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 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
FIRST KENNEBUNK AND LYMAN. It appears from the minutes of York Association for 1841, that a division had taken place in the church in 'Kennebunk'; that two letters were received, each coming as from the church.
*Com S. Marston Ch. Clk. tMoses Goodwin, Ch. Cl. per W. Stevens.
71
WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
The first speaks of ' a part of our number having gone out from us; have erected a house and worship God in another town, (Lyman), and although by dropping those members which is nearly one half of our number,' &c. The other letter says, 'we have completed our house' of worship, and then speak of prosperity. The first letter returns a total of twenty members, and Rev. J. Hubbard, pastor ; the second, twenty-nine members, and Elder Flanders, preacher, three-fourths of the time .* These parties are recognized as distinct churches-their difficul- ties being so far removed, that the brethren with Mr. Hubbard, pastor, remain the old Kennebunk church, and those with Father Flanders, preacher, and the new meet- ing house, the 'First Kennebunk and Lyman' church. These churches have since prospered. In 1842, this church received an addition of twenty-six by baptism, as the fruits of a pleasing revival, under the labors of Rev. E. Robbins, who preached to the church three-fourths of the time for several months from the beginning of the year. The church is now prospering under the labors of their pastor, Rev. S. Ladd. Total of members, sixty- four.t
SANFORD SECOND. This small church was organized with seventeen members, by council, July 27, 1830; and is situated in the south-eastern part of Sanford, where these brethren resided, and previously existed as a branch of a church in Kennebunk. Their strong inducements to be- come an independent church were, the distance from that church, and the place of worship in Sanford, together with the circumstance of their having erected a convenient house for their accommodation in their midst. It was desirable therefore that the ordinances of the gospel should be administered to them in their own house, which privi-
*Min. Y. A. 1841, p. 8 ; and Statistic, p. 6. tMin. of Saco Ass.
72
WESTERN MAINE, 1810-1843.
lege was now granted them. At the time they were em- bodied, they enjoyed the labors of Philander Hartwell, then a licentiate, but who was in a few months ordained to the work of an evangelist, whose ministry was continued with them something more than a year, and blessed with a re- vival, which increased the number of the church to forty members. The church next received the ministry of Rev. John Chadborune, and were encouraged to perseverance. From 1833 to 1836, they were in a destitute, tried and scattered condition, when, by the assistance of neighboring ministers, they awoke from their slumbering, called upon God, who vouchsafed to hear, and answer their request, by a revival of his work, which added twenty-one willing con- verts to their number. Since that time the church has made but a small progress, and are at present destitute of a pastor .*
SANFORD, MT. HOPE CHURCH. This church had its origin with the first church in Sanford. The members residing about Mt. Hope, in that town, being at a consid- erable distance from the old place of worship, and in the midst of a growing population, decided that it was their privilege and duty to be embodied into a separate church. On application, they therefore received a dismission from that church, and were organized February 25, 1841, six males and twelve females, with Rev. G. Cook, as their pastor. Previously, and in 1840, these brethren, with others friendly to their cause, erected a convenient house for worship, forty feet by forty-six feet. Total abstinence from all that intoxicates, was adopted as a special article in their creed; and Sabbath School instruction receives their united efforts. Daniel Johnson is their worthy deacon. Soon after their organization, they were encouraged by a revi- val, and since with a cheering prosperity. At present *Min. of York Ass.
73
YORK ASSOCIATION.
they have preaching one half of the time, by Rev. J. Boyd ; and present, as a total of members, twenty-seven .*
SANFORD, 'SPRINGVALE CHURCH.' This church wast organized a few months since, with thirteen members, and is situated in a manufacturing village of some importance, and though ' few in numbers,' yet, says a writer, 'having a mind to work and combining no ordinary degree of effi- ciency, we trust their course will be onward.' They are favored with some aid by the occasional labors of Rev. E. Robbins. Total, thirteen. 1
CHAPTER VII.
YORK ASSOCIATION.
Brentwood Conference-New Hampshire Association.
With the Brentwood conference originated the York Asso- ciation. That conference was formed in 1776, and embraced three churches. Two of them, Berwick and Sanford, were in Maine .¿ Dr. Shepherd, the founder of the church in Brentwood, and Rev. Wm. Hooper, of Ber- wick, 'were the principal promoters' of this body .¿ Not- withstanding the obstacles in the way of progress, Bap- tist churches multiplied and united to this conference. This community continued till 1785,¿ when it assumed the character of an Association, and embraced in addition to the two already mentioned, the following churches in Maine, Wells, Shapleigh and Lyman-a majority of the Association were still in Maine, and associated with these churches were the following ministers, William Hooper, Nathaniel Lord, Nehemiah Davis, and Simon Locke. These
*Gideon Cook, and Min. Y. A. +Min. Y. A. 1843. Dig. Let. p. 8. #Benedict's his. Bap. vol. 1, p. 319.
74
YORK ASSOCIATION.
five churches and four ministers, constituted the entire denomination in Maine, while at the same time there existed something more than eight times the number of Congregational churches* and ministers, who were encour- aged by the protection of law, and privileged with the disposal of all the ministerial lands in the places where they were located. They had, therefore, the power of influence, and possessed every facility for retaining it, nor were they slow to secure every means favorable to their success.t The Baptists were few and surrounded by disadvantages, yet relying upon God they sought and obtained prosperity by his blessing. From 1785 to 1800, the number of churches in Maine belonging to this body was doubled by the addition of churches in the following places : Waterborough, Cornish, Parsonsfield, Limerick and Buxton. The churches in Maine belonging to this body in 1800, embraced six hundred and sixteen members and eight ministers.
Some important business touching the Baptist cause in Maine, had already been transacted in this Association. Although most of these ministers had performed voluntary missions into the middle and eastern parts of Maine, and aided in promoting the cause in some of the remote and new settlements, yet feeling that something more efficient must be done than could in this way be accomplished, the Association at its anniversary in 1800, appointed Elders Hooper, Smith and Batchelder, a committee to employ a missionary to travel into the eastern parts of the State, ' to preach and administer the ordinances of the gospel ;'# and
*Green. Eccl. his. . p 22 ,Appendix-Also p. 34, Appendix.
tThe Friends or Quakers commenced operations in Maine Oct. 1730, at Kittery, now Elliot, and in 1785, they had six meetings or Societies for worship weekly, and four monthly meetings.
Elder Benj. Randall, the founder of the Free-will denomination in Maine, began to travel and collect societies in 1781, and in 1785, nine of these societies existed in Maine, six or seven preachers,and two quarterly meetings įMın. Y. A. p. 7.
75
YORK ASSOCIATION.
contributions were taken in the Association and in the churches, to aid the benevolent work. They saw that the field was large and the laborers but few, and as the zeal of their persecutors moderated, they felt that the churches were more safe, and therefore they could with less danger extend their influence abroad. Although these pioneers to the Baptists had learned to endure the trials of a cruel opposition, yet they rejoiced when its rage and violence were checked. Something can be learned of the feelings of the Baptists as regards these trials, and their causes, from their corresponding letter to other Associations in 1800. 'Under the auspicious smiles of Heaven,' says the letter, 'we see our churches generally advancing in love. There have been several revivals the year past ; and glory to God, the work appears to increase. However, we are not wholly exempt from trials, for in many places irreligion raises her indignant clamor to attack christianity and her children with pointed railery and impious defamation. But comparatively we have little reason to complain ; for through the condescension of our heavenly Father, the persecuting reign of tyranny and religious oppression are greatly suppressed, and the inhuman barbarity experienced by our ancestors, is now generally contemned by the civil- ized part of community, and blessed be God, an enraged multitude, blood-thirsty accusers and partial judges, are not permitted to desolate the church as in ages past.'* They felt that 'vigilance, firmness and fervor' were neces- sary even now, lest 'the cause become a prey' to those ' demoralizing principles' which were then too industrious- ly propagated.
In addition to this arrangement before mentioned to send aid to the Baptists farther eastward, a system of voluntary suppliest to assist the feeble and destitute churches within
*Min. Y. A. 1800, p. 11. +Min. Y. A. 1800, p. 7.
76
YORK ASSOCIATION.
the Association, was vigorously sustained. This plan of voluntary operation was commenced in 1798, and was highly beneficial to the cause of truth and righteousness in many destitute regions.
One important means of success in these early days of the Baptists in Maine, were frequent days of fasting and prayer for special manifestations of the Divine Spirit on the churches. Such seasons were recommended by the Association* in 1798.
Operating with the spiritual means of gospel truth, and upon these simple missionary plans, with faith in the ever precious promises of God, the Baptists in York county prospered with more than anticipated success. The churches constituted at an earlier period than 1800, had most of them enjoyed precious revivals, bringing in rich and large harvests, to enlarge and render them distinguished and powerful. Other churches had sprung into being, and radiated with the same celestial light, combined their power and influence with those which preceded them, and thus contributed to the permanency and usefulness of the denomination in this part of the State.
The system of voluntary supplies to the destitute, and their co-operation with the Maine Domestic Missionary Society, had accomplished much towards the ultimate suc- cess of their cause. Something may be learned of their progress in the period of the last ten years, from the increase of their numbers and facilities for further advancement ;- and, something of their spirit, their zeal, their wisdom, and their ability, from some of their move- ments in an associational capacity.
In 1810, there were seventeen ordained ministers of the gospel ; twenty-one churches ; and nearly thirteen hundred and eighty-one communicants in Maine, who composed the
*Min. Y. A. 1798, p. 6.
77
YORK ASSOCIATION,
principal ministers and churches in the New Hampshire Association ; making a net increase of nine ministers, twelve churches, and seven hundred and sixty-five com- municants.
To advance their cause, the Baptists were far from making any compromise with heterodoxy, or countenanc- ing error. All persons or churches seeking fellowship and admission, were required to give evidence especially of experimental piety ; a satisfactory testimonial of soundness in gospel faith and doctrine, and of consistency of christian and gospel practice. In 1802, two churches wishing to unite with this Association were refused the privilege because of what was deemed by that body to be a radical deficiency in their doctrinal creed. The Association felt that to receive them with their creed, would introduce a scism into the body, and endanger its peace and harmony .*
The evils of intemperance began to be felt and consid- ered by the Baptists in 1803, when they commenced measures to prevent the sale of spirituous liquors at their annual meetings, and in a few years the practice was entirely broken up in this Association. About this time some of the churches were troubled with some who crept in unawares, and who made great pretensions to piety, and yet believed in the Universal salvation of all men. That such hypocritical innovators upon the faith and practice of the churches should be at once excommunicated, the Association gave it as their unanimous decision.t
The year 1803 was a jubilee season in the churches composing this body, during which nearly two hundred were added by baptism, which was in those days to the Baptists an unparalleled increase for so short a time.
At the annual meeting of this body in 1809, it was recommended to the churches to observe the first day of
*Min. Y. A. 1802, p. 6. +Min. Y. A. 1803, pp. 6 and 2.
78
YORK ASSOCIATION.
January as a 'day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer ; and that they pray for an increase of laborers ;- for the revival and speedy enlargement of the baptised churches ;- for a more liberal spirit to be given to them, that the laborers may be supplied, and destitute be assisted ;- for a more perfect understanding of gospel doctrines and gospel discipline ;- and that God ' would rend the vail from off the minds of such of his own people, as are yet blindly partaking of the sins of great Babylon; that they may know the order of his house, and the purity of his gospel kingdom.'*
At the annual meeting of this body in 1815, the subject of Foreign Missions was first introduced to the consider- ation of both ministers and people. And as might be expected from the missionary spirit which had always characterized the movements of the Baptists in this vicinity, the subject received a cordial welcome, and the enterprise of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions liberally aided. It was now most solemnly and earnestly recommended to the churches to form auxiliary societies to promote the pious design to carry the gospel to the heathen. This call upon the churches was heard by some, and at the meeting in 1816, $61 59 were brought into the treasury of the Lord, and since that time the cause has been sustained in these churches by a praiseworthy and liberal benevolence.
It may be somewhat surprising to many, that there should be a loss of numbers in this body at this point in its history, seeing that there were more extended efforts made to give a more general increase to the denomination ; and the inquiry may arise, why that loss ? All astonishment will vanish, when it is remembered that during the period from 1810 to 1820, the whole country was brought into painful extremity by embargoes, wars, and heavy taxes, which oc-
#Min. Y. A. 1809, pp. 6 and 7.
79 i
YORK ASSOCIATION.
casioned many removals from the older towns to the new settlements in the interior of the State, for the important purposes of gaining a more easy subsistence in such 'hard times.' And, by these removals, dismissions from these churches were frequent, to unite with others situated among these settlements, which, subtracted from the net gain by baptisms, left a balance of gain, much less than the dimi- nution by exclusion and death. Neither is it surprising to find, which is in reality the fact, that more loss was sus- tained by removals in this period, than in any other, of the same length of time, in the whole history of the Associa- tion, considering the proportions of members in each period.
From 1820 to 1830, there was still a numerical loss of communicants, but it was a period of more enlarged and well directed movements by the Association towards the accomplishment of Zion's victory, and for the general in- terests of the Baptists in the State. During this period, Foreign and Domestic Missions received increasing atten- tion and aid ; a fund was raised for the assistance of those widows of deceased Baptist ministers residing within the limits of the Association, who are needy of the comforts of life ; and more systematic operations were made for the religious education of the youth connected with the denom- ination. As early as 1815, male and female societies, aux- iliary to the B. B. F. M., began to be formed in these churches, the donations of which were transferred to that Board through the medium of the treasurer of the Associ- ation, till the York County Auxiliary Society was organ- ized in 1827 .* All the monies raised in the Association, and within the circle of this auxiliary, took the direction of that society. The efforts for this cause now became more general and prompt. Previous to 1823,t (June 12,) the Association had acted as a Domestic Missionary So-
*Min. Y. A. 1836 +1824.
80
YORK ASSOCIATION.
ciety, operating by a Board of trustees appointed at each annual meeting, who received and expended all the funds raised by the churches and otherwise, for that purpose. A Domestic Missionary Society was then formed, which relieved the Association from the responsibilities of that business. By this society much was annually done for the feeble and the destitute.
At the meeting of the Association 1824,* it was re- solved by the Association to take up an annual contribu- tion for the 'relief of needy widows and children of de- ceased ministers in the Association.' This resolution has been sustained liberally, and by it the widow and fatherless have been made glad.
In 1827,t the Association recommended to the churches the importance of Sabbath Schools, and urged them to es- tablish immediately schools and libraries in each church and society. Several schools were already in operation, and some had been established for years.
In 1828,¿ the Association became a Temperance society, what would be called now, a Washington Total Abstinence Society-for entire abstinence was recommended; and the resolutions now passed were spirited and truly catholic.
In the State Convention, formed in 1824,§ this Associ- ation united and sent delegates annually to co-operate with their brethren in those measures pertaining to the general interests of the denomination in the State-and toward the close of this period, three Quarterly Meetings, the 'North,' the 'South,' and the 'South-western,' were organized in the County of York. There were but few special revivals enjoyed by the churches in this county during this period ; and the annual additions were small compared with some other societies in the State. There was however an ac- cession of several new churches.
*Min. Y. A. 1724. +1827. #1828. §1824.
81
YORK ASSOCIATION.
From 1830 to 1843, this Association made a more pleas- ing progress than it had done in any former period. The number of churches, ministers and communicants, were increased, so that, after a reduction of all losses by churches and individuals, the aggregate of members in 1843, was considerably larger than in 1830 .* In 1841, the Association was divided, and in 1842, several of the churches were organized into the Saco River Association ; making two bodies where had existed for a period of sixty- five years, but one. The reason for this division is re- corded in the minutes of the York Association for 1841,1 in the following language :- ' Whereas this Association being scattered over alarge extent of territory so as to sub- ject the delegates to the necessity of travelling a great dis- tance, unless its session be held with some of the central churches, and being so large as to render it impracticable for the smaller churches to invite it; and also to subject the larger ones to considerable inconvenience, it would evidently be for the convenience and interest of the body to be divided; therefore, Resolved, That this Association be divided, and hereafter make two distinct bodies.'}
Between 1830 and this division, six new churches were added to York Association ; and subsequently, one to York, and one to Saco, making eight new churches which sprang into life in this period, within the old limits of York Association. (See statistics.) Owing, however, to some changes made respecting the condition and circum- stances of several of the older ones, and the total disap- pearance of several of them, the net increase is but six, making the total of churches in both bodies, thirty ; four- teen in York, § and sixteen in Saco.
The relations and places of pastors and ministers have
*See Statistics, Table No. . +Y. A. min. 1841, p. 12.' {Y. A. 1843, Table of churches. §Saco Ass. Table Ch., 1843.
82
YORK ASSOCIATION.
been constantly changing, and yet about the same number have been employed within the limits of these churches, annually. These changes have been occasioned by death, which has removed several of the venerable Fathers in the ministry to their glorious rest in heaven, and by the remo- val of others who have exchanged their fields of labor ; and while the friends of Zion mourn in view of vacancies thus made on the walls of her strength, they should be excited to admiration and encouragement that the Lord of the harvest holds in reserve others whom he has designed to fill them. This design has been accomplished for York. When the labors of Locke, Eaton, Lord, Smith, Tripp and Roberts, were finished on earth, others, the sons of the churches whom they and other pastors, nurtured, are raised up, qualified, and sent into this vineyard, to cultivate and watch over it. In 1830, the number of pastors and ministers were twenty-five ; in 1843, twenty-six; nineteen of whom only are pastors.
As with the natural world, so with the moral, in some interesting respects. While some parts are blessed with copious showers and fruitful seasons, other parts are parched with scorching droughts and cursed with blighted harvests ; and then the scene reverses. The barren be- comes fruitful and the luxuriant becomes sterile. So with spiritual vineyards. At one time, blessings of heavenly grace fall upon some of the tender plants, causing them to yield a plentiful increase ; while others seem to be left for a season to wither and droop under the pressure of a cold and cloudy atmosphere. And then the cloud of mercy moves, to refresh these thirsty hills of Zion. The reviv- ing and saving influences of the Holy Spirit have been an- nually experienced in this Association ; but in 1831, '32, '34, 39 and '40, they were most copious and general among the churches, when large accessions were made to
83
YORK ASSOCIATION.
them of such as hope to be saved, and the friends of Zion sat together in heavenly places, and were constrained to shout aloud for joy.
The benevolent objects which began to receive the attention of the Association previous to 1830, and those which have subsequently claimed their co-operation con- tinue to be encouraged by these friends of God and of hu- manity. The resolutions almost annually passed by them, evince the spirit and feelings they cherish towards these causes. We notice with pleasure, resolutions on Missions ; Foreign, Home and Domestic; on Temperance; on S. Schools; on the Observance of the Sabbath ; on Institu- tions-Theological and literary ; on Periodicals and other publications ; on Ministerial Education; on Bible Cause; on Popery ; on Slavery ; on War; on Days and Objects of Prayer ; on the Death of Ministers ; and on other sub- jects immediately connected with the welfare of Zion and the spiritual good of mankind, passed by this body, thereby expressing their opinion, desire and preferences respecting these objects severally.
These resolutions entertain the subject of Missions with deep interest ; recognize total abstinence from intoxicating drinks as the sacred duty of all men, and especially of Christians ; recommend S. Schools, observance of the Sab- bath, education of the ministry, the circulation of tracts, and other religious publications, and the bible cause, to the prayerful attention and aid of the churches; urge the importance of spending the seasons set apart for prayer as the nature of objects to be prayed for, demand ; and regard popery, slavery and war, as most serious èvils, to be deprecated and opposed.
While the Baptists in this country promoted the welfare and usefulness of Waterville College and other public in- stitutions, without the limits of the Association, by a com-
84
YORK ASSOCIATION.
mendable liberality, they did not forget that their children at home required more enlarged and more suitable facili- ties for an academical education than was afforded them by the common school system. To provide means for the culture of their minds, an academy at Kennebunk village was established in 1834, and has hitherto been sus- tained by a liberal and general patronage by the churches, and exerts a respectable and useful influence on the sur- rounding community.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.