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 16
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*A. W. Cummings Com. and Min. K. A
205
CHURCH IN HALLOWELL.
This church has had three pastors-John Wagg was or- dained Oct. 1806, and officiated until 1809, with small success. Rev. John Haines was elected pastor in 1827, and resigned in 1836 ; and Rev. R. Milner, their present pastor, was received the same year. During the interval between the dismission of Mr. W. and the election of Eld. H., the church was partially supplied by neighboring min- isters, but obtained comparatively no increase, nor acquired much influence. Under the ministry of their two last pas- tors, they have made some progress, received some strength, and exert some beneficial influence. Previous to 1829, they had no regular place of worship. They now began to feel that it was time to open a public sanctuary. Towards the accomplishing of this, Mr. John Rust, a worthy member of the church, made the first sacrifice, by the gift of a lot of land for a meeting house. The church, encouraged by this act of pious interest, purchased the meeting house owned by the Universalists, and moved it on to the spot given by Mr. R., and it now remains their place of worship. The church is now moving forward with a total of fifty members .*
HALLOWELL. The ancient Hallowell, incorporated in 1771, included the settlements and territory where now is seen the beautiful and imposing villages Hallowell and Augusta. That part now called Augusta was incorporated into a separate town by the name of Harrington in Feb. 1797, but the next June it received its present name.
Previous to 1786, there was a Congregational church gathered in these settlements. But this church underwent several changes, divisions and modifications, prior to the settlement of Rev. Mr. Gillet, the present senior pastor in Hallowell.+ Soon, however, under his ministry things be- gan to assume more permanency, and the denomination
*Rufus Bartlett's Com. (M. B. and O. A.) +Green. Ecc. his. p. 197. 10
206
CHURCH IN HALLOWELL,
rose in power and influence. Prejudices now became very strong, even to a passion for 'Congregationalism,' and " Pedo-baptism.' Baptist preachers, Elders Case, Potter and others lectured here occasionally for several years be- fore any direct movements were made to establish a Bap- tist interest in the town. The first regular efforts made by any Baptist, were by Rev. Henry Kendall, of Litchfield, who by request preached a lecture once every two weeks from January 1806, to the following March. At first there was no Baptist, or place of worship for them in the town. Deacon Gow, therefore, invited him to preach in the school-house. But he was not permitted to occupy this humble position but for a few times. Its doors were closed against him. Mr. K. was not discouraged, nor did his faith fail because of these evidences of a prevalent spirit of opposition. God opened the way before him. A room in a private house was provided for his accommoda- tion, and here he continued his semi-monthly lectures. As one of the fruits of these efforts, a Mrs. Knight was con- verted, and on the 5th of April was baptized after the word and fashion of her Lord and Saviour. This was the first person ever baptized in Hallowell. A revival now commenced, and the next person to manifest her love to Christ was a-Mrs. Hinkley. Converts multiplied, and in a short time their private room became too strait for the number of praying souls. The work increased, and opposi- tion, strange as it may seem to the present generation, even from those who ought to have been friends, became more violent and obtrusive towards the Baptists. They however persevered. The young christians obtained the privilege of holding evening prayer meetings in an old house on the bank of the river. Here they were much annoyed .* On one occasion ' opposition' laid violent hands on the old *Gathered from Rev. H. Kendall's Journal.
207
CHURCH IN HALLOWELL-MINOT.
shattered and half-fallen edifice in which they were assem - bled as usual for prayer, with the wicked design of giving it a 'turn over' down the bank. But the building stood, and within its broken walls the Baptists sung songs of victory. A Baptist church was organized in 1807, into which these disciples were gathered. This church in Sep- tember of that year, numbered twenty-nine. James Hink- ley was interested from the beginning of the revival in 1806, and now became the deacon of the church, and sustained the office with integrity and usefulness to the church.
This church has had six pastors who have officiated with acceptance and success, viz: Elders John Robinson from 1811 to 1817; Winthrop Morse from 1818 to 1819; Dan- iel Chessman from 1821 to 1830; Henry Fitz from 1830 to 1832 ; A. Drinkwater from 1834 to 1836; S. Adlam, their present pastor, from 1838. By the ministrations of these several servants of God, the church has gradually grown until it has become an efficient body, provided with a respectable house of worship, and other outward privileges for comfort, convenience and usefulness. Besides a gen- eral prosperity which the church has experienced amid all her trials from external and internal causes, which are not a few, the church has been blessed with many refreshing revival seasons, two of which were conspicuously glorious and cheering. The first of them was in 1824 and '25, under the ministry of their third pastor ; the second was in 1840, as a blessing on the labors of their present incum- bent. This church is eminent for a spirit of enterprise and benevolence, and especially for an ardor of feeling against American slavery. The present number of mem- bers is one hundred and eighty .*
MINOT. The early plantations of Minot and Poland *Min. B. A.
208
CHURCH IN FREEPORT.
were known by the name of 'Bakerstown.' And in that part since called 'Minot,' and now 'Auburn,' a Congre- gational church was organized as early as 1792. About this time Baptist preachers began to make some efforts to promote the religious welfare of the people in this town. And by means of their occasional visits and labors, a church of the Baptist faith was gathered here in 1807. It numbered in September of that year, when it united with the Bowdoinham Association, twenty-seven members. It was soon enlarged by additions, and in 1810 was blessed with the settlement of Rev. George Ricker, from Buck- field, as pastor .* Elder Ricker served the church, active- ly sustaining the office of pastor till 1839, when on account of infirmity and age, cheerfully received Rev. Noah Hooper as minister and associate pastor. This aged servant still feels for the prosperity of the church over whose spiritual interests he has so long watched with prayerful solicitude, with whom he has wept in times of adversity, and with whom he has rejoiced, when blessed with prosperity. The ministry of Elder Hooper continued about two years. In 1841, Rev. D. Hutchinson, of Hartford, supplied them two-thirds of the time. Since that time they have had but little preaching, except what they have received from their aged and venerable pastor.
This church has enjoyed a gradual increase and general prosperity. It has always maintained a character and influence favorable to the Baptist cause in its vicinity. It now has a total of eighty-seven members.t
FREEPORT. Freeport is fifteen miles northeast of Port- land. It was anciently a part of North Yarmouth. In 1789, it was incorporated by its present name, and the same year a Congregational church of ten members was organized .¿ At this time Baptists were hardly known to
*Min. B. and C. A. tMin. C. A. #Green. Eccl. his p, 70.
209
CHURCH IN FREEPORT.
the people in Yarmouth and Freeport. From the vague idea of them, some supposed they must be quite another race of beings, and could be described by no more appro- priate name than 'awful creatures.' Soon, however, the ' strange-fire,' as it was called, found its way into Yarmouth, and thence to Freeport. Baptist preachers travelled and preached, regarding neither the lines of towns or parishes, but claimed for their field 'the entire world.' In perform- ing their itinerant labors they did not go round Freeport, but into it. They preached, and some few renounced Pedo- baptism, and united with the church at North Yarmouth. The way was opened for more stated labors in Freeport, and Elders Titcomb, Green and Lewis favored them with more frequent and regular preaching .* In 1807, Rev. Thomas Paul preached a discourse in Freeport, which gained much influence for the Baptists-and some revival followed, which prepared additional materials for a church.
Those who had united with the church in North Yar- mouth took their dismission, and uniting with others were constituted into a church in Freeport, Nov. 3, 1807. The next year Rev. Silas Stearns, who was ordained at North Yarmouth, Oct. 23, 1807, and had done much towards the gathering of this church, was received as its minister, (but not as a regular pastor.) He preached with good suc- cess about two years, when he removed to Bath, leaving the church in a prosperous state with fifty-three members. The next two years the church was aided and blessed by the ministry of Mr. Ebenezer Pinkham, another of its mem- bers, and licensed by the church.
In 1808, their house of worship was built, and their first pastor, Rev. Daniel Mason entered upon the duties of his office Nov. 1813. He resigned his charge Oct. 1816. Since which the church has had five pastors-Eld. Robert
*Zion's Advocate, 1828.
210
SECOND CHURCH IN LISBON-PERJEPSCOT,
Mitchell ordained Nov. 10, 1817; Rev. Ferdinand Ellis ; Rev. Isaac S. Smith ; Rev. Jedediah Sargent, and Rev. Edgar H. Gray. Rev. Horace Seaver was ordained as an evangelist June 15, 1831, and supplied them a short time. In 1839, Rev. John Butler preached with them for a short period with good success .* Its present number is two hundred and seven members.t
LISBON SECOND, (now first church in WEBSTER.) A second Baptist church was gathered in Lisbon in 1808, composed of thirteen members. It had the advantages of but occasional preaching till 1817, when Rev. Wm. Frost became its pastor ; prosperity did not attend his efforts with the church, and in 1820 he resigned his charge .¿ The church, however, survived all its discouragements, and maintained visibility. Joshua Haley, John Ross and Thos. Alexander, were among its first promoters. In 1823, Rev. Noah Hooper became pastor.
In 1826, the Lord did wonders in this place. The church was raised like one out of the dust. She had long laid in obscurity, but now was like a 'city on a hill.' Mr. H. continued with this church about three years, and was succeeded in 1827 by Rev. Jos. Roberts, who preached about two years, and in 1829, Rev. Jotham Day became its third pastor. He was pastor about four years. It has since been without a pastor, and in a feeble state. Number fifty-two. Dea. John Ross still lives to aid its operations. §
PERJEPSCOT, (now DANVILLE.) Previous to 1789, El- ders Potter and Macomber labored here, and disciples were gathered from Perjepscot (or Danville,) into the church in Lewiston, an adjoining town on the east side of Androscoggin river, Danville being on the west side. With that church they enjoyed gospel privileges till 1808, when God opened the way for the enjoyment of similar privileges
*Rev. E. H. Gray's Com. tMin. C. A. ¿ Min. B. A. §Min. B. A.
211
CHURCH IN CORNVILLE.
in their own town. This year a very interesting revival blessed the people of Danville, by means of the ministry of Joseph Roberts, then a licentiate. This revival was ex- tensive, and many souls were converted to God. In the midst of this work of mercy those who belonged to the church in Lewiston took their dismission, and were united with others in a church in Danville. It numbered when it united with the Bowdoinham Association, Sept. 1808, fifty-six members .* In 1809, its number was increased to sixty-seven. Dec. 1808, Rev. Jos. Roberts was ordained pastor. These were interesting and truly blessed times for the people in Danville. In 1810 eleven more were added by baptism to their church. This church took the name of Danville in 1819. Mr. Roberts resigned his charge in 1823. In 1824, Elder Roberts returned, and in 1825, another revival brightened the prospect of the church. Mr. R. again retired in 1827. The church then remained for several years without an under-shepherd, and became small and feeble. In 1838 Rev. John Butler made them a visit and a refreshing season was enjoyed, the waste places were clothed with verdure. The broken walls were repaired. In 1839, Rev. S. Owen preached one half the time, and in 1840 they erected a house for the worship of God. Elder Owen was pastor in 1841. In 1842 Moses Hanscom was ordained to the work of an evangelist, and in 1843 became pastor of the church. Numbers seventy-two.f
CORNVILLE. Baptists were the first to make any special religious movements in this town. In 1801, Rev. Joseph Palmer, a member of the Baptist Church in Sharon, Vt. was a resident in this then infant settlement, and began to preach Christ to the people. A revival attended his efforts. Some resident Baptists who had emigrated from different and distant churches, were quickened, and some of the wicked
*Min. B. A. tMin. C. A.
212
CHURCH IN HARMONY.
were converted to God. In May, 1801, a church of twen- ty members was organized by Elders Palmer and Cain from China. Eld. Palmer became a member and was settled its first pastor. This was the first church organized on the east side of Kennebec river, in Somerset County. During the first year of its existence twenty-seven were added by baptism and by letter. In 1808 Elder Palmer resigned his pastoral charge. In February of the same year John Robinson, one of the original members of the church, was ordained as an evangelist. Rev. I. Case preached the ordination sermon .* In 1809 Eld. P. removed to Sidney, leaving a pledge to supply them one-fourth of the time on the days of their regular communion. In 1810 Mr. R. served them one-fourth of the time.
Rev. Isaac Bridges was ordained pastor 1815, but was dismissed in 1817. From the close of Eld. Palmer's min- istry to 1827, the church had the privilege of but a small amount of faithful preaching, consequently its. numbers diminished. About the close of 1827, Seneca Stanley, a licentiate of the church in Belgrade, began to preach here. Sept. 1828, Mr. S. became a member, and in October was ordained an evangelist, but with a view of supplying this church statedly. In 1830 he was elected pastor. He ac- cepted the office and faithfully and successfully filled it till his death in 1838. During the ministry of Mr. S. one hundred and twenty-one were added to the church by bap- tism, and his name is still dear in the memory of this peo- ple. March, 1839, Rev. Dudley P. Bailey became pastor of this church. Its present number is one hundred and thirty-one.+ [Mr. B. resigned and removed to St. Al- bans in 1844.]
HARMONY. This second church in Somerset County was gathered about the same time of that in Cornville.
*Eld. Case's Jour. tMin. K. A. (1840.) his. sk. by Rev. D. P. Bailey.
213
CHURCH IN DENMARK.
Elder Palmer was the principal human agent in the work. But the people in general were strongly inclined to ' Free- willism,' and this organization soon became much scat- tered. In 1808 they were visited by Benjamin Ames, then a licentiate, and his labors were much blessed among them; and in December of that year by Elder Case, then engaged in Missionary labors. He says : 'I found the church in a broken and unpleasant state.' 'A day of Fasting and Prayer was held,' and 'a day was spent in consultation upon what was best to be done for the good of the church.'* The result of these movements was the re-or- ganization of the church. Elder Case gave the right hand of fellowship. He then baptized several persons and left them. September, 1809, it reported to the Bowdoinham Association a total of twenty-eight members. 1812 and '13, the church enjoyed the labors of Eld. Bisbee, and received nine members ; and again from 1816 to 1820, and thirty-two were added; and again from 1822 to 1826, when seventeen were added. Since Elder Bisbee closed his ministry with this church they have had preaching but about half of the time. This labor has been performed mostly by neighboring ministers, among whom we find the names of Elders Stanley, Jones, Page, Piper and Hatch. The church has become small and feeble, and yet is encouraged to persevere, with a total of twenty-one members.+
DENMARK. This church was gathered in 1804 as the fruits of the labors of Rev. Tristram Jordan, who became its pastor. It was the first Baptist church that was organ- ized in the south-west part of Oxford County. Elder Jordan labored almost in vain till about 1820, when the members were so much diminished that he resigned his office .¿ This year the Cumberland Association, (with #Eld. C.'s Jour. +Min. of B. K. P. and P. A. +Min. C. A. 1820. 10*
214
CHURCH IN WELD.
which body the church united in 1811,) appointed a select committee to examine into their state. The committee reported that the church still existed, but that it was not in a prosperous condition. It was now dismissed to unite with York Association, but it did not become a member of that body till 1829. It then had forty members; and with the same number it united with Oxford, 1831. In 1832, this afflicted church began to sing for joy. One of their members, Larkin L. Jordan began to preach, and was ap- probated by a license to go before them in the gospel. Mr. Jordan was ordained pastor in 1835, and in 1839, the time to favor Zion came, and the church was enlarged by a special revival. Elder J. continues to be useful with the church, and an annual prosperity encourages their faith. Their present number is sixty-one .*
WELD. This town was first called No. 5. Deacon A. Holt removed here with his family in 1803, and made the fifth resident in the place. Very few of the first settlers were professors of religion, and emigration being rapid and mostly of young men, ' wild and worldly,' no attention was given to the things of piety. Rev. L. Jackson, from Greene, visited Weld in 1804, and opened a religious meeting. In 1809, this wilderness began to blossom, and springs broke forth in the parched desert. God came down and souls were converted. The first converts were bap- tized by Elder Thos. Wyman. To the influence of this revival the church in Weld, constituted July, 1809, owes its existence. Asa Holt and Amaziah Reed were chosen deacons; the latter was ordained as an evangelist Sept. 1811. Elder Jackson resided among these brethren and was their pastor till 1823, and then removed with his family to the State of Ohio. Mr. Reed furnished the church occasional supplies.
*Min. O. A.
215
FIRST CHURCH IN SANGERVILLE.
This hill of Zion was watered again in 1826, and sixty- three were hopefully converted. They were baptized by Elders Low and Mayhew, and added to the church. Elder M. preached about one year, and from that time to 1837, they had only occasional supplies. This year Rev. Luther Perkins removed from Woodstock to Weld, and became pastor to the satisfaction of the church, and still continues his charge.
This church has had two distinguished revivals. Butit appears from some cause that many were gathered into the church at these seasons, with no better faith than had ' Simon Magus.' Within five years after the first, in 1809, eighteen of the number added were excluded ; and within eight years from the second, in 1826, twenty-nine of the sixty-three were excluded from the church. How cautious ought churches to be when receiving members in a revival ! Their present number is fifty-two .*
SANGERVILLE, FIRST CHURCH. A church was organ- ized in this town in the beginning of 1808, and was the first church gathered by the Baptists or by any sect in the Piscataquis County. It was then called 'Piscataquis' or ' No. 4.' By means of Missionaries, Eld. N. Gould and others, a revival was experienced in the place. In January of this year, Elders Thomas Macomber and Gould, mis- sionaries for the Maine Domestic Missionary Society, after travelling over most of the Penobscot County, in bad roads, and much of the time on foot, arrived at this place. Here they found ten persons, (four males and six females,) waiting for the Lord to send some one to baptize them. They were examined and baptized by Eld. Macomber. There were at this time but thirteen families in town, but the comfort and safety of those who professed Christ rendered it expedient that they should be embodied into a church.
*Deacon A. Holt's Com. Min. B. C. O. Asso.
216
FIRST CHURCH IN SANGERVILLE.
This was done by these missionaries. A church with twelve members was constituted, and increased to the number of sixteen before they left. Soon after Rev. H. Kendall visited them and was beneficial to the people. About this time Wm. Oaks was reclaimed from a wander- ing state and was soon licensed to preach the gospel. During this revival in S., several in Guilford were con- verted who constituted the germs of the Baptist interest in that town .*
In 1809, this church reported to the Bowdoinham Asso- ciation twenty-three members, but being small, and with- out a leader, and situated at so great a distance from the places where the Association usually met, it withdrew its relation to that body, and remained isolated and alone till it lost its visibility. In 1823, it was reorganized with sev- eral members from Guilford, and Rev. Daniel Bartlett became its pastor. It united again with the Bowdoinham Association with thirty-four members. Rev. Mr. B. offi- ciated usefully till 1828, when he resigned, leaving the church with its numbers increased to seventy-two, by a revival in 1827.7 This was the most prosperous period in the history of the church. The year 1831, was a fruitful one to the church. Its numbers were increased by fifty- four baptisms. It has since had one pastor, Rev. A. Clarke, from 1836, two or three years. A train of trials now began, which for some years disturbed the peace and hindered the prosperity of the church ; and although aided by the semi-monthly labors of Rev. E. W. Cressy, in 1838 and '39; C. P. Sinclair, licentiate, 1841; yet constant ' internal commotion,' and a separation of some of its mem- bers to form a new church, have operated to reduce the number of members to the small total of twenty-one. These brethren are in a low, discouraged state. §
*Eld. T. Macomber's Jour. tMin. B. A. #Min. P. A. §Min. P. A.
C C h t i t 1
217
CHURCH IN BRIDGTON.
BRIDGTON. Bridgton is the most northwestern town in Cumberland County, and was first settled about 1770. A Congregational church of seventeen members was gathered here in 1784, and a pastor settled in 1789 .* Baptist sen- timents began to exert an influence on the minds of some in this town, about the commencement of the present cen- tury. But no particular movement was made here by Baptist preachers previous to 1806 or 1807. Eld. Jordan, of Denmark, was influential in promoting the gathering of a church in 1807, and in the increase and general prosperity of the Baptist interest in Bridgton for many years. The original number of members was eight; and when Rev. Reuben Ball, their first pastor, entered upon his labors in 1812, the number was about thirty. This year N. Bray, jr. was licensed to preach, and his labors united with those of their active pastor, secured for the church a special blessing. A revival increased the number of members to about fifty. Eld. B's labors were acceptable and useful, till they were closed in 1826. He died at Greene.
Rev. John Haines succeeded Eld. Bray in the pastoral office in 1827, and with him commenced a rapid succession of pastors, who have officiated with advantage to the church. The following are their names : Elders Wm. Wyman from 1828, three years; Reuben Milner, 1832, one year ; W. O. Grant, from 1834, two years ; L. L. Jordan, 1836, one year ; Jacob Bray, ordained, from 1837, four years; since dėstitute of a pastor. When destitute, the church has received a profitable supply by Elders Harlow, Beckworth, Leonard, Johnson, Howe, L. Tripp, &c. There was some revival in 1838. Two churches, Harrison, 1827, and Sweden, 1833, originated in this church ; and four of its members have become preachers of the gospel, Eld. Bray, D. E. Burbank, Rufus Chase, and Edmund Watson. This
*Green. Eccl. his. p. 126.
218
CHURCH IN HARTFORD.
church has had many trials, but has met them with patient endurance. Its present number is fifty-seven, who are in somewhat a tried state, and without a pastor .*
HARTFORD. Some few of the early settlers in Hartford were emigrants from distant Baptist churches. But the most of those who became Baptists in town previous to the existence of the church, were converted into their senti- ments by means of the influence of the Baptist church in Livermore.t Several were dismissed from that church in 1810, who were the same year united in church relation. The church now organized, had eighteen members. Rev. Reuben Ball labored with the Baptists here something more than a year about this time, and was instrumental of preparing the way for the future progress of the cause. In 1812, we find them destitute. Rev. Daniel Hutchinson was settled pastor of this church in 1816. At first, the church obtained great prosperity under his ministry, be- came a large and happy body of disciples. In 1818, their number was ninety-six; and in 1821, Rev. D. Bartlett received a license from the church to preach. But a severe trial soon disturbed their harmony, marred their fellowship, and resulted in the exclusion of about twenty, among whom was their once beloved and useful pastor. Mr. H. became a 'Mixed Communionist,' and led away several of the church into the same errors.
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