USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 24
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PROMINENT EARLY METHODISTS IN STRONG.
Hon. William Read was a native of Bristol, Maine, of Congregational - antecedents. He removed to Strong in 1786, and with Eliab Eaton, became proprietor of the township, then called Middletown or Read's- town. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and moral worth. He was, for many years, Justice of Peace, and for some time, Judge of the Court of Sessions.
He was one of the first to open his home for the entertainment of
234
EARLY METHODISTS IN STRONG. AVON.
Jesse Lec, and with his family to unite with the Methodists. The family continued through life, faithful members of the church, His son, John Read, was also judge of the court of sessions, a highly estceincd and leading member of the Methodist church. His children, also, with one exception, became Methodists, and all attained to higlily respectable positions in society.
Richard Clark removed from Wells, Maine, to Strong, about the time of Jesse Lec's first visit to that place, and settled in the lower part of the town, on the farm now owned by Dennis Clark. His wife was a sister of Esq. Read, and with her husband, joined the first class in town. They were excellent people and faithful in their christian life. Their seven children, five sons and two daughters, were all converted at the family alter at the parental home. Religion, as it ever should be, enthroned in the home. The children, as might be expected, all beeame useful members of society and of the church.
The eldest son, Dr. Eliphalet Clark, late of Woodford's, was, for many years a distinguished physician in Portland.
Adam Clark was, for many years, a worthy citizen of Strong, and an official member of the Methodist church, living upon the Clark homestead. One daughter became the wife of Rev. George Webber, for many years a prominent member of the Maine Conference. Another daughter married Rev. Isaae Downing. Dennis and George died in early manhood, in the South.
AVON.
Jesse Lee visited Avon, then called Uppertown, June 17, 1794,10 and preached the first Methodist sermon in this new and remote settlement. Hc met with a eordial welcome at the home of Captain Joshua Soule, who, with his wife and children, became members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Lee afterwards visited Avon at least twice. A elass was formed in Avon, some time in 1794, probably by Philip Wager, consisting of Captain Joshua Soule and wife, Moses Dudley and wife, Ebenezer Thompson, Samuel Thompson, Joshua Soule, Jr., and James Soule, son of Captain J. Soule ; Captain J. Soule was leader. Other children of Captain Soule, Nathan, Ruby and Polly, afterwards became members ; also Mark Whittier who became leader. Afterwards Peter, Daniel, Sleeper, Moses, Jr., Jolin, Apphia, and Mehitable, children of Moses Dudley, became members of the class ; also Susanna, Nancy and Martha Eastman and Molly Howland.
10 Lee's History of the Methodists, page 216.
235
CAPTAIN SOULE. J. SOULE, JR.
This frontier society was visited from time to time, by the preachers of Readfield Circuit, and for some years continued to prosper.
In 1818, nearly onc half the members of this class emigrated to Ohio ; of the rest, some died, and some removed to other places, and at length the class in Avon became extinct.
The visit of Lee to this remote town, was, however, productive of remarkable results. The foremost people were converted. Three members of the original class became preachers : Daniel Dudley, Samuel Thompson and Joshua Soule, afterwards Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; also two grandsons of Captain Soule : Francis A. and Nathan A. Sonle, became members of the Maine Conference. The former, after many years service, was transferred to the Troy Conference, and the latter was, in 1854, transferred to the New England Conference.
Captain Sonle was born in Massachusetts ; he was a sea-captain. In consequence of the depressed condition of navigation, previous to the American revolution, he removed to Bristol, Maine, and in 1784, he removed and settled in Avon, then a wilderness. Four of his sons and two daughters became members of the Methodist Church. Captain Soule was a man of noble bearing and of more than ordinary ability. His children, in a good degree, inherited these qualities.11
VIENNA.
Jesse Lee visited Vienna, then called Goshen, preached in the house of James Coffren, December 8, 1794, and baptized three children. The first class was formed about the same time, probably by Philip Wager, preacher in charge of Readfield Circuit, consisting of James Coffren, Elihu Johnson, Jedediah Whittier and their wives, Nathaniel Whittier and Daniel Morrell. The wives of the last two named, soon became members. D. Morrill was appointed leader, and continued in that office twenty years.
The society grew strong in numbers and influence. A spirit of discontent, after awhile, arose, in relation to church government, and more than half the members seceded, including three local preachers, and organized a new church of the order of the "Christian Band." Not long after this unfortunate occurrence, a gracious revival cheered the faithful remnant, under the labors of Rev. Oliver Bealc, preacher in charge, and Rev Benjamin Jones, and the society soon increased
11 Letter to the writer, from B. F. Eastman, Esq.
236
VIENNA. OLD-TIME QUARTERLY MEETING.
beyond its former membership. The preachers of the new order soon found themselves in disagreement with their followers, some of them embracing Unitarian notions, and the new organization at length disbanded. The Methodist society continued to increase, and became the dominant religious denomination of the town.
The Maine Conference held its session in Vienna in 1828 ; an event of great interest to the people, Bishop Hedding, presiding.
In 1830, Vienna appears, for the first time, in the minutes, the Vienna Cirenit being then set off from Readfield Cireuit, including the surrounding contiguous towns. The eireuit has been modified from time to time, being gradually reduced in territorial limits.
For several years past, Vienna and Mt. Vernon have been united under the care of one pastor. Extensive revivals have occurred from time to time, especially under the labors of Greenlief Greeley in 1830; George Webber, 1831; R. C. Bailey, in 1836; W. H. Foster in 1855; and J. R. Clifford, a student of Maine Wesleyan Seminary ; and a very extensive revival under the labor of M. E. King in 1885-6.
A house of worship was built in 1841, which has, several times, been repaired and improved and which is now in a good condition. The society has received funds from generous friends, to the amount of twenty-four hundred dollars, for a permanent fund for the support of preaching. 12
AN OLD-TIME QUARTERLY MEETING. 13
" On the first Saturday and Sunday of March, 1808, a Quarterly meeting was hield in Vienna. The meeting on Saturday, and the Love-feast on Sunday morning were held in the new house of Jedediah Whittier. The front lower story was unfinished inside, and served, with rough benches, as a hall, opening into the kitchen. This liall was crowded with people, The Presiding Elder, Joshua Soule, preached a powerful sermon Saturday afternoon, which was followed with exhortations by other preachers. The preachers present were Joseph Baker, Daniel Rieker and Caleb Fogg of the Readfield and Norridgewock Circuits.
The Love-feast on Sunday morning, as described by one who was present and was converted at the meeting, was an occasion of great interest, " a good old fashioned Love-feast."
12 Mostly from letter of O. Whittier to the writer.
13 Rev. J. Wellman of Salem, Mass.
237
EARLY METHODISTS IN VIENNA. RUTH WHITTIER.
The public meetings on the Sabbath were held in Mr. Whittier's barn, the large floor and stall being furnished with rough plank seats, and occupied by men and women, the mow crowded with men and boys. the short scaffold serving as a pulpit. The sermon in the forenoon was by Daniel Ricker, and in the afternoon by the Presiding Elder. followed by powerful exhortations. The meeting was one of great interest, resulting evidently, in much good.
The day was pleasant, and a large congregation was in attendance.
Mr. Whittier and his excellent wife made generous provision for the physical wants of the people who came from a distance, to attend the meeting.
The bountiful hospitality of the early days of Methodism, rendered all similar occasions, specially enjoyable, and became a potent bond of christian fellowship more effectual than any cabalistic tokens of a secret order.
Among the prominent members of the society deserving special mention. was "Nathaniel Whittier, who, for sixty years, was an official member of the church ; and generously sustained the interests of the church ; also other members of the Whittier family."
Mrs. Ruth Whittier was converted under the labors of Jesse Lee, in 1794, and joined the Methodist church at the age of twenty. She was married to Jedediah Whittier, one of the early settlers of Vienna. Their house was always a welcome home for the preachers, and they were foremost in labor for the church. Mrs. Whittier was a woman of superior intelligence and of uncommon physical and mental force. It was at her house that Joshua Soule, then eighteen years of age, preached one of his first sermons. He was then a bashful and awkward youth. His appearance was so rustic and unpromising that many thought he had mistaken his calling. But Aunt Ruth, as she was afterwards called, saw in him the elements of success, not discerned by others. She encouraged the young preacher with words of cheer. He was in want of clothing and without money to furnish the needful outfit. She spun from the fleece, wove the cloth, and with her own hands, manufactured a suit of clothes for the future Bishop. Ruth Whittier was not only an efficient housewife, but for seventy years, a faithful worker in the church, gifted in exhortation and of commanding influence.
MRS. SARAH G. COFFREN.
Miss Sarah Greeley was born in Mt. Vernon, November, 1795. She was brought up under the influence of Calvinistic sentiments. The
238
MRS. SARAHI G. COFFREN.
Methodist itincrants found their way to her home, and preached a more encouraging gospel. This suited her case. She heard attentively, was saved, and immediately united with the Methodist Church, of which she remained a faithful member, till her death, which occurred suddenly September 26, 1884.
In 1824 she was united in marriage with Nathan Coffren of Vienna, and removed to his home, Mr. Coffren was a prominent official member of the Methodist Church. Their house was always a welcome home for the traveling preachers. They were agreed in their generous hospitality, and in their church work. Mr. Coffren died several years ago, after a long and painful illness. Mrs. Coffren continued through life, to be deeply interested in the welfare of the church. It was one of the last efforts of her life, to cneourage her son to render much needed aid, to the struggling society at Mt. Vernon, in building their new beautiful ehureh. She lived to see this object accomplished. Mother Coffren was truly a mother in Israel.14
Statistics, 1886, Mt. Vernon and Vienna : Probationers, 70; Members, 155 ; Churches, 2; value, $5,500; Sunday schools 2; Offieers and Teachers, 19; Scholars, 140.
14 From obituary by Rev. D. B. Randall.
Chestnut Street Church, Portland, Fuly, 1857.
239
FIRST CLASS IN PORTLAND. JESSE LEE.
CHAPTER XIX.
CIRCUITS AND STATIONS. PORTLAND CIRCUIT. FIRST CLASS IN PORTLAND. JESSE LEE. MAJOR ILSLEY. P. WAGER. JOSHUA TAYLOR. OLD CHURCH ON FEDERAL STREET. FIRST CHURCH ON CHESTNUT STREET. TROUBLESOME TIMES. DISAGREEMENT ON ACCOUNT OF PEWS, &C. SECESSION. SUNDAY SCHOOL, 1822. PARSONAGE. GREAT REVIVAL, 1826. PARK STREET ENTER- PRISE. NEW CHURCH SOLD. THE SOCIETY INCREASES. THE INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH EXTENDS TO OTHER PLACES. MEASURES FOR BUILDING THE NEW CHURCH, 1855. REV. H. COX. CHURCH FINISHED, 1857. HEAVY DEBT. GREAT FIRE, 1866. DEFECTION OF PASTOR. THE GREAT DEBT PAID. THE LADIES' CIRCLE. BRACKETT STREET MISSION. PINE STREET CHURCH BUILT, 1846. H. M. BLAKE, PASTOR. SUDDEN DEATH. DEBT PAID, 1866. NEW CHURCH FINISHED, 1876. REV. MR. LELACIIEURE, 1881. TROUBLES. SE- CESSION. CONGRESS STREET CHURCH. PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS. CHAPEL. NEW CHURCH, 1868. DEBT PAID, 1885. FALMOUTH CIRCUIT, 1802. DIVIDED TILL NOTHING IS LEFT. WEST END. CHURCH LOT PURCHASED BY THE LADIES. PEAK'S ISLAND. S. BENNETT. GREAT REVIVAL, 1838. A CONFER- ENCE APPOINTMENT, 1860. WOODFORD'S. SUNDAY SCHOOL ESTABLISHED, 1853. H. C. LOVELL. J. RUSSELL. CHAPEL BUILT. NEW CHURCH ENTER- PRISE. CHURCH DEDICATED, 1882. GENEROUS GIFTS OF DR. CLARK AND OF MRS. CIARK. PARSONAGE BUILT, 1885.
CHESTNUT STREET CHURCH, PORTLAND.
The history of the Chestnut Street Church, has been a history of grand success, in spite of many serious embarrassments. The first Methodist sermon preached in Portland, was by Jesse Lee, in Rev. Mr. Kellogg's meeting-house, September 12, 1793, while on his first visit to Maine.1
On Friday, November 7, 1794, he visited Portland again, stopped at Major Ilsley's and at night, preached in the Court House to a large congregation of attentive hearers, and lodged with Friend Cobb, a Quaker. He probably visited Portland the third time, about the last of December, on his return from the interior of the State. The first class was formed about this time,2 whether by Mr. Lee or by Philip Wager, we are not informed. This class consisted of six persons : Samuel Homer, Sarah Homer, Daniel Lewis, Polly Lewis and probably, Theophilus Boynton and wife.
1 Memoirs of Jesse Lee, by Minton Thrift, page 192.
2 Joshua Taylor, on Rise of Methodism in Portland.
210
JOSHUA TAYLOR. MAJOR ILSLEY. CHURCH PURCHASED.
In 1798, Bishop Asbury visited Portland, and " preached in Widow Boynton's back-room, to about twenty persons, chiefly women. "3 Philip Wager, Jessee Stoneman, Nicholas Snethen, John Finnegan, Timothy Merritt and Joshua Soule, in succession, followed JJesse Lec, on Portland Circuit, from 1794 to 1800.
The meetings were mostly hield in Theophilus Boynton's house, now Newbury Street, till 1801, when a school house was obtained.
There is no record of a visit from a Methodist preacher in 1803. The circuit at that time was called Falmouth Circuit.4
The temporary abandonment of the place after the visits and labors of Lee, Asbury and the other able ministers above named, proved Portland to have been hard soil for Methodism. But despite these discouragements, the little class lived, and increased to eleven members, during the two years' struggle.5 Evidently they were substantial people.
In March, 1804, Joshua Taylor spent a Sunday in Portland, on his way to the General Conference. Hearing that the old Episcopal Church, upon the corner of Church and Middle street, was for sale, he consulted Samuel Homer and Daniel Lewis, who were the only male members of the society, and with the assistance of the society's good friend, Major Enoeh Ilsley, the house was secured. Mr. Taylor obtained help from individuals in town and from some friends in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. The house was moved to Federal Street, opposite the head of Chestnut Street, repaired and put in order for meetings.6
Joshua Taylor was appointed to Portland in 1804, the society consisting of eleven members. During his two years serviee, " sixty- members were added to the church, and he had an audience to crowd the house."
The first Board of Stewards was appointed in 1806, and consisted of Samuel Homer, Lemuel Gooding, Joshua Emery and William True. This suceess did not overeome all oppositions from without, or wavering among the members.
Opposite several names upon the Church records, in this early period, the entries "withdrawn, being a Calvinist, " "Turned
3 Asbury's Journal,
4 " In the year 1802 the circuit, called Portland Circuit, was divided and called Falmouth and Poland." See Records of Quarterly Conference of Poland Circuit, in the History of Poland Circuit, in this volume.
5 From Joshua Taylor's manuscript.
6 Ibid.
241
FIRST BOARD OF TRUSTEES. CHURCH ON CHESTNUT STREET.
Quaker," "withdrew" and the more painful record of "Expelled, " are written.
The owner of the Federal Street lot refused to lease to the Metho- dists, additional land upon which to enlarge their church. In 1806, a subscription was started, to buy another lot, and in 1808, the lot between the present Church and Cumberland Street was bought of Joseph Titcomb for $550. The first Board of Trustees was formed this year consisting of William Waterhouse, Thomas Delano, William True, Thomas Runnels, Samuel Homer, Lemuel Gooding and Thomas Dodge.
The troubles between the United States and the British government, resulting in embargoes and culminating in war, destroyed, for a time, the foreign commerce of the country, and seriously injured the business of Portland, necessarily retarding the building of the church. It was not until February 17, 1811, that the first service was held in the Chestnut Street Church. The building was completed, externally, in 1812. The pews were not finished till 1819, and the church was not paid for till 1824.
The Federal Street house was sold in 1811, for $200. The first church on Chestnut Street, including the land cost $1878.39. The extremely hard times, during which this church was built, was the occasion of still more serious trouble. In 1811, the trustees built nineteen pews in the gallery, and sold them for $540.00, to help pay for the church. The rest of the house was seated with benches without backs, costing one dollar for each seat. Upon these benches men and women were forced to sit separately. Still more unfortu- nately, the building of pews in the church, was in violation of a unanimous vote of the trustees in 1808, was contrary to Methodist usage and offensive to certain members of the church. The introduction of instrumental music, at this time, proved to be another cause of serious dissension, and was specially offensive to those who occupied the benches.
The dissension, once started. developed still further in regard to decorum in the prayer meetings. Some were net edified by shouting ; others regarded shouting as an essential part of worship. The strife prevented a revival for several years, and culminated in 1818, in the withdrawal of eighty-two members, leaving a membership of one hundred and forty-two. The seceding party organized a separate
16
242
PARSONAGE BOUGHT. CHURCH ON PARK STREET.
Methodist Church and built a house in Fluent Block, on Congress Street. The new organization soon dissolved, and the building was turned into dwellings.
August 4, 1819, the original members, were put upon an equality, by a vote to remove the one dollar benches and to furnish the entire church with pews, which were sold, to the amount of $1,284, and the money was used to pay for repairs and towards the debt.
Iu 1822, the Sunday school was organized, but its statistics are not recorded.
In July 20, 1825, the first step was taken to secure a parsonage. A house in the rear of the church was bought, and fitted for this purpose, at a cost of $1,078.83, leaving a debt of $900, upon the society.
In 1826, the church enjoyed a gracious revival under the labors of Rev. Ephraim Wiley, assisted by two or three visits from Rev. J. N. Maffitt. The revival spread to other churches in Portland, and has long been known as the great revival. The ingathering of converts, caused a demand for more room in the church. The small room iu the rear of the singing seats in the gallery, used for social meetings, was thrown into the auditorium of the church, and a neat chapel was built at what is now 264 Cumberland Street.
But the church continued to grow, and soon more room was needed. At the same time, it was felt that the church should occcupy the territory in the south-western part of the city. Accordingly a lot was purchased, at the corner of Pleasaut and Park Streets, and in 1828, the society voted to erect a wooden church, upou this site, at a cost not exceeding $3,000.
The new church was dedicated December 31, 1828. The cost was about twice the amount estimated, and in 1831, there was a debt of $3,409. Two ministers were stationed in Portland from 1829 to 1834, having charge jointly of the common work, till 1833, when the Park Street society became a separate charge. The members of this new charge felt themselves uuable to carry the heavy burden of debt and current expenses, and in an unfortunate hour of discouragement, the church edifice was sold to the Unitarians. Some of the members returned to Chestnut Street Church ; some joined other churches, and some retained their pews and joined the Unitarian society. Methodism in Portlaud, received a set back, from which it required many years to recover.
The return of members from Park Street and the increase of
243
CHESTNUT STREET CHURCH ENLARGED.
members otherwise, made it necessary to enlarge the church. In 1836, the improvement was made, consisting in lengthening the church and building a vestry under it. At this time, an organ was purchased for the church; the first instance of the kind in the history of Methodism in the United States. These improvements entailed a debt upon the society, and in 1838, a mortgage was placed upon the property, for $1,600. The chapel on Cumberland street was sold to the Swedenborgians. Still the membership increased, so that the church became too strait for the growing congregation. The people now saw that they had acted unwisely, in abandoning the Park Street Church. Accordingly, in 1843, religious services were established on Brackett Street.7
But the Chestnut Street society still continued to grow, and in 1849, a movement was commenced which resulted in the establishment of the Congress Methodist Episcopal Church in 1856.8
Methodist influence early extended from Portland to the Islands of Casco Bay, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth and Cumberland, and members in these localities, were early enrolled among the members of Chestnut Street Church; and for some years after, separate services were established, in these various localities ; those who had charge of the services, were members of the Chestnut Street Quarterly Conference.
In 1853 or 1854, through the efforts of members of Chestnut Street Church, a Sunday school was organized at Woodfords ; and in 1855, a chapel was built.9
Notwithstanding these repeated contributions of members to form new societies, Chestnut Street society continued to grow, and the church edifice, though repeatedly enlarged, was inconvenient and defective. In 1855, the land upon which the church now stands, was bought for $7,155.20, and it was voted by the official Board to build a church not to exceed $20,000 in cost.
Rev. Henry Cox was transferred from Newark Conference and appointed to this charge four years, for this special work. The church was dedicated July, 1857. The total cost, including the land, was $47,220. At that time, it was considered the finest church edifice in New England. The cost, was, however, more than double the
7 See History of Pine Street Church, p. 245.
8 See History of Congress Street Church, p. 248.
9 See History of Methodist Episcopal Church at Woodfords p. 251.
:244
HEAVY DEBT. DEFECTION OF PASTOR. DEBT PAID.
amount estimated, and involved the society in a heavy debt, for twenty-five years. It was evidently unwise to load the society with so heavy a debt. The people have actually paid for the present church property, at least seventy thousand dollars.
The building of this church was followed by the outbreak of the war of the great rebellion, which called away many able bodied members, :and taxed the resources of the people to the utinost. The debt was a discouraging burden. Under the leadership of Rev. C. F. Allen, the pastor, and provoked by a demand for exorbitant interest, a note of five thousand dollars was paid in six months, during the year 1865, and the pastor hoped to pay ten thousand dollars more in 1866; but the great fire of that year destroyed a large part of the city, leaving one hundred families, connected with the church, houseless. All thought of raising the debt, under these circumstances, was out of the question.
Following this great disaster, the church suffered a grevious internal 'injury, in the doetrinal changes of the pastor, Rev. E. W. Keyes, in 1868. His change to Swedenborgian faith, introduced controversy, ;and paralyzed the spiritual power of the church. Before the society recovered from this blow, the financial crisis of 1873, fell upon the .country. These repeated reverses, together with the heavy remaining debt, was seriously disheartening. But the spiritual force of the church suffered only a temporary decline. The class meetings, the Sunday school, and other means of grace, were sustained, and the members were held in remarkable fellowship, and as a result, the church has been favored with frequent revivals, and a steady growth.
Under the wise management and faithful services of a succession of able pastors and through the generous liberality of the members, the heavy debt at length yielded to repeated assaults, and the last instalment was paid under the pastorate of Rev. Andrew Mckown, and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the church was celebrated with great rejoicing, July 8, 1882.
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