exerting a commendable and happy influence on the community. Besides its pastors, Adams and Nelson, the church has employed to their benefit, at stated times, Eld. J. Macomber, J. Alden, Hezekiah Hull, 8
158
CHURCH IN MT. VERNON.
John Hull,* Manassah Lawrence, George Richardson, Nathan Mayhew, and Walter Foss. The following servants of the cross of Christ received license from this church : Reuben Ball, Joseph Macomber, Joseph Alden, Manassah Lawrence, and Wm. E. Morse. It has been refreshed with six pleasing revivals, and the church in Dixfield owes its existence to its influence. It has had six deacons, two of whom only were ordained. The church now numbers eighty-four.t
MT. VERNON. The Baptist church in Mt. Vernon, was constituted of seventeen members previously dismissed from the church in Readfield 1799. In 1798, Elders Case and E. Smith preached frequently there, and the Lord convert- ed several persons, most of whom were baptized by Elder Case, who continued to visit this feeble church for several years subsequent to its organization. In 1802, the church was enlarged by a revival. In 1804 and '05, the church received a part of the labors of Henry Kendall, who was ordained in that church June 1805. Rev. N. Folsom preached the ordination sermon. In 1807, Rev. Peter Moore received the pastoral care of the church ; but in 1815, he became heterodox in doctrines, and after much trial and perplexity, it withdrew fellowship from him.
The faithful and wise administrations of Rev. Arthur Drinkwater, has, under God, accomplished much for the peace and prosperity of this church. He has devoted his time and talents to the interests of the church in the pasto- ral office during two periods in its history. These were times of prosperity. He was first inducted into the office by ordination, Dec. 1816. In 1821, having a call from
*Rev. John Hull was a native of Nova Scotia, came into the State and preached with good acceptance in Turner, and other places. He labored to the great pleasure of this church a few months, and after a ' most distress- ing sickness, died in August 1829; and was much lamented by all who had been favored with an acquaintance with him.' (Min B. A. 1836).
+Rev. W. Foss com.
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CHURCH IN BRUNSWICK.
Danvers, Mass., he resigned his charge here, and removed to discharge the duties of the same office there. But he was attached to the church in Mt. Vernon, and the church to him ; and after an absence of about eight years, he re- turned to the pastoral care, and to the more than usual satisfaction and joy of the church. He was with them till 1833, when he again removed. In 1835, they received a supply one half of the time by Rev. Wm. Johnson, and in 1836, the entire labors of Rev. C. Clarke, with whose min- istry the church experienced a revival. In 1839, Rev. Wm. Bradbury preached one half the time, but the church de- clined ; in 1840, their prospect brightened under the occasional ministry of their once beloved pastor, Elder Drinkwater ; and in 1842 and '43, Rev. Walter T. Sar- gent preached to their satisfaction. This church has passed through many seasons of painful trials, but mostly occasion- ed by internal causes. It has a total of forty-four members. They have a convenient meeting-house, built about 1830, at a cost of about $1000 .*
BRUNSWICK. The first settlement in this town was commenced in 1675, by a Mr. Purchase. In 1690, it was entirely depopulated by the Indians .¿ This ancient settle- . ment was called ' Pegyscott,' from Pegyscott Indians, who then inhabited the region of Androscoggin river. It was re-settled in 1703, and incorporated as a town in 1735. In 1737, the Legislature of Massachusetts granted the town the privilege of raising money by taxation to support an ' orthodox minister,' which in those days, was only another name for a ' Congregationalist.' It is not certain when a church of that faith was constituted, but probably about 1750.§ Things were all now well arranged for progress to indoctrinate the people into an ardour for 'Pedo-baptism,'
*Sam'l Foote, Ch. Clk. com. and Min. B. A. tHubbard cited by Sullivan p. 177. #Sullivan p. 178. §Green. Eccl. his. p. 92.
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CHURCH IN BRUNSWICK.
and ' Arminianism.' It was not till about the year 1783, that Baptists preached even so much as occasionally in Brunswick. About this time, Elders Case, Potter and Lord, preached here in some private houses, but very un- frequently, the peculiar notions of the people being unfa- vorable to their reception. And it is not certain that any person became a Baptist by this occasional lecturing. But the attention of the people was in this way turned to their sentiments ; and soon Baptist preachers were among them more frequently. Through these efforts, and through influ- ence of revivals, which were frequently enjoyed by the Baptists, who were becoming somewhat numerous in places contiguous to Brunswick, several of the inhabitants became pious Baptists. In Sept. 1799, a small church of six males and two females was organized. This church was indeed ' a little one ;' yet it occupied an important position. Rev. Elisha Williams soon commenced preaching, one half of the time to this church, and the other half in Topsham, and became its pastor in 1800. Here he was useful, but God opened before him in Beverly, Mass., a wider door of usefulness, and in 1803, he preached his farewell sermon to this people, and removed to Beverly. Being now with- out a shepherd, Elders Kendall, Woodard, Potter and others, guarded this fold during the year 1804.
In 1805, Rev. B. Titcomb removed, at the solicitation of the church, and took the pastoral charge It then numbered thirty-five communicants. But notwithstanding the strong tide of influence continually setting in to retard the onward course of the church the first year of Mr. T's ministry, it was enlarged by an addition of twenty, as the fruits of some revival. Nothing particularly important to the history of the church occurred after this time till July 1816. On the 22d of this month, at seven o'clock in the morning, Rev. T. Baldwin of Boston, preached at a hall in
161
CHURCH IN LEEDS.
the village. At this meeting about fifty persons were aroused from their spiritual slumbers. This was the begin- ning of a new era in the progress of this church. The work of God now commenced, was carried forward as powerfully as it began, displaying the divine power, glory and good- ness under the ministry of their pastor, till one hundred and fifty were added to the church by baptism. The influ- ence of the church was now felt throughout the town and in the village. This opened the way, as was supposed, for the formation of new churches. Fourteen of its members were dismissed in 1825 to constitute a church in the village, to be called, ' Second Brunswick,' and ten more in 1827, to constitute what was called the 'Village Church.' But time has shown that these were unwise movements. Both these churches have become extinct.
Eld. Titcomb resigned his care of the church in 1827. Elders Sam'l Mariner, Adam Wilson, S. Owen and Hen- ry Kendall, supplied the church with a pleasing success the next three years, during which there was an addition of more than to fill the vacancy made by dismission. Rev. John Bailey was its next pastor. He labored two years, and resigned in 1834. A supply for two years was afford- ed by Rev. Wm. Johnson, which brings the history of the church down to 1836. In the spring Rev. Noah Norton became pastor, and still officiates with profit to the church and pleasure to himself.
Seven of the members of this church have become min- isters-Elisha Snow, Daniel Pierce, Jos. Roberts, Robert Cushman, Shimuel Owen, Benj. Titcomb, jr., and David Given. Present number, one hundred and eleven .*
LEEDS, (first called LITTLEBORO'.) The rise of the Bap- tists in this town is somewhat interesting. It illustrates the power of truth to overcome error. The first religious *Com. by Jonathan Snow, Ch. Ck.
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CHURCH IN LEEDS.
meeting held in this place, then but a small settlement, was convened in the autumn of 1794, at the request of Thomas Francis, one of the early residents in the town, and who had but a short time previous, by means of reading and reflection, for which he had a natural passion, became pious. He was the first person in town to profess Christ. He looked upon the extreme wickedness of the people, and moved with anxious concern for them, he invited them to come together for the worship of God. This was to them a novel movement indeed. Excited, however, by a curiosity to see how the meeting would be conducted with- out a minister, many came to the place appointed. The meeting was opened by reading and singing the 51st Ps, ' Show pity Lord,' &c. Mr. F. then prayed, and addressed the meeting by relating his own religious experience. The effort was blessed, the attention was solemnly gained, and several persons led to reflect seriously upon their own lost condition .* An interest being now excited, it was re- solved before the meeting closed, to no more neglect to assemble themselves together on the Sabbath for the wor- ship of God, which resolution has not yet been broken. There were some Methodist preachers in the adjoining settlements, and hearing of the revival which had now commenced, they came into the town and began to preach statedly once in two weeks on Thursdays. Their exer- tions tended to promote the good work, so that during the winter of 1795, about forty persons were converted to God-a Methodist class was formed, and Mr. Francis was appointed class-leader. But it proved that there were ' tares' among the ' wheat.'
' Previous to this revival,' says Mr. F., ' the people had not made religion their study ; they therefore knew little of the scriptures, and consequently their knowledge of bible
+Rev. Thos. Francis' Com.
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CHURCH IN LEEDS.
doctrines were very limited; yet experience had taught them some of them.' 'For some of them were truly regenerated. Learning from the Methodist ' Platform,' that they held to 'falling from grace,' some became dis- stisfied, wahich produced much clamor and dispute among them. To silence this, the Methodist preacher on his next visit, preached what he said 'were the sentiments of the Methodists.' Here he animadverted, misrepresented, and repudiated the doctrines of grace, and told the people " that the doctrine of the sovereignty of God in election, the necessity of special divine influence to regenerate the heart, and the final perseverance of the saints, were doc- trines originating in hell.'* Four persons feeling a greater dissatisfaction than ever, of whom the class-leader was one, immediately withdrew from the class. They were for this expelled from the class. These persons, upon the suggestion of Mr. F., opened a separate meeting, and others from similar feelings soon joined them. Although called by no particular name, and much slandered by the Methodists, yet they found comfort in each other and in the worship of God.
They now ' began to inquire of the Lord respecting the order of his house,'t and by means of the Bible alone, for they had no other guide, some with joy discovered the right path, and desired some one to lead them forward agreeable to apostolic direction. This prayer was heard, and the next June, the Lord sent unto them Rev. Mr. Potter, who instructed them more perfectly, and baptized three persons. This was the first Baptist movement. Soon after Rev. Mr. Case visited them and baptized several more, all of whom joined the Baptist church in Wayne, but continued to hold meetings in Leeds, and increased. The Methodists soon felt themselves vanquished and left the field. In view
"Rev. T. Francis' Com. +Mr. Francis' Com.
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CHURCH IN LEEDS.
of this revolution in Leeds, it is said, that the Rev. Mr. Lee, then presiding Elder, being asked ' What had become of his class at Leeds ?' replied, 'They are marred in the hands of the Potter.'
June 29th, 1799, Thomas Francis was set apart by ordi- nation as an evangelist. He had from the first meeting in Leeds, conducted the services of worship in that town ; and here, in the barn of Giddins Lane, who became an influential member and deacon in the church subsequently formed, was Mr. F. qualified to lead forward the flock in he ordinances of the gospel. July 2d, 1800, the brethren in Leeds having taken their dismission from Wayne, were constituted into a church of Christ, consisting of sixteen members, and Mr. Francis was elected their pastor .* His untiring efforts were devoted to the interest of this church, till declining health required an associate pastor, which was provided for him by the employment of Rev. Allen Barrows, as preacher in 1835. Mr. F. died May 9, 1836. We will only say in this place, that he was an able and faithful minister and affectionate pastor. And yet for all his services he did not receive in the aggregate of years more than $25 annually. During the whole history of the church it has generally prospered. It has seen days of adversity. The greatest trial which it ever experienced was in consequence of an anti-masonic spirit, which resulted in the exclusion of some of its members. It has also had many refreshing revivals .*
Since the death of its first pastor, it has had several preachers-brethren M. Leonard, A. Barrows, S. Hinkley, R. C. Starr, W. C. Rider and Daniel Hutchinson. Rev. Mr. Leighton was ordained their second pastor in 1842. The following persons received license from this church to preach the gospel : Moses Stephens, removed to the *Ch. Records.
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