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 29
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*Min. P. A. and letters to the Asso. tThis 1st ch. p. 262 and Min. P. A. 17*
382
FIRST CHURCH IN ST. ALBANS-ABBOT.
organized a church of seventeen members. In 1830, a precious revival was enjoyed, and nineteen added by bap- tism. Reuben Tolman was ordained pastor. Eld. Case, by direction of the Convention, visited them that year and . cheered them with his presence and preaching. Elder Tolman was pastor but one year. Eld. Daniel Macomber served them in the gospel in 1835, and the church was enlarged. Since that period they have seen days of afflic- tion. But like Sardis, it had 'a few names who had not defiled their garments.' In 1843, God appeared for their help, and sent Eld. McGregor to them, whom he has blessed to their benefit. Their prospect is brightening. Their number is forty .*
FIRST ST. ALBANS. A small church, of about fifteen members, was gathered here in 1829. The next year it was enlarged to the number of thirty, and Eld. Benjamin Bisbee became its bishop. In 1832, it began to be harassed · by trials within its own bosom, which reduced it the next year to sixteen members. In 1834, Elder William Oaks preached for them, and the church was increased. From that time to the present, this church has had but occasional preaching, by D. Given, a licentiate, and some others, and has done comparatively nothing for the general welfare of Christ's kingdom. It has twenty-two members.t
ABBOT. This town was incorporated in 1827. Several Baptists resided in different parts of the settlement, but they had only a partial acquaintance with each other. In 1829, nine individuals were constituted into a church. God owned their works, and poured out his Spirit, which made the wilderness resound with the praises of the young converts, and this 'little one' was soon rejoiced by an ad- dition of twenty. In 1831, Joseph Hall was qualified by license to preach. For two or three years he was successful.
*Let. to the Asso. and Min. of P. Asso. +Min. P. and Pis. Asso.
383
CHURCH IN LINCOLN-LEE.
But difficulties arose among them, which reduced them, in 1835, nearly to extinction. But their life was again re- newed, in 1836, by the ministry of Eld. Thomas Macomber, and in 1837, by Eld. William Oaks. They have since had occasional preaching by brethren A. Clark, Z. Hall, J. F. Page, S. Tubbs, and J. Hatch. Their location is unfa- vorable, being scattered over a wide territory. Thirty- three in number .*
LINCOLN. Lincoln is a large town on the east side of Penobscot river, at the mouth of the Matanawcook stream, where is a flourishing village. A [Baptist church was gathered here, consisting of six members from the church in Paris, by the advice of Elders Dexter and Hatch, mission. aries of the Convention, in 1830. Soon after its embody- ment, Eld. I. Case, another missionary of the same body, visited the place and added four by baptism. 'Of these,' , says father Case, 'one was a woman educated a Pedo- baptist, but on becoming pious, searched the Bible for truth and direction, and renounced her infant baptism ;' 'a second was educated a Quaker, but was converted and embraced the truth as it is in Christ.' This church has been highly favored with pleasing gifts for exhortation, prayer and discipline, and two of its members, Stephen Chase and Edmund Watson, have become ministers of the gospel. In 1834 and '35, this church had a stated minis- try, but no special prosperity ; and since that time to the present, although it has had much preaching from year to year, and though other religious societies have flourished around them, they remain a small and inefficient body of christians. They need help. Their present number is twenty-seven.+
LEE, (first called No. 4.) A settlement was commenced
*Min. P. and Pis. Asso. and letters to the Asso. +Min. P. A. and Min. of Con. and letters to the Asso. Rev. S. Fogg's Com.
384
CHURCH IN BLANCHARD-PLYMOUTH.
here in 1827, and the town possessing a rich and fertile soil, the increase of population was rapid. In a period of ten years from the first opening, it had five hundred and thirty-six inhabitants. In 1830, there were thirty families, among whom were a few Baptists, who as soon as practica- ble began to hold meetings for social and religious wor- ship. By these means, these strangers in the wilderness became acquainted with each other, and the same year, (1830) a.church of ten members was organized by the two missionaries, Dexter and Hatch. They were visited and encouraged by Eld. Case in a few weeks after they were embodied, and several persons, two of whom had been previous to their conversion, ' defenders of Univer- salism,' were by him added to the church. This church has not been blessed with a pastor, but has frequent preach- ing by missionaries, and some stated preaching by Elders A. P. Messer, and W. Marshall. Elder A. Messer and J. Jackson have preached with the church occasionally. They have, however, but few gospel privileges, and are a small, tried and inefficient church of twenty-nine members. They need and desire the aid of a faithful missionary .*
BLANCHARD. In this new and lonely settlement under the northern brow of Russell Mountain, and on the north branch of Piscataquis river, a few Baptists found it con- venient to reside, and by occasional preaching a small church of about thirty members was embodied in 1828. By the labors of brethren Hall, Hatch, Oaks and Marshall, some were added in 1831. But its light soon waned, and in 1837, with twenty-nine members, its name was lost. ' Their fall was owing partly to a want of gospel means, but mostly to neglect.'t
PLYMOUTH. This town was incorporated in 1826, and previous to 1830 the people enjoyed, if they desired them,
*Min. P. A. of Con. and letters to the A. tMin. P. A. and letters to the A.
i fi F n
P P
en co re hi ar I
but ha ch B El 18
385
CHURCH IN FOXCROFT.
but few religious privileges, and even since as a town they have had but a small amount of evangelical preaching. A church of eight members was organized in 1830. These Baptists had been members of Etna and other churches. Eld. E. Carter began to preach semi-monthly for them in 1832, and has since labored much for their advancement.
In 1836, twelve of the members were dismissed and embodied into a new church, and in that capacity, and in company, ' emigrated to the Great Western Valley.' This rendered the church very feeble, but Elder Carter continued his efforts for their welfare. The church was perplexed and weakened by internal difficulties from 1839 to 1842. In '42 they were blessed with the ministry of Elder T. L. Pilsbury. Their prospects are not the most encouraging. Present number thirty-five .*
FOXCROFT. This town on the north side of Piscataquis river, has a rich soil, was first settled in 1805, and ' named in compliment to the Hon. Jos. E. Foxcroft.' It has a fine village, in which is located a promising Academy. Here were some Congregationalists. As the population increased, some Baptists became residents here, and by means of occasional preaching some were converted and embraced their sentiments, who with the older members, were united with the church in Dover, as a branch church.
In March 1832, nineteen members were recognized as an independent church. The following September they had increased to thirty-two. By a revival in 1838, it was increased by nineteen baptisms. It received only occa- sional preaching, and it did not very well succeed in its operations. After the formation of the 'Foxcroft and Dover Village church,' this church was disbanded, most of its members uniting with that body .¿
*Min. P. A .; letters to that body. +N. E. Gazeteer. |Min P. and Pis. Association.
386 CHURCH IN GARLAND-STETSON-PITTSFIELD.
GARLAND. This town was incorporated in 1811. The earliest settlers were mostly Congregationalists. It was several years before there were any resident Baptists. However, by means of occasional preaching by missiona- ries and visiting ministers, a few Baptists were raised up, and connected with the church in Dexter. Dec. 1833, eleven members were recognized as a church. They have never had a pastor, and not more stated preaching than one week in four. Elders E. W. Cressy, S. M. Rice, N. Robinson, and J. Hatch, have afforded them some as- sistance. They remain in a low and discouraged state. Their present number is eighteen. They unite with other societies in Sabbath Schools .*
STETSON. (See ' NEWPORT and STETSON,' pp. 240 and 283.)
PITTSFIELD. This town was incorporated in 1819. Jan. 1830, Eld. D. McMaster became a resident in town, and preached to the people occasionally, but with no ap- parent success. Previous to his labors the gospel had not exerted its salutary influences in town, and the people were far from being too moral. 'Sabbath breaking and intem- perance had become common evils.' During 1832 and '33, Eld. M. withheld his labors, and the people were left almost without preaching of any kind. At the beginning of 1834, Eld. M. recommenced his preaching wherever he could in this dark and desolate spot; and his efforts were not in vain. God sent down his Spirit, converted sinners, and in May, 1834, a church of eighteen members appeared in P. This church by the faithful labors of Eld. M., was soon enlarged. Sabbath Schools and Temperance Socie- ties were immediately formed. Thus in the short time of a few months, the moral aspect of Pittsfield was greatly changed. The people had sat in darkness, but now they saw
*Min. P. A. and letters to the Asso.
IS
387
CHURCH IN ATHENS VILLAGE-EXETER.
a pleasant light. During 1835, this church had by mis- sionaries and others, preaching semi-monthly. But from that time till 1842, it was destitute, and being surrounded by those ready to devour, and becoming luke-warm, and scattered, they lost their hold of the cross, and wandered from the denomination. In 1839 they reported twenty- seven members .*
ATHENS VILLAGE. The original members of the church in this village were from other churches. They were or- ganized in 1836, seven in number. Elder Rufus Jones was the agent in promoting these first Baptist movements in this village. The next year, under the united labors of Mr. Jones and C. Taylor, then both licentiates, a pleasant revival was enjoyed in this church and village. Both of these gospel preachers have since been ordained; the former took the pastoral charge of the first church in Athens, and the latter the charge of this church. In 1841 Eld. Jones became the pastor of this church and officiated till 1843, when he returned to the business of farming for support. The church, therefore, has no pastor, and is small and feeble, with thirty-seven members only.t
EXETER. This town was incorporated in 1811. For many years the people had but few gospel privileges, and it was not till about 1836, that the Baptists made any very successful efforts in town. A few resided here and be- longed to the church in Dexter. In 1836, Eld. J. Hatch, missionary for the Convention, spent eight weeks in this town, and was instrumental in gathering these scattered and lonely disciples into a church, and of strengthening their faith and zeal. They were fifteen in number. Eld. H. preached monthly in 1837, and some in '38 and '39. After about two years of declension and darkness, the church was revived by the preaching of Elder. C. T. Nor-
*Min. P. A. and letters to that body. +Min. P. and P. A. Eld. Jones' Com.
388
CHURCH IN OLD TOWN-SEBEC-BANGOR, &c.
cross. He preached one-third of the time most of the year 1842, and in '43 they were favored again with Elder Hatch monthly. By these labors the church with much struggling in itself is enabled to do but little more than sustain visibility. Their number is twenty-two .*
OLDTOWN. This church was organized in 1835, with five members, but had no regular preaching for about two years. In 1837 E. Freeman began to preach to them, and in '38 he was ordained their pastor. About twenty were added to the church during his ministry. In 1839 Eld. C. Blanchard began his labors among them, and the next year took charge of the church. Their present number is seventy, and promises to be an important and useful body in the denomination.+
SEBEC. This town was incorporated in 1812. It has a small village at the outlet of 'Sebec Pond.' Here the religious societies centre. A few Baptists belonging as a branch to the church in Charleston, had resided here some years before a church of twelve members was organized in 1836. But not being able to sustain preaching more than monthly, their progress is slow. Elders T. Macomber, N. Robinson, L. Bradford, E. McGregor, missionary, and A. G. Tibbets are among those who have preached statedly here. Their present number is thirty .¿
BANGOR AND GLENBURN. This church was organized in 1837, of nine members, residents in Bangor and Glen- burn, and centres its operations about six miles north-west of the city of Bangor. This church was gathered by the instrumentality of Mr. H. H. Smith, then a student in the Theological Institution at Bangor. Additions were soon made to it by converts baptized by Elder T. B. Robinson. They have had no pastor, but preaching statedly, either
*Min. P. A .; Min. Con .; letters to the Asso. tMin. P. A. and letters to the Asso &c. ; E. Robinson, Ch Clk. Com.
S
pl P a
Ti se el
fo
mor ba was Ke D.
4
389
NEWBURG-PASSADUNKEAG-PALMYRA.
monthly or semi-monthly, and with their limited means have made some progress. In 1842 and '43, the church was blessed with a revival and a number of additions. A. Kelley, a licentiate, ministered to them in 1841, and Eld. D. Steward in 1843. Their present number is forty .*
NEWBURG. This town was incorporated 1819. It is fourteen miles south west of Bangor. Baptists commenced some movements here in 1823. The general religious views of the people were of an Arminian cast, and Baptist sentiments at first were not well received. A church of eleven members was embodied in 1838. Though destitute of a pastor, and with only a small school-house for their place of worship, they still prosper. They have had preaching by various ministers about one half of the time, and were blessed with a refreshing season in 1841. A. Kelley, licensed by the church, afforded them some aid, and Wm. Miller, ordained 1843, has been a blessing to them since 1841. Their number is twenty-three, and their prospects goodt
PASSADUNKEAG. This town is thirty miles N. by E. from Bangor, and has a flourishing village at the junction of Passadunkeag stream with Penobscot river. It is a rapid- ly growing place, and promises to be an important town in the eastern country. In 1838, a church of eight members was embodied here ; but not under the most favorable cir- cumstances. At first, they had but a small amount of gospel preaching. Since 1840, they have been more highly favored ; Eld. A. P. Messer has preached monthly, with success, and their number has increased to twenty-seven .¿
PALMYRA. This town was incorporated in 1807. Bap- tists began to increase in town about this time, and in 1810, the church ' St. Albans and Hartland Village,' was organ- ized, in which all the Baptists in this town concentrated
*Min. P. A. and letters to the Asso. tMin. P. Asso, #Min. P. Ass.
390
CHURCH IN SPRINGFIELD-EDDINGTON.
their efforts for many years. In the beginning of 1838, Eld. John Robinson, of Cornville, came into the town and commenced preaching in a neighborhood, where the pros- pect of success was somewhat uncertain, the people gener- ally being under the soul-destroying influence of Universal- ism. But encouraged by the word of the Lord, he perse- vered, and though there was not a praying family in the neighborhood, the converting influence of the Holy Spirit soon appeared, which soon changed the scene, so much, that instead of the sportsman's gun and woodman's axe, on Sabbath morning, the voice of singing and praying was heard. In April, a church of thirteen members was em- bodied as the fruits of this work, and the blessing was continued through the summer, during which about thirty were added to the church.
Sept. 1839, Sullivan A. Maxim, one ofits members, was set apart to the work of an evangelist, and the next year received the pastoral charge of the church. He preaches however only once a month, leaving a vacancy to be filled by occasional supplies by others. He was pastor a short time only-withdrawing his charge, to labor in other fields. In 1843, he was again pastor, and the prospects of the church are more encouraging than in former years. Pres- ent number is thirty-nine .*
SPRINGFIELD. This town was incorporated in 1834, and is sixty miles N. E. by E. from Bangor. With the rapidly growing population, Baptists from other places became residents in town, and in Dec. 1838, a church of eight members was organized, and Eld. A. P. Messer has preach- ed with this people monthly since that time. His labors have been useful to the increase of the church, which con- sists of thirty-seven members.t
EDDINGTON, is six miles above Bangor on the east side *Min. P. A. and S. Keen's Com. tE. F. Leighton, Ch. Ck. Com. Min. P.A .
0
X
ARGYLE-NEWPORT VIL .- N. BANGOR-PATTEN. 391
of Penobscot river. In Jan. 1839, a church of twenty-six members mostly dismissed from the church in Amherst, was embodied here. This company of disciples have a large field to cultivate, and the opportunity of doing much good. They hold their meetings in two places alternately, four miles apart ; but they have had but little preaching, and have little more than a name to live. The enemy has sowed strife among them .Their number in 1842, was thirty-one .*
ARGYLE. In 1838 Eld. G. J. Newton became a resi- dent in this town, and began to preach occasionally, and in Sept. 1838, a church of but four members were organ -. ized, who elected Eld. N., their pastor. The church has increased to thirteen, but has never obtained great pros- perity. The Methodists have the leading religious influ- ence in the place.+
NEWPORT VILLAGE. This village is twenty-four miles west of Bangor, and is a flourishing and beautiful place. A few Baptists had resided here for several years. But it was not till 1842 that a church was embodied. It had eleven members, and has increased to twenty-six. They have no pastor, but own a part of a ' Union Meeting House,' and unite with other societies in the Sabbath School.}
NORTH BANGOR. This church was constituted in 1842 with six members. It has no pastor, but regular preaching, and has increased by an addition of five.§
PATTEN. This is a church in the wilderness. 'There is not a Baptist church within fifty miles of it, and but one or two of any kind,' and three years ago it must have been an exercise of strong faith to anticipate what is now seen and felt in Patten. But God accomplishes his own will. In the spring of 1842, Eld. E. McGregor, by the direction
*Min. P. A. and Zion's Advocate, 1839. +Min. P. A. and Eld. G. J. Newton's letter. #Min. P. A. §Zion's Adv. 1842
392
PENOBSCOT ASSOCIATION.
of the Maine Missionary Society, visited and refreshed the inhabitants of the forest. He labored fifteen weeks with much success, and in May 1843, a church was organized in Patten, where in 1840, there was but one Baptist pro- fessor. The number at first was thirteen, which soon in- creased to twenty. Their prospects are encouraging .*
PENOBSCOT ASSOCIATION .... TABULAR VIEW.
ORGANIZED 1826.
CHURCHES IN 1843.
When const.
Orig. No.
Baptized.
Letter.
Restored.
Dismissed.
Expelled.
Died.
Dropped
Lost.
Gained.
Whole No.
Present No.
Etna & Carmel(1st Carmel) [1807] . 9|195
1st Hampden,
1809 12 153
30
5
57 35 26
6
19
195
69
Charleston,
1810|12 |176
71
4
86 55
21
6
3 264
98
Newport and Stetson,
1817
. 5
92
32
3
15
12
13
3
8
81
Bangor,
1818
11
257
207
2
131
41
34
25
9
243
Corinth,
1822 18
124
54
5
38
18
13
5
28
155
Enfield (1st Coldstream)
1826
19
.78
18
4
14
11
9
5
76
Bradford (1st Blakesburgh)
1827
8
72
34
16
9 25
7
4
52
114 43
Levant,
1828
8
78
29
42 11
4
5
106 53
2d Hampden,
1828|
13
61
13
2
33
10 4
6
87
36
Greenfield and No. 1,
1829
17
52
1
1
6
17
5
3
70
40
Lincoln,
1830
6
16
16
5
1
3
2
38
27
Lee, (once No. 4,)
1830
10
23
15
9
12
1
16
48 29
Plymouth,
1831
8
33
25
10
4
1
16 1
66 33
18
Exeter,
1836
15
10
5
5
5
1
1
30
22 70
Bangor and Glenburn,
1837
9
39
7
4
2
4)
1
53
40
Newburg,
1839
11
8
15
4
1
1
4
34 23
Passadumkeag,
1838
8
14
6
1
7
11
3
60
39
Argyle,
1839
4
4
6
1.
14
13
Springfield,
1839
8
22
12
3
1
1
43
37
Eddington & Jarvis' Gore,
1839
26
5
3
4
1
36
31
Newport Vil. Church,
1842
|11
6
9
27
26
North Bangor,
1842
6
2
3
11| 11
patten,
1843
13
7
20| 20
296
1634
671
47
549
328
157
62
135
52
2661
1438
19
4
91|53|14
10
2
Oldtown, (1st Orono,)
1835
5
60
20
16
2 85
35
Garland,
1833
11
12
10
2
1
88
27
Palmyra,
1838
13
35
11
7|223
129 475 196 115
(
*Min, P. A. and letter to the Asso.
fr
CHAPTER XXII.
PISCATAQUIS ASSOCIATION.
Original Churches-Parkman, p. 231 ; First Sangerville, 215; Sebec, 388 ; Dover, 315 ; Abbot, 382 ; Athens Village, 387; St. Albans, 382 ; Har- mony, 212; Guilford, 227; Athens, 233; Corinna, 238 ; Dexter, 376 ; Monson, 379; Cambridge, 237.
From Lincoln Association-Atkinson and Milton, 318; St. Albans and Hartland ; North-Hill, 232.
Added between 1839 and 1843-Second Sangerville ; Foxcroft and Dover Village ; East St. Albans ; Milo; Greenville and Shirley; Second Pal- myra ; Hartland.
THIS ASSOCIATION embraces churches situated mostly in Piscataquis County, and dismissed from the Penobscot Association in 1838, for the purpose of forming this body. It was organized at Parkman, Sept. 10, 1839, of fourteen churches; Atkinson and Milton and Second Sangerville were received at their first meeting, making in all sixteen churches, with ten ordained ministers, and two licentiate preachers, and eight hundred and seven communicants .*
This Association embraces a new country in which many of the churches are small, and possess but a limited ability to sustain the gospel. The Baptists here, however, are indefatigable in perseverance, and obtain a rapid in- crease. They do all they can to promote the religion of Christ among themselves and something for the cause abroad.
There is no cause of benevolence or wide spreading sin, that receives the attention of other Associations that is indifferently passed over by this body. Their resolutions are copious and spirited, and their zeal corresponds to their resolves. In their Minutes for 1843, instead of the usual long list of resolutions published by the Associations almost annually, they inserted the following one, as expressive of the spirit and will of the churches.
*Min. Pis. Asso. 1839.
le
394
2D SANGERVILLE-FOXCROFT-E. ST. ALBANS.
' Resolved, That our views in regard to all the benevo lent operations have not changed, nor our zeal abated. And we recommend more of the book of Acts, and less of the book of resolves.'*
Since their first anniversary God has eminently blessed this body. Seven churches have been added, making in al in 1843, twenty-three churches, with fifteen ordained min isters, one licentiate, and one thousand three hundred and four communicants.t
SECOND SANGERVILLE, is situated in the south part of the town, and was embodied in 1839, with eleven members most of them dismissed from the first church. There was some difference of opinion as to the expediency of the separation. They have had no pastor, but since 1841 have had preaching monthly by Elder J. F. Page, and have increased to twenty-two members.j
FOXCROFT AND DOVER VILLAGE. This church is situ- ated in the two flourishing villages, Foxcroft and Dover. Eleven members, previously dismissed from the old churches were embodied into church relation, August, 1840. In 1841, they had preaching by C. P. St. Clair, a licentiate, semi-monthly ; in 1842 they had preaching monthly, and in 1843 Elder O. B. Walker became their pastor. By the blessing of God their number has increased to seventy. §
EAST ST. ALBANS is in the north-east part of the town. It was embodied in the winter of 1840. It owes its exis- tence partly to dismissions from the church in Dexter, but mostly to a revival experienced at that time in its vicinity. Its original number wast hirty-one, and its present is thirty- nine. From their commencement till 1842, they had preaching one half the time by Elders Winchester and
*Min. P. A. 1843, p. 6. +Min. P. A. table, pp. 4 and5. ¿ Min. P. A. and letters to the Asso. §Eld. Robinson's Com. and Min. P. Asso.
395
MILO-GREENVILLE & SHIRLEY-2D PALMYRA.
Roberts ; in 1842, by Eld. J. Hatch, and in 1843, by Eld. J. P. Roberts. They have no pastor, nor house of worship excepting school and dwelling houses .*
MILO. This town was incorporated in 1823, and is increasing rapidly in population. Baptists, by emigration, gradually became residents in the place. In June 1840, a church of twelve members was organized. The next year they were assisted by Eld. T. Macomber, who preached monthly for them. In 1842, they had the same amount of preaching, and some revival, and in '43 they had preaching every third Sabbath by Eld. A. G. Tibbets. Their num- ber is thirty-one.t
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