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 21
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BLUEHILL FIRST CHURCH. This place began to be settled in 1763. It was then called East Andover, afterward Newport; but in 1788, it was incorporated by the name of Bluehill. A Congregational church was gathered here in 1772, and in 1796, Rev. Jonathan Fisher was ordained its pastor.t This church pros- pered, and a strong passion for a Pedo-baptist practice was created throughout the community. About this time, Elders Case and Snow made frequent tours into the
*Ch. Records. * Green. Eccl. his. pp. 256, 157.
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eastern part of the State, and passed through this set- tlement, and occasionally preached a lecture. Though they did not urge their peculiar sentiments,* it was known that they were Baptists, which might have had some influence.
The first extensive revival which blessed this people was in 1803. Baptists were then little known here, and their sentiments little regarded. Yet in the progress of the revival an incident occurred, surprising to Pedo- baptists. On the reception of members, three persons refused to unite with the church unless they could do so without subscribing to the article of infant sprinkling, assigning as their reason, that 'they believed the Bible authorized no such practice.' They were, however, admitted to fellowship, but not without being publicly exposed as dissenters from that most essential rite, 'infant baptism.'t
This awakened a spirit of inquiry, and the people began to search the scriptures for themselves, some of whom soon saw as did Dr. Woods when he penned this most important concession, 'There is neither precept hor example for infant baptism in all our sacred wri- tings.'{ The result of these inquiries, by the blessing of God, was, that in 1804, the three persons before mentioned withdrew from the Pedo-baptist connexion, and publicly avowed their faith in 'Believers' Baptism,' immersion) as the only gospel rite. And, although no efforts were spared by the zealous advocates of Pedo- baptism to arrest the progress of the 'delusion,' in 1805, wenty-five or thirty more persons left their communion. It deserves to be noticed that these were Biblical Bap- ists. Their change of views was not produced by
*Case's Jour. tZion's Adv., March 27, 1833, Rev. J. G.'s Sermon. #Dr. Woods, cited by Rev. J. G.
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Baptist preaching, for this they had seldom, if ever, heard. Their convictions were deep, their views clear, and their faith firm. Baptist doctrines and practices began now to prevail, and though opposed by some, found adherents. A Baptist church was not, however, organized in Bluehill, but the persons referred to were baptized in Sedgwick, and united with that church. This did not prevent their holding frequent meetings among themselves, nor their being visited occasionally by Bap- tist preachers at Bluehill. They had seasons of com- fort, but not unmixed with trials. Their brethren whom they had left, and whom they still loved, did not cherish the best feelings towards them .* Rev. I. Case says: he, 'accompanied with Rev. H. Hale and Deacon Dodge, went to the Congregational meeting house, where three Pedo-baptist preachers were assembled for an association. I thought some hardness was to be discovered against the Baptists, especially in Rev. Mr. Powers' prayer, in which he told the Lord that the Baptists were deluded.' But these brethren were, like martyrs in the worst of times, bound together by the indissoluble ties of love, and supported by the grace of faith. In 1806, it was deemed important that they should be organized into a church. Thirteen males and six females were therefore embodied on the 13th of Febru- ary.Į Their number was soon enlarged by the fruits of a revival.
Having no convenient place of worship, and no pastor to guide and guard them, there was from this time, till 1816, no material changes in their condition. They had, however, occasional preaching, and were permitted now and then to gather a choice cluster from the vine. Elder Case, who honored and cheered this church with
*Zion's Advocate, &c. ; Eld. Case's Jou. #Ch. Rec. quo. by the pastor.
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his frequent visits, relates the following circumstance, as illustrative of the power of truth. He says: 'Two persons related their experience, and I baptized them, one of whom was Deacon Hinkley, who once said that he would not be a Baptist, if Mr. Fisher and all his church should turn; but truth was stronger than his opposition.'*
In 1807, John Roundy and Amos Allen received a license to preach. In 1809, Mr. Allen was ordained as an evangelist, and Mr. Roundy as pastor of the church. The church, 'though perplexed, was not in despair;' and 'though persecuted, was not forsaken ;' and they believed hat greater blessings were in reserve for them. Their lopes were soon realized. In 1816, in answer to prayer und in connection with the labors of their pastor and of Rev. Phinehas Pilsbury, who afforded much timely aid, he clouds which had lowered about the church's hori- on disappeared, and the light of heavenly glory shone vith resplendent lustre and beauty upon this people, and ne hundred and forty-one were added to the church; ome of these were persons who had withdrawn from 'edo-baptism. The ability and influence of the church ere now very much increased, and their resources ere immediately applied to the erection of a house of orship. This year a license was granted to William ohnson, who was ordained an evangelist in 1818. In 821, their pastor was dismissed from his charge.
Towards the close of 1823, Mr. Reuben Milner began preach with the church, and was soon ordained their inister, and was useful during his stay, a period of ree years. In 1825, J. Darling was licensed. From 326 to 1828, Rev. E. Pinkham was minister, and the rst year of his ministry the church was blessed with *Eld. Case's Jour. '
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another revival. The interval between these revivals was filled with trials and discouragements; but now days of prosperity returned. In 1828, their present eminently useful pastor, Rev. James Gillpatrick, com- menced preaching, by license, and was ordained April 23, 1829. An annual increase, and a growing influence, cheered both church and pastor, till 1838, when the Lord hastened the gathering of another rich harvest; and in 1843, there was another in-gathering of precious fruit, so that the church is now a large, influential and benevolent body, with two hundred and eighty members .* NORTHPORT. This church was gathered some years before it united with this Association. At that time it reported thirty-seven members. But having no regular ministry, it gradually decreased to fourteen, and finally lost its name and place in the denomination, in 1828. Deacon Jonathan Holbrook was its principal supporter. t MONTVILLE FIRST CHURCH. Five Baptists were united in church fellowship in Montville, July 17, 1807. The same year this 'little one' was blest with an increase by a revival, and by the ordination of Rev. Job Cush- man, from Hebron, as pastor. . For thirteen years they were blessed with his ministry and a cheering prosper- ity. He resigned in 1820. Years of trials followed. Rev. J. Hall preached a part of the time, but with little success. In 1826, the clouds began to break away, revealing some brighter prospects. This year, Ț. B. Robinson began to aid them in the capacity of a licen- tiate, and was eminently useful to them. He was or- dained an evangelist, July 25, 1827. A revival by his labors had enlarged the church, by an addition of con- verts, baptized by Elders S. Fogg and N. Hooper.
*Zion's Adv. March, 1835, and Min. L. and H. Asso. +Min. L. A. and Eld. Case's Journal.
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Mr. Robinson continued here till 1830, and baptized fifteen more, making sixty-five in all, during his stay. Since then, the church has had several pastors and ministers. Elder Joseph Palmer preached with little success, from 1830 to 1835; Elder E. H. Emery sup- plied a short time; Elder T. Jameson, in 1836; Elder I. S. Smith, a part of the time, 1837 and 1838; Elder Fogg, a short season, most successfully ; and Elder J. M. Mace was ordained pastor, and labored faithfully, from 1840 to 1843. He was a blessing to the church, though some internal difficulties seemed to operate against a large increase. The church is now united, and though without a pastor, is persevering, with sev- enty-four active members .*
CARMEL, now ETNA AND CARMEL. In Carmel and its vicinity, Baptists were little known previous to 1807. This year, as the fruits of the labors of Rev. John Chadbourn, seven persons were baptized and embodied into a church, with two other resident Baptists. Paul Ruggles was elected deacon. He was afterwards most successfully devoted in the work of the ministry. The years 1808 and 1809 were distinguished for an exten- sive work of grace in these settlements, under the labors of Elders J. Chadbourn, their minister, and Jason Livermore, of Mount Ephraim. This season of mercy to the church was followed by one of severe trials. Mr. Chadbourn was dismissed. In 1810, Daniel Mason received approbation to preach, and Paul Rug- gles was ordained. The church was blessed under the ministry of Mr. Ruggles. He died 1820. In 1822, the church was again aroused from its spiritual slum- bers by the preaching of A. E. Hackett, a licentiate, and by the blessing of God a few souls were converted.
*A. Pierce's Com. and Min. L. and W. A.
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CHURCH IN SURRY.
In 1823, Rev. Daniel McMaster was received as their first pastor. They prospered for seven years under his ministry, and sustained a loss by his resignation in 1831. The meeting of the quarterly conference in this vicinity was blessed to this church, with which it was held in 1834. The meeting was protracted: a revival com- menced, which, by the pious and efficient labors of Rev. H. Hawes, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, brought many precious souls to Christ. The church was again enlarged. From 1835 to 1837, Rev. Jacob Hatch officiated in the pastoral charge, and the church advanced. March 2, 1836, Isaac Boynton, Jr., son of their first deacon, was set apart to the work of the ministry by ordination, and B. D. Small in 1837. In 1838, the church was blessed with three-fourths of the ministry of Rev. S. M. Rice; from 1839 to 1842, three- fourths of the time by Rev. B. D. Small. The church is now destitute and in a 'depressed state.' Their num- ber is seventy-six. It has been a prosperous church, and has yielded to the denomination some fruit :- the churches, Dixmont, Pittsfield, Plymouth, and Hermon, (now extinct, ) besides several eminent ministers of the gospel .*
SURRY. The first revival in Surry was under the preaching of the Methodists, and a class was formed here by them as early as 1800. Elder John Tuffs was the preacher on the circuit, and Benjamin Lord, one o. the converts in Surry, was made class-leader. Baptists were not known here then. But in 1801, Rev. Johr Tripp, of Hebron, had occasion to visit Surry. While there he preached the gospel. Soon it was known tha he was one of those 'dreadful creatures,' the Baptists His preaching was experimental, spiritual and biblical
*John C. Friend's Com. and Min. L. and P. A.
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and thus made substantial and soul-nourishing food for those converts. The result was, a foundation for a Baptist interest. In 1802, Mr. Tripp visited them again. He now saw that his former labor was not in vain. Converted thoroughly from Arminianism and Pedo- baptism, Benjamin Lord and a few others, by their re- quest, were now baptized .* These labors of Mr. Tripp were not to be lost. God designed to carry forward the work of truth. In 1803, Elder Case came to them in the fulness of the gospel. His labors were blessed to the conversion of several more from the same errors, and of some from the love and practice of sin. He baptized eleven.f These labors were occasionally re- peated till 1806, when a church of seventeen members was organized. The next year, Benjamin Lord was qualified to preach among them by a license; and be- lieving that God had designed him for their pastor, the church invited him to receive the charge. He accepted, and was ordained 1810. For a period of thirty years he sustained this relation, with great profit to the church and pleasure to himself. This period, however, was nterrupted by an interval of four years, from 1814 to 1818, during which he was the useful pastor over the church in Columbia. Elder Lord died September, 1841. One peculiarity has marked the progress of this church. Its advancement has been altogether by periodical revi- vals. It has existed thirty-seven years; had one pastor; no meeting house; had four revivals, and yielded four churches-Branch Pond, Reed's Brook, Ellsworth Vil- age Church, and Third Trenton. It is now destitute, with fifty-six members.
JEFFERSON FIRST CHURCH. Jefferson was a part of he territory first called Ballstown. In the western *Rev. J. Tripp's Com. tEld. Case's Jour. #Rev. A. B. & Min. L. & H. A
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part, now Whitefield, a church was gathered in 1788. Through the influence of this church, and of Elder Bailey, their pastor, Baptists soon began to multiply in the eastern part, now Jefferson. Occasional labors were bestowed upon this people, by Elders Potter and Case, whose influence never failed to produce some good result. In 1807, the inhabitants of Jefferson erected a house of worship at the head of 'Damaris- cotta Pond,' and Mr. William Allen, a licentiate, and filled with the grace of God, commenced his untiring and successful ministry among them. The Lord poured forth his converting influences, and a gracious work began to appear. In the midst of the accumulating labors at this time, Elders Case and Pilsbury came to the aid of Mr. Allen, and by their instrumentality the work was made glorious and extensive .* The 'most of the converts were baptized' by Elder Case, who says, in his journal, for November, 1807, that he assisted the council in organizing the First Church in Jefferson. The minutes give the date 1808. But this was the year it united with the Association, when it reported seventy-five members. Its original number we have not heard. Being provided with a meeting-house, they next needed the pious pastor. This blessing was con- ferred, by the ordination of Mr. Allen, (1809) who was the principal instrument in their conversion to God Elder Allen entered upon his ministry with encouraging prospects; and the numerous blessings which flowed to this church under his ministry, for a period of abou twenty-seven years, show that he was the pastor whon the Lord chose. He died in 1836, leaving the church in its usual prosperous state, with about two hundred members.
*The most of these facts are gathered from Eld. C.'s Jour. for 1807.
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SECOND CHURCH IN JEFFERSON.
This venerable Father was succeeded in the pastoral office by Rev. Samuel Chisam, whose labors, from 1837 to the present, the Lord has signally honored, with dis- tinguished power and influence. Under his ministry there has been no retrograde movement by the church. From the first to the present, this church has pro- gressed, acquiring gradually and annually, numbers and ability, and has been repeatedly refreshed with the special and revival influences of the Divine Spirit. Few churches have occasion for more gratitude than this. While some have sojourned in the midst of trials and discouragements, this church has always advanced harmoniously and prosperously. It has three hundred and fifteen members .*
JEFFERSON SECOND CHURCH. This church also origi- nated with the revival in 1807. Elder Case baptized the original members.t This church was much smaller than the First; but for two years, being assisted by Mr. Asa Wing, a licentiate, they made some progress. In 1815, another revival was experienced in town, in which this church shared a part. It remained without a pastor till 1822, when its worthy deacon, William Burbank, who had been ordained the previous year, became its pastor. In 1824, another work of mercy in town en- larged this church and multiplied Baptists in every part of the town, and in 1825, Elder Burbank and a large part of this church were set off, to form a third church in town. This event deprived this church of a pastor, and left it in a state of comparative feebleness. From this till 1833, it struggled almost alone, having but oc- casional preaching, and consequently its increase was small. In 1833, with the settlement of Rev. E. Trask as pastor, the prospects of the church began to brighten.
*Min. L. A. and D. Asso. tEld. Case's Journal, 1807.
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CHURCH IN MATINICUS-DEER ISLAND.
He labored two years, and was succeeded in 1836 by Rev. George Whitehouse, who was eminently useful to the church, till 1842, when he resigned his charge, and soon after the present pastor, Rev. Jonathan Burbank, was introduced into the office by ordination. Although this church has not had the advantages of the First church, yet it has risen to a state of respectability and influence. Its present number is one hundred and six- teen, and its prospects are encouraging .*
MATINICUS. Matinicus is an island, forming an outer limit to Penobscot Bay. On this Island, a Baptist church of sixteen members was gathered in 1808. But from its distance from the main land, it enjoyed but few priv- ileges of communication with the denomination, and never having a pastor, it gradually diminished, till it lost its visibility. The fragments were gathered up in 1843, and embodied into a new church, of nine mem- bers. They are still destitute, and need the aid of a missionary.t
DEER ISLAND. This Island lies south of Sedgwick, in the eastern waters of Penobscot Bay. The first Baptist minister who visited it, was Elder Case, in the spring of 1784. In regard to his first visit, he says : 'Satan got there before me, and tried to prevent my sounding the glad tidings of the gospel, but God prostrated his dark designs.'} Eld. Case repeated his visits to this Island for several years ; souls were converted to God, and in 1807 a church of twenty-two members was gathered to hold up the cross of Christ to the people. The Baptists, however, did not operate on the Island without opposition. Soon teachers of another faith were found among the people. Says Eld. Case, ' at one time I found a man there who pretended to teach them, but in his reading there was no life nor power,
*Min. I . A. and D. A. tMin. L. A. #Eld. Case's Jour.
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nor was he of any advantage to the young disciples.'* A. Congregational church was organized on the Island about this time, and was prosperous.t
In 1810 the Baptist church was increased to thirty-two members, but being destitute of stated preaching, and sur- rounded by opposing influences, its prosperity for many years was small. In 1814 Rev. Samuel Allen became its pastor, but retained the office only one year, yet he contin- ued a portion of his labors with them, and in 1816 a work of revival was experienced on this Island, and on the Isle au Haut, where the other portion of his ministry was be- stowed upon the people. This increased the church by near- ly doubling its members ; the disciples from the Isle au Haut uniting with them, Eld. A. now again became pastor, and the church prospered by his ministry several years. At length they became remiss in duty, and Eld. A. left them about the year 1827. In 1831 under the ministry of Eld. Elisha Bedel, eighty were added to the church. Mr. B. was pastor till 1834. This revival season was followed by sad declensions in the church, and its numbers diminished as rapidly as its spirituality. That portion of its members who resided on ' Little Deer Isle,' was in 1838 embodied into a distinct church. This tended also to enfeeble this body. Recently by occasional preaching this church has been aroused a little from its slumbering ; still it remains a small and destitute band of but thirty-eight members. This church has suffered much from 'laxity of discipline.'
STETSON. In 1807 this town, then a small settlement, and called 'Stetsontown,' was visited by Elder Case, while performing a mission under the direction of the Massa- chusetts Domestic Missionary Society. 'Here,' he says, He tarried with them and ' I found a few pious souls.'S
*Eld. Case's Jour. 1784. +Green. Eccl. his. p. 158. ¿ Min. L. E. M. and H. Asso. §Eld. Case's Journal, 1807.
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CHURCH IN CAMDEN.
preached several days, and baptized eight persons and embodied them into a church. But by removals and deaths and other losses, this little one in a few years, (1820,) be- came extinct. In 1834, Rev. S. Dexter of Corinth, visited the place and opened a series of meetings, which were blessed to the conversion of twenty or thirty persons; and in August of that year a new church was organized. This church was also very feeble, and in 1837, had but ten members, These by mutual consent dissolved their con- nection, and united with the church in Newport .*
CAMDEN. A settlement was commenced here about the year 1780, and increased somewhat rapidly. The first religious movement among the people was in 1784, caused by the influence of the extensive revival in Thomaston that year, and by the occasional preaching of Eld. Case, who was instrumental in promoting that glorious work. Says Eld. C. in his journal, ' April 22d, I went to Camden, or to 'Goose river ;' called on Mr. Simonton, found his wife and daughter desiring to see Jesus, and I trust they have tasted that the Lord is gracious.' From this time he made frequent visits to that people. In 1802 Elder Case baptized two persons; one of these individuals was a woman who was led to embrace Christ some years previous, by hearing Eld. Case repeat, 'Peace be to this house,' the first time he entered her father's dwelling. This was a word in season, and shows the faithfulness of this servant of God. These movements were preparing the way for the Baptist interest in Camden. Soon the Congregation- alists began to operate in town, and anticipated the Bap- tists in planting a church. They organized in 1805 ;+ and the Baptists in 1808, gathered two churches, one in the westerly part of the town, the other in the easterly part. The latter occupied the village as their centre of influence.
*Rec. of Pen. Asso. +Green. Eccl. his. p. 175.
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CHURCH IN CAMDEN.
THE FIRST CHURCH, in the westerly part of the town was gathered by the occasional labors of Elder E. Snow and Eld. John Still, and had in Sept. twenty-five members. Eld. Still soon became their stated minister if not pastor, and was with them till 1815, but the church made slow progress. In 1816 the church was increased and encour- aged by a pleasant revival, but remaining destitute of the stated ministry of the gospel, it became much enfeebled in a few years by a loss of members. In 1824 this church licensed N. Copeland, by whom they were assisted till 1828. Still they were a small and inefficient church. 5 In 1831 Eld. A. Kalloch rendered them some important aid, and in 1832 Eld. A. Bedel became its pastor. He tarried but one year, leaving the church without increase. In 1837 and 1838, this church enjoyed some revival. Elders S. Baker and S. N. Rice then labored with them. This harvest season increased the church to ninety members. Since that time the church has been in a tried, divided and unhappy state, principally the result of the instability of Mr. Baker. Their state is yet most precarious, and the continuance of their visibility somewhat doubtful ; but we hope better things. Their number is seventy-two .*
THE SECOND CHURCH in the village was gathered soon after the first, and by the same instrumentality. It had in Sept. sixteen members, and thus began with a smaller num- ber than the first church, and for several years its prosperity hardly encouraged exertion. But, aided by occasional preaching, it maintained existence till 1816, when, like the first, it was increased by a revival, It however gained but a small advancement till within a few years. In 1827 Elder N. Hooper became its first pastor, but continued only one year, Now followed a series of sojourneyings for eight years, during which they were made to drink of
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a mixed cup of good and evil. But encouraged by the promises of God, they believed that they should 'reap' if they 'fainted not.'
The Convention considered their situation, and sent Eld. H. Kendall to them, who by the help of God was success- ful in gathering together this scattered flock, and of intro- ducing to their number twenty-five new members. Encour- aged by this success, the Convention in October made another appropriation, and Eld. K.'s labors were continued. The church quickened by their prosperity and animated to the work by the advice and successful efforts of Eld. K. in collecting aid from abroad, set about building a house of worship in the village, which was completed and opened in 1837. Since that time the church has not been driven from one school-house to another, and thence to private dwellings ; and for this blessing they are much indebted to the Convention and to Elder K., but most of all to the Great Head of the church. In 1838 Eld. E. Freeman commenced his labors with this church, and administered to its prosperity till 1842, when he was succeeded by the valuable efforts of Eld. A. Dunbar one year. Eld. Daniel Bartlett is their present beloved pastor, and the church is advancing in respectability and influence, with a total of one hundred and twelve members .*
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