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 31
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*Min. C. A. 1840.
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409
SECOND CHURCH IN LIVERMORE.
the promotion of an enlightened theology in our own State. The Association has also watched over the several churches with care and diligence. The churches, Bridgton, Den- mark, Brunswick, Scarboro' and Bath, have remonstrated against the interference of the Association with particular churches. Chebeague and village church Brunswick, have received advantage from advice given by committees sent to them in difficulty. It has been a prosperous body. From its organization to the division in 1828, it was enlarged by the additions of thirteen new churches, and embraced in all two thousand two hundred and fourteen communicants .* By this division it was reduced to twelve churches, ten ordained ministers, and one thousand one hundred and twenty-two members.t Its present number are fifteen churches, twelve ordained ministers, and one thousand nine hundred and one members ;¿ making an increase from 1829 of three churches and seven hundred and seventy- nine communicants.
SECOND LIVERMORE. Occupying the southern part of that town, was organized with seventeen members in 1811. It was gathered by the instrumentality of Eld. Ransom Norton, who became its pastor and officiated in the church till 1826. In 1819 they built a house for worship, but it was not well located, and never finished. In 1842, they took it down and rebuilt in a pleasant location, about half a mile north of North Turner Bridge. It will now conveniently accommodate the whole church, a part of whom live in North Turner. Their number in '43 was thirty-five.
Since Eld. Norton closed his labors with this church they have had stated supplies a portion of the time by Elders W. Foss and Martin Leonard, between the years 1826 and 1838, and Eld. Wm. Johnson in 1838, and Eld.
*Min 1828. +Min. 1829. #Min. 1843.
410
CHURCH IN BATH.
Jos. Hutchinson in 1839 to '40, and from 1842 Eld. Sam- uel Boothby, half the time, and the church though small, are nevertheless encouraged to persevere .*
BATH. This town is situated about twelve miles from the sea, on the west side of Kennebec river, and was incorporated in 1780. It has a large commercial village, and is important for its trade. The Congregationalists were operating here previous to 1762; a society was formed in 1767, and the present first church in 1795. A second Congregational church was formed in 1805. Thus a Pedo-baptist influence covered the whole ground. And yet, it appears that previous to any special move- ments by the Baptists, a few persons embraced their faith and desired to walk in the ordinances of the gospel. The first ministerial efforts were made by Eld. James Potter. He says, t 'In 1783, I visited Bath, and enjoyed sensible tokens of the Divine presence.'
Towards the close of the same year, Elder Case preached in this place, but it is not certain that any special results followed. Those who became pious Baptists, and those Baptists who resided here in the days of Eld. Potter's ministry, either united with the church at Harpswell, or moved to other places.
For some years previous to the formation of the church in Bath, Baptist preachers, as, Elders Haines, Mariner, Case, and Stearns, preached to the people occasionally. In July, 1810, three persons were baptized by Elder Haines. Some revival influences followed, which led the way for the organization of the church in October, the same year. The council met, and the church was embodied at the dwelling-house of Elijah Low, who had been, for some years previous, the only male Baptist in the village, and who was one of the ten first united in the church .¿
*J. H.'s Com. and Min. O. A. tPotter's Nar. p. 23. #E. Low's Com.
P afte Ste De NO De
of W i S S W S f
411
CHURCH IN BATH.
Prosperity began with the church. The next day after they were embodied, three were baptized by Elder Stearns; and soon after, three more by Elder Mariner. December 2d, they celebrated the Lord's Supper. In November, Eld. Stearns united with them, and from December he officiated as their pastor.
They were amidst opposing influences, had no house of worship; few in number, and poor as to temporal wealth. They had therefore to hold their church meet- ings in dwelling houses, and public meetings on the Sabbath in school-houses, or such as were open to their service. At length they were better accommodated in what was called Nichols' Hall, where they peaceably served God till 1817, when they built a brick house, 40 feet by 60 feet.
The first general revival was in 1816. In this work their pastor was much assisted by a travelling preacher, by the name of Scrivener, 'who seemed to come by the direction and in the Spirit of Christ.' A large accession was now made to the church, and the gradual increase now became much larger than before the revival. The second revival was in 1825. In 1834, a third season of special mercy was enjoyed, and Eld. I. S. Smith par- ticipated in the labors by which the work was promoted; and a small refreshing was experienced in 1840, by Eld. Butler's efforts. The church had some trials about the year 1827, when one of their deacons and twenty-five of their members left the church. But their trials have gradually subsided, at the return of some of these erring brethren.
Eld. Stearns faithfully conducted the spiritual affairs of the church till his death, August, 1840. His life and ministry were appreciated, and his death lamented.
H. G. Nott became their pastor in September, after
412 WATERFORD-SCARBORO'-PERU-C. ELIZABETH.
the death of Mr. Stearns. Under his labors this people enjoyed a refreshing revival in 1842. They are friendly to all truly benevolent objects of the day, and aid them by their generous donations. This church has conferred license on Henry Wyer, John Wakefield, William Pat- terson, Abraham H. Granger, and Martin B. Anderson. Members in 1843, two hundred and twenty-six .*
WATERFORD. In 1812, Josiah Houghton, a licentiate, aided in gathering a church of twelve members. But it did not prosper, and in 1828, was lost from the Asso- ciation.t
SCARBORO'. A Baptist church was gathered in 1818, of fifteen members. But they were overcome by op- posing influences, and lost their visibility in 1840. They reported to the Association, in 1835, twenty-four members.Į
PERU, (first called PLANTATION No. 1.) This town was incorporated by the name of Peru, in 1821. Among the first settlers there were some Baptists, and in 1818, a small church of nine members was embodied. Gilbert Hathaway, one of its original members, was licensed to preach in 1821, and was for many years useful to the church. He was not ordained, and became deacon in the church in 1830, when Eld. Elias Nelson became their minister a part of the time. This year it had twenty members. From 1834 to 1839, they had but a small amount of preaching, by L. Cummings, a licentiate, and 1840, S. S. Wyman, a licentiate, became a member, and preached occasionally for them, and in 1843, was ordained pastor. It is a feeble body of twenty- nine members.§
CAPE ELIZABETH. This church, with twenty-four mem- bers, was organized in 1820, and Eld. N. Hooper was *S. Eames' Com.Min. C. A. tMin. C. A. 1812, 1828. ¿ Min. C. A. §Min. C. and O.
413
CHURCH IN BYRON-CANTON-TURNER.
placed over them as pastor. He remained with them about two years, but the church did little more than maintain their standing. In 1825, R. Curtis became their minister. In 1828, they were again destitute, with a decrease of numbers. They have since had no pastor and not much preaching, They have however built a house of worship, and are still striving to sustain life, with 22 members .*
BYRON, (first called No. 8.) Twenty-one persons were recognized as a church of Christ in 1820. Previous to this, Baptists had increased by emigration, and by means of occasional preaching by Baptist ministers. It has never had a pastor, and but little of gospel preaching. Elders Robert Mitchell, A. Bedel, and C. P. Branin have preached here occasionally. The church has had many trials, suf- fered much for want of active piety, and been cheered with but one revival. This season of mercy was in 1826, when sixteen were added to the church. Its present num- ber is twenty-six.+
CANTON. This town was incorporated in 1821, and '22 a Baptist church of sixteen members was organized. From this time till about 1840, a period of eighteen years, it expe- rienced one continued season of darkness and discourage- ment. It was small, had not much strength in itself, had no pastor, and very few privileges. During this period, Dea. Z. Harford was its principal supporter. A brighter prospect began to appear in 1840, and prosperity has since cheered this feeble and afflicted body. In 1839, the church had eleven members only; the present number is forty-six. The labors of Eld. M. Lawrence, have been much blessed among this people, and the church is rising to be a useful vine in the Lord's vineyard .¿
TURNER. This town was first called Sylvester, in honor of Capt. Jos. Sylvester, one of its original proprietors. It
*Min. C. A. tMin. C. and O. A. ¡ Min. C. and O, A. i.
414
CHURCH IN TURNER.
was first settled in 1775, and was incorporated by its pres- ent name in 1786 .* Religious efforts were made in this town by the Presbyterians at a very early period of its settlement, and a church of their faith and order was organ- ized in 1784.1 The Rev. Mr. Strickland was pastor.t Gradually this church lost its Presbyterian character, and in 1803, a Congregational church took its place, and con- tinues its influence in the town. The Baptists were the next to introduce the gospel into town. Between 1791 and 1793, Eld. Potter made frequent visits to Turner, and preached and baptized a few persons, who united with the church in Buckfield, which was embodied in '91. About this time there was much dissatisfaction among the people in Turner, with the Presbyterians, on account of the heavy taxes levied upon them to support their church operations. Baptist sentiments beginning to have some influence in town, a society by their name was formed and incorporated, comprising the friends of the Baptists in Turner and Buck- field. But it does not appear that they secured much preaching except by travelling preachers, and such occa- sional efforts could do but little in Turner, for 'at this time,' says Eld. Potter, ' the greater part of the people in Turner appear to be carried about by various winds of doctrine.'į
In 1811 Eld. Lewis Leonard, from Albany, N. Y., preached here a few weeks, and baptized two persons, and in 1816 there was an extensive revival in town in connec- tion with the Congregational church, and ten of the con- verts became Baptists and united with the church in Minot, of which Elder Ricker was pastor. Regular meetings of began now to be held by the Baptists in T., and Elder R. preached for them one sixth part of the time for two years. The foundation was now being laid for a Baptist church. *N. E. Gazetteer. +Green. Eccl. sk. p. 178, 183. #Eld. Potter's Nar. p. 72.
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415
CHURCH IN POLAND-OXFORD.
In 1824, a revival was experienced under the labors of neighboring ministers, but chiefly by the instrumentalities of Elder D. Nutter, of Livermore. A church was now embodied with twenty members, and soon additions were made to it. This year, too, A. Wilson commenced preach- ing a part of the time, and his ministry was useful to this infant church till 1828. Since, this church has employed the following ministers either as pastors or evangelists ; brethren John Hull, Charles Miller, W. O. Grant, Josiah Houghton, D. Hutchinson, Eliab Coy, Thomas F. Cur- tis and A. Wilson. They have had several precious sea- sons of revival, which have increased their faith, their zeal and their numbers. They have a neat and commodious house of worship, located in a beautiful and flourishing village. Their present number is one hundred and thirty- three .*
POLAND. This town was incorporated in 1795. By means of the influence of Baptist churches, Baptist pro- fessors increased gradually in town, most of whom united with the church in Paris, or were members of that church. In 1824 they were embodied into a church consisting of twenty-one members. After struggling to maintain visi- bility several years, it united with the Baptist church in Oxford, when that church took the double name, ' Poland and Oxford.' This union continued and the double name was retained till almost the whole church and its influence was confined to Oxford,¿ and then the name Poland was dropped, and here ends the Poland church.
OXFORD, (first called in 1827, ' Second HEBRON.') The church in this town was gathered by means of Baptist min- isters in adjoining towns. It was recognized in 1827, and composed of seventeen members, most of whom had pre-
*A. Pettengill's Com. and Min. C. and O. A. tMin. O. A. 1837. Min. O. A. 1840.
416
HARRISON-HAMLIN'S GRANT-WOODSTOCK.
viously belonged to the churches in Paris and Hebron, and was then called second Hebron, but took the name Oxford, in 1829. It has ever been a small and feeble church, and has labored under some peculiar disadvantages. But bless- ed with more preaching than the church in Poland, they had greater prosperity. In 1837, the church in Poland united with this; but the cause was still more prosperous in Oxford, and their name was dropped in 1840. Eld. R. C. Starr was its first pastor, and Eld. Timothy Bailey in 1843. Their prospect is good, and they hope that their labor will not be in vain. Their number is forty-five .*
HARRISON. This town was incorporated in 1805. The first Baptists here were united with the church in Bridgton. In 1827, a church of twenty-two members was organized. In 1835, they were enlarged and cheered by a precious revival. In 1837 and 1838, Elder R. C. Starr devoted one half of his ministry to them, and was considered their bishop. This increased their number to sixty-three. Levi Burnham was ordained June 21, 1843.1
HAMLIN'S GRANT, or HAMLIN'S GORE. A church by this name was constituted in February, 1828. Several of its original members had previously been members of the church in Paris. Ransom Dunham has been their pastor since 1835. Their numberis ninety-seven .¿ WOODSTOCK AND GREENWOOD. This church was gathered, with thirty-five members, in 1828. In 1843, they enjoyed a portion of the labors of Elder Reuben Milner, and were much revived. Their number is thirty-eight.§
VILLAGE CHURCH, BRUNSWICK, was constituted in 1829, and was dropped from the Association in 1839.||
*Min. O. A. +Min. C. and O. A. #Min. O. A.Eld. R. Dunham's Com. §Min. C. and O. Asso. |Min. C. Asso.
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CHURCH IN CHEBEAGUE ISLAND-HARPSWELL. 417
CHEBEAGUE ISLAND forms a portion of the boundary of Portland harbor. Methodists have exerted an influ- ence here for many years. In 1828 and '29, a general revival of religion extended its influence over the island, and some of the converted became Baptists. In 1830, a church was constituted of eighteen members. They have erected a house for worship, but it was not finished, in 1843. Their number is thirty-one .*
HARPSWELL, first called HARPSWELL NECK. This church was constituted of eighteen members, living on what is called Harpswell Neck and on Sabasdegan island, in 1827. In 1831, when they united with the Cumberland Association, the church had thirty mem- bers. In 1836, they built a convenient house of worship, at a cost of $1100. Their numbers have gradually increased, and some precious seasons of revival. Elds. Kendall, Starr, Norton, and Butler, have labored here. Their number is seventy-six. t
FREE STREET CHURCH, PORTLAND. Almost from the commencement of the Baptists in the city of Portland, they have been blessed of God with an interesting pros- perity. An annual increase, together with additions by repeated revivals, gave to the first church, in 1835, the number of two hundred and seventy-two members. The congregation who usually met with them had become so numerous that their house of worship had become 'too strait.' Under these circumstances it was deemed an important duty that the church be divided, that thereby they might extend their exertions. Immedi- ately, therefore, arrangements were made to form an- other church, and open a second place of worship.
The place chosen by the Great Head of the church, was 'Portland Theatre.' It was purchased by the Bap- *Min. C. A. and D. Morse, Ch. Clk. Com. tMin. C. Asso.
418
FREE ST. PORTLAND-DURHAM, S. W. B.
tists, December, 1835, and soon converted into a house for the worship of God. Its location is pleasant, being on Free street, near the centre of the city. The next month, fifty-seven persons, mostly from the first church, were recognized, January, 1836, as the 'Free Street Church, Portland.' Thus commenced a second interest in the Baptist cause in Portland; and that this movement was pleasing to the God in Zion, the subsequent history of this church shows. Jan., 1837, Thomas O. Lincoln became its first pastor. This connexion continued har- moniously till September, 1841. During his ministry the church had uninterrupted prosperity. Two signal revivals were experienced-the first in 1837, and the second in 1840-and the last was to the first, like latter to the former rain. In this season of mercy, one hun- dred and sixteen souls were hopefully gathered into the fold of Christ.
Besides several benevolent societies, there are con- nected with this church two large and flourishing Sab- bath schools. In February, 1842, Rev. Lewis Colby became its second pastor. By his ministry the prosperity of the church continued. While the first church has been moving on in its path of general usefulness, and has increased to a total of members nearly as large as when the church was set off, this second, the offspring of the first, has had a more rapid numerical growth. It has a total of two hundred and seventy-six. This is an active body of Baptists, and promises much usefulness to the cause of God in the world .*
DURHAM, S. W. BEND. The church in Durham, located at what is called 'South West Bend,' was con- stituted in 1838. They have had a pleasing progress, and several refreshing seasons from the presence of the
*Min. C. A. and M. F. Whitter, Ch. Clk. Com.
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419
MAIN STREET BRUNSWICK.
Lord. They are united and persevering. They have increased from twenty-two to forty-two .*
MAIN STREET, BRUNSWICK. In the early part of 1840, a very extensive revival was witnessed in Topsham, which spread into Brunswick. In October of that year, thirty-eight persons, mostly from the church in Topsham, but who lived in Brunswick, were embodied into a church. They had previously completed a house of worship, in a central part of the village, and containing seventy-five pews. P. S. Adams was their pastor about two years.t In 1843, they had increased to one hundred and seven members. [D. C. Haines is their present pastor.]
CUMBERLAND ASSOCIATION ... TABULAR VIEW.
ORGANIZED 1835.
CHURCHES IN 1843.
When const.
Orig. No.
Baptized.
Letter.
Restored.
Dismissed.
Expelled.
Died.
Dropped.
Lost.
Gained.
Whole No.
Present No.
*East Brunswick,
1785|31|201
71
51
52
61
50 36
2 239 83
New Gloucester,
1795| 12 194
25
2
57
18
8
231 114
North Yarmouth,
1797
7 316
36
5
120
42
65
22
459
215
1st Brunswick,
1799
8
402
20
24
130
103
67
43
430
111
Portland,
1801
10 520
117
7
199
46
6 98
38
647 267
Auburn, (Minot till 1843)
1807
27
196
25
5
51
19
27
59
240
87
Freeport,
1807
17|311
22
4
59
31
4
34 19
350
207
Danville, (Pejepscot)
1808
56|118
12 12
51
30
32
13
186
72
Bath,
1810
10
484 105 35
162 143 10 56
137
599 226
Cape Elizabeth,
1820
34
5
4
8
4
5
4
43
22
Harpswell,
1827
18
59
5
2
4
2
5
3 82
76
Chebeague Island,
1830 18
20
4
6
3
4.
2
42
31
Free-St. Portland,
1836
57
229
59
51
5
21
3 345 276
Durham, S. W. Bend,
1838
22
13
12
3
1
2
1
47
42
Brunswick, Main-St
1840
38
34
38
4
5
107
*Old Harpswell.
365
3102
491
101
957
510
20
504
243
16
3940
1936
1
*Min. Con. and letters to the Asso.
CHAPTER XXVI.
OXFORD ASSOCIATION.
Original Churches-Hebron, 119: First Buckfield, 122 : Paris, 123 : First Livermore, 135: Second Buckfield, 177: Sumner, 190 : Bethel, 191: Norway, 204 : Denmark, 213: Weld, 214 : Bridgton, 217: Hartford, 218: Second Livermore, 409 : Peru, 412: Byron, 413 : Canton, 413 : Turner, 413 : Harrison, 416 : Hamlin's Gore, 416 : Woodstock, 416.
Added between 1828 and 1843-Paris and Woodstock : Second Brunswick : Second Bath : Sweden : Andover : Rumford : Rumford and Milton.
PREVIOUS to the formation of this Association, the Cumberland embraced almost all the churches within the counties of Cumberland and Oxford. In 1839, it was mutually agreed to divide the Association by the line separating these counties, with liberty to the churches in Harrison and Bridgton to unite with those in Oxford.
Agreeable to this arrangement, nineteen churches in Oxford, &c., met at Turner, September 30, 1829, and organized the Oxford Association. With these churches were eleven ordained ministers, four licentiates, and one thousand one hundred and thirty communicants. Three churches, with one ordained minister, were received this session: Paris and Woodstock, Second Brunswick, and Second Bath. Several new churches have since united with this body, and cheering additions have been made to all these churches, so that, although it lost three churches: First Buckfield, Second Bruns- wick, and Second Bath, and individual members by dismissions, &c., it contained, in 1843, twenty-four churches, twenty-two ordained ministers, seven licentiate preachers, and one thousand eight hundred and sixty- two members; thus showing a net increase, in fourteen years, of seven hundred and thirty-two members.
Like the older Associations, this body has entered into the works and causes of benevolence, with spirit
an
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P 0 li S
421
SECOND BRUNSWICK-SECOND BATH-SWEDEN.
and zeal, with resolutions and efforts, and with much prayer and faith. In 1831, a vote, expressing the thanks of this body to the Cumberland Association, for their liberality in presenting to Oxford their interest in the social library, owned by the two bodies. In 1833, a vote was passed, recommending to the members of the churches the discontinuance of mourning apparel, as a practice useless and expensive. In 1839, it was recom- mended that each pastor supply one week of missionary labor among the destitute. As with other Associations, so here are societies for missions and other purposes, Sabbath schools, and two quarterly conferences. It is a united and influential body.
PARIS AND WOODSTOCK. This church embraced members living in Paris and Woodstock, a part of whom were previously members of the church in Paris. It was organized March, 1827, and in September it had twenty-five members. In 1833, in connexion with the Methodists, they built a house of worship. Here they worship a part of the time. In 1839, they were blessed with a revival, which added twelve to their number, and another in 1842, the influences of which remained in 1843. Their number was sixty-eight .*
SECOND BRUNSWICK was constituted about 1826. From 1827 to 1840, Eld. Shimuel Owen was its pastor. In 1841, the Association advised their disbanding and uniting with other churches.t
SECOND BATH. This organization was an unwise procedure. It never had evidence of the approbation of God, and lost its name and place in 1830, about three years after it was recognized.
SWEDEN. A small church of about a dozen members *Min. O. A., and Eld. R. Donham's Com. +Min. O. A. 1840. 19
422
ANDOVER-RUMFORD-RUMFORD, &C.
was organized in Sweden, in 1834; but it was dissolved in 1837 .*
ANDOVER. This is in the north part of Oxford county, and was incorporated as early as 1804. A Congrega- tional church was established here in 1800. The in- crease of population has been comparatively slow; in 1840, it had 551 inhabitants only. In 1834, a church of ten members, who had previously belonged to other Baptist churches, was constituted. In September, 1835, the ordinance of baptism was first administered in town, to two persons, by Elder Walter Foss, of Leeds. In 1841, Leonard Kingsley, one of their deacons, was or- dained pastor. They have a school house only for a place of worship. Their number is thirty-four.}
RUMFORD. This town was incorporated in 1800, and in 1803, a Congregational church was organized. In 1836, a Baptist church was gathered, with but six mem- bers. It has occasional preaching by neighboring min- isters. Two of their number have become preachers: Daniel Richmond and Isaac Whittmore.}
RUMFORD AND MILTON. A church of fourteen mem- bers, and called 'Rumford and Milton,' was embodied in 1843 .*
*Min. O. A. 1837, p. 5. tMin. O. A. and Moses Cutting. Min. O. A. and Eld. B. Donham's com.
1
0
Het Pa Lis Be Buc Su De No W Br H L P B
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0
423
OXFORD ASSOCIATION ... TABULAR VIEW.
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