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 20
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
259
BOWDOINHAM ASSOCIATION, 1804-1843.
wholly unknown to our Baptist fathers. But circumstances extraordinary awakened the idea, and prompted the organ- ization.
The intelligence from many of the churches in 1838 was truly encouraging to the Association. Says Elder Grant, the Secretary, 'the brethren felt they were one in name, one in design, and one in effort.'
But the revivals of '38 were suddenly succeeded by an alarming declension. In '39, not a single revival was re- ported. Nor was there any new church asking admission. A respectful notice was taken of Elders Cole and Garcelon, who had been removed by death within this Associational year.
The dark cloud which veiled the beauty and chilled the ardour of the Baptists in 1839, disappeared in 1840. The Sun of Righteousness shone forth with heavenly radiance, shed down his quickening beams, and made his people sit together in heavenly places. These were primitive days to these churches. Four hundred and thirty-five were added to the Association during the year, as the direct fruits of extensive revivals. This was therefore a season for joy and thankfulness. But in the midst of this joyous festival, a circumstance occurred which awakened in the minds, especially of the fathers, solemn and painful emo- tions. The Bowdoinham church, the first, the oldest church in this part of the State, was now dropped from the Association on account of its non-fellowship with the body. It became Antinomian, and opposed the operations of the denomination to promote the general objects of christianity.
The scene is again changed in 1841. The plentiful harvest was gathered, and a cold, winter season was rapidly closing in upon the churches. There were but few additions to the Association this year, and these appear to be the
260
BOWDOINHAM ASSOCIATION, 1804-1843.
gleanings only of the last year's vintage. Several resolu- tions were passed, and much important business relating to the general interests of the denomination was transacted. The second church in Hallowell received the unanimous censure of the brethren for receiving into their fellowship members excluded from the first church in that town.
Some mercy drops descended in 1842 to refresh the thirsty heritage, and to give new life and vigor to the almost withered vines. Another of the fathers, Elder Oliver Bil- lings, had fallen asleep, the intelligence of whose death called forth an appropriate expression of sympathy and respect. It was felt on this occasion that the Sabbath School institution was too generally neglected, and the subject was earnestly pressed upon the consideration of the churches.
In 1843, on this fifty-seventh anniversary season of the Association, the usual list of resolutions were dispensed with, and the churches were exhorted 'to labor more un- tiringly to promote every branch of benevolence, as God shall give us ability and afford us opportunity.'
The churches, second Litchfield and second Leeds were received at this meeting, and the general prospects of this ancient body of Baptists were encouraging. It numbered thirty-one churches, thirty-three ordained ministers, five licentiates, and two thousand three and thirty-one commu- nicants. It is the parent of Lincoln, Cumberland and Kennebec Associations. Also, of a large number of the churches which compose the Waldo, Penobscot, Piscata- quis and Oxford, were once members of this body. It is a very influential body of Baptists, whose progress is on- ward. New churches are almost annually arising in the midst of these old ones, as new shoots from the older vines.
261
BOWDOINHAM ASSOCIATION.
BOWDOINHAM ASSOCIATION ... TABULAR VIEW.
ORGANIZED 1788.
CHURCHES IN 1843.
When const.
Orig. No,
Baptized.
Letter.
Restored.
Dismissed.
Expelled.
Died.
Dropped.
Lost.
Gained.
Whole No.
Present No.
1st Bowdoin,
1788|38|301
8|12|130 120 63
Lewiston,
1792 55 232
15
4
98
78
41
308
42
Readfield,
1792 20
363
35
5 241
39 69
420
71
Fayette,
1792
23
421
37
6
129
74 68
53
487|147
Greene,
1793
27
432
36
11
158
101 68
13
495 166
Wayne,
1794
11
143
34.
1
58
24 25
1
16
188
60
2d Webster (reorg. in 1836) 1794
20
198
24
10
99
44 26
40
252
43
1st Litchfield,
1798
14
351
21
3
107
99
74
14
44
386
96
Wales,
1799
42
14
324
28
21
74
143
38
39
370
98
Leeds,
1800
16
235
47
5
89
65
35
1
292
107
2d Bowdoin,
1805
25
309
34
100
12
83
65
45
13 24 19
148
52
3d Livermore,
1812
37
128
35
8
76
51
123
12
200
70
Topsham,
1815
8 345
54
7
125
46 26
2
407
214
1st Gardiner,
1815 16 146
28
81
95
26 14
3
190 128
2d Gardiner,
1820|15
40
16
I
15
5 12
2
71
40
East Dixfield,
1831 |12
21
25
3
14.
11
18
6 11
120
69
Winthrop,
1824 30
114|
106
3
52
30
22
8
250
128
1st Monmouth,
1827 15
115
14
8
3
1
43
33
3d Gardiner,
1834 30
40
9
4
18
14
3
1
79
49
So. Ch. Bowdoin,
1836 22
5
7
2
21
2
34
28
Richmond,
1834
.8
56
18
12
11
7
75
45
East Monmouth,
1837
7
39
6
4
4
45
37
Pittston,
1840 15
1
1
16
15
2d Litchfield,
1843 22
5
1
28
28
Monmouth Centre,
1842
9
1
10
10
2d Leeds,
1843 27
5
2
34
34
468
4067
922
150
2031
1197
792
80
323
35
6514
2354
.
28
7
92
35 36
238
79
Jay,
1799
129
279
110
19
9
36
25
19
16 367
120
1st Hallowell,
1807
408 180
1st Webster,
1808
13
Bowdoinham Vil.
1820 27
IU
6
3
43
28
2d Hallowell,
1830 21
8
30
10
4
154 110
10|158
73
43
21 47
1359|
25
233
BOWDOIN SOUTH CHURCH. It was constituted in July 1836, and in Sept. had twenty-two members. It is the privilege of this church to claim a standing on 'Baptist ground ;' their meeting-house being located on the parcel of land, once occupied by Eld. Potter ; yet they have never had much preaching or much prosperity. In 1843, there number was forty-eight.
12*
CHAPTER XV.
CHURCHES IN LINCOLN ASSOCIATION.
Histories of its sixteen original Churches have been given, Thomaston, p. 95; Vassalboro', p. 109; Ballstown, p. 114; Miscongus Isle, p. 135; St. George, p. 186 ; Nobleboro', 139; Hope, p. 145; Harlem, p. 150. Woolwich, p. 165; Medumcook, p. 166; Warren, p. 168; Fairfax, p. 176 ; Mt. Ephraim, p. 177; Islesboro', p. 188 ; Vinalhaven, p. 189; Bow- doinham, p. 93.
Palermo and Beaver Hill ; First Sedgwick; Unity, now Knox ; Columbia ; First Bluehill ; Northport, a temporary Church ; First Montville ; Carmel; Surry ; First Jefferson; Second Jefferson ; Matinicus ; Deer Island ; Stetson, a temporary Church ; Camden, First and Second Church ; Union, first called Second Hope; Second Palermo; First Belfast; Dixmont ; Cherryfield ; Steuben ; First Trenton ; Sullivan; Charleston ; Belmont; Castine; Freedom ; Second Montville ; Isle au Haut ; Second 'Thomaston ; Second Sedgwick ; Brooksville; Second Brooksville; Mount Desert; Monroe ; Appleton; Second St George; Eden; Prospect ; Second Nobleboro' ; Bangor ; Windsor ; New Castle and Alna; Waldo; Dover ; Wiscasset ; Corimh ; Waldoboro'; Atkinson and Milton ; Third Jefferson ; Searsmont ; Third Whitefield; North Whitefield; Richmond; Patrick- town Plantation ; Washington; Third Nobleboro'; First West Thom- aston ; Damariscotta Mills ; Cashing; Third Camden ; Third St. George.
PALERMO AND BEAVER-HILL. A church was consti- tuted as early as 1805, composed of members residing in the north part of Palermo, and in a settlement called 'Beaver-Hill,' now 'Freedom.' Baptists had been multiplying in places contiguous for several years. Among them were several ministers raised up to go forth into the new settlements, to evangelize the growing population. Rev. Nathaniel Robinson, from Meredith, N. H., became their pastor soon after they were organ- ized. He labored successfully in this field, till he re- moved to Cherryfield, in 1810. Its next pastor, Elder Jesse Martin, officiated with zeal and profit, from 1813 to 1817. He left to benefit another people with his vigilant labors. This church was next honored with the ministry and pastoral attentions of Elder Stephen Dex- ter, from 1820, two years, and was blessed with some revival and increase. Elder William Bowler, their present pastor, has been useful in the church at different
263
FIRST CHURCH IN SEDGWICK.
periods-from 1825 to 1832, and from 1841 to the present. Rev. I. S. Smith was their teacher and guide from 1837 to 1840, and by his ministry God made some additions to their numbers. This church has, however, never been blessed with extensive revivals, nor with more than a small net annual increase. Their pros- perity has sometimes been retarded by want of harmony among the members. Yet it has yielded two branches, the second church in Palermo and one in Freedom .* Their present number is forty-six.
SEDGWICK FIRST CHURCH. In 1793 a Congregational church of twenty-two members was constituted in Sedg- wick. The same year, Rev. Daniel Merrill, who had been preaching two years as the town's minister, and who was the founder of this church, was ordained its pastor.t Under the indefatigable exertions of this zealous working man of God, this church prospered several years, and being blessed of God with several special and wide spreading revivals, its numerical strength, at the beginning of 1805, was greater than that of any other community of disciples in the State. It had a total of one hundred and eighty-nine members. A large number of these disciples, with Mr. Merrill their leader, renounced Pedo-baptism, and became Baptists, and on the 14th of May, 1805, were regularly constituted into a church of Christ upon the New Tes- tament platform, and Elder Merrill, by the same council, and on the same day, was recognized by ordination as the pastor .¿
This singular change, as might be expected, awakened excitement and produced a variety of feelings and re- marks in the community. The Baptists rejoiced, not as worldly victors, but in this glorious triumph of gos- *Min. L. and W. A. |Green. Eccl. his. p. 160. +Ch. Rec. cit. D. Nutter
264
FIRST CHURCH IN SEDGWICK.
pel truth over human tradition; and the Congregation- alists mourned the misfortune of their hitherto beloved Merrill, and of his church. As regards the causes of this change, much has been written, and much more has been said. Some supposed that it was owing to a lax discipline; some, to the influence of Baptist preach- ers who were permitted to visit and preach among the people; and others, to both these circumstances com- bined. But facts show that such suppositions were but ill-founded conjectures.
There was great caution, wisdom and firmness main- tained by Mr. Merrill in the discipline of that church. The first signs of disease engaged his most prompt en- deavors to effect a cure. Nor was he less vigilant to remove any dissatisfaction which he might discover in any mind as regarded that peculiarity of his faith, "Pe- do-baptism." To illustrate the attachment of Mr. Mer- rill to his own peculiar views, and the anxiety he felt for any of his flock who might be inquiring in a different direction, we shall here introduce some circumstances which are regarded as among the preliminaries to this change.
Mr. R. Allen, one of the first converts under the ministry of Mr. Merrill, 'never felt satisfied with infant sprinkling.' Mr. Merrill was informed of the dissatis- faction of Mr. Allen; whereupon he had several con- versations with him, in which he labored earnestly to convince him of 'its importance and Divine authority.' It however remained still to Mr. Allen an unmeaning and an unscriptural practice. The contagion, as it was viewed, began to send its influence over other minds. Deacon S. Herrick, Mr. Amos Allen and others, soon revealed their dissenting feelings. Mr. Merrill was at this time diligent to arrest the schismatic spirit. Yet the
265
FIRST CHURCH IN SEDGWICK.
number opposed to infant sprinkling rapidly increased, so that a separation in the church was feared. To pre- vent this, the very singular expedient was adopted, of so altering their Confession of Faith, as to make their dissenting views no valid objection to communion .* This expedient prevented a separation, but not enquiries and altercations.
How much influence Baptist preachers may have ex- erted among this people, it is not easy to determine. The members who dissented from Pedo-baptism tell us with one voice 'that the Bible first taught them the errors of the doctrine.' Mr. Merrill had no predilec- tion for Baptists. He says, in his autobiography, page 2: 'From my earliest childhood to the commencement of my literary course, I had never, to my knowledge, seen more than one Baptist minister, nor heard any commend the peculiar tenets of the Baptists; but had frequently heard them spoken against with visible dis- pleasure. I early conceived and for a considerable time retained an opinion of the Baptists, not favorable to their persons, their sentiments, or their practices.' But as he became more acquainted with them he says: 'Their apparent piety, and the manifest honesty with which they adhered to their sentiments, mellowed my asperity.' Being intimate with several of their minis- ters, and having strong affection for them, he says, 'he desired a union with them, not by turning to them, but by their turning from their errors.' He conversed, he preached, he wrote, to secure what he desired; but, failing, he resolved to write a book, to convince the Baptists of their errors, and to relieve his church from a perplexing uneasiness. These were important objects to be gained, and he determined to gain them by the power of scriptural evidence and argument.
*Com. by Elds. Nutter and Case.
266
FIRST CHURCH IN SEDGWICK.
He says: 'Igave myself with a degree of decision to a careful and critical review of the sacred oracles of God. I contemplated day and night, perused the sacred volume from Genesis to Revelation. I searched, and renewed my anxious search for more than two years. My pain became severe. To my great disappointment and extreme regret, I was driven to the then very sor- rowful conclusion that the sacred scriptures did not afford clear and direct evidence to support my own practice.'
Now came a peculiar trial. Several children were presented for baptism. But Mr. Merrill refused to per- form the ceremony, alleging for his reasons, 'As God has refused to me the light of evidence in favor of this rite, I refuse to administer it.' This occasioned joy to some of his church, but grief and dissatisfaction to others. The discomfit with which he had met, so dis- tressed him, he was induced to reveal his convictions and trials to his worthy deacon, S. Herrick, who was ready to sympathize with him, being himself also an inquirer after truth. It was resolved to spend a day of fasting and prayer before the Lord, 'that they' might not renounce their practice if it was in agreement with his truth; and that they might not reject the sentiments of the Baptists, provided they were in accordance with his will.' The day passed, and says Mr. Merrill, 'I was in extreme darkness-in darkness sensibly to be felt.' For several months his conflict was severe. At length the Lord removed the cloud, and holy light filled his mind; he saw clearly, and found peace. He was now a Baptist. With zeal, with ability, with firmness, and aided by the light of truth, he entered immediately upon a defence of Believer's Baptism, as the true and only gospel rite.
267
FIRST CHURCH IN SEDGWICK.
Trials did not end here. Opposition from without now lifted her dark visage. Great efforts were made to deprive Mr. Merrill of his salary as the minister of the town, and reject him from the pulpit of the town's meeting-house, by a vote of the inhabitants, for the simple reason that he had become a Baptist. But here opposition was by a large majority of votes defeated, and Mr. Merrill was received as the town's minister upon the Baptist platform.
The next important business to be done was to change he name and character of the church. On the 28th of February, 1805, after prayerfully deliberating the duty, t was resolved to invite a council of Baptist ministers und churches, for the purposes of baptizing and embody- ng them into a Baptist church. This was done by the following council: Elders Pitman of Providence, Bald- win of Boston, Williams of Beverly, Case of Readfield, Snow of Thomaston, and Cummings of Vinalhaven, besides several lay brethren. The candidates, eighty- ive in number, were baptized by Baldwin and Williams, where was 'much water;' sixty-six of them at one time, n forty-two minutes, and nineteen others the next day, when they were organized into a church, and Elder Case gave them the right hand of fellowship .*
The church now constituted, with Mr. Merrill their ible pastor, began to move forward, and in less than hree months sixty more of the remaining disciples were baptized and added to the church; and in about a year wenty-five more. This was a light in the midst of larkness, shedding its spiritual radiance around the ath of those who were enquiring for the true way to Zion. Being the first Baptist church in this region, it became a centre of attraction to those who were Bap-
*For a description of these proceedings in detail, see Bap. Mis. Mag.
268
CHURCH IN UNITY.
tists in the surrounding country. Many of the original members of the churches, First and Second Bluehill, Deer Isle, Brooksville, Penobscot, Second Sedgwick, and North Sedgwick, were from this church. It has also yielded much ministerial fruit, as Rev. P. Pilsbury, Rev. N. Norton, Rev. Amos Allen, Rev. Michael Carle- ton, Rev. H. Hale, Rev. Moses Merrill, (son of Rev. D. Merrill,) Rev. Thomas Merrill, and Rev. Daniel Dodge.
Rev. Mr. Merrill resigned the pastoral care in 1814. The same year, Mr. Ebenezer Pinkham began to preach among them, and in 1815 received by ordination the pastoral charge, which he held with eminent usefulness till 1820. In 1816, one hundred and forty were added to the church by baptism, as the fruits of a revival. In 1821, Rev. Mr. Merrill returns from New Hampshire, and again became pastor, to the joy of the church, and in 1822 another wonderful refreshing from the presence of the Lord brought into this fold about one hundred more. Rev. Ebenezer Mirick was pastor from 1829 to 1834, and some prosperity attended his ministry. An interval of about a year and a half was now filled by the able ministry of the late Rev. E. W. Garrison. In 1836, their present pastor, Rev. David Nutter, en- tered upon his labors with the church. In 1838, more than one hundred souls were added to the church, as the fruitful harvest of the preached gospel, by the Spirit. This is a flourishing, enterprising, and able church, of two hundred and sixty members .*
UNITY, now KNOX. This church was gathered in 1800, in the now town of Knox, probably by the labors of its present senior and venerable pastor, Elder Isaac Hall, then a licentiate. He was ordained its pastor in
*We are indebted to Rev. D. N., for much iuformation respecting this Ch.
269
CHURCH IN COLUMBIA.
1806. It had a gradual increase for several years. In 1819, there was some revival which raised its standard of influence, and promoted its efficiency. Since that time it has borne the name of Knox. In 1832, the church was again enlarged by a few additions. In 1833, Rev. Eliab Coy became an associate pastor, and the church moved on pleasantly under his labors about two years. The church and pastor were assisted in 1835 by E. J. White, a licentiate. A revival was enjoyed, and in 1836 Mr. White was ordained associate pastor. Elder E. H. Emery occupied this field from 1837 to 1841; J. H. Melvin, from 1842 till his death in 1843; and A. Dunbar since 1843. During the ministry of these servants of God the church has flourished, and in 1843 was blessed with a revival, and Father Hall still lives to see its progress .* Its present number is ninety- seven. This church has never advanced without oppo- sition.
COLUMBIA, (first called 'COLUMBIA AND ADDISON.') This ancient church was gathered in 1788, and was the first Baptist church embodied east of Penobscot river. Its early records being imperfect, and most of the origi- nal members having gone to their rest, much of their early history remains in obscurity. It appears that at first the settlers had comparatively no gospel privileges. Travelling preachers were here but seldom, and conse- quently wickedness found but few restraints. The first visible religious awakenings took place under the preach- ing of a Mr. Whitney, a Free-will Baptist. Several persons professed piety, and the character of the people considerably improved. This was in 1785. Arminian- ism found in this people a genial soil, in which it flour- ished. Religious errors became prevalent, and a ve-
*Min. L. and W. Asso.
270
CHURCH IN COLUMBIA.'
hement zeal characterized their influence. About this time Rev. Elisha Snow, under the influence of a pious and zealous Predestinarian faith, performed several vol- untary missions through the new settlements along this eastern coast of the State. In 1788 he visited Colum- bia. He preached the gospel to them; light celestial dispelled the darkness from many minds; the doctrines of grace supplanted their works of righteousness, and many became converts to the gospel as preached by Elder Snow. And by their request he embodied them into a regular church .* And although favored with but little preaching for many years, and in the midst of various modes of opposition, they lived in union and love, and prospered. This 'New Light,' a name given by opposition, shone alone for several years. Since, its own offsprings have been its spiritual companions.
From 1794 to 1797, Rev. Joshua Young labored in the gospel with them as their pastor. Mr. Young found himself in the centre of a vast community, comprising several settlements entirely destitute of the gospel. Among these he labored most assiduously. Nor was his efforts in vain. God blessed them. In 1796 a gen- eral revival was experienced in Columbia and Addison, and was extended into other places. The fruits of this work laid the foundation for the churches, First and Second Addison, and Cherryfield, and Steuben. The last two were constituted the same year. This year also, Mr. Murphy became a member by letter, and re- ceiving a license to preach, was a useful coadjutor with Mr. Young Now commenced a train of circumstances adverse in their influence. In 1797, Mr. Young and Mr. Murphy closed their labors in Columbia, and for a period of seventeen years the church had no pastor.
"Ch. Records.
a th in up an th ce
S
th e e
C
CO
271
CHURCH IN COLUMBIA.
In 1799, a Methodist preacher came among them, who scattered the seeds of contention, the fruits of which were, much wrangling and disputing about the doctrines 'Divine efficiency,' 'election,' and 'final perseverance.' In their extremity Elder Case visited them, and with the skill of a wise peace-maker, he allayed the strife, and placed things again on their proper basis.
In 1805 and 1806, Elder H. Hale was made wise to win souls to Christ among them, and in the contiguous settlements; and in 1806, a visit and the preaching of Elder Case promoted the work already in progress. The church was now enlarged.
From 1814 to 1818, the church was blessed and in- creased by the ministry, under God, of Rev. Benjamin Lord; and in 1817, another extensive revival blessed the community, and the church 'Second Addison' was constituted. 1819 was a year filled with darkness, di- vision, and painful trials. Elder McMasters, who was their minister, labored in vain to restrain the raging
elements. Two parties, claiming to be the church, existed, and each reported itself to the Association as such. A committee was sent by the Association to look into their state, who visited them, and after examination and deliberation, reported to these brethren, that it was their decision that all those members who could unite in a renewal of 'covenant,' was the church. Where- upon, a large majority of both parties signified union and fellowship, and soon most of the minority joined them. This method of settling the difficulty was ac- ceptable to the Association .* It was not considered a re-organization, but a restoration of union.
The church now moved on harmoniously, till 1825, when by the labors of Elders William Johnson, Samuel
Min. E. M. Asso.
272
FIRST CHURCH IN BLUEHILL.
Allen and P. Bond, the Lord appeared in power and great glory, in the revival of his work. The wilderness bloomed with spiritual beauty, and the desert sent forth a heavenly fragrance. In 1825, an invitation was ex- tended to Mr. John Billings, of Fayette, son of the late Elder O. Billings, and one of the first graduates of Waterville College, to become their pastor. In April, 1826, Mr. Billings accepted their call, and united with the church. But as a large part of the church lived in Addison, and at some distance from 'Epping,' in Co- lumbia, the original centre of the church, it was mutu- ally agreed that a church should be organized in Addi- son, and that Mr. Billings should be ordained its pastor. This was done; and this arrangement left the parent stock at Epping much enfeebled. From this time till very recently, its sojourning has been generally accom- panied with many trials and discouragements. Armin- ianism, Universalism, and other false doctrines have made inroads upon them; but they are not overcome. They have had occasional preaching by Elders Case, Johnson, Billings, Lennon, and for the last two years, half of the ministry of Rev. R. W. E. Brown, a li- centiate. Their original number is unknown. Their present number is forty-seven .*
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.