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 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
fi t
in T W P W
No ord a Mi
165
CHURCH IN WOOLWICH.
North Western territory in 1810; Eleazer Carver, was ordained by the society of 'Christians,' but finally became a ' Universalist ;' Martin Leonard, Walter Foss, Joshua Millet, and Ozias Millet .* Present number 109.
WOOLWICH. The Congregationalists gathered a church in Woolwich in 1765, and Rev. Mr. Winship was pastor.f They therefore had the lead of religious influence, which was Arminian in its character. To their support the whole people were held liable. The next religious faith which was propagated here, was that of Free-will Baptist. Rev. Benjamin Randall, of New Castle, N. H., was here in 1781, preached and baptized a few persons, who were the first baptized east of North Yarmouth. Mr. Randall tarried but a short time, but laid the foundation for a suc- cessful church of his peculiar Arminian faith.
Elders Case, Potter and Macomber visited this town very soon after they began to travel in this part of the State, and previous to 1785, and subsequently more fre- quently. They were received with strong dislike; although the people were generally moral, yet through the influence of an ' Arminian,' a ' do and live' ministry, they cherished a vituperous prejudice against the doctrines of ' regenera- tion by the Spirit of God,' and 'salvation by the atonement of Christ,' and against those who preached them. This prejudice did not, however, prevent the influence of Bible truths. Some few became regular Baptists of a 'Calvin- istic' faith, But before they could provide for themselves that kind of preaching they desired, they were obliged to unite with the people in Bowdoinham, and petition the Legislature to incorporate them into a Baptist society. This privilege they sought and obtained in 1797. The number of pious Baptists however, in Woolwich, still being small, they united with Bowdoinham church, and remained in that
*Ch. Records. 8*
+Green. Eccl. his. p. 82.
166
CHURCH IN FRIENDSHIP.
connection till 1800, when the Baptist church in Wool- wich was organized with sixteen members, most of whom were from the Congregational church. The way was now prepared for a peaceful progress in the holy cause, by the side of their neighbors. But having no pastor, and pos- sessing but a small ability, both as regarded numbers and means, the church remained almost stationary for several years. At length Mr. Samuel Stinson, its worthy deacon, began to preach, and was ordained as pastor Nov. 1806. He cast in his lot with this poor, feeble church, and preached with much success, though sustained by the work of his own hands, and a small compensation, until age paralyzed his energies, when he resigned his useful ministry in 1821. He died in the Lord Nov. 1823. He has been succeeded by a number of useful ministers and pastors-Rev. R. C. Starr, from 1818 to 1828; Rev. E. Pinkham, 1834; S. Tyler, from 1835 to 1838; W. Day, from 1840 to 1842. Dea. R. Perkins was a deacon of the Congregational church, and subsequently one of the faithful and worthy deacons of this, and filled the office with fidelity and zeal till his death, March 1837.
This town has been highly distinguished for extensive revivals, in which the Baptists have shared nearly an equal part. The church in Wiscasset owes its existence in part to this church. Their present pastor, Rev. Lewis Barrows, was ordained April 1843. Present number, seventy-six .* FRIENDSHIP. This church was called 'Medumcook,' then 'Friendship;' and then, as the church was en- larged, some of the members residing in the town of Cush- ing, it was called 'Friendship and Cushing ;' and then again in 1842, the members in Cushing being set off to constitute a church in that town, it was called 'Friendship.'
Rev. Ephraim Hall, pastor of the church in St. George, *Rev. L. Barrows' Com.
e b B u J t
167
CHURCH IN FRIENDSHIP.
extended his parochial labors into this town, which were blessed to the conversion of several persons, who became Baptists. That they might not be scattered like sheep upon the mountains, they were organized into a church July 15, 1800. During the first sixteen years of its exis- tence, it was blessed with occasional supplies only.
The first stated ministry the church enjoyed, was by Rev. I. S. Starr, who preached with acceptance and suc- cess, from 1816, about two years. They were supplied with preaching by several itinerant ministers till 1822, when Rev. F. S. Smith became pastor. During his min- istry of nine years, the church witnessed the first extensive revival, which increased its number by an addition of fifty. Rev. C. T. Norcross succeeded Mr. Smith in 1832, and was their useful pastor about three years, during which another revival was enjoyed, more glorious than the first, which added seventy to the church. After being again supplied by different ministers, somewhat irregularly, for three years, Rev. A. Dunbar was ordained pastor. He la- bored two years, and resigned. Since that time the church has had no pastor, but has been supplied with preaching one half of the time, successively, by Elders A. Dunbar, two years ; D. Bartlett, one year ; and C. P. Bartlett, 1843.
This church has been a highly favored branch of Zion, having been unusually free from trials, and having uni- formly maintained a comfortable union among themselves.
This church has sent two of its members forth as minis- ters-Rev. John Richardson, ordained at Pittsfield, N. H., and present pastor of South Berwick Village church; and Rev. Thomas Jameson, ordained at Islesboro', Me., now pastor of Acton church. The church now numbers one hundred and ten. Their meeting-house was built by the town, and owned in part only by the church .*
*C. Bradford's Com. and Min. L. A.
168
CHURCH IN WARREN.
WARREN. The first religious efforts which were made in this town, were by the Rev. John Urquhart, a Presbyterian, between the years 1774 and 1783. On account of some difficulty between him and the people, he was regularly re- moved by the Presbytery at Salem, 1783 .* The next movements were by the Congregationalists, in 1791. They gathered a church here in 1795, and Rev. Mr. Huse was settled minister by ordination .* This church still exists. The next exertions were made by the Baptists. Elders Case and Snow visited here as early as 1784, and few per- sons embraced their sentiments and joined the Baptis church in Thomaston, of which Elder Case was then pastor.f But the people generally being 'not very partial' to the Baptists, their increase was quite small at first. They found no home among their Congregational friends ; and the inconvenience of travel to Thomaston, rendered it de- sirable that they should be formed into a church. This desire was granted them Aug. 2, 1800. Their original number was fourteen .¿ They were poor and destitute, and had therefore but few means to sustain a pastor. School houses, dwelling-houses, and barns, were for several years their bethels. Their hope and faith were in God, and pros- perity was given in every step of their journey. Rev. A. Fuller and Rev. E. Hall aided them by occasional preach- ing, till 1803, when, although the prospect for a maintain- ance was very discouraging, Mr. Fuller, from a sense of duty, and to the joy of the church, accepted their request to become their pastor. By a gradual growth, they became able in 1807, to build a small meeting-house. Their friends also increased, and a Baptist society was incorporated in 1807, so that the burdens of the church were much relieved.#
These objects being accomplished, God manifested his approbation of their efforts, by giving them a rich and glo- *Green. Ecc. his. pp. 172, 173. +Eld. Case's Com. +Z.A. Mar. 19,1829.
le F a h
S
ri
M
169
CHURCH IN WARREN.
rious blessing. Fifty were added by baptism in the revival. Mr. Fuller was indefatigable in his labors till 1816, having led the church through a mixture of trials and blessings. His health now began to decline, and gradually wasted away, till death came to remove him to the enjoyment of his heavenly reward. He died Jan. 31, 1820. The church, since the death of Mr. Fuller, has had several of the ser- vants of the Lord to administer to, and watch over them .*
Rev. John Wakefield was pastor from 1821 to 1827. His health was feeble, but his labors were beneficial to the church. The year following his resignation is full of events important to the history of this church.
In Sept. 1827, the Lincoln Association met with this church, and the season was made the beginning of a most ex- tensive revival. Soon after the session closed, it was ascer- tained that the labors of Rev. D. Bartlett, messenger from Penobscot Association, during the meeting, had been instru- mental in the conversion of several of the youth. An invi- tation was at once extended to him to become their pastor. He accepted, and removed to Warren as soon as possible. Rev. Samuel Fogg was eminently useful in promoting this revival, previous to the arrival of Mr. B. This work is described as being wonderful in power, producing great and immediate changes. All classes shared in the blessing. The scoffing infidel could not say that the work was con- fined to the 'weak' and 'timid.' It embraced the rich, the poor, the wise, and the simple. The church was en- larged by an addition of ninety, and their present commo- dious meeting house was built the same year.
Elder Bartlett served the church till 1833, when Rev. Horace Seaver entered upon a supply in the ministry for one year. The next pastor was Rev. P. Bond. His labors began in 1835, and ended in 1840. Under his ministry *Zion's Advocate, March 19, 1829.
170
CHURCH IN PORTLAND.
in 1838, forty-four were added to the church. Rev. Silas Ilsley became pastor in 1842. The close of this year, and the beginning of 1843, was a time of spiritual release to the church and of jubilee to more than one hundred con- verts, who were emancipated from the bondage of sinful and satanic servitude. When this season of special mercy was over, from an impression of duty, Mr. Ilsley removed to another field of labor. This is a large, wealthy and influential church of two hundred and eighty-five members. Its benevolence is known by its generous and frequent liberalities .*
PORTLAND. The first religious efforts made by Baptists in Portland, were at the late period of 1796, and even then and for some years after, their exertions were few and limited. It has been asked why the Baptists made their first movements in the interior, and generally in towns and settlements the least populous, leaving the more populous and promising fields to the Congregationalists and others ? It is not our business to answer this question, nor do we see any rational circumstance to justify any neglect on their part of any place, or to excuse any tardiness of which they might be guilty to possess these fields of usefulness as soon as any. But there is an apparent apology at least ; an apology growing out of the state of the times. It may be proper in this place to give the reader a brief view of the state of things, especially as regards ecclesiastical matters. Falmouth, Casco, or Portland, was first settled about 1658.+ The morals of the Province were generally lax, if not licentious,¿ and the people of Casco could not boast of a higher purity than their neighbors. The Episcopalians at this time attempted to hold the power of religious influence, and Rev. Robert Jordan was their minister. But as the Court of Massachusetts held jurisdiction over the territory
*Zion's Adv. 1829, and Min. L. A.
+Willis' his. P. v. 1, p. 63. ¿ Willis' s. P. v. 1, p. 97.
d (
d
of ed ar M er b
171
CHURCH IN PORTLAND
of Falmouth,* and as a majority of the inhabitants consist- ed of emigrants from that State and Plymouth Colonies, and were of Puritan faith and practice, the government of Massachusetts, ' used their utmost exertions to discourage every other sect.'t 'The religion of the State, enforced by rigorous laws, became from this time (1659) the pre- dominant religion of the Province.'
The first minister employed here by the permission and direction of the civil and clerical authorities, was Rev. Geo. Burroughs, who was occupied in the ministry for a considerable length of time, commencing previous to 1680 ; a much longer time it is supposed (for no records can be found of his settlement or his success) than his successor, Rev. Mr. Smith, except Mr. R. Jordan, who lived in town, preached, and administered ordinances under the Episco- pal form, for thirty-six years, only when 'licensed' by the Court of Massachusetts. Jordan was opposed to the Puri- tan faith, and his opposition became violent, because ' of the persecution which he had received for his attachment to the Church of England.'
The powers and privileges granted to Puritans, and to their descendants in Maine, were ' exclusive,' and although the town of Portland was depopulated several times, and the inhabitants, who escaped the destroyer, were scattered ; yet on their return, and re-settlement, the same spirit to keep all under submission to the control of the municipal and ecclesiastical powers, returned with them, and still lived even in 1796, with a vehemence but little mod- erated. This brings us down to the times when the Baptists were making progress in the State. The inquiry then is, what where the characteristics of these times that operated unfavorable to their cause ? There was a preva- lent spirit of opposition to them. It was no uncommon
*Willis' his. P. vol. 1, p. 98. +Willis' his. P. vol. 1, p. 99.
172
CHURCH IN PORTLAND.
thing to hear in many places where the Puritan spirit was dominant, the loud 'cry,' when reference was made to the Baptists, of 'strange fire,' 'New Lights,' 'ignorant,' ' unlearned ministers,' 'bigoted sectarianism,' ' close com- munion,' 'etc.' These expressions were not the dictate of a pure spirit, and the Baptists so understood them. Baptist preachers knew too that they were not privileged with that 'education,' which was the boast of the established clergy. This mode of treatment was for popular effect ; to sow the seeds of prejudice against them. Now in the more promising towns, the 'Standing Order' was careful to first plant their standard. Another peculiarity of the times was the exclusive privileges granted to this leading denomination by the Court of Massachusetts. And when its members had become numerous, the prospects for Bap- tists and other sects were less in those places. Besides, the general doctrines of the sect in power were so strongly impregnated with Arminianism, that the doctrines of grace as held by the Baptists, were regarded by them as a ' de- luding heterodoxy,' and by means of the influence of the ' standing' clergy, who were lauded for their superior wis- dom, the same idea of the sentiments of the Baptists were common among the laity. In Portland, there was opposition to their sentiments and movements .* In 1796, the Con- gregationalists, after an uninterrupted progress of about seventy years, had become a numerous, and an influential body, with Rev. Dr. Deane at their head. Their doctrines were, ' Do and Live.' When Dr. Green, of North Yarmouth, Rev. I. Case, and some other Baptist preachers began to visit and preach occasionally in Portland, there were but " two Baptists' in town, and Eld. Case says, ' we preached to whomsoever might be disposed to hear us.'t Before the close of the year their number was increased to four or five.
*Eld. Case's Jour. and E. P. com. tElder Case's Com.
173
CHURCH IN PORTLAND.
These invited Baptist preachers to come and preach to them, which was the first efforts by any residing in the town to promote a Baptist influence. It does not appear, however, that they made these efforts because of any partic- ular interest they felt at that time in the subject of baptism, but because of their love to their evangelical doctrines on other points of christian faith. Mr. Benedict says, ' all this time they had no thoughts of becoming Baptists, nor was baptism any part of their study.' The desire for evangelical preaching therefore dictated their invitations. Being dissatisfied with the Arminian preaching of Dr. Deane, when they could not procure a ministry more agree- able to their views, they attended upon the preaching of a Rev. Mr. Clarke, then pastor of a Congregational church on Cape Elizabeth. Of this privilege they were soon de- prived by the death of Mr. C. Benjamin Titcomb, then one of this little number, opened his own house for their convenience, where they met to sing, to praise, and pray. Here too they read sermons and searched the scriptures, and ' having taken the Bible alone for their guide,' believers'" baptism of course, became an article in their faith.
Mr. Titcomb saw the truth as held by the Baptists, and by his request, he was baptized by Rev. Mr. Green, and added to the church in North Yarmouth. The same 'ex- ample of Christ,' was soon followed by others in Portland, which was a novel scene here to the curious spectators. This was in 1799. 'About this time,' says Rev. Mr. Case, ' I visited Portland and baptized a Mrs. Robinson, and sev- eral others.' He says, also, that ' at first the Baptists could not secure a congregation of more than a half a dozen ; but now the number of hearers became too numerous for the school-house in which they usually met, and a conven- ient hall was obtained for their accommodation.'* The *Elder C.'s Journal.
-1
174
CHURCH IN PORTLAND.
number of the baptized increased but slowly. When the church was organized at the dwelling-house of Mr. Tit- comb, July 24, 1801, it consisted of only ten persons, three males and seven females. Thomas Beck, who had from the first been one of their number, was elected their first deacon. Rev. Mr. Titcomb, previously (1799) ordained at North Yarmouth, became its pastor, Sept. 1801 ; and although he labored with this church at that time, under some peculiar disadvantages, the greatest of which was a common 'prejudice' to the Baptists, yet there was an addi- tion of twenty-five, in the three years of his ministry. He resigned the office here Sept. 1804. Their place of wor- ship from 1801, was the upper room of a three storied building, till 1803, when, by the blessing of God, they completed their first house of worship, located on Federal street.
From the resignation of Mr. Titcomb to the settlement of Rev. Josiah Converse, who was ordained pastor, Oct. - 20, 1807, the church received an occasional supply from different ministers, and was blessed with some prosperity. Mr. Converse resigned in 1810, leaving the church with its members nearly doubled during his ministry. He was succeeded the same year by Rev. Caleb Blood, who sus- tained the office of pastor, with ability and success, till his death, March 6, 1814. During his ministry, (1811), the Baptists in Portland erected a second and more commo- dious house on the same spot where the first had stood. This was a building two stories high, sixty-one feet by sixty- four, with a vestry. Their congregation was now much enlarged. And although, from the death of Mr. B., they were without a pastor, yet both church and congregation increased by such preaching as could be obtained Their next pastor was Thomas B. Ripley, who was ordained July 24, 1816. Soon after his settlement the church and
175
CHURCH IN PORTLAND.
congregation were blessed with a very extensive revival, which added to the church upwards of seventy souls. Mr. Ripley resigned March, 1828, and Ebenezer Thresher was ordained pastor, Dec. 18, 1828. He resigned March, 1830. The next November, Rev. Mr. Leonard, from Salem, Mass., was installed pastor. He was devoted in his work, and useful to the Baptist cause, till his death, Aug. 12, 1831. His last exhortation was, 'Prepare to meet thy God.' This sudden removal of a beloved pastor was the occasion of much mourning, and more than a year passed away before the church was again provided with another. Rev. John S. Maginnis, from Newton Theo- logical Institution, and now Professor of Theology, at Hamilton, N. Y., was ordained pastor, September, 1832. His labors here were too numerous and arduous for his feeble constitution, and with a declined health he resigned his charge, July 1837. James T. Champlin was ordained pastor, May 3, 1838. Two circumstances combined to induce his resignation, ill health and a call to a professor- ship in Waterville College. He accepted the call from the College, and resigned his charge in 1841. Their present pastor, Rev. L. F. Beecher, entered the office October, 1842.
In 1836, a second church, called the 'Free Street Bap- tist church,' was organized in the city. To aid this organization, fifty-four members of this church were dis- missed. This arrangement has been eminently useful to the general prosperity of the Baptists in the city.
This church has had nine pastors, and has obtained much prosperity by the labors of each. It has experi- enced many refreshings by revivals, and has passed through many trials, especially in its infancy.
Nine of the members of this church have received license, and become preachers of the gospel ; John Uphold,
176
FIRST CHURCH IN CHINA.
Daniel Lewis, Benjamin Farnsworth, Silas Ilsley, D. C. Haynes, B. F. Shaw, John F. Burbank, George Knox and Joseph Ricker. Five of its members have been dismissed to join other denominations, and it has received fourteen from them. There are connected with this church several societies which are doing much, annually, for the various causes of benevolence which they are designed to promote. This church is still prospering, and numbers two hundred and sixty-seven members .*
CHINA FIRST CHURCH. This church was organized to- wards the close of 1801, and consisted of seventeen mem- bers, who had previously been members of the first church in Vassalborough. There had been several revivals in this vicinity, and ministers frequently visited this north part of China, then called the ' Freetown settlement.' It took the name of Fairfax, in 1804, by which name it was known till the town was incorporated by the one it now bears. Rev. Jabez Lewis became its pastor about the time it was constituted, and there was no opposition ; but the advan- tages for prosperity being favorable, the church flourished. This church has been highly favored with the ministry of the gospel, having had seven pastors, and in connection with each of these servants of God, a revival, and some- times very extensive and glorious, especially the one wit- nessed while Rev. D. Bartlett was laboring with the church, in 1834 and '35. As the fruits of this revival, more than one hundred were converted and added to its number. Besides Rev. Mr. Lewis, Elders Stephen Dexter, Hadley Proctor, Daniel Stevens, Jesse Martin, Daniel Bartlett and B. F. Shaw, have been honored with a useful occupancy in this pleasant field of gospel labor. The churches in Pa- lermo, Albion and Winslow, received at their organization, members from this church.
*Edward Pennell, Ch. Cl. Com.
CHURCH IN SWANVILLE-SECOND BUCKFIELD. 177
Within the bosom of this church is a flourishing Acade- my. This institution is under the direction and manage- ment of the Baptists, and is highly beneficial to them as well as to the community generally.
This church is not only large and influential, considering its location so far in the interior, but is distinguished abroad for its spirit of benevolence and generous liberality to the cause of religion and humanity ; and few churches possess equal ability. Its total of members is two hundred and seventy-three .*
SWANVILLE. This is a small church, organized in 1801, with seventeen members. It was first called Mt. Ephraim. For several years it prospered under the successive labors of Elders John Haines, Job Cushman, Jason Livermore, Thomas Merrill, and others who occasionally preached to them. But for the last twenty years it has had but little preaching-and still remains destitute. During its days of prosperity many were dismissed to aid the formation of other churches. Deacon Joshua Smart, one of its early members, and deacon James Eaton, have ever been its main supporters.t A church of thirty-eight members in Frankfort originated with this church in 1807, which has become extinct.
SECOND BUCKFIELD. A second church in Buckfield was gathered in 1802, and consisted of eighteen members, most of whom were previously dismissed from the church in Paris. For many years this church, like its neighbor, the first church in this same town, was small, and seemed hastening to a similar fate. Rev. George Ricker was its first pastor and principal promoter from 1805 to 1810, when he removed to Minot. It was then destitute of a pastor and received the assistance of only occasional preaching by neighboring ministers. About 1822, E. *Min. L. and W. A. tMin. L. and W. A.
178
CHURCH IN NEW SHARON.
Harlow who had previously been a deacon in this church, was licensed, and about two years after, was ordained pas- tor. Since then he has labored for the good of this church of Zion. His labors have not been in vain, although the church has not at any time been very prosperous. Its present number of members is fifty-two, a fraction more than it was in 1824. It has been known by the name ' Buck- field,' since the first church fell asleep. During the time of its destitution it received aid from the Association, a portion of voluntary supplies being devoted to its interests. At present, this church is wanting in spirituality and ac- tivity .*
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.