USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Gardiner > Annals of the people called Methodists in the city of Gardiner, Me. > Part 5
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1872. The Conference met in the Gardiner Church for its annual session, Bishop James presiding. These sessions have always been very helpful to the parish and this is especially true of the present session.
Rev. Wm. Jones was appointed to serve the Gardiner parish during the ensuing Conference year.
Mr. Jones was born of Welsh parentage in the city of Bristol, England, in 1830. He came to this country in 1862, and was immediately admitted to the Maine Confer- ence of which he is now a member. He is a ready speaker, having very clear enunciation, a beautiful voice and an earn- est and impressive manner. His work in the parish was entirely successful and his efforts were seconded by the united endeavors of the entire church.
The old parsonage had long since become unsuited to the needs of the parish, and on account of its age, was in a somewhat dilapidated condition. It was necessary either to repair and enlarge it or sell it and build a new building.
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After some discussion, it was decided to build, and it was voted to begin in the summer of 1873.
1873. Mr. Jones being returned by the Conference held this year in Skowhegan, the work on the parsonage was im- mediately begun.
Hartley W. Jewett, one of the principal business men of the city, and a very liberal member of the parish, offered to build a new parsonage in return for the old parsonage and $2,500 in money.
Mr. Jewett, of his own accord, altered the plans of the architect, and erected a house costing more than the esti- mated amount, the extra expense being assumed by him personally. Thus the present commodious and beautiful parsonage is largely a monument of his liberality.
For a number of years, the Sunday school had been under the superintendence of Mr. G. Melvin Johnson, and had attained an excellent record for scholarship and attendance. Late in this year, Mr. Johnson became ill and was compelled to resign his position. E. E. Robbins was elected to take his place.
Mr. Johnson was a beautiful tenor singer and was chorister in the choir for many years. After a lingering illness, he passed away and his death created a vacancy in the parish that could not easily be filled. He had served the church in all the principal positions open to laymen and his liberality and Christian manliness were justly appreciated by the whole parish.
His daughter, Mrs. Mary (Johnson) Hitch has attained considerable prominence in Boston as a soprano soloist.
A Bible for the pulpit was presented the church this year at a cost, it is said, of $50. The book has this inscription :
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Purchased in London by CAPT. F. MEADY of Farmingdale, Maine, and presented to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Gardiner, Maine, June 15, 1873.
In June of this year, the graduating class of the High school held its exercises in the church. This custom was continued until 1886, since which time the exercises have been held elsewhere.
1874. Mr. Jones was returned for his third and last year by the Conference in session in Biddeford.
This year was signalized by a large ingathering of mem- bers and probationers as the fruit of protracted meetings held during the winter of 1873-4.
Doubtless it is always true that many persons are brought into the church during these seasons of religious interest, who are not fitted to take upon themselves such obligations as they are required to do and subsequently take their names away from the rolls of membership. Thus there is always a decrease in membership after an extensive revival, but it is nevertheless true, that the greater part of the membership of the Methodist Church is the result of such "revivals."
The year closed amid rejoicing over the prosperous con- dition of the church, financially and spiritually, mingled with regret that Mr. Jones' time-limit had expired and he must move elsewhere.
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1875. Rev. John F. Hutchins was returned from the Conference held in Wesley Church, Bath.
Mr. Hutchins was a self-made man. Born in North Monmouth, Me., he attended the common schools of his native place, and also that Godsend to the people of West- ern Maine, Kent's Hill. He entered the Maine Conference in 1867, and soon rose to a commanding position among the members of the Conference. His appointment to Gardiner was very satisfactory to the parish at large.
The reports state that both church and Sunday school enjoyed a prosperous year and that all the affairs of the parish were in good condition at the close of the Conference year.
1876. The Conference was held this year in the Park Street Church in Lewiston and Mr. Hutchins was appointed to this charge for a second year.
Some improvements were made about the church during the year ; the gallery doors were removed, the fence around the church lot taken away and the irregularities in the yard smoothed to form a lawn.
The spiritual and financial affairs remained in good con- dition, and the church was apparently prosperous.
A committee of five, consisting of Bros. J. F. Hutchins, J. K. Foy, A. K. P. Buffam, S. E. Johnson, and E. E. Rob- bins, were chosen to make preparations for the session of Conference which was to meet in Gardiner in 1877.
In the summer of this year was inaugurated the custom of setting apart one Sunday of the year for the children when all the services of the day shall be in their interest and for their benefit. The first Sunday in June was chosen for the obvious reason that more children could come in summer
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than in winter, also the decorations would be prettier and more easily obtained. The custom was adopted in Gardiner immediately after its inception and has been maintained every year since.
1877. Mr. Hutchins was appointed to this charge for the third year. During his stay in Gardiner, the church had made little progress, but on the whole had held its own.
There was no diminution of interest, nor, on the other hand, was there any marked interest in spiritual affairs. The temporal affairs of the church were well in hand, and there was a general feeling that the parish was ready to receive Mr. Hutchins' successor prepared for a general era of prosperity.
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1878. The Conference held this year in Farmington sent Rev. George D. Lindsay to the Gardiner parish.
Mr. Lindsay was born in Ulster county, Ireland, and became a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference in that island. On coming to America he united with the Maine Conference and since that time he has occupied the principal pulpits within the State. He is original in thought and forcible in delivery. He has been very acceptable to all the charges he has served and is considered a preacher of exceptional talents.
The semi-centennial of the dedication of the church build- ing was celebrated during the first week in December and the following program was made :
Wednesday evening-Dedication sermon by Rev. W. F. Farrington, pastor in 1840-1.
Thursday evening-Reunion of former pastors.
Friday evening-Sabbath school reunion.
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Saturday evening-Address on Methodism by Bishop Foss.
Sunday-Services by old pastors.
Monday evening-Address by Bishop Foss.
Rev. Mr. Farrington was present and made a few remarks but on account of his great age he did not preach the ser- mon as the program had stated. The rest of the program was carried out as planned.
1879. The Conference met in the Pine Street Church, Portland, and Mr. Lindsay was sent to Gardiner for a second year.
A course of lectures was arranged for the winter which proved of much profit financially and otherwise. The first one was Mr. Lindsay on "Ireland and the Irish;" as many in the city were of Celtic origin the lecture was very largely attended.
A second lecture was by the eccentric and original, but talented, Rev. D. W. LeLacheur of Portland, and was on the subject, "Courtship and Marriage."
Some necessary repairs were made on the church prop- erty during this year: the upper rooms in the parsonage were finished and furnished and the roof of the church building made secure.
The Sunday school at its annual meeting passed the fol- lowing vote which has remained in force ever since.
Voted, That the collection taken on the first Sunday in every month be reserved for the missionary society, to be paid at the end of the Conference year.
The debt on the church from the repairs in 1868 had now been reduced to nineteen hundred and fifty dollars. The co-operation of the entire parish, aided by the perseverance
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of the pastor, enabled the collector to obtain the entire amount, and amid a general rejoicing the notes were taken up and burned. A jubilee was held to commemorate the raising of the debt which took the form of a service in the church, occupying the whole of one day. Visitors were present and a varied and pleasing program was carried out. Their joy was genuine because it was the first time for many years that the parish had been entirely out of debt.
1880. The Maine Conference held its annual session at Saco and Mr. Lindsay was returned to the charge for his third year.
During this year seventy-five dollars were raised and expended in purchasing new books for the Sunday school library. Such of the old books as were in good condition were boxed up and sent to destitute Sunday schools in the West.
1881. The Conference at the Congress Street Church in Portland, much against the will of a large proportion of the members of the church, re-appointed Mr. Hutchins to the Gardiner charge. Inasmuch as it was the will of the bishop and other officers of the church, the members submitted and the first year passed without any outward show of dissat- isfaction and with every evidence of prosperity. The meet- ings were well attended and the interest up to the average, and every bill of the parish was paid in full with a small balance in the treasury at the close of the year.
At the annual meeting of the Sunday school in May, 1882, just before the session of the Conference, Mr. E. E. Robbins, who had been superintendent for a number of years, resigned, and Mr. E. C. H. Smith was elected to take his place. As a testimonial of the Sunday school's appreciation
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of the long and faithful services of their superintendent, a large easy chair and a History of Methodism were pre- sented to Mr. Robbins.
1882. The Maine Methodist Conference met in Augusta and Mr. Hutchins was reappointed to Gardiner.
Low mutterings of the approaching storm had been heard even before the meeting of the Conference and his appoint- ment to this charge only served to increase their force.
During the fall and winter his health became impaired, so much so, that he could not walk to or from church with- out stopping to rest in the houses of some of the parishioners between the church and the parsonage.
His brother, a photographer in New York, obtained for him an opportunity to go to South America on a steamer and he left ostensibly for that place, late in February of 1883, promising to return and resume his work in June of the same year.
His whereabouts since that time have been absolutely unknown. Various stories have been in circulation since that time about him and the dark cloud of suspicion hangs over his movements, but until something definite is proved we will throw over the whole affair the mantle of Christian charity that "thinketh no evil."
The pulpit was supplied from February to April by Rev. B. F. Tefft, late minister to Sweden, and Brothers Randall, Sanderson, Jones and Ladd.
The fire which so nearly destroyed the business portion of Gardiner on August 12, 1882, badly scorched the east side of the church but did no material injury to it. Had the church gone it is safe to say that the whole hill would have been swept by the fire.
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1883. In the spring of this year the chorus choir broke up and a mixed quartet composed of S. E. Johnson, tenor ; Miss Carrie Stoddard, soprano; Miss Sophie Langill, alto, and E. E. Robbins, bass and chorister, was formed. This choir with some changes served the church until its disband- ing in 1893.
The Conference was held this year in Hammond Street Church, Lewiston, and Rev. Israel Luce was appointed to the Gardiner charge.
Conditions did not seem very promising for a successful year. The church was in a somewhat demoralized state though entirely out of debt.
Mr. Luce started in with a zeal that was characteristic of him and soon brought the church to a normal condition. In this work he was assisted by his talented wife who early in the pastorate organized the women into missionary socie- ties and thus stimulated an interest that did not cease with their removal to another parish.
In June of this year occurred the death of Asa Wood- ward. Mr. Woodward was a quiet, reserved man and at the same time exceedingly pious. He was very devoted to his church and was prominent in church work, particularly the Sunday school, of which he was secretary from 184I until his death.
By the terms of his will, the sum of two thousand dollars became the property of the church, the interest of which was to go for the support of the preacher, provided, however, that the church would vote to hold neither fairs nor festivals in the church building.
This custom had grown up within Mr. Woodward's mem- ory and was particularly odious to him on account of the apparent lack of sanctitv attending such gatherings. He thoroughly believed that the house of God should not be
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made a house of merchandise but should be reserved entirely for religious services.
The judge construed the will fairly, by deciding that the meetings of the Ladies' Circle, where nothing was offered for sale, could not be included within the terms "fairs and festivals," and under these conditions the amount was placed to the credit of the church. Not all the members were entirely satisfied with the way the terms of the will were construed, and the legacy remained as a bone of contention for many years.
At the close of the Conference year, the condition of the parish, both financially and spiritual, was satisfactory and a unanimous vote was given Mr. Luce to remain another year, providing the bishop concurred. Arthur, a son of Mr. Luce, officiated as organist for some time in the absence of Miss Day.
1884. The Conference met in session at Bath and the wishes of the parish were met by the return of Mr. Luce for a second year.
The frescoing in the audience room had become dingy and it was deemed best to renew it, and at the same time paint the outside of the church and parsonage. The fresco- ing was not at all elaborate but harmonized well with the finish; the outside was painted the colors prevailing at the time, and was very much as it is now, a light green body with darker green trimmings. The expense incurred was not met by the money raised so the society found itself somewhat in debt at the end of the year.
Spiritually the church had a fairly prosperous year and the last Quarterly Conference requested the bishop to return Mr. Luce for a third year.
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About twenty-five of the younger members of the church banded themselves into a society called the Current Events Club, which met every two weeks in the vestry of the church to discuss questions of current interest. Arthur Luce was its first president and for some years it lived and prospered.
1885. The Conference met this year with the church in Biddeford, and Mr. Luce was reappointed to Gardiner for a third year.
A revival of religious interest occurred during this winter and a large number were added to the church membership.
Mr. Luce and his family had endeared themselves to the parish and it was with much regret that the members real- ized that he must depart at Conference. A committee con- sisting of E. E. Robbins and J. K. Foy were elected in a secret session of the official board to find a minister for the church for the ensuing year and they went on their errand without the knowledge of the parish. At Rochester, N. H., they heard Rev. E. C. Bass, D. D., and at the last meeting of the official board, the following vote was passed.
Voted, That Dr. E. C. Bass of Rochester, N. H., be invited to the pastorate of this church and that the secretary be a committee to convey the same to the presiding elder at the next Quarterly Conference and ask that he use his influence to secure the transfer of the said Dr. Bass.
1886. The Maine Conference met at Bridgton during this year and Bishop Warren transferred Dr. Bass to this charge.
Edward Carey Bass, D. D., was born in Vermont and received his education from the common schools and from Middlebury College. For excellence in scholarship his alma mater granted him his degree and his parishioners
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everywhere are ready to say that the degree was justly earned.
Scholarly, dignified, and earnest, he served the parish very acceptably and many of the men in our city who were not constant attendants at church services, were very regular in attendance on his preaching. His sermons were written out at length and read from manuscript with inimitable earnestness but no attempt at sensationalism.
Early in the year a letter was read from Judge Henry Farrington, stating that one of the friends of the church would pay one-half the cost of renovating the vestries of the church, putting them in the best possible condition, the total expense not to exceed one thousand dollars. The offer was very thankfully accepted and the work of improvement immediately begun.
The small vestry beneath the vestibule of the church was made a part of the large vestry by the removal of the parti- tion and an extension was built on the rear of the church for class rooms. The heating apparatus was improved by building a new chimney on the northeast corner of the church and by the addition of a new and large furnace. Windows of ground glass took the place of the painted ones, a dado was placed around the room and the whole neatly painted.
New settees and chairs were added making the seating capacity more than five hundred, a capacity often taxed by the Sunday evening congregations.
Dr. Bass was preëminently a pastor. He explored every corner of his parish and none of his parishioners ever had reason to complain of any neglect in pastoral visitation.
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I887. The Conference held in Waterville in this year sent Dr. Bass to Gardiner for a second year.
On May 28th of this year the official board passed the following vote :
Voted, That the privilege be granted to citizens to place a clock in the steeple of the church, said clock to be the prop- erty of the church.
The railroads had long felt the necessity for a systematic arrangement of time tables to avoid disastrous accidents at crossings as well as to arrange for harmonious arrivals and departures of trains from union stations. Thus the present system of standard time was formed.
For various reasons the citizens of Gardiner preferred the older system of local or sun time and principally through the energetic work of Mr. James Church the present clock was purchased and placed in the tower at an expense of six hundred and fifty dollars. The instrument was built by the Howard Clock Company of Boston, and is of the best possible construction.
The striking weight is about seventeen hundred pounds and the smaller about six hundred. The striking is regu- lated by the hour hand so that it is impossible for the clock to strike any hour except that denoted by the hands.
All the affairs of the church, spiritual and temporal, were well cared for during the year. A Sunday school class composed of young men was organized by the pastor and a large number were constantly in attendance.
From many rumors it was thought that the doctor would be transferred to another charge by the annual conference and though reluctant to part with him the parish was will- ing to bow to the will of the bishop.
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1888. Contrary to everyone's expectation, but very much to the satisfaction of the greater part of the parish, Dr. Bass was returned for his third year from the Conference in Portland.
The church work was well done during the year, though there were no especial manifestations of religious interest among the people outside the church members. An addi- tion was made to the membership of the church but this was offset by the large number of deaths and removals that occurred this year.
1889. The Conference at Lewiston sent Rev. Geo. W. Hunt to the Gardiner parish.
Mr. Hunt was a native of New Jersey and for some years had been a member of the New England Conference. He was in many ways the exact opposite of Dr. Bass. He betrayed his western origin by an impetuous earnestness that was very different from the conservatism of his Gardi- ner audience. He appealed to the crowd and it was rare that the church was not filled to overflowing at every ser- vice. He was a beautiful singer and with his daughter as organist, he could cause a thrill to go over his audience, while he sang the old hymns of the faith with a voice full of tenderness and feeling.
From the organization of the church it had been the cus- tom to have two preaching services during each Sabbath besides a prayer service in the evening. At this time the forenoon service was dispensed with, the session of the Sabbath school taking its place. A systematic classification of the school was made at this time, a permanent secretary was appointed and the library reorganized. A substantial
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gain in the membership of the school resulted from this work.
An important improvement in the church property was made this year by the addition of a stable to the parsonage. The architecture was made to harmonize well with the house and completed the set of buildings in a highly satisfactory manner. A new and large furnace was also placed in the cellar.
During this year a meeting of the young people was held at the parsonage, and chapter 1,704 of the Epworth League was organized and set in active motion. Since that time it has maintained a lively existence and through its various departments, religious, social and benevolent, has been of great assistance to the work of the church. Its weekly meetings, led by one of the members, are held in its rooms in the vestry of the church, while, once each month, a lit- erary, business and social gathering meets at the house of one of the members.
Much to the sorrow of the parish, Mr. Hunt announced a short time before Conference, that he should not return for a second year unless the Bishop interfered.
1890. The Conference assembled at Beacon Street, Bath, respected Mr. Hunt's wish to return to the New Eng- land Conference, and appointed Rev. A. S. Ladd to succeed him.
Mr. Ladd is a native of Gardiner and well remembered by the middle-aged people of the city. It was, consequently, with somewhat of trepidation that he learned of his appoint- ment to his native town. His alarm was needless for he was received with open arms by the people and his first year in Gardiner was a prosperous and happy one for both pastor
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and parish. It was expected that at the close of the year he would become presiding elder, but a committee was ap- pointed to see the Bishop, and persuade him to, if possible, not to make any change.
1891. The Conference met at Brunswick, and Mr. Ladd was reappointed to the Gardiner pastorate, the committee having done their duty well.
The year opened with every prospect of success in all the lines of church work.
On February 4, 1892, Edward Everett Robbins died, after an illness lasting nearly a year. The following Sun- day, the religious services were omitted and the funeral ser- vices took their place. In the evening, a memorial service was held. He had been a pillar of the church for twenty- five years, and as trustee, steward, chorister and bass singer in the choir, organist in the evening meetings, class-leader and Sunday school superintendent, as well as treasurer and secretary of the church, had borne the burden of church work, and loving remembrance of him will not soon disap- pear from the hearts of the parish.
1892. The Conference held this year in Augusta, appointed Mr. Ladd, presiding elder, and sent Rev. Frank C. Haddock to this parish.
Mr. Haddock was doubtless the ablest minister that ever occupied the church pulpit; certainly, there was not his intellectual superior in the State. He was educated for the law, but feeling called to preach, he entered the ministry of the Methodist Church. He brought into the ministry a mind well trained in the subtleties of legal distinctions and his logical and convincing arguments, presented, eloquently, the fundamental truths of the Christian religion.
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It is not to be supposed that Mr. Haddock's talents would go unrecognized, and since finishing his Gardiner pastorate, he has filled the pulpits of some of the largest churches in the denomination. At the present time he is pastor of the church in Akron, Ohio.
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