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 5
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SECOND CHURCH, NEWFIELD. This church was con- . stituted May 14, 1818, and the same year united with Association, with twelve members, some of whom were previously dismissed from the first church for this purpose. This church like the one from which it originated, was destined to a few years' existence, only; and these formed a period of trial and discouragement, which ended about the year 1837. Since that time there has been no Baptist church in Newfield to unite with the denomination in ex- tending the Redeemer's kingdom.t
HIRAM. This town is situated north of Cornish, and is the most southerly in Oxford county, and was among the early settlements in that section of the country. As early as 1787 and '88, Rev. Zebediah Richardson, of Fryeburg, and Rev. John Chadborne, of Cornish, introduced Baptist sentiments among the people, by occasional visits, and preaching the gospel to them, and some few of these early settlers became Baptists. Mr. John Watson, and Lucy, his wife, and Mr. Asa Osgood, and Lydia, his wife, were the first baptized by Elder Richardson, and united to the church in Cornish, that being the nearest and most con- venient for them ; and although the distance was eleven or
*Min. Y. A. 1836. +Min. Y. A. 1813 and 1836.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1800-1810.
twelve miles, Watson, Osgood, and their wives, on foot, and in bad roads, punctually attended the meetings in Cornish. This they did till 1803, when they were favored with more preaching in Hiram ; and 1804, under the labors of Rev. Levi Chadborne, of Limerick, a very glorious work of grace was enjoyed, which resulted in a pleasing increase of Baptists, who were added to the same church with Wat- son, etc. In 1805, Elder William Godding, on a mission by the direction of the Association, spent a short time among them, and baptized fifteen persons. From this time till 1809, the people of Hiram obtained a portion of the ministry of Rev. T. Remick, who was then pastor in Cor- nish, and were blessed with many precious seasons in this period. The foundation being now laid, and the materials for the building being now prepared, the erection of the edifice was the next thing to be done. The Baptists in Hiram, therefore, were assembled in the dwelling-house of Mr. Stephen Burbank, and recognized by a council as a church of Christ, with nine males and nine females, eigh- teen in number. Since this church was constituted, there have been but a small increase of members, never exceed- ing twenty-seven ; never able to erect a house for worship ; therefore they have been obliged to meet in dwelling-hous- es, barns, school-houses, and town-house. They never had the assistance of a pastor, till Rev. J. Chadborne became their minister, in 1835; and were blessed with no special revival till 1839, when a few souls were converted and added to the church. Mr. John Watson was a prominent member in this church, and was active in all its interests. He lived to see all his children converted. He died 1827, aged 77 years. Dea. Thomas B. Watson died in 1836. Dea. Osgood died some time previous. These all distin- guished themselves for usefulness in the church. John Watson is their present clerk.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
CHAPTER VI.
South Berwick Village-Saco-Acton-Cape Neddock-North Kenne- bunk port-Kennebunk Village-Alfred-Parsonsfield 2d-Shapleigh 2d -First Kennebunk and Lyman-Sanford 2d-Mt. Hope-Springvale.
SOUTH BERWICK VILLAGE CHURCH. This church is the offspring of the first and oldest church in Berwick, a division of which took place before the ordination of Rev. William Hooper ; and that portion of the members residing in the south part of the town, then distinguished by the name 'Quampeagan,' united with the Baptists in Madbury, N. H., and settled Elder Hooper, as their pastor. 'Quam- peagan'* is the place where now stands the pleasant village of South Berwick, in which is situated the church we now describe. 'The Baptists being a branch of the church in Madbury, received a portion of the ministry of Elder H.
The Congregationalists formed a society at 'Quampea- gan landing,' in 1700, built a house for worship, and organized a church in 1701, and settled a pastor in 1702.+ They then obtained the ministerial lands belonging to the ancient 'Piscataqua,' and laid serious obstacles to the progress of the Baptists, and occasioned their long and try- ing struggle, to obtain a permanent location as a denom- ination in that village. At length the victory was won, and a small church of fifteen members was organized in 1824,¿ by the name it now bears. At first it was aided in its operations as a church by its deacon, Charles Shorey and Christopher S. Hale, a licentiate preacher. As evi- dence that these movements pleased the great Shepherd, prosperity began to attend the church at every step in its progress.
In 1826, Rev. Charles Miller became pastor; Rev. Jo- seph Ballard, in 1829 or '30; Rev. Lewis Colby, in 1838;
*Rev. J. Tripp. tGreen. Eccl. his. pp. 26, 27. #Min. Y. A 1824.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
Rev. J. Richardson, in 1842. These pastors officiated in immediate succession, and were each eminently useful in promoting the advancement of the church in numbers and ability.
The first revival witnessed in this church was in 1826, in connection with the ministry of Elder Miller ; but this was only as the few drops before the more glorious shower of divine grace and mercy received under the ministry of Elder Ballard in 1831, '32 and '33, which added one hun- dred and forty-five to the church by baptism. By this and subsequent prosperity, the church has become a large and useful body, being active in the various benevolent enter- prises of the age.
NORTH BUXTON. For an account of this church, see p.48.
SACO. In this ancient town commenced the first per- manent settlement in the State of Maine, in 1623,* and the first seat of government in the Province.t This settle- ment underwent many changes, so that no religious organization took place till the formation of a Congrega- tional church, September 30, 1730; although the town had been favored with several ministers previous to the ex- istence of this church, and a house for the worship of God had been erected in 1674.1 We do not learn that any other religious sect made efforts in this town, till the Methodists commenced about the beginning of the present century.
From the best accounts that can be obtained, it does not appear that the Baptists made any movements earlier than 1800. It is reported that Elders Simon Locke, Abner Flanders and Josiah Converse, were the first Bap- tists to bestow any labor to advance the cause of Christ in this place, and that Elder Converse was the first to admin- ister the ordinance of baptism there. This, we think,
*Willis' his. Port. vol. 1, p. 16. tWil. his. Port. vol. 1, p. 48. Eccl. his. pp. 53, 54.
#Green.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
must have been performed between the years 1806 and '10, while Elder Converse preached in Portland. Most of the early efforts made by the Baptists in the town; were however by Rev. A. Flanders; and these occasional efforts are to be regarded as among the preliminary means which have ultimately originated the Baptist interest among the people; also the church whichwas organized Febru- ary 8, 1827. The original number was seven, two males and five females, which number was soon increased to sixteen.
Rev. Frederick Clarke was their pastor in 1828, and the number of the church was that year increased to thirty-two members, and their prospects encouraged them to make an effort to provide for their accommodation, a house of worship. The church was small and composed mostly of females. It was therefore resolved to lay their situation before the Association for their advice and assistance. They did so, and the Association sympathiz- ing with them in their condition, recommended to the churches and all benevolent persons, to do what they could to assist the church in their undertaking. Mr. Clarke was the principal actor in the business, and espe- cially in collecting voluntary contributions.
A lot of land was purchased at the cost of $500; a frame for the house was erected; and a vestry was built which served for meetings. Now comes a scene of trials and difficulties in the church, which entirely prevented their enterprise. For want of means the frame of the house was never covered, and the lot of land lost for want of a good title; and Mr. Clarke deposed from his high calling in the denomination on account of his fraudulent acts in the business. The church was divided in the affair ; one part favored Mr. Clarke, the other part con- sidered him faulty. Councils were called, but in vain ;
6
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
a third * council who deliberated upon the proceedings and results of the two former, and upon the doings of the parties in the church, also upon the conduct of Mr. Clarke during the whole affair, settled the matter. They reported to the Association, (by whose authority they had acted), through the medium of a select committee chosen by the same body to examine and advise respecting that report ;t that Mr. Clarke had not ' given satisfactory ac- count of the monies' collected by him to aid the building of the house ; 'that we have not confidence in Mr. F. Clarke as a faithful brother or minister of Christ, and that we do not fellowship him in that sacred office'; believing that Mr. F. Clarke has forfeited all claim to Christian and ministerial character and standing ; your committee also recommended that the church withdraw from him their fellowship both as a Christian and as a minister; and this same committee recommend to the Association the appoint- ment of a committee to assist the church in Saco, in carry- ing into effect what was advised by the committee. These unfortunate occurrences operated to almost annihilate the Baptist cause in Saco, by bringing down upon the denomi- nation an overwhelming weight of prejudice. But that God who can make the wrath of man to praise him, and restrain the violence of prejudice, opened a fair prospect to the church, by soon restoring harmony, principally by the wise, the prudent and timely efforts of Rev. Adam Wilson, who labored in the gospel with them the most of the time for two or three years, next subsequent to the removal of Mr. Clarke. When Rev. Clark Sibley was installed pas- tor, Feb. 17, 1836, the church was increased to about sixty members ; he remained one year, and again the church was destitute ; but prospered under the ministry of Rev. S. Sargent, Rev. S. W. Field, and Rev. C. W. Bradbury,
*Min. Y. A. 1832, p. 5. +Min. Y. A. 1833, p. 5.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1834.
during the interval between the resignation of Mr. Sibley and the ordination of Ahira Jones, as pastor, August 16th, 1838. Mr. Bradbury was ordained as an evangelist in this church, March 14, 1838.
Rev. Mr. Jones continued his useful ministry in this church till the year 1843, which was a period of peculiar prosperity to the church, its number being increased to one hundred and fourteen. In the summer of 1841, they com- pleted a new and convenient house of worship, at a cost of $3,500 .* Rev. A. Colburn is their present pastor.
ACTON. (See First Shapleigh, p. 38.) As Baptists increased in Shapleigh, their influence was felt in Milton and Acton. After the division in Shapleigh, 1803, the Baptists in the west part of the town were called the first church, and was so considered (although there are doubts whether it was ever regularly organized, as no records of its proceedings can be found) till 1828, when a church was gathered by the name of ' Shapleigh and Milton,' in which places the members resided. Within two years it passed through another change, and takes the name of ' Acton and Milton,' most of the members living in these towns. In 1835, the Baptists in Milton, became a separate church, leaving the old stock with the name Acton, and which is the present church in that town. Its origin being some- what peculiar, it will be proper to trace it by a review of the Baptists in West Shapleigh. We find these Baptists without a pastor from the removal of Eld. Davis, till 1807, when Eld. Wm. Godding became their minister, and offici- ated till 1835, when, on account of his age, he resigned the responsibility, but remains an honorable and venerable member of the church in Acton. Eld. Godding was among the first converts in the town of Livermore, and ordained to the work of the ministry in Shapleigh, in 1807., He was
*Rev. A. Jones and Min. Y. A.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
assisted in all his labors by the worthy deacons, John Bod- well, Aaron Hubbard, John Lary and Nathan Brackett, all of whom were early members of the church, and efficient promoters of its cause. Enoch Wood was afterwards added to the list of deacons, who, with John Bodwell, were regularly ordained to the office. There were several inte- resting revivals among these brethren previous to any change in their name as a body. They numbered in 1827, seventy-nine members.
Rev. Tozier Lord was the first to labor in Acton in behalf of the Baptists, about the year 1780; but Elder Godding has been the principal agent under God in plant- ing the vineyard of the Lord in that town .*
Jan. 24, 1828, the Acton church was organized, by the name of Shapleigh and Milton, consisting of twenty-eight members ;f Rev. Willard Glover came to their assistance, and aided their progress several months, in which time there was a revival, which introduced new members, and induc- ed most of the old members to unite with the church. Charles Emerson was ordained pastor, July 17, 1828. Under the united labors of Emerson and Godding, the church obtained great prosperity. Mr. Emerson closed his pastoral charge, Aug. 1834, and Rev. Thomas Jame- son succeeded him as the acting pastor, Sept. 1837, and continued his useful ministry in the church 1843. As evidence of their prosperity, their number is one hundred and fifteen ; and in 1841, they finished a new meeting- house at a cost of $850. Samuel Stady and Benjamin Brackett are the present deacons. This church has expe- rienced more than ordinary trials, most of which were caused by intemperance, and on account of which several members have been excluded .¿ The cause of these trials is now, however, almost entirely removed.
*Min. Y. A. +Mark C. Heard, Ch, Clk. #M. C. Heard, Ch. Clk.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
CAPE NEDDOCK. This church is situated on a point of land in the town of York, and was organized August 20th 1829, of twelve members, five males and seven females. A few Baptists and members of the church in South Berwick, nad resided here many years. Eld. N. Lord preached one sermon at the dwelling-house of Jeremiah Weare, in 1780, but opposition prevented further attempts at that time to evangelize the people. After an interval of about twenty- three years, Eld. W. Batchelder* preached a lecture in an orchard, owned by David Webber, and God gave power to the truth, which awakened attention ; and though his efforts were vigorously opposed, nearly fifty souls, in a short time, were converted ; part of whom united, as a branch, with the church in South Berwick ; the remainder originated a Free-will Baptist church. In a few years the Methodists commenced preaching, and some of these united their efforts with them.
The interested reader may ask why the Baptists were so unwelcome to the people of York. We cannot answer the inquiry, unless it were owing to an aversion to their senti- ments, created by the influence of Pedo-baptism, into the principles of which the people had for many years been indoctrinated. The half-way covenant church had existed here from 1673, and Pedo-baptism in Episcopalian form, at a much earlier period. But the violence of persecution being checked, if not entirely overcome, by the freedom of American institutions, the way was open for a more peaceful effort by the Baptists on the Cape. While a branch church to South Berwick, they were assisted by the occa- sional preaching of several ministers, and especially of Elders Andrew Sherburne and Joshua Chase. When the
*On hearing Eld. B. preach, Samuel Weare, Cotton Chase and John Ten- ney, Congregationalists, renounced their favorite notions of baptism, and became piously engaged in the cause of truth, and Mr. C. is a worthy dea- con in the church.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
Methodists began, they professed great love and union to the Baptists, and feeling that their profession was sincere, the Baptists united with them in building a house of wor- ship in 1823. And now comes a test of their love. They must have a deed of the house, and provide the preacher. But the Baptists, disliking the yoke of aristoc- racy, concluded to act for themselves.
Rev. Oliver Barron commenced preaching here May 1829. At first he found many to oppose his efforts, but by the blessing of God he was successful among them for a term of about three years. The church was increased to twenty-four members. They have since prospered under the labors of a succession of ministers. Rev. John Haines preached one half of the time in 1832. Joseph Ames, a licentiate, occasionally in 1833. Rev. Clarke Sibley re- ceived the pastoral care Jan. 9, .1834, and remained three years; and then the church nad a supply several weeks by Noah Hooper, jr., then a student at Newton Theological Institution, and nearly one year by Rev. D. M'Master ; till April 15th, 1838, when Rev. Gideon Cook commenced his labors as pastor. He having preached three years, resigned his charge, and was succeeded by I. Merrill, a licentiate, who preached about a year, and left the church destitute.
This church has held several protracted meetings, which have been the means of much increase in numbers, and power of influence, while other sects have rather dimin- ished. The second church in Wells originated partly with this church ; Rev. Theodore H. Lunt was sent forth to the gospel ministry ; and Cotton Chase, Jonathan Talpey, and Samuel Webber are its deacons. Whole number receiv- ed by baptism is seventy-one; present number, fifty-five .*
BIDDEFORD, now NORTH KENNEBUNK-PORT. This
*Dea. Samuel Webber, Ch. Clk.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
church was received into the Association in 1835, with ten members. It retained the name Biddeford, and a place in the Association without any alteration in its number of members till 1840, when it was increased by an addition of twelve by letter, and its name changed to North Kennebunk- port. It grew to be more prosperous, with occasional preaching. It has never been blessed with the labors of a pastor, and remains a small feeble church of twenty-eight members, who are ' at peace' among themselves .*
KENNEBUNK VILLAGE CHURCH. This church is situated in a pleasant and flourishing village, and was organized in 1834. Soon after it was embodied, Thomas O. Lincoln of Boston, and a graduate of Newton Theological Institution, became its pastor. During his ministry here, a period of about two years, the church prospered, being blessed with a revival and a pleasing addition by baptism in 1836. After Rev. Mr. Lincoln left for a more important field, in the city of Portland, the church remained without a pastor, and des- titute of the stated ministry, and as a natural result, their number diminished, and the ability of the church lessened, till the summer of 1839, when the labors of J. M. Harris, a licentiate were obtained, which proved a great blessing to the Baptist interest in that village. The gifts and labors of Mr. Harris being acceptable, he was ordained pastor Oct. 15th, 1840. The same year this small church erected 'a neat and convenient' house of worship, every way adapted to their wants and circumstances, and an ornament to the village.' Although Mr. Harris resigned his pastoral charge and retired to another field of labor, in 1842, the church was blessed with preaching the most of the time, and their number and ability increased as the fruits of a special work of divine grace. Rev. G. Cook succeeded Mr. Harris The total of members in 1843, was eighty-two.t
*Min. Y. A. tMin. Y. A.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
ALFRED. As early as 1799, Eld. H. Smith of Water- borough, preached occasionally in Alfred. Other denomi- nations had preceded him, so that it was not till several years had passed away, that he saw any particular fruits of his labors. Fourteen years after the first settlement was commenced in what is now Alfred, the Congregationalists began to preach among the people, and a church of that faith was organized in 1780 .* Soon after, a society of Shaking Quakers was founded in the town. The minds of the people therefore were prepared for any thing but for the reception of Baptist sentiments and practices. But Eld. Smith continued his labors, and in 1805 he had the privilege of administering baptism in the place. This opened the way for others, who from time to time were joyful to embrace the ordinance. In 1817, a sufficient number having become Baptists, a branch to the church in Waterborough was formed in Alfred. The same year, this branch church erected for their own accommodation, in Alfred, a house for worship at a cost of eight hundred dollars, in which Eld. Smith preached the gospel to them one-fourth of the time, till his death. Before his departure, he advised these brethren to embody an independent church. With his advice they complied ; and Aug. 22, 1836, eleven males and twenty females were regularly, by council, con- stituted into a Baptist church ; Jedediah Tripp and James P. Nutter were ordained into the office of deacons, who have conducted their seasons of worship when destitute of a minister.
From May 1835 till January 1841, Rev. N. G. Little- field was their pastor, and preached with the church one half of the time, the other half being devoted to the church in Lyman and elsewhere. Eld. Littlefield was as useful among them as the circumstances and the peculiar notions
*Green. Eccl. his. p. 110.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
and feelings of the church would warrant. There was some increase of members. Since his labors were with- drawn,* the church has not been favored with preaching regularly. Within the year 1841, they were blessed a few months with the preaching of John Hubbard, jr., a licen- tiate; and at present, one half of the time, by Rev. Z. Morton. The church has passed through many trials, arising mostly from internal causes-has been blessed with several pleasing revivals-and is now enjoying union and an encouraging prosperity. Its total number of members in 1843 was forty-four-it once numbered forty-nine. Four have been added from other denominations.f
SECOND CHURCH IN PARSONSFIELD. The original members of this church were dismissed from the first church in Parsonsfield, 1838. On the 31st of May, the same year, they were recognized as the second church in P. This church is located in the southwest part of P., at a distance of four miles from the first church. The Baptists here own about one half of a small Union house of worship, the other half is owned principally by the Free-
will Baptists. This church has a fund of one thousand dollars, bequeathed to them by the late James Marston, of P., the interest of which is to be appropriated for preach- ing the gospel to the benefit of the Baptist cause in that place; which, with the ability of the church, although never favored with a pastor, they have been supplied more than one half of the time since their organization, and suc- cessively, by Rev. A. Flanders, Levi Smith, John San- born, Curtis C. Taylor, licentiates, and students in New
*The cause of his leaving, was the imprudence of one of the members. The circumstance was, " a certain female, without just cause, became alien- ated in her feelings towards him, and to seek the gratification of her re- vengeful spirit, originated false reports, implicating his moral character, and circulated them, secretly from him, which created suspicions and jealousies among some of the members, which, when known by him, were a source of trial, and he immediately resigned his charge of the church." +John Friend, Ch. Clk.
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WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
Hampton Institution, N. H., by Rev. E. Cox, who was ordained as an evangelist at Shapleigh, in 1841, and by John Hubbard, a licentiate of the church in South Berwick. Their original number was twenty-two, and by these labors the church has increased to the number of twenty-eight. It is a singular circumstance that they have had three deacons, all of the name of Marston,-Caleb, Jacob, and Simeon .*
SHAPLEIGH SECOND. This church is located at 'Em- ery's Mills,' so called, in Shapleigh. Here is a small village, at a distance of three or four miles from any Bap- tist house of worship, and several Baptist professors resid- ing here, it seemed important to them that something more should be done in that village by them for the cause of God, than they were doing. Consequently, in the spring of 1840, they commenced, regularly, a semi-weekly prayer- meeting. This movement pleased the Lord of the har- vest; a revival of religion and the conversion of sinners, were its blessed fruits. Materials were now prepared for a church in that village. These were brought together, and embodied January 21, 1841, and consisted of 'five males and nine females.' On the 9th of June, 1841, two · of their number, George Heard and Elbridge Cox, were ordained as evangelists; the former of whom did, for two years subsequent to his ordination, devote much of his labor to the benefit of this feeble church. September 28, 1842, John M. Wedgewood, their present pastor, was ordained among them. Total of members in 1843, twenty-seven.+
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