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 26
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*Eld. Case's Jour. 1810. +Mr. C. H.
340
CHURCH IN GOULDSBORO'-MACHIAS PORT.
tuary, erected in a central part of the town, at an expense of $3000. This accommodated them till 1837, when it became too strait for them, and another house was erected at a cost of $8000.
Eld. B. Buck became their pastor in 1818, and resigned in 1819. Eld. H. J. Ripley officiated from 1820 to 1822. Eld. Hosea Wheeler, 1822, to his death, Jan. 27, 1823. Eld. Joshua Eveleth, from 1823 to 1825. Eld T. Miriam, 1825 to.1828. Eld. F. W. Emmons, from April 1829 to Dec. 1829. Eld. Phinehas Bond, from 1831 to 1834. Eld. J. B. Hague, their present pastor, entered upon his charge by ordination Sept. 1835. Additions were made to the church during each of these pastorates. It has enjoyed several revival seasons, but none more interesting and beneficial than the one witnessed in 1836. It is now a church of two hundred and eighteen members, is engaged liberally in the general works of christian benevolence, and is most efficiently sustaining the cause among themselves .*
GOULDSBOROUGH. This is a small and feeble church, and has existed since the year 1816. Through the influ- ence of occasional visits and preaching of Baptist missiona- ries and travelling ministers, the early inhabitants were favorable to the doctrines of the Baptists. Eld's Case, Snow, and Hale, were among the first Baptist preachers to visit them.
The original number of the church was ten. Soon after their organization, Eld. Job Chadwick became their pastor and ministered to them till 1832. They have had no pastor since ; but aided by occasional preaching, they have maintained a respectable visibility. Their prosperity has been much promoted by the labors of their worthy deacon, John Sumner. Present number, twenty-sixt
MACHIAS-PORT. Machias was called by the Indians,
*Mr. C. Hayden's Com. tCh. Records.
341
CHURCH IN MACHIAS PORT.
' Mechisses.' A Mr. Allerton, from Plymouth, opened in this place a trading wigwam in 1633. In 1744, an opening was made by the French on the east river; and in 1763, by persons from Cumberland County, a settlement was gained on the west river. Most of the original inhab- itants being of a Congregational faith, a church of that order was organized as early as 1781 .* The town was incorporated by its present name in 1784. The people were generally Congregational, and favored with a stated ministry. Baptists, by their occasional efforts, obtained but limited influence among them for many years. In 1797, Mr. Murphy labored some among them. Eld. Case says, ' several persons were regenerated into gospel faith,'
and ' from that time till 1810, Baptist ministers visited these brethren occasionally, and preached Christ to them and to the people.t While on a mission, Eld. Case made them a visit in 1810. Here he met Rev. Mr. Manning, from Nova Scotia, who aided him in constituting the Bap- tists in Machias, who desired the privilege, into a gospel church. Their number was eleven only. A new impetus was now given to their influence, and a home was created for all who might become Baptists.
In 1819, God owned the labors of Eld. Wm. Johnson among them, and the church was strengthened by an addi- tion, as the fruits of a revival. The next year Eld. B. Buck was settled over them as pastor, who, after four years useful labor, resigned his charge. In 1825, he was suc- ceeded by Eld. W. Glover, a licentiate, by whose labors the church enjoyed a second refreshing and enlargement. Elders Bond and Johnson aided in the work, and baptized the converts.
For a period of about five years after this revival, they prospered with but occasional preaching. In 1831, Eld.
*Green. Eccl. his. p. 206. tEld. Case's Journal.
342
CHURCH IN PENOBSCOT.
Buck again became pastor, and did much to establish the church in the faith of the gospel. In 1834, Eld. W. H. Beckwith was elected pastor, and the church enjoyed anoth- er revival season, and had some increase. Twenty of its members were now set off to form the Village Church East Machias. In 1838, Eld. Charles Emerson, their present pastor, entered this field of labor. By his ministry, which has been bestowed only in part upon this church, the cause of God has prospered. A precious revival was enjoyed in the winter of 1840, when thirty-eight were added. Eld. C. Emerson and J. Gillpatrick, originated in this church. Their present number is one hundred and sixty, and are advancing the cause of truth, aided only by one half the ministry of their pastor .*
PENOBSCOT. This town originally included Castine, and was, by the Indians, called ' Majorbigwaduce,' and is still by some, called by the corrupt name, 'Bagaduce.'t Congregationalists were in this field at an early date. A parish was established in 1793, and in 1795 a Congrega- tional church was gathered .¿
As the settlers increased, a few Baptists gained a resi- dence in town. Occasionally, Baptist preachers were here : but Eld. Roundy, while pastor at Bluehill, was the principal instrument in planting the sentiments of the Bap- tists, and although their principles were indignantly reject- ed by most of the people ; yet their influence was silent and successful.
A revival was enjoyed by the Baptists in Bluehill in 1816, which extended into this town, by which means fifteen or twenty were converted and added to the church in B. The fruits of this revival, together with those who were converted in a revival in 1819, laid the foundation
*Eld. C. Emerson's Com., Min W. A. tPenobscot town records, cit. by Greenleaf his. sk. p. 160, #Green. his. sk. p. 161.
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343
CHURCH IN SWAN ISLAND.
for a church, which was regularly organized in 1820, with thirty-five members. The same year Eld. J. Roundy be- came its pastor ; in 1821, they were blessed with another revival, and encouraged by an enlargement ; and in 1823, they provided for their convenience a small house for the worship of God. These were times of prosperity, in the midst of which Eld. R. resigned his charge. They have since suffered a long night of darkness, of trial, and of decrease. From 1823 to 1841, it had but little preaching, excepting one year (1833) when they were favored with the stated ministry of Eld. W. Marshall. In 1841, Elder T. J. Jewett began to aid them with a part of his ministry, which has been a blessing to the church, and the Baptist cause is now rising in town as from obscurity. Their number is thirty-seven .*
SWAN ISLAND. Previous to 1816, there were but few professors of religion on this Island, and these neglected to assemble for the worship of God. Says our informant, 'they had not love enough to God to face a frowning world, in vindication of his cause.' But God had a people here, and by his own selected instrumentalities, he raised them up. The first effort which he blessed to the good of souls, was a sermon preached by Rev. E. Eaton, a Congregationalist, in 1816. By this means, a pious widow, who was then employed as a school-teacher, was much quickened, and several souls converted. This widow assembled the people, and by her advice, regular meetings for praying, singing, and reading sermons, were set up. These meetings were profitable, as they established a religious influence on the Island.
In 1817, Bryant Lennon, a Baptist licentiate, began to labor among this people with success. A number more were now converted, and by their request, a council was *J. Perkins' Com.
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SECOND CHURCH IN ADDISON
convened, to whom twelve persons related their christian experience, and were baptized by Eld. Samuel Allen, of Deer Isle. They were then recognized as a church in gospel order, and the next year Mr. Lennon was ordained as a minister of Christ 'among them. By his ministry, and by the occasional preaching of Eld. D. Merrill, the church for some years prospered. Mr. Lennon left in 1827. In 1828, Eld. Wm. Johnson visited and preached to their benefit. They have since been dependent upon occasional supplies. The church was enlarged in 1832, under the labors of Eld. E. Bedel. Elder S. Macomber has since favored them with a portion of his ministry. Their present number is fifty-eight .*
SECOND ADDISON, (first called 'JONESBORO' and ADDI- SON.') It was gathered under the labors of Eld. Isaac Bridges, and was constituted. in 1818, with twenty-five members. Aaron Wass was its first and worthy deacon. In 1825 and '26, they were encouraged by the preaching of Eld. Samuel Allen of Deer Isle, a considerable part of the time. In 1826 the Lord revived his work, and fifty- nine were added to the church. But many who had glad- dened the church by a profession, soon 'made shipwreck of their faith,' and were excluded. Also a sweeping sick- ness removed several of its most worthy members, among whom was their lamented deacon Wass. They next en- joyed the stated ministry by Mr. J. Henderson. He was with them from 1832 till 1835, and at first was useful to them, but left in difficulty and discouragement. But He who never slumbers, watched over them and rescued the church from destruction. Their numbers were, however, again diminished.
In 1837 Elder Isaac Boynton, their first pastor, began his successful ministry among them. By his labors God
*J. Stockbridge's Com.
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CHURCH IN LUBEC.
built up this church, and made them to enjoy ' blessings in heavenly places.' Their present number is one hundred and three .* [Mr. Boynton died Oct. 28, 1844.]
LUBEC. The first Baptists in Lubec were the fruits of a Baptist influence from the church in Eastport. During the revival enjoyed by that church in 1794 and '95, sever- al persons were converted on what is called the 'Neck.' In 1802 they were recognized as a branch to the Eastport church; but it soon was nearly lost. A few praying souls however remained to plead the cause of God, and in 1820 nine persons were regularly organized into a church, and by the blessing of God they increased, and were able in 1822, to erect for themselves a commodious house of wor- ship, at a cost of $1600. From their organization till 1825, they had but occasional preaching, by Elders Wm. Johnson and J. Roundy. In 1825 E. N. Harris, a licen- tiate, commenced preaching with them. Soon after Eld. N. Cleaveland united his pious ministry with the efforts of Mr. Harris, and some revival was witnessed, which increas- ed the number of the church. The next year Mr. Harris was ordained pastor. But unfortunately for the Baptists, he was not true to his trust. He soon denied the faith of the gospel, and became a Universalist. His deception was cloaked by an easy and ready communicativeness, and a semblance of piety. The cross of Christ was too humil- iating, he therefore deserted these disciples.
Since that period the Baptists have passed through some changes and many trials. In 1830 Mr. Henderson came among them, but his doings were deleterious to their cause. With his efforts a serious division originated in the church. A party called the 'Henderson party,' withdrew, and com- menced operations by themselves, but they soon paused in their measures ; some returned to the church and others
*Eld. T. Boynton's Com.
346
CHURCH IN AMHERST.
joined the Methodists. This was a severe affliction to the church; and since that period they have had anything but rest. They were assisted by the ministry and efforts of Eld. Bedel in 1831; of Wm. Gooding, a licentiate, from England, who was ordained pastor, in 1834 ; of Eld. Thos. Magee, who was pastor in 1835 ; of Eld. D. McGregor, who was pastor from 1837, about two years.
In 1838 Eld. D. Thompson united his efforts with the pastor, and a glorious and extensive revival added one hundred and fifty-eight to the church by baptism. Almost every section of the town shared in the blessing. By a natural division of the town into sections, occasioned by a small bay, the church now consisted of two parts, and could be better accommodated in their respective sections. That part where the church had existed, was called the ' Branch on the Neck;' the other part was called the ' Branch at South Bay,' where now exists the second church. The old branch continued to worship in their meeting house, and the new branch commenced a house at South Bay .* Soon difficulties began again to trouble and distract the movements of both branches, and especial trials existed at the neck. These trials continued to dis- unite and weaken the church, so that the ministry of Eld. Wm. N. Slason in 1840, and of Eld. D. Dodge in 1841, were fruitless. Though this church has enrolled one hun- dred and ninety-one members, yet its place, its influence, and prosperity is nearly lost by its internal disorders, and it is feared that a dissolution and re-organization will be the only means to place the Baptist cause in that part of the town in a healthy condition.
AMHERST, (first called ' MARIAVILLE.') As early as 1808, Eld. Amos Allen visited Mariaville, and was the first Baptist who preached Christ to the new settlers. He oc-
*Stephen Rummery's Com.
347
CHURCH IN AMHERST-CUTLER.
casionally repeated his visits, till 1816, and by means of his labors, some were converted, and two persons were baptized. These efforts prepared the way of the Lord in this vicinity, and laid the foundation for this church, and the one since organized in Mariaville.
Eld. Wm. Johnson, in 1820, was made a special blessing to this people. Under his ministry, the good seed sown by Elder Allen, began to vegetate and bear fruit. Several persons were converted and baptized. In 1821, a church of sixteen members was organized, which is now the church ' Amherst.' About this time the Congregationalists began to operate in town, and by ' their interference and exertions, several who were baptized by Eld. Johnson, were drawn into their society.'
This church has had but one pastor, and for one year only, Eld. W. C. Rider, 1830; yet they have generally had the preaching of the gospel, and have been blessed with several revivals. There was a refreshing in 1822, Elder Wm. Johnson preacher ; another in 1826 and '27, El- der Rider preacher ; a third in 1831, Elder Hatch preacher ; and a fourth in 1838, E. Jewett preacher. In 1830, the church in Mariaville was set off, as the fruits of the revival ; and Aurora in 1843. Elders E. and A. Bedel originated in this church. It has seventy-seven members .*
CUTLER. The Baptists were the first to make any efforts to evangelize the people in Cutler. Elder Henry Hale, while on a voluntary mission in 1806, spent a short time and preached in Cutler, and the next year a few persons were baptized, and a church of twenty-four members was organized.
In 1819, Eld. Wm. Johnson visited Cutler, and found this church in a feeble and scattered state. He was instru -- mental in their revival, and several were added to them. In *John B. Foster, Ch. Clk. Com.
348
CHURCH IN HANCOCK-FRANKLIN.
1822, they were able to build a house of worship. This church has since had some peculiar trials. In 1828, addi- tions were made by Eld. Trask ; in 1829, by Eld. Bedel ; in 1831, by Eld. Buck ; in 1834, by Eld. Beckwith; and in 1837, by Eld. Wm. N. Slason. 'Soon after Eld. Slason closed his labors with them, Mr. Henderson came into the town, and preached, and soon the church was divided, the Sabbath School closed, and the walls of Zion thrown down.' In 1842, Eld. D. Dodge became their pastor, and still devotes a part of his ministry to their benefit. They are, however, as yet, in a tried and feeble state. Their number is forty .*
HANCOCK, (first called ' SECOND SULLIVAN.') In 1824, seventeen members were dismissed from the church in Sullivan, and organized into the church now called Han- cock. The next year it was enlarged by an addition of fifty-four by baptism ; a second revival added twenty-four by baptism; and by a third, fifty-six were added in 1838; and in 1843, they gathered a fourth harvest, which in- creased their number by thirty-two.
Besides these special seasons of mercy and of enlarge- ment, the church has enjoyed almost uninterrupted pros- perity, having experienced but few trials. Not having a pastor for many years, it has been aided by the labors of different ministers, who have preached successively, and during stated periods. For the last few years, they have received the pastoral care of Eld. R. Y. Watson one half of the time, the other half being devoted to the interests of the Baptists in Sullivan. This church has a meeting- house, and numbers one hundred and thirty-three mem- bers. The second church in Hancock originated with this in 1842.1
FRANKLIN. Most of the original members of the church *Dea. P. Libby's Com. tMin. E. M. and H. Asso.
349
CHURCH IN FRANKLIN.
in Franklin, were dismissed from the church in Sullivan. For their convenience, and the advancement of the gospel, they were organized into a church in 1825. Their num- ber was twenty-eight. Their means of improvement and usefulness were quite limited for several years ; the church therefore was deficient in influence, and gained but little by their organization. In 1829, however, they were encouraged by a few additions, and occasionally with preaching by itinerant preachers.
From 1830 to 1838, this church passed through a period of the most painful and distracting trials. These trials were occasioned by the immoralities of Jedediah Darling, whom they elected as pastor in 1830. In 1832 he was deprived of the pastoral charge, and excluded from their fellowship. In these movements, however, there was a minority of the church who did not acquiesce, but opposed. By the request of the church, the Association at its next anniversary sanctioned their doings, and resolved their non-fellowship with Mr. Darling. This by no means, how- ever, was satisfactory to the minority. Disunion from year to year paralyzed all their doings. An attempt was made in 1835, to relieve the church of its deadly incum- brances by lopping off some of its unfruitful branches. Nineteen of the members only were found to renew their covenant and fellowship. They did so, and claimed to be the church, and dropped the rest, as lost members. This movement also was approved by the Association. In 1838 Eld. J. Roundy commenced preaching to them. A revival was enjoyed which not only enlarged and quickened the church, but raised it somewhat above its trials .* They have since had preaching the most of the time by different ministers, as Elders Roundy, F. Ellis, S. Baker and S. Fogg ; but the church is still a feeble body of sixty-two
*Min. E. M. and H Asso.
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350
FIRST CHURCH IN ADDISON.
members, and need the sympathy and the aid of a mis- sionary.
FIRST ADDISON. In May 1825, Rev. John Billings made his first visit to Columbia. The church in Columbia and Addison numbered at that time about fifty members, mostly females, and in, a tried and scattered condition. 'Soon after I commenced my labors with them as a minis- ter of the gospel,' says Mr. B. 'things began to wear a brighter aspect. The Lord poured out his Spirit and it was thought that about one hundred souls were converted to Christ, a large proportion of whom made a public profes- sion of religion. The same year the church invited me to unite with them, receive ordination and become their pastor. But for certain reasons I declined their invitation." A large part of the church was in Addison, and the dis- tance rendered it inconvenient for them to meet in Colum- bia. Consequently in 1826, the members in Addison, fifty- seven in number, were by mutual consent dismissed and recognized the first Baptist church in Addison; and, on the 12th of July of that year, Mr. Billings was placed over them as pastor by ordination. Eld. B. left in the fall of '43, and Eld. John Johnson became his successor in the pastoral office.
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This has been a prosperous church. Besides a gradual increase since its organization, it has experienced two signal and extensive revivals. In 1832 seventy were added by bap- tism, and in 1839, thirty-nine. 'During my settlement with this church,' says M. B., ' nothing transpired to dis- turb those christian and friendly feelings, which first existed between myself and the people of my charge. We lived in peace and love.'
This church has its second house of worship, built in 1839. Their number was diminished in 1843, by the dismission of about seventy members to form the east
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SECOND BLUEHILL-CRAWFORD-ELLSWORTH. 351
church in Harrington ; and yet it remains an efficient body of one hundred and eighty-two members .*
SECOND BLUEHILL. The second church in Bluehill owes its existence to the influence under God, of the first churches in Sedgwick and Bluehill. Its original members were from these churches. It occupies a central position between them. It was organized in 1825. In 1833, by a work of divine mercy, thirty-four were added by baptism. In 1837 Eld. Amos Allen received the pastoral charge, and aided its prosperity till 1843. Their number then was sev- enty-two, being increased that year by thirteen baptisms.t
CRAWFORD, (first called ' No. 20.') A church of nine- teen members was gathered in this new town in 1825. A revival in 1826, increased the number to seventy-three. In 1829, twenty-five were dismissed to aid in building a church in the town of Cooper, and various other losses, soon reduced this church to a fraction more than forty.
They had occasional preaching only. Eld. B. Buck aided their advancement by a part of his ministry in 1830. In 1832 they were again enlarged by a revival. They erected a house of worship in 1837. The church then had fifty-nine members. In 1842 they received a fourth of the ministry of Eld. Daniel Dodge. But declension in the church paralyzed his efforts. At the close of '43, they were in a low and scattered state, having only thirty-six members. The beloved Benjamin Fletcher, who died in 1842, while in course of study preparatory to the gospel ministry, waslicensed to preach by this church. A respect- ful notice of his death was taken by the Washington As- sociation at their annual meeting for that year .¿
ELLSWORTH. Ellsworth, on Union river, settled as early as 1763, was at first under a Presbyterian influence. The Congregationalists followed and formed a church in 1812.
*Rev. J. Billings' Com. tMin. H. Asso. #Min. W. Asso.
352
CHURCH IN PEMBROKE.
P. Nourse, minister. The people of Ellsworth, therefore, had no particular respect for the sentiments of the Baptists. In a very extensive revival enjoyed by the Baptists in Sur- ry in 1827, a few souls in Ellsworth were converted, and united with the church in Surry. In 1828, seventeen members dismissed from S. were organized into a church in Ellsworth. This church never prospered, and in 1837 it was disbanded .*
PEMBROKE. Pembroke was formerly called Pennema- quam, and is about twelve miles west of Eastport. Elder Case and other travelling preachers in Maine, and from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, began to preach here occasionally about as soon as the Baptists commenced in Eastport, and those who became pious Baptists in P., united at first with the church in Eastport. Distance, bad roads, and the danger in crossing the bay to Eastport, occasioned a separation, and the recognition of the Baptists in Pem- broke as a church about the year 1800. But having none to instruct or encourage them, the church was soon lost, and for several years the religious affairs of the people remained in a broken and sad condition. There was, however, some lively stones not to be lost amidst the ruins. In 1805 a Congregational church was gathered by the missionary efforts of Rev. Jotham Sewall ; but for many years this church remained in a feeble state, and was una- ble to settle a pastor.f
The few Baptists who continued to hold fast their faith through a series of obstacles, were gathered together and strengthened by a few occasional efforts made by Eld. B. Buck in 1819, then pastor of the church in Eastport. A second attempt was made to move forward in the capacity of a church. The church now formed, consisted of eleven members, and for several years received much profitable
*Min. E. M. and HI. Asso. +Green. Eccl. his. p. 207.
353
CHURCH IN CHARLOTTE.
aid from this faithful man of God. From 1822 to 1829, the Baptist cause advanced by the occasional visits of Eld Wm. Johnson, and about thirty were added to the church. In 1832, Wm. H. Beckwith, a licentiate from New Bruns- wick, was ordained in this church.
With the year 1834, commenced a new period in the history of the church. Elder C. Emerson became its pas- tor, and remained about two years. In 1837, Eld. S. Fogg spent several months with profit to them, and the same year Eld. Wm. N. Slason became pastor. He preached with them one half the time for about five years, and they were much enlarged under his ministry. In 1843, they were destitute. Their number is fifty-nine .*
CHARLOTTE. Many of the first settlers in Charlotte moved from Pembroke, and of these some were Baptists. Soon the people were supplied with preachers by the Meth- odists and Free-will Baptists, and societies embracing their sentiments were formed and enlarged. To these religious pioneers the Baptists felt strong attachments. But they were Baptists; and did not find all their spiritual desires gratified, by such a ministry. They thus lived several years. Eld. Wm. Johnson was the first Baptist to preach Christ here. In the summer of 1829, he was successful in gathering these disciples together for prayer and worship. God converted others and added to their numbers, and in August, thirty members were recognized as a gospel church. In 1832 the church by a revival was quickened and enlarged. From this time to 1838, this branch of Zion travelled through trials and painful difficulties, and sustained a considerable loss of its members.t In the fall of '38, Mr. Slason of Pembroke, commenced preaching with them one fourth of the time and his ministry was
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