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 17
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In 1822, several members were dismissed to constitute a church in Canton. By these exclusions and dismissions the church was reduced in 1825, to fifty-six members. From this time to 1830, the church was assisted by a por- tion of the labors of Walter Marshall, a licentiate, but still sustained a loss of members. In the winter of 1830, Rev. Walter Foss, of Leeds, preached frequently with much success, and to the increase of the church ; Mr. F. continued
*Rev. J. Bray's Com .- Min. O. A. +Rev. J. Haines' Com.3
S
219
CHURCH IN MONMOUTH-PALMYRA.
some occasional labors here for two or three years after- wards, and aided by the occasional ministry of neighboring preachers, the church has since prospered.
In 1837, Rev. D. Hutchinson having renounced his anti-gospel notions upon ' communion,' was restored to the church, and was received as pastor. He officiated till 1842, when the church was again left without a pastor, and is still destitute, but not without the preached word. The present number of the church is sixty-eight .*
MONMOUTH. Baptists began to appear in Monmouth as early as 1793.+ Eld. Case, while pastor of the church in Readfield, preached some in East Monmouth, and a few persons became pious and united with that church. In 1810, they were dismissed, and a church in Monmouth was organized. It reported eighteen members to the As- sociation in Sept. of that year. Rev. Elias Nelson origi- nated in this church, and from it he received a license in 1813 .¿ Mr. Nelson was ordained pastor in 1814, and until his resignation in 1817, the church gradually increas- ed. But being destitute of a preached gospel, and possess- ing much inefficiency in itself, the church was dropped from the Association in 1822, as having no existence. It then numbered twenty-four members. §
PALMYRA. Palmyra is one of the southeastern towns in Somerset County, and was among the first to be settled in that vicinity. Baptist preachers and missionaries occa- sionally travelled through this new settlement, and as some of the original settlers were Baptists, they became ac- quainted here and lectured to the people. A small church of seven members was gathered here in 1810, and the same year united with the Bowdoinham Association. In 1816 it numbered eleven members, and received Rev. Joseph Blaisdell as their pastor. In 1818, there was some
** Min. C. A. and O. A. tEld. Case's Journal. #Min. B. A. (Min. B. A.
220
CHURCH IN PALMYRA.
revival in the church, and thirty-four were added by bap- tism. This encouraged both pastor and people. But as is the ' morning cloud,' so was the prosperity of this church. This awakening was rapidly succeeded by a declension ; in 1822 the church had no pastor, and in 1824 their num- ber was reduced to twenty-four. Elder Blaisdell preached in 1825, and some additions were made to the church .* From this time till 1828, the church maintained existence by occasional preaching, and by the pious and constant efforts of their worthy deacon Towle, who was one of its original members. This year Rev. Joseph Roberts became pastor. He served the church about five years, but with small success. During the year 1834, Rev. D. T. Allen preached some to the church, and several souls were converted.t
As some of the members of this church resided in St. Albans, the church in 1835, took the double name, ' Pal- myra and St. Albans.' Elder Roberts is still a member, but the church had but little preaching till 1838. Now begins a new era in the history of this church. Rev. H. Hawes became the pastor, and a most precious revival was enjoyed and more than three scores of souls were added to the church. Mr. H. was pastor about two years, and left the church with its numbers increased from fifty-four to one hundred and seventy. The main body of this church is now in St. Albans.t In 1842, Rev. O. B. Walker was pastor. In 1843 some changes took place affecting somewhat the position of the church. Twelve of its members residing in Palmyra, among whom was Father Roberts, were dismissed and organized into a church by the name of 'Second Palmyra ;' and as some of the old church were residents in Hartland Village, it took the name, 'St. Albans and Hartland Village,' Rev.
*Min. B. A. tMin. P. A.
-
T to
h
Co T pr
221
CHURCH IN NEW PORTLAND.
Comfort Taylor is its present pastor, and it is prospering with a total of one hundred and seventy-three members. This church is in the midst of a growing community, and promises eminent usefulness in the cause of God .*
NEW PORTLAND, (' formerly called MILLION ACRES.') The religious sentiments of the early inhabitants in this town were to the fullest extent ' Arminian,' as held in those days by the Free-will Baptists. The first religious efforts here were made by that sect. Within the years 1809 and '10, Elders Thomas Wyman and Henry Kendall visited this place, and preached a few sermons each, and a church of fifteen members was organized in 1810. But for want of further assistance, and being much scattered in a thin- ly populated community, the church within a half dozen years lost its visibility. Subsequently, as the population increased, Baptist professors from different churches be- came residents here. Feeling the loss of former privileges, they unitedly prayed that God would be merciful to them in their destitute condition.t Their prayer was not in vain. In 1837, Elder John Haines visited them, and by his instrumentality a church of nine members was organ- ized in Aug. 1837, to be called 'New Portland and King- field,' and Nathan Thomas was made their deacon.
This church had no pastor till Rev. W. E. Morse accept- ed their call in 1842. Previous to this time the church was favored with a supply about half the time by various ministers. Elders N. Mayhew, E. G. Leach, and D. T. Allen, have been useful to the prosperity of this church, with the exception of some trials occasioned by some im- prudences of Rev. E. G. Leach.
Their present pastor, Rev. W. E. Morse, commenced his labors while a licentiate, and has been a profitable minister to the church. He wasordained Sept. 1, 1841. The church is now called New Portland and has thirty-six members.t * Min. P. A. tJames Moody Ch. Ck, and Min. K. A.
222
SECOND CHURCH IN LIVERMORE.
CHAPTER XIII.
Churches added to the Bowdoinham Association since 1811-Third Church Livermore-Second Canaan, (now Skowhegan)-Moscow-Philips- Second Mt. Vernon, a temporary church-Topsham-First Church Gar- diner-Guilford-Waterville-Parkman -- Brighton, a temporary church -- Canaan, formerly Canaan Second-Norridgewock-Athens-Gardiner Second Church-Anson-Second Bowdoinham-East Dixfield-Ripley- Corinna-Winthrop-Newport-Monmouth-Norridgewock -- Madison- Hallowell-Third Gardiner-South Bowdoin-East Monmouth-Pittston -Monmouth Centre-Second Litchfield-Second Leeds.
LIVERMORE, THIRD CHURCH. This church is situated on the east side of Androscoggin river adjoining Fayette. A few of the members of the 'first' church resided here ; and in the neighborhood called ' Moose hill,' in Fayette ; a number more belonged to the church in Fayette. These members were dismissed from their respective churches in 1812, and organized into a church by the name of the third Livermore, and reported to the Association in Sept. thirty- seven members, with Thomas Wyman pastor. In 1817, a revival was enjoyed within the limits of this church. Sixty eight were now added by baptism. Eld. W. was succeeded in the pastoral office in 1818, by Rev. E. Nelson, from Mon- mouth. Mr. N. labored till 1821, when he resigned, hav- ing had the pleasure of seeing but little prosperity. Rev. Robert Low became pastor in 1824, and the church was now refreshed with a revival, but less than the first-Elder Low was their successful pastor till 1832. From 1833 to 1837, constituted a period in which the church experienced a train of severe internal trials. But this year (1837) the cloud of discouragement seemed to break away, and the church was restored to its former harmony. They pros- pered even now with but occasional preaching, not having another pastor till 1841. Rev. O. B. Walker officiated for them that year. Since that period the church has had a supply generally, and has a total of seventy members .*
*Min. B. A.
223
SECOND CHURCH IN CANAAN-MOSCOW.
SECOND CANAAN, (now SKOWHEGAN.) This church is located on the east side of the Kennebec river, opposite to Bloomfield. Its second name was 'first Canaan,' its third 'Milburn,' and its fourth, the one it now bears. Here is a pleasant village, where the church now centre. The church originated with members who first belonged to the churches in Bloomfield and Clinton, residents of this place. For convenience and the extension of Baptist influence, these members, twenty in all, were embodied into a church, Jan. 7, 1813.
Their number was small, and surrounded by other de- nominations who had become occupants of this field previous to their organization. Their days of prosperity have been few, and those of trial and discouragement many. For a period of thirty years they were not able to provide for themselves the benefit of a pastor or stated ministry, except for some short periods; and consequently obtained but a small net increase. Those ministers who favored this church with occasional supplies, are the Rev. Messrs. Jonathan Steward, James Steward, Robert Coburn, Joseph Roberts, Joseph Wagg, M. Cain, and L. Packard, each preaching a portion of the time during short seasons.
Rev. L. Packard preached one fourth of the time in 1839, and the church began to see days of prosperity, and was enlarged in 1840, to forty members. Rev. John Rob- ertson, their first pastor, entered upon his labors in 1843. Their present number is forty-two.
Rev. Wm. Oakes,* a member of this church was ordain- ed as an evangelist Feb. 1815.+ Several of the original members still live to witness the progress of the cause they so early embraced.
Moscow. This place was first called Bakerstown, and was then the most northern settlement on the eastern bank
*Deposed and excluded from the denomination in 1821, for immoralities. tRev. L. Packard's Com., Min B. and K. A.
224
PHILIPS-SECOND MT. VERNON-TOPSHAM.
of the Kennebec river. It had but few inhabitants and few religious privileges. A Baptist church of nineteen members was gathered here in 1812, by Elders Thomas Merrill and Joseph Palmer. Some aid was afforded this feeble vine by the Maine Missionary Society and State Convention, and by visiting brethren. Rev. Isaac Morse of Madison, has rendered them important benefits. Since 1840, the church has been more prosperous, although they are still weak, and residing at such large distances from each other, their privileges remain but few. They have enjoyed the blessing of a pastor's labors but one year dur- ing their whole existence. This was in 1842, by Elder I. Morse. Their present number is thirty-seven members .*
PHILIPS. A small church of fourteen members was organized in this town in 1813. But it never prospered. In 1816 Rev. Samuel Wheeler made some effort to build it up, but in vain. As the Lord left Ephraim so He 'let them alone.' It became extinct in 1822. No Baptist church has since existed in that town.t
MT. VERNON SECOND CHURCH A small church of eight members was organized in this town in 1814, but it never prospered. It lived about three years and then died in infancy .¿
TOPSHAM. The first Baptist preaching in Topsham was by Eld. Simon Locke, it is believed in 1779. On the 5th of June, he baptized Miss R. Purington, who was the first to receive the ordinance in the town.}
Previous to this, 1771, a church was gathered here upon Presbyterian foundation. But this fell, and upon its re- mains a Congregational church was organized in 1789, and even this body has never been very successful.§ From 1782 Rev. Mr. Potter preached in this town occasionally
*Asa Baker's Com. and Min. B. and K. A. +Min. B. A. 1813, 1822. #Rev G. Knox's Com. §Green. Ecc. his. p. 98.
225
CHURCH IN TOPSHAM.
for several years but with no lasting effect. He says, speaking of the result of his labors in T., ' I saw no fruit attending my labors, but the stopping the mouths of gain- sayers.'* Rev. Mr. Case was here and preached to the ' awakening of several persons' in 1783, and soon others preached in town occasionally.t The next baptism was administered by Elder Macomber. The time is not known, but must be subsequent to 1784, when he was ordained. The Baptists, however, did not by these operations gain much influence in the town.
A church was not gathered here until a sufficient number of members from churches in other places had become resi- dents in town, to render it expedient 'for their mutual and spiritual advancement in the divine life, and for the upbuild- ing of the cause of the Redeemer,' to organize. This number was found in 1815, (three males and five females,) who on the 2d of September were organized into a church at Oak- hill, so called, in T. Elder Kendall preached on the oc- casion ; and although a small one, and without any regular preaching or convenient place of worship, prosperity attended their efforts. When Elder Kendall became its pastor, 1818, the church numbered more than fifty. In 1824, the Baptists were able to build a small meeting house in the village, at a cost of $600, where they worship- ped till 1835, when they built their present house at a cost of $3000. Elder K. officiated as pastor about ten years with- out the support of a regular salary. Their next pastor was Rev. Charles Johnson, ordained May 27, 1835. But death severed the relation in less than one year. In 1837, Rev. E. R. Warren entered the office and continued with the church about four years. Rev. George Knox, their present pastor, entered upon his work here by ordination Dec. 15, 1841. During the ministry of Messrs. Kendall and War-
*Pot. Nar. p. 22. tEld. Case's Journal.
226
FIRST CHURCH IN GARDINER.
ren the church experienced revivals, and was much en- larged .* The revival in 1840, was the most distinguished for the zeal of the church and the large number of con- verts. Meetings were held for more than one hundred successive evenings, and one hundred and fifty-two per- sons were added to the church by baptism. This church has had many trials. Elders Winslow Staples, A. Wilson, and Robert F. Ellis, were sent out from this church; and the Main Street church in Brunswick owes its existence to the success of the Baptists in Topsham. The church is now large, liberal and prosperous. Their present num- ber is two hundred and fourteen members .*
GARDINER, FIRST CHURCH. The first religious society organized in Gardiner was Episcopalian. This society commenced with the settlement of the town in 1771. The foundation for this society was laid by Dr. Sylvester Gar- diner, the original proprietor of the town.t In 1802 the Methodists commenced operations here, and have become a numerous and influential body .¿ The Baptists made but few and occasional efforts till towards the close of 1815. Travelling preachers and missionaries had surveyed the field, but finding it wholly occupied, they chose to operate in other places. In the autumn of 1815, Rev. Levi Young was blessed with seeing some fruits of his labors in this town. Several persons were converted and baptized, who, together with a few resident Baptists were constituted into a church of sixteen members on the 14th of December. This revival progressed into the next year, 1816, and the church was considerably enlarged. This movement laid the foundation for the Baptist cause in Gardiner. For several years this church was blessed with the ministry of Elder Young, although somewhat irreg- ularly, and was encouraged to hold on their way. From
*Rev. George Knox's Com. tGreen. Eccl. sk. p. 227. #Ap. p. 54.
227
CHURCH IN GUILFORD.
about 1820 to 1824, the church was destitute, had but little preaching and suffered a loss of numbers. Towards the close of 1825 the church was again rejoiced by a special refreshing. Elders Case and C. Clark rendered the church eminent service at this time. Elder Case preached here some in 1826. This year Rev. T. B. Robinson received a license from this church to preach Christ to perishing sinners, and to feed his lambs.
In 1833, Rev. A. Bedel became pastor. He labored five years with the church, and saw the displays of divine grace among the people in 1836 and '37. Rev. E. Coy, succeed- ed Eld. B. and preached one year, 1838. The next pastor was Rev. A. M. Piper, 1840. Rev. Rufus Chase was with them from 1841 to 1843. Their present number is one hundred and twenty-eight members. This church has had some peculiar trials. Their place of worship was a school- house for many years. At length opposition awoke among the Universalists. Through their influence the district voted that ' no religious meetings should be held in their house.' The Baptists, from necessity, provided for them- selves a place of worship in 1837 .*
GUILFORD. In Guilford, in 1806, was commenced one of the first settlements on the Piscataquis river. The sur- rounding country was a dense forest, with here and there a small opening. In 1808, Robert Herring, a member of the church in New Gloucester, became a resident. About this time there was some revival in Sangerville,t and sever- al in Guilford were converted by its influence. Mr. Her- ring now opened an evening meeting for prayer in his own house, and here commenced the first public religious exer- cises in town. During the progress of these meetings, a singular and interesting incident occurred. It is related
*Rev. A. M. Piper's Com. Eld. Case's Jour. and Miu. B. A. tSee his. of that Ch.
228
CHURCH IN GUILFORD.
that ' on one evening the burden of each prayer was, O Lord, send us one to break unto us the bread of life.' Before the meeting closed, a stranger entered, and to their joyful surprise, this stranger was Rev. John Dagget, of Greene, who came as a missionary among them. By his presence and preaching, these humble disciples were com- forted and encouraged.
Others from New Gloucester soon became residents here. This induced Rev. R. Low, who had been a former pastor of the church in New Gloucester, to visit this settle- ment. He continued his visits several years. And by emigrations and conversions, he found that the resident Baptists in town had increased to a sufficient number to constitute a church. On the 7th of Jan. 1813, he embodi- ed fourteen persons in that relation, and R. Herring was made its worthy deacon. There was no opposition here to the Baptists. This church was blessed with a moderate prosperity, having not much preaching till 1816. This year Rev. Thomas Macomber was elected pastor. He entered upon the duties of the office and sustained the charge over the church for a period of nineteen years, when from a sense of duty, he resigned. He was the kind and affectionate pastor, and the church during his ministry was blessed with an addition by baptism of one hundred and eighteen.
After the resignation of Eld. M. in 1835, the church mourned their loss, but prayed to God that he would pro- vide for them another spiritual guide. In 1836, D. E Burbank, a student of Waterville College, made them a visit, and his visit being signally blessed of God, and the earnest entreaty of the church, induced Mr. B. to be or- dained pastor. Sickness, however, terminated his useful labors here, with the close of his second pastoral year. Rev. Lucius Bradford succeeded him in 1838. Rev. T. Gold
229
CHURCH IN WATERVILLE.
thwait and Rev. L. Kingman, their present pastor, have successively officiated since the resignation of Mr. Brad- ford, 1841.
Elders Zenas Hall and Daniel Bartlett, were ordained to the work of the ministry at the call of this church. The churches in Parkman, Sangerville, Monson, and Abbot, have received members from this church to aid their pros- perity. Their house of worship was built in 1832. This church is a benevolent body, and operates liberally with missionary efforts. Its present number is ninety-three .*
WATERVILLE. Baptists and their doctrines were known at a much earlier date than the organization of the church in Waterville. Travelling and neighboring ministers had preached here, and several persons residents in town became believers in their creed. It was not however till a few months after the establishing of the Maine Literary and Theological Institution in W., that a church was embodied in the town. Thirteen persons who had united with the first church in Sidney, took their dismission in 1818, and united with seven others, then members of the Institution, in church relation, on the 27th of August in that year. The church therefore 'owes its existence' mostly to the influ- ence of the Institution.
For several years, although blessed with an eminent ministry, many causes operated to retard an accelerated progress. The members were much scattered, their place for worship was removed about like the 'Shepherd's Tent,' and their 'communion table was spread' at all their differ- ent places for worship. Soon after the church was founded, Mrs. Prudence Farewell, of Cambridge, Mass., presented to them a beautiful set of communion furniture ; the church in Salem, two dresses for baptismal occasions ; and Lin- coln and Edmunds of Boston, ' a pulpit bible.' Rev. Jere-
*Rev. L. Bradford's Com. ond Min. B. P.'P. Asso.
11
230
CHURCH IN WATERVILLE.
miah Chaplin, the President of the Institution, was called to the pastoral care of the church, Sept. 16, 1818. But the church regarding themselves as feeble, and supposing that the emoluments at the Institution sufficient to furnish him with a competent living, no stipulated salary was offer- ed him. After two years prosperity, however, they felt themselves able to do something towards the support of their pastor. Rev. S. Chapin and Rev. A. Briggs were voted by the church associate pastors, May 5, 1823 ; which ' arrangement continued till October 1824, when Rev. S. Chapin became sole pastor.' ' Of the persons added to the church by baptism, much historical interest is attached to the beloved Missionary Boardman, who was baptized July 16, 1820.'
In 1827, they erected their present commodious house of worship. Hitherto they had been nurtured by the Insti- tution, but now they 'began to feel the importance of standing by themselves, and of feeding the College with the means of grace, instead of being fed by it.' And aided by the Massachusetts Baptist Convention, they settled Rev. Hervey Fitz by ordination as pastor, Oct. 7, 1829. His stay with the church, however, was short, occupying the pastoral office with them but a little more than a year ; during which there was some special mercy received, and some additions made to the church. In 1831, twenty-two members were dismissed to form a church in Fairfield. This was ' an ill-advised step.' For after lingering seven years without influence or usefulness, it became extinct.
The next pastor who officiated in the church was Rev. H. K. Green, who was placed in charge by installation Oct. 5, 1831. During his stay, a period of two years, the church was enlarged by fifty-four baptisms, besides a large number by letter. He was succeeded by Rev. S. F. Smith, who began preaching with the church in the capacity of a
231
CHURCH IN PARKMAN.
licentiate, Jan. 1, 1834, and was inducted into the pastoral office by ordination Feb. 12th. Mr. Smith labored here most successfully for a period of eight years. Under his ministry the church was refreshed and enlarged by two very signal and extensive revivals. The church was next favored with the able ministry of Rev. David N. Sheldon, now President of Waterville College. He entered the office of pastor in 1842, and continued to favor the church, till his call to the Presidency of the College in 1843. Another very extensive and rich harvest was gathered during his ministry. This church has been a home for many of the members of the College, which will account for the large number added by letter. And from its connection with the College, that institution being located in its very bosom, it has been favored with gifts and religious opportunities, unenjoyed by any other church in the State. It has there- fore been regarded as occupying a most important position in the denomination in the State. Ministers who have once held membership in this body, are now laboring in three quarters of the globe. The church is now a large, benevolent, and influential body, of two hundred and fifty- seven members .*
PARKMAN. The first Baptists in (North No. 5) Park- man were emigrants from Greene, who gained a settlement there between the years 1810 and 1817. In 1813, they united with the church in Guilford, where, notwithstanding the distance and no roads, they attended conferences and other religious meetings. Soon, however, Wm. Cole, Peter Cummings and Joshua Coburn, the more influential among them, commenced holding meetings in their own settle- ment. Missionaries, Elders T. Macomber and Zenas Hall, aided these brethren occasionally, in their pious endeavors.
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