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 32
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ORGANIZED 1829.
CHURCHES IN 1843.
stituted.
When con-
Orig. No.
Baptized.
Letter.
Restored.
Dismissed.
Expelled.
Died.
Lost.
Gain.
Whole No.
|| Present No.
Hebron,(1st Shepherdsfi'ld) |1791|13 403,28
Paris,
1791 28 438 30
3 145
46|57
496 201
Livermore, 1st.
1793 17 376
61
11
205
130 53
5
454
73
Bethel,
1795
7
174
124.
6
16
34. 19
10
205 132
Buckfield, (2d church)
1802
18
105
10
9 38
29|16
26
133
52
Sumner,
1804
18
120 42
6
55
33 122
35 180
112
Denmark,
1804
32
58
16
3
13
11
11
13
106
61
Norway,
1806
10
54
17
1
19
10
8
5 81
50
Weld,
1809
49 122
19
17
40
86 21
18
200
52
Bridgton,
1807
8 191 26
10
69
42 32
35
225
57
Hartford,
1810
18|159
35
9
85
26
18
24
212
68
Livermore, 2d,
1811
17
49
16
2
22
17
15
5
82
35
Peru, (first No. 1,)
1818
9
31
10
3
8
11
3
2
50
29
Byron. (first No. 8,)
1820
21
42
11
1
14
23
4
8
74
26
Canton,
1822
16
35 21
1
9
10
6
2
72
46
Turner,
1824 20
121
40
1
35
14
13
13|181|133 21
Harrison,
1827 22
52.14
12
8
7
88
63
Oxford,
1827 17
20 36
10
7
6
1
4
73
45
Hamlin's Gore,
1828 35
66
27
3
8
6
9
128
97
Woodstock & Greenwood,
1828:35
22
3
14
4
5
1
66
79
68
Andover,
1834|10
20
|12
9
42
34
Rumford,
1836
17
1
1
23
19
Rumford and Milton,
1843 14|
141
14
465
2791
511
91
930
597
376
220
72
3708
1762
CHURCHES LOST
PREVIOUS TO 1843.
Organized.
Lost.
Original No.
Baptized.
Letter.
Restored.
Dismissed.
Expelled.
Died.
Dropped
Lost.
Gained.
Whole No.
When Lost .¡*
Kittery,
1682.1683|
*
*
*
*
*1
*1
*
*
*
*
Bowdoinham, 1st
1784;1840
137 15
8 .55
33
20
26 34
242
47
Buxton,
1799 1833
14
149
5
88
21
20
168
26
Gorham,
1768 unk.
Whitefield,1st Ballstown
1789
1830
15
336
3
2
50
35
21
45
254
105
Buckfield, 1st
1791
1841
17
94
10
2 61
19123
8
121
12
Lancaster,
1804.
1829
*
108
1
37
12
4
23
109
33
Northport,
1807
1828
37
49
17:
4
49
14
Kennebunk, 1st
1803
1828
28
93
27
6 20
121 21
Berwick, 2d
1804
1834
76
84
4
12
|12
21
164,139
Berwick, 3d
1808
1824
14
6
20
14
Monmouth,
1810 1822
19
19
71
2
3
2
33
21
Mt. Vernon, 2d
1814 1817
8
81
8
Chesterville,
11820|1839|20| 11|15 1| 9| 4| 41
1
1
46 30
Litchfield, 2d
1791 1838 21
232
7
2
57
79
25
152
19
Paris and Woodstock,
1827 25
41
13
14
3
3
9
6
8 94|
45|50
1444 257
16 50
-
-
*Unknown.
OXFORD ASSOCIATION-LOST CHURCHES.
Dropped.
324
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
LOST CHURCHES CONTINUED.
Norridgewock, 2d
1828|1831 18
20
20
Castine,
1812 1816|13
17
61 3
1
.2, 5
20
12
Beddington,
13
13
Kirkland,
34
21
No. 8,
1829
1834
S
2
3
1
1
5
1
22
15
Blanchard,
1828
1837
30
121
1
3
4
1
3
42
29
*Foxcroft,
1832
1842
19
20|13
1
15
2
2
52
33
Fairfield,
1831
1837
20
2
8
3
30
27
Scarborough,
1818|
1840
15
22
8
11
71
2
45
25
Waterford,
1812|
1828
12
5
3
3
1
2
4
20
10
¡Poland,
1824 1840
21
3
1
3
25
22
Brunswick, 2d
1827 1841
43
11; 11
2
2
21
16
7
65
23
Bath, 2d
1827 1830
28
1
29
26
Sweden,
1834|1837
12
2
2
1
2
15
13
Brighton, (North Hill)
1818 1832,13
9
8
30
24
Phillips,
1813 1822 14
3
1
3
1
4
18
10
Malta, 2d
1819 1822
15
4
1
2
1|
20
19
Brooksville 2d,
1816 1834
36
3
1
5
8
9
21 `40
22
Prospect,
1817 1836|11+
16
7
1
3
4,1
6
34
20
Village Ch. Brunswick, p. 416, 1st Newfield, p. 56, 2d Newfield, p. 57, 1st Sidney, p. 116.
* A part joined the Foxcroft and Dover Ch.
tUnited with Oxford.
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
THE first efforts made by Baptist ministers in the State were characterized by a missionary spirit. They saw a wide and fast opening field before them-a field, too, filled with immortal beings under the influence of sin and Satan, checked in their downward course to ruin only by an Ar- minian gospel. 'They felt for the salvation of their souls ; and with a zeal fired by the spirit which warmed the hearts and cheered on the apostles, like them, they went every- where preaching the Word.
Although it has been said of them that they were in doctrine 'hyper-Calvinistic,' there is evidence that they understood their pious and ministerial responsibilities. They were working men, and taught the indispensibleness of practical as well as experimental piety .* In 1789, the York Association numbered six churches and four ordained ministers ; and the Bowdoinham Association, six churches and four ordained ministers. And the number of members
*Min. Bow. Asso. 1798-Circular Letter.
i
th
a
a
i
at
ca
pr
S
ens mi
sup sion
sup ing
annu
to the
requi part
Montville, 2d
1812 1832 33|
8 18|14 5
31
56 31
Ellsworth,
1838|1841
13
1829|1838
12
20
2
1
6
6
1
3
Lee,
1814|1816|
11
1
12
12
1
13 13
1828 1837 1
belon and
425
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
belonging to these churches did not exceed five hundred, and yet their own peculiar constituency, and their relation to the widening uncultivated fields about them, necessarily required a more systematic plan of missionary labor on the part of the ministers. This necessity was perceived by the ministers in the Bowdoinham Association, and at their annual meeting, 1789, they adopted the plan of 'voluntary supplies to the destitute.' To sustain this plan of mis- sionary effort, the supplying preacher pledged himself to supply a certain destitute church or churches with preach- ing, on some specified Sabbath or Sabbaths, within the ensuing Associational year. This plan was adopted by the ministers in York, 1798; in Lincoln and in Cumberland, at the time of their organization. This enterprise was carried forward with a zeal and perseverance which reflects praise and honor upon those early Baptist pioneers in the State.
It was, however, soon discovered that this plan was rap- idly accumulating a vast amount of labors on the hands of the ministry, to be borne by them alone, without the aid and support of a co-operating church; that the abilities and energies of the growing churches were not brought into the missionary field. In order, therefore, to bring the churches into the missionary work, another plan of opera- tion was adopted by the Bowdoinham Association, in 1799, to be called the 'gospel mission,' and by the York Associa- tion in 1800. This plan consisted in the appointment of a committee, 'to employ a suitable ordained Elder as a missionary, to travel into the eastern parts, to preach and administer the ordinances of the gospel.' And the churches were requested to sustain by their liberalities the missionary thus appointed. This plan interfered not with the plan of voluntary supplies. It contemplated a wider range of missionary effort. It was designed to carry the gospel not only to the destitute churches, but to the new and distant settlements, where Christ was not preached to those who . sat in darkness.
Only a few years, however, elapsed before it was clearly seen that the operations of both these plans were quite inadequate to meet the spiritual wants of the churches, which were fast multiplying in the midst of a rapidly in- creasing community. New openings were made and new settlements planted annually, and in every part of our ter-
426
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
ritory. With this view, the Bowdoinham Association, at its eighteenth anniversary, 1804, and before its first division, deemed it necessary that a more general and systematic plan of missionary operations should be formed, in order that the entire field lying before these ministers and churches, and now open to them, might be successfully occupied. 'The Maine Baptist Missionary Society' was therefore now formed. With this society nearly the whole denomination co-operated. To its untiring efforts 'to ren- der assistance to feeble churches, and to sustain the preach- ing of the gospel in destitute regions,' the Baptists owe much of their almost unexampled prosperity. Missionaries, by its direction and support, were constantly employed in various sections of the State, whose faithful efforts, together with the faithful labors of the pastors, gave an astonishingly rapid increase of churches and communicants to the de- nomination.
This society moved on increasing in ability and influence annually, sending help to the feeble churches, and the gos- pel into destitute places, until the domestic field was aided by the 'Baptist State Convention,' organized at Winthrop, June 23, 1824. In 1825, this Convention assumed the responsibilities of the Domestic Missionary enterprise, so that for several years the old 'Missionary Society' had but little more to do, or did but little more, than to look on and view the works and successes of the Convention.
This Convention was composed of delegates elected by the Associations, each Association being allowed to send one delegate for every fifteen churches; also of delegates elected by churches and missionary societies, each being entitled to one delegate for every fifteen dollars paid into the treasury of the Convention.
This Convention was an important organization in the Baptist denomination. It was, and is in its present form of organization, the uniting and concentrating organ of general operation. Here, matters of important interest, as regards the prosperity, union and peace of the denomi- nation in the State, and as regards the general operations of the kingdom of Christ throughout the world, are mu- tually and piously deliberated and discussed. And by the decisions, resolutions and recommendations of this en- lightened body of Baptists, the cause of evangelical truth and righteousness has been eminently promoted ; and by
their verte lore ; have man enlar In barr larg bus age the Do sig the ac sta of
.
u
u t
327
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
their missionaries, under God, many souls have been con- verted to Christ, and brought under the influence of his love ; some, now large, flourishing and influential churches, have been gathered and established in gospel order, and many other churches, once small and feeble, have been enlarged, strengthened and encouraged to perseverance.
In 1842, the Convention, owing to some peculiar em- barrassments arising from the accumulated and ever en- larging work, and to the increasing amount of other business coming annually under its cognizance and man- agement, transferred back to the Maine Missionary Society the responsibility of conducting and carrying forward the Domestic Missionary enterprise. So that the present de- sign of the Convention is, to concentrate the influence of the Baptists in the cause of Christ; to cultivate christian acquaintance, to communicate intelligence respecting the state of religion in the churches, and to gather statistics of the denomination. It is now composed of every regu- larly ordained Baptist minister in the State, and each As- sociation may send one delegate for every five churches.
The Maine Domestic Missionary Society has entered upon its appropriate work with renewed energy and vigi- lance, and is fast increasing its means and resources of usefulness. To increase its pecuniary ability, the consti- tution of the society was so amended that any person may become an annual member, by the payment of one dollar ; and a life member, by the payment of $20 at one time : and any church, society, or Association, may send one delegate, by contributing $5 to the funds of the society, and an additional delegate for every additional $10. The business of this society is conducted by a Board of Trus- tees selected from the members; and to facilitate their labors, the State is divided into three districts : Western, Eastern and Central ; and the trustees in each district are organized into a sectional board, for convenience, to trans- act the business of the society coming within that district. By this arrangement, the wants of churches, and the con- dition of the destitute, are better known, and the means of the society are the more promptly and appropriately applied to meet the design of the enterprise. It holds an annual meeting in connection with the Convention, when the board make a report of the state, condition, labors and successes of the society. Besides these missionary
428
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
plans and operations, there have existed and do now exist other smaller societies, connected with the Associations and churches, which have occupied some smaller fields, of their own choosing, and have rendered great good to the cause of Christ in the State. Several of the Quarterly Conferences are doing much for the destitute within their limits, and in this way aid the work of the Domestic Mis- sionary Society.
Besides these domestic operations, the Baptists in Maine have aided, by their prayers and liberalities, the Foreign Mission cause, as conducted by the Baptist Board for For- eign Missions. As soon as the Baptist General Convention was formed, at Philadelphia, April, 1814, a spirit for the foreign enterprise was awakened among the Baptists in this State. At their annual meetings for that year, the Asso- ciations began to operate in favor of the cause, by con- tributing to the funds of the board, and by earnestly recommending to the churches to form societies for the same liberal purpose. And this appeal was heard by many of the churches ; missionary societies were formed, and pleasing contributions were made to aid in sending the word of life to the heathen. As the denomination increased, the spirit of missions became more general ; and, as the operations of the Foreign Board were annually enlarged, the necessary means to sustain them were also to be pro- portionally accumulated ; the Baptists in Maine therefore felt sacredly called upon to enlarge their efforts in the work. To do this, a more general and simultaneous movement was made in 1825 and '26, by forming in the several coun- ties, large societies, auxiliaries to the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, and less societies in towns, primaries of these auxiliaries. These societies operated together most efficiently. But within a few years there has been less of the formal and systematic movement. Churches and in- dividuals have operated more separately, and send their contributions more directly to the board. But the spirit and the liberality of the Baptists in the State are not thereby diminished. These contributions show a cheering ratio of increase with the numerical increase of the denomination.
In the work of Home Missions, also, have the Baptists in Maine cheerfully, prayerfully and beneficently co-op- erated. It has, however, been regarded by them as second in importance to the foreign enterprise, and consequently
0 P
Sta call mer fiel aid
their less. porta are a mem been of n
429
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
their contributions for its support have been comparatively less. It may be that they have not duly estimated the im- portance of the Home Mission effort. But, before they are adjudged of indifference and neglect, it should be re- membered that their field of domestic operation has ever been extensive, and the calls for their attention to the wants of numerous destitute portions, in this new and fast growing State, have ever been urgent and necessitous. To these calls they have never been indifferent, but with a com- mendable zeal they have labored to evangelize the entire field. And in this way they have, by an indirect influence, aided in an important sense the design of the Home Mission Society.
The Bible and Tract causes have received a commenda- ble share of their attention; and especially is the design of the American and Foreign Bible Society, organized at Philadelphia, April, 1837, held sacred and important by the Baptists in Maine. The following resolutions, adopted by them in Convention, October, 1837, evinces their interest in this society : 'Resolved, that we approve of the forma- tion of the American and Foreign Bible Society, by the Convention at Philadelphia, in April last, and recommend to our churches to contribute liberally to its funds ;' and in 1843, 'Resolved, that the American and Foreign Bible Society is entitled to the warm support of the churches in Maine.'
They were among the first promoters of abstinence from intoxicating drinks. And with all vigilance they have strove together till the monster of intemperance is driven out from among them, and some of their churches make the 'pledge of total abstinence' a test of fellowship. Their influence has not been confined wholly to themselves, but they have earnestly and ever united with all the friends of humanity, in their attempts to expel the evil from commu- nity and from the world.
The Baptists were early in the Sabbath School cause. Schools began to be formed about twenty-five years ago, and their evident beneficial results soon overcame all op- position and prejudice to them, and awakened an attach- ment which has been strengthened by experience. At first the Baptists united in society with other denominations, to carry forward this benevolent cause. But in 1835, their
19*
430
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
own schools had become so numerous, that it was deemed expedient that they should separate from those denomina- tions, and give their entire attention and influence to the schools connected with Baptist churches and congregations, and to encourage the Baptists to multiply their schools, and to increase their efforts and the means appropriate to advance the design of the institution. In 1835, the Maine Baptist Sabbath School Union was formed; and to aid this society in its liberal attempts to increase the means of biblical instruction, in 1836, Sabbath School Unions were organized within the limits of most of the Associations. Their operations have eminently benefitted the cause. From the neglect of schools to make reports, the State Union has ever found much difficulty in procuring statisti- cal accounts of the schools.
At first there was more promptness than is now mani- fested. In 1836, there were reported, 225 schools, 1471 teachers, 10408 scholars, 192 who had become pious, and 16305 books in the several libraries. In 1843, 214 schools, 1399 teachers, 9338 scholars, 419 became pious, and 19770 volumes in their libraries. This diminution in numbers is wholly owing to deficiency of returns. In 1836, the returns were full, but in 1843, there were 129 churches not reported; and, says the secretary, Rev. J. Ricker, 'many of these are large, and known to have in- teresting Sabbath schools.' This cause, among the Bap- tists, is advancing.
There were, in 1843, sustained by the Baptists in the State, more than twenty Quarterly Conferences. These organizations have for their object, the cultivation of ac- quaintance, the promotion of a more elevated, enlightened, devoted and active piety in the churches, to increase a more benevolent spirit and zeal, and to attend to the more local affairs of the denomination in those small communities which come not under the cognizance of the Associations.
From the relation which the college at Waterville sus- tains to the intellectual and religious improvement of the denomination, it would be an important omission in these sketches to say nothing of that Institution. It originated with the Baptists. At the annual meeting of the Bow- doinham Association, in 1810, the importance of estab, lishing an Institution in Maine, for the promotion of Lit- erary and Theological knowledge, was considered. The
t
1
e
de m ti I
431
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
desirableness of the object had occupied the attention of many of the ministers, for several years previous to this time. But now, from a variety of considerations, such an Institute seemed to be imperiously demanded.
They saw the Baptists multiplying and rising into a large denomination, in the midst of a rapidly growing and enlightened population, where talents, science, and an increasing general knowledge demanded an enlightened ministry. They saw, too, young men coming forth from the field, and from the workship, fired with a pious zeal to enter the holy work of preaching the gospel. To prevent the embarrassments of a limited education, and to qualify them to meet the spiritual expectations of an improved society, something must be done; and the work was com- menced. After the appointment of a committee, to confer with the brethren of the Lincoln Association, the subject was referred to the next annual meeting.
At the meetings of the Cumberland and Lincoln Asso- ciations, in 1811, the brethren in these bodies respectively concurred with the views and feelings of the brethren in Bowdoinham. Committees were now appointed by these three Associations, to unite in one joint committee, to petition the Legislature of Massachusetts for the incorpo- ration of such an Institution. The petition was presented by Rev. Caleb Blood, of Portland, and the incorporation was granted in 1813, and Waterville was selected as the most suitable location. Here it was established, and here it flourished, being fostered by the denomination, and in- structed by the Rev. Messrs. J. Chaplin and S. Chapin. Its character was not changed till 1820. This year it was authorised to confer college degrees, and in 1821, it re- ceived the name of a college. By this change, however, the department for the pursuit of Theology was not wholly lost. Dr. Chaplin was appointed President of the college and Professor of Theology. It was soon evident to the churches that the Institution for Theology existed only in name. Many, therefore, expressed their disapprobation of the change by withholding their support. The college, however, found warm friends, not only in Maine, but in some other States, particularly in Massachusetts. Although it has received some aid from the State, in money and lands, and many liberal donations by individuals, it has
432
GENERAL OPERATIONS.
nevertheless persevered through many obstructions. Its condition at present is more free from embarrassment than at any former period, and its prospects for stability and usefulness more encouraging. The character of its present Faculty has created in the community a confidence, that the student will not find here less attention or ability than is found in other colleges.
Previous to 1822, the Baptists in Maine had not the privileges of a periodical press. Nor even then had they one under their own supervision. 'The Waterville Intel- ligencer,' at its commencement at that time in Waterville, opened to Baptists in Maine an important channel of com- munication, with the public and with each other. But through this medium they did not always speak what they wished. Soon after, the Baptist Herald was commenced at Brunswick, and professed to be devoted to the interests of the denomination. But with this paper the churches and ministers soon became dissatisfied. Its anti-missionary spirit was a sufficient objection to its patronage. In 1828, Zion's Advocate was commenced in Portland and conducted by the faithfulness and prudence of Rev. A. Wilson, who was both proprietor and editor. This paper has, from its beginning, been wholly sustained by the Baptists, and de- voted exclusively to their cause.
Although it was a consistent and useful herald for the denomination, yet in a few years it was thought by some to be too moderate and liberal in its doctrinal character ; and that its columns were kept too close as regards some of the causes of humanity, in which some of the brethren felt an especial interest, and respecting which they wished to speak freely. This view and feeling originated the 'Eastern Baptist,' in 1835; a small one dollar paper, pub- lished successively at Richmond and Brunswick. It how- ever did not obtain a very liberal patronage. In 1839, this paper united with the Advocate, and the editorial was en- trusted to the wisdom and faithfulness of Rev. Joseph Ricker. This arrangement continued till the close of 1842, when Rev. A. Wilson again resumed the responsi- bilities of the old Zion's Advocate, which in his hands is largely enjoying the confidence and patronage of the Baptists.
C
1
p 1
W
of ci te W
th 18
MINISTERS,
Including all who have labored, and all who are now labor- ing in the State.
Abbot Constant, pastor of | benefit of the destitute for 8 the 1st church in China, from 1814, about three years.
Adams Joseph, was ord. pas. of the ch. in Jay 1804, and offi- ciated in that ch. 14 yrs. Af- ter an interval of about 10 yrs. which was mostly filled up with itinerant labors, he was pas. of the same church from 1828, nearly 3 yrs. From the close of this second period of his pastoral labors, till his death 1844, he preached but occasionally and in different places. He was first a Meth- odist, then a Baptist, and main- tained an honorable connexion with the church in Jay till his death.
Adams P. S., ord. an Evan- gelist at Sanford, Sept. 1838. He preached in different pla- ces till 1840, when he entered the pastoral office in the Main- st. ch. Brunswick. He retired from the responsibility of pas. and became a member of the ch. E. Brunswick 1843. [He removed to Mass. 1844.]
Adlam Sam'l., came into the State in 1838,and was installed pas. of the 1st ch. in Hallowell the same year, where he con- tinues to sustain the office with ability and usefulness.
yrs. In 1818, he was elected pas. of the ch. Brooksville, and was their successful leader till 1833. Again he was devoted to supply the destitute. In 1837, he received the pastoral charge of the 2d ch. in Bluehill. This charge he resigned in '42, and he is again the devoted evang.
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