USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 22
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208
MEASURES FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SEMINARY.
institution and its work. A subscription was immediately opened, and the sum of one thousand three hundred and sixty dollars was pledged, mostly by the preachers, richer in faith than in purse, in aid of the Seminary ; Bishop Soule, leading off, in a generous pledge. With this seasonable aid, and other funds, collected by the Agent, and one thousand dollars, donated by the State, the Seminary continued its operations till near the close of 1833.
At a meeting of the Trustees, May, 1834, it was found, that the annual deficit was about six hundred dollars. A bolder and more liberal plan was found to be necessary. Accordingly, the Conference was again requested to appoint an Agent, to raise the sum of ten thousand dollars, as a fund for the support of the institution, to be raised by subscription, of not less than one hundred dollars each.
Rev. Gershom F. Cox was appointed Agent. The plan was adopted of granting free scholarships for donations of four hundred dollars or two hundred dollars ; or abatement of tuition, to the amount of the simple interest on donations of one hundred dollars, to students under the patronage of the donors ; thus placing a mortgage upon the future income of the school. Other institutions of learning have committed the same blunder.
Mr. Cox was a prominent and able minister of the Conference. His agency was remarkably successful. At the next ensuing session of Conference, he reported, ten thousand dollars raised in cash and reliable notes.
James Dinsmore, Esq., one of the trustees, continued the agency until about sixteen thousand dollars had been raised. This movement gave a more hopeful aspect to the affairs of the Seminary, and increased the number of students.
The same year. Mr. Caldwell, having been elected Professor of Metaphysics, in Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, resigned his office as Principal, and removed to his new field of service. The school continued during the year, under the direction of Charles Collins, James Bell, A. B., and A. T. Wheelock, A. B. In 1835, Rev. William C. Larrabee, Principal of Cazenovia Seminary, New York, was elected Principal and entered upon the duties of his office. Mr. Larrabee was a teacher of unusual ability and much experience. He was aided in his work by Benjamin F. Tefft, a recent graduate from Wesleyan University and a brilliant scholar, and other able teachers.
The improved financial condition of the Seminary, and the popularity of the Board of instruction, drew large numbers of students
209
FINANCIAL COLLAPSE. S. ALLEN, PRINCIPAL.
to the school. It was found necessary to enlarge the boarding house to accommodate the students. This expenditure was thought to be a good investment of funds. The Boarding operations, instead of being a source of revenue, were a constant burden upon the funds. Mr. Larrabee acted as treasurer, and assumed the entire fiscal responsibility. The institution, though seemingly prosperons, was rapidly tending towards bankruptcy.
In 1840, the crisis came. The funds were all gone, and a heavy debt had accrued. It was necessary to call a halt. An agent was employed to dispose of all the property of the institution, except the real estate, which could not be alienated, and to settle with the creditors, as far as was possible. After this was done, several thousand dollars of indebtednesss remained unprovided for.
The funds of the institution were all gone, and there was but little to show for all the money collected by agents, from ycar to year, except a large farm miserably run down, and a set of poor buildings sadly out of repair.
Mr. Larrabee was himself heavily involved in the financial wreck, and accepted an invitation to a professorship in the Asbury University, in Indiana.
In the winter of 1841, Rev. Stephen Allen, then teacher of Mathematics in the Troy Conference Academy, Vermont, was elected Principal, and, with a very imperfect knowledge of the condition of the Seminary, removed to Kent's Hill, and commenced his labors as Principal.
The condition of things was sufficiently forlorn. The buildings sadly out of repair, the farm run down, the funds and financial credit gone. Still the school had a reputation for thorough instruction. The buildings were hastily put in repair. The term opened with a fair number of students and the school went on prosperously. George W. Jewett, Miss Mary Ann Moody, Miss C. Sturdivant, Charles F. Allen, and Henry P. Torsey, rendered valuable service as instructors.
The annuities were an encumbrance upon the property, and the scholarships a constant burden. The teachers worked faithfully, and with the utmost harmony, and the residuum of income, was equitably divided among them. They lived on faith and the enthusiasm of their work, and paid their bills. It was a period of hard work, small pay, and pleasant fellowship, ever remembered with pleasure.
14
210
11. P. TORSEY. DEBTS PAID. NEW DEPARTURE.
In 1844 Mr. Allen resigned his office, and entered the itinerant service in the Maine Conference.
Henry P. Torsey, who had served as Assistant during the year 1843, was elected Principal, upon the condition that he should furnish all the instruction, pay for all repairs and incidental expenses, and receive all the income.
At the ensuing session of the Maine Conference at Bangor, a meeting of the Trustces was held during the Conference Session. The fiscal affairs of the Seminary appeared entirely hopeless and the Trustees voted unanimously to resign their trust to the Conference, according to the provisions of the deed of conveyance of the real estate. The Conference, promptly declined the trust, and at the same time, voted to co-operate with the Trustees in any measures they might adopt, to relieve the institution of its embarrassment.
The trustees, soon after, met at Kent's Hill, and resolved to make another effort for the relief of the school. With the consent of the vener- able Luther Sampson, the annuities were cancelled. Mr. Sampson pledged fifteen hundred dollars toward the new Seminary building, being abont one half the estimated cost, and Rev. Daniel B. Randall, con- sented to act as Agent, to solicit funds for completing the proposed new building, to solicit the relinquishment of the scholarships and to settle with the creditors of the institution. Through the liberality of the creditors, or rather through the poverty of the debtor, the agency was successful. The scholarships and other claims were surrendered or compromised for a moderate sum ; Mr. Allen setting an example by surrendering his entire claim for services, unpaid, -one thousand dollars.
In the meantime, the fall term of 1844 commenced, and the school continued to prosper more and more, upon the new plan of self-support. Mr. Torsey was a skilled teacher, then in the vigor of life, and remarkable for his vigilance and tact in school discipline. The school continued to increase till it had outgrown its accommodations. A new building, of ample dimensions was evidently a pressing necessity.
In the year 1853, a convention of the friends of education, in the Maine Conference, was called to mect in Biddeford, during the session of the Maine Conference in that place, to consider the " condition of onr educational interests."
Earnest addresses were made, and generous subscriptions were made towards the ercction of a Seminary building. Doctor E. Clark of Portland, pledging one thousand dollars towards the object, others followed with smaller pledges.
211
FUNDS RAISED. BOARD OF EDUCATION.
Rev. S. Allen was requested to act as Agent to solicit funds to accomplish the enterprise in view. To avoid the mistake of former agencies, a separate Board of Trust had been organized, under an act of the Legislature, for the safe keeping of funds. The agency was carried on under the authority of the Maine Wesleyan Board of. Education.
The friends of the school had become disheartened. Every previous Agency had ended in disaster ; contributions came slowly. The agency was continued, year after year, part of the time, in connection with a pastoral charge, Mr. Torsey and others, rendering efficient assistance, till at length, the spacious and elegant Sampson Hall was completed and furnished. It was dedicated and opened for students, August 10, 1860.
JOHNSON.DYER.
Sampson Hall, 1860,
The Agent acted as Treasurer and Chairman of the Building Committee, kept the accounts, drew up the contracts, signed and endorsed, personally, all notes for borrowed money, till the building was completed ; contributing, at the same time, largely of his own funds, in proportion to his ability. The Maine Conference stood by the enterprise with unfailing liberality.
The completion of this grand edifice formed a new epoch in the
212
ANOTHER NEW DEPARTURE. AN ERA OF PROSPERITY.
history of the institution. The financial credit of the institution was restored ; a broader curriculum of studies was established, and the faculty was increased in number. The Principal became a Presi- dent. Diplomas in classic style, were granted to the graduates, and degrees conferred.
Mr. Torsey received the honorary degrees of LL. D. and D. D. and continued at the head of the institution till 1882, completing thirty- eiglit years of service in this position, being well known as one of the ablest educators in the country.
This new departure was followed by a large increase in the number of students. Generous friends have nobly responded to the wants of the institution. Funds have been contributed for investment and to be kept for the perpetual benefit of the institution or of students.
Bearce Hall, 1871,
In 1871, Bearce Hall was completed at a cost of forty-two thousand dollars, largely through the liberality of Samnel R. Bearce, Esq., late of Lewiston, and Hon. William Deering of Chicago.
A Musical Conservatory has been established in connexion with the institution ; also a Commercial College.
Funds to the amount of over twenty-five thousand dollars have been placed in the hands of the Trustees, as a permanent fund ; also more than twenty thousand dollars have been contributed to the Board
213
INSTRUCTORS.
GENEROUS GIFTS. INVESTED FUNDS.
of Education, for the same purpose, and this Board will soon receive the sum of fifty thousand dollars additional from the estate of the late Dr. E. Clark of Woodfords, all to be safely invested and kept as a permanent fund for the support of instruction, in the Seminary and College.
An elegant President's home has been built on the Seminary grounds, in close proximity with Bearce Hall. The grounds have been handsomely graded, and planted with shade trees.
The Seminary and College is rendering a grand service to the cause of Education ; it is an honor to the denomination and a blessing to the world.
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
Real Estate, -
106,000.00
Personal property as per estiniate, - 14,856.00
Stoeks, Bonds, and other securities, (invested) 37,000.000
$157,956.00.
Funds in hands of Board of Education, invested ; the Income for the
benefit of Seminary and College, 24,099.79.
Also, the Board will soon receive $50,000 from the estate of the late Dr. E. Clark, to be invested and kept for the same object.
INSTRUCTORS.
Maine Wesleyan Seminary and Female College, from the beginning so far as the record can be ascertained, not including students employed as teachers.
PRINCIPALS OR PRESIDENTS.
1825. REV. HENRY CUSHMAN, acting Principal one Term.
1825-6. REV. ZENAS CALDWELL, A B. Died, December 21, 1826. 1827-8. MERRITT CALDWELL, W. C. LARRABEE, DR. SAMUEL. STEVENS and JOSHUA RANDALL, A. B., acting Principals.
1828-34. MERRITT CALDWELL, A. M., Professor in Dickinson College. Died June 6, 1848.
1835-40. Rev. William C. LARRABEE, A. M., Professor in Asbury University. Died May 4, 1859.
214
INSTRUCTORS.
PRINCIPALS OR PRESIDENTS, - Concluded.
1841-4. REV. STEPHEN ALLEN, D, D., Maine Conference. 1844-82. REV. HENRY P. TORSEY, D. D., LL. D., Maine Conference.
1882. REV. EDGAR M. SMITH, A. M., Maine Conference.
TEACHERS OR PROFESSORS.
1827. DENNIS CLARK. Died in New Orleans, soon after.
1828. JONIN JOHNSTON, LL. D., Professor of Natural Science, Wesleyan University.
1828. WILLIAM II. ALLEN, LL. D., President Girard College. Died March 26, 1881.
1830. GILBERT H. MARSH. Died 1831.
1830. DANIEL HILLIAR.
1831. HORATIO P. GETCHELL M. D., Cincinnati.
1831. ANDREW S. LOVELL.
1832. JABEZ C. RICH, A. M., United States Navy.
1832. HENRY J. JEWETT. A. M., Lawyer, Austin, Texas. Died 1870.
1833-5. James BELL, Skowhegan, Lawyer, Judge of Probate. Deceased.
1833-5. CHARLES COLLINS, D. D., President of Emery and Henry College and President of Dickinson College. Died July 10, 1875.
1835. ALBERT T. WHEELOCK, M. D., Belfast. Died March 12, 1876.
1836-9. BENJAMIN F. TEFFT, D. D., LL. D., President Genesee College. Died in Bangor, 1886.
1835-7. GEORGE PARSONS.
1837-8. JOHN W. DUNN, Maine Conference. Deceased.
1837-40. 1845-52. ANDREW WALSH, A. M., Teacher, Readfield. Deceased.
1839. JOHN WILSON. Lawyer, Cincinnati, Ohio.
1837-40. DAVID GOODNO, M. D., Dentist, Hallowell. Boston. Washington, D. C.
1839. 1841-3. CHARLES F. ALLEN, D. D., Maine Conference. President Maine Agricultural College.
1841. GEORGE W. JEWETT, Teacher, Wilmington, North Carolina. Kent's Hill.
1844. B. F. NORRIS, Lawyer, Skowhegan. Deceased.
1857-81. JOHN PERLEY, Teacher of Penmanship and Book- Keeping.
215
INSTRUCTORS.
TEACHERS OR PROFESSORS,-Concluded.
1850-72. 1879-83. REV. F. A. ROBINSON, Ph. D., Languages and Mathematics, Maine Conference. Died January 27, 1884.
1859-62. ALBERT A. SCOTT, A. M., Languages. McKendree College. Kent's Hill. Died May, 1872.
1862-81. JOSEPH L. MORSE, A. M., Maine Conference, Professor Languages, Evanston, Illinois.
1862-5. J. T. BROWNELL, A. M., Genesee Conference. Died 1886.
1865. DANIEL G. HARRIMAN, A. M., Lawyer, New York City.
1866-8. M. J. CALLAN.
1869. CHARLES M. PARKER, A. M., Professor of Languages, Wilbraham Seminary. Pareadena, California.
1870. ALBERT A. TYLER, Lawyer, Connecticut.
1870. D. H. HANNABURGH, A. M., East New York Conference.
1871-4. JOEL WILSON, Teacher, Orange, New York.
1872-83. A. FITZROY CHASE, Ph. D., Principal East Maine Conference Seminary.
1875-81. GEORGE H. STONE, A. M., Professor Geology, Colorado College.
1876-7. J. W. V. RICH, A. M., Normal Department. Principal of High School, Great Falls, New Hampshire.
1881. WILLIAM C. STRONG, A. M., Professor Natural Science.
1881. HENKY E. TREFETHEN, A. M., Professor of Languages.
1883. HERBERT E. RUSSELL, A. B., Mathematics.
1883. B. O. MCINTIRE, Normal Department.
1886. WILLIAM S. ATWELL, A. M.
1886. WILLIAM A. BARTON, Commercial Department.
1870. WILSON F. MORSE, Director Department of Music.
PRECEPTRESSES.
1832. MISS URANIA MERITT, (Mrs. Goodenough, Wilbraham, Massachusetts.)
1883-5. MISS PHEBE PAINE, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
1837. MISS MARY SEVERANCE.
1839. MISS SARAH SCOTT, (Mrs. John Ware, Waterville.)
1841. MISS MARY ANN MOODY, (Mrs. George W. Jewett, Kent's Hill.)
1841-4. MISS CAROLINE STURDIVANT, (Mrs. George W. Clark, Madison County, Virginia. Died 1884.)
216
INSTRUCTORS.
PRECEPTRESSES,-Concluded.
1846. Miss HESTER ANN WENTWORTH, (Mrs. Dr. Snow, Skowhegan.) 1847-61. MISS EMMA J. ROBINSON, (Mrs. II. P. Torsey, Kent's Hill.)
1860-4. MISS SARAH H. PALMER, (Mrs. Rev. Albert Deering. Deeeased.)
1864. MISS FRANCES S. CASE.
1866-70. MISS NELLIE HATCH, A. M. (Mrs. Charles Parker, Pareadena, Cal.)
1870-4. MISS MELLIE Cox, A. M.
1874-5. MISS MARGARITA HAUSCHILD, A. M., (MRS. E. M. Smith, Kent's Hill.)
1875-8. MISS HATTIE E. PARK, A. M., (Mrs. C. W. Keyes, Farmington.)
1878-81. MISS ELIZA J. PERLEY, A. M., Principal of High School, Ottumna, Iowa.
1881-84. MISS LENORA M. ADAMS, A. M., (Mrs. B. O. MeIntire, Kent's Hill.)
1884. MISS FLORA MOGLAUFLIN.
LADY INSTRUCTORS.
1863. MRS. MARY F. SCOTT, Teacher of French. Winthrop. Died 1874.
1881-2. MISS MARY F. PARK, Teacher of French and German, High School, New York.
1883. MISS FANNIE A. DAVIS, A. M., Teacher of French and German.
TEACHERS OF DRAWING AND PAINTING.
MRS. B. H. STEVENS ; MISS MARTHA DUNN. 1841-4. MISS HESTER ANN WENTWORTH, (MRS. DR. SNOW, Skowhegan.)
1845-79. MISS PRONIE B. ROBINSON.
1879-86. MISS REBECCA FLETCHER.
1886. MISS SARA M. MAXON.
217
SEMINARY AND COLLEGE.
Maine Wesleyan Seminary
AND
Female College
KENT'S HILL, READFIELD
1886-77
-
I. COMMON ENGLISH.
II. NORMAL COURSE.
III. SEMINARY SCIENTIFIC COURSE.
IV. SEMINARY CLASSICAL.
V. COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSE.
VI. COLLEGE COURSE.
VII. CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC.
VIII. FINE ART COURSE.
IX. COMMERCIAL COLLEGE.
218
SEMINARY AND COLLEGE.
BOARD OF INSTRUCTION.
Rev. Edgar M. Smith, A. M., President,
Elecution, and Eliphalet Clark Professor of Metaphysics.
Henry P. Torsey, D. D., LL. D.,
Emeritus Professor of Metaphysies.
Henry E. Trefethen, A. M.,
Professor of Greek and Latin.
William G. Atwell, A. B.,
Mathematies.
William C. Strong, A. M.,
Natural Seience.
Bradford O. McIntire, A. B., English Literature and R. B. Dunn Professor of Normal Instruction.
Flora E. McGlauflin, A. B., Preceptress,
Latin.
Fannie A. Davis, A. M.,
French and German.
Conservatory of Music.
-
Wilson F. Morse, Musical Director,
Vocal and Instrumental Music.
Mrs. Ella D. Morse,
Piano, Organ, and Theory.
219
SEMINARY AND COLLEGE.
Commercial College.
William A. Barton, Principal, Book-Keeping, Business Arithmetic, Commercial Law, and Business Ethics. Lewis B. Williams, Plain and Ornamental Penmanship and Business Correspondence. Lottie M. Hunter,
Short-Hand and Caligraph.
Department of Art.
Sara M. Maxon, Ph. M., P. B.,
Painting and Drawing. B. O. McIntire, A. B.,
Librarian.
Hon. E. R. French,
Steward and Assistant Treasurer.
LECTURERS.
Rev. Charles F. Allen, D. D.,
Rev. J. W. Bashford, Ph. D.,
Portland.
Prof. Ralph G. Hibbard, A. M.,
New Britain, Conn.
Rev. A. S. Ladd, A. M.,
Bangor.
William A. Mowry, LL. D.,
Boston, Mass.
Rev. Edgar M. Smith, A. M.,
Kent's Hill.
Frank W. Smith,
Toledo, Ohio.
Hon. John L. Stevens,
Augusta.
Prof. William C. Strong, A. M ..
Kent's Hill.
Rev. Bp. Henry W. Warren, D. D., LL. D.,
Denver, Col.
-
Richmond.
220
MAINE WESLEYAN JOURNAL.
MAINE WESLEYAN JOURNAL.
1831. Some time in the year 1831, a number of gentlemen in Portland and vicinity, connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, formed a company of twenty, for the purpose of publishing a weekly paper in the city, in the interest of the Methodist Church. A fund of two thousand dollars was raised, each member of the Association paying one hundred dollars.
It was agreed that the paper should be called the Maine Wesleyan Journal, and that the surplus profits should be paid to the trustees of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, for the benefit of that institution. The Company ehose for their Committee, Rev. Gershom F. Cox, Dr. Eliphalet Clark and James B. Cahoon.
The first number of the paper was issued January 12, 1832. It was edited about a year and a half by "a number of gentlemen," among these were Rev. G. F. Cox and Rev. W. H. Norris. The paper was favorably received, and obtained considerable patronage. It was edited with ability.
August 1, 1833, Rev. G. F. Cox, being compelled to retire from itinerant serviee, on aeeount of the failure of his health, was chosen editor, and continued in that offiee till 1839.
In the year 1837, the Maine Conference voted to accept the proposition of the Associates, to take the Journal, with the accounts due from subseribers, and release the Associates from all their liabilities. The Journal was then published, and all its affairs were eondueted through the year, by the Agent of the Conference.
In 1838, the Conference, by vote, conveyed the whole eoneern to Rev. G. F. Cox, agreeably, to a proposal by him. Subsequently, Mr. Cox sold the paper, to the proprietors or Associates, and re- conveyed to them, all bills due from subseribers, with an agreement that they should re-assume all the debts of the eoneern.
In 1839, Rev. Moses Springer beeame Editor of the Journal. The anti-slavery controversy had been carried on in the paper, sometimes with considerable bitterness, and the eireulation was probably somewhat seriously affeeted thereby. The editors were inelined to conservative views, and endeavored to eoneiliate both parties, and, as usual in such eases, failed to satisfy either party.
In 1840, the Associates represented to the Conference, that they were exceedingly embarrassed by a heavy debt upon them, and that there would probably be a loss to the coneern of two thousand dollars and expressed the hope that the Conference would extend to them some relief.
221
BOOK DEPOSITORY.
The Conference disclaimed all responsibility in the case; but recommended a liberal subscription by the members, and that the preachers should solicit subscriptions during the year. The relief which came in this way, does not seem to have lessened the burden. The Associates became discouraged and soon sold the paper to Zion's Herald.
In closing up the affairs of the Journal, some of the funds raised for Missions, were mixed up with the funds of the paper. A misunderstanding arose between Mr. Cox and Mr. Springer, resulting in mutual criminations.
The subject was referred to a Committee of Conference in 1842, who reported that charges of dishonesty were not sustained by adequate testimony. It was an unpleasant entanglement. There was a lack of careful business method in the management of the affairs of the paper. Instead of a revene for the benefit of Maine Wesleyan Seminary, there was a heavy loss to the Associates.
A few years ago a small paper called the Maine Evangelist was started, by an enterprising member of Conference, Rev. Ira G. Sprague. and conducted with ability, but the enterprise was abandoned for lack of encouragement.
A Book Depository was established at Portland, about the year 1833, under the authority of Conference, for the sale of the publica- tions of the Methodist Book Concern.
The business went on for several years, till the balance of indebtedness began to excite alarm. Committees of Conference were appointed from year to year to investigate the affairs of the Depository, and at length they were instructed to close up the business.
At the Conference at Portland in 1845, a report was made, by which it appears that there was a large balance due the Book Concern above all assets. The Committee recommended that a statement of the affairs be made to the Book Concern, and that the Concern be requested to forgive the debt. In this way the Depository was finally closed. The affairs had been managed in an unbusiness-like manner.
Methodist financiering appeared to a great disadvantage during the earlier history of Maine Conference. The Seminary, the Maine Wesleyan Journal and the Book Depository, all alike, showed wretched specimens of business enterprises.
A more prudent system of financial management, subsequently, came into use. The affairs of the Maine Conference are now conducted according to more correct business methods.
222
READFIELD CIRCUIT.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CIRCUITS AND STATIONS. READFIELD CIRCUIT. PHILIP WAGER. QUARTERLY CONFERENCE ACCOUNTS. J. TAYLOR PRESIDING ELDER. MEETING HOUSE IN EAST READFIELD, 1795. CONFERENCE IN READFIELD. KENT'S HILL. MEETING HOUSE. EARLY DISCIPLINE. PARSONAGE, KENT'S HILL. READ- FIELD CORNER. MONMOUTHI CIRCUIT. JESSE LEE'S VISITS. E. KIBBY. WONDERFUL INFLUENCES. NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE AT MONMOUTII. PREACHERS FROM MONMOUTII. FARMINGTON. FIRST CLASSES. MEETING HOUSES. SECESSIONS, 1842. F. A. CRAFTS, 1847. NEW DEPARTURE, 1849. S. ALLEN. GROWTHI. NEW CHIURII, 1877. EARLY METHODISTS IN FARMING- TON. S. TITCOMB AND FAMILY. J. GOWER. W. GAY. STRONG CIRCUIT. WM. REED. JOHN REED. RICHARD CLARK. FAMILY. AVON. CAPTAIN J. SOULE. VIENNA. FIRST CLASS. SECESSIONS. REVIVALS. MAINE CONFER- ENCE, 1828. "OLD TIME QUARTERLY MEETING." N. WHITTIER. RUTII WHITTIER. MRS. COFFREN.
Rev. Jesse Lce, the apostle of Methodism in New England, after a hasty reconnoissance of the Province of Maine in the year 1793, planned a circuit on the "West side of the Kennebec river" embracing the towns on the west side of the river above Hallowell, including the Sandy River Valley, and called it Readfield Circuit. It was a circuit on paper. There was not a solitary member of the Methodist Church in Maine. The bounds of the circuit, were where- ever the adventurous circuit rider might see fit to place them. There was no ecclesiastical authority, to which he acknowledged allegiance, to question his right of occupancy.
Phillip Wager, who was appointed in charge of Readfield Circuit, in 1794, content with no " pent up Utica" had extended the limits of his circuit from Portland to the Passamaquoddy, and had gathered a society in that eastern frontier.
Wager left no record of his labors, except his official returns of members to the Conference of 1795, namely : Readfield, 232; Portland, 36; Passamaquoddy, 50; total, 318 ;- good work for one year ! The next year, 1795, Enoch Mudge and Elias Hull were appointed to Readfield Circuit. The following account of the finances of the circuit, copied from original records affords an idea of the labor and salaries of the preachers and of the Quarterly Conference business of those days.
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