USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 42
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 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
On the second of September, 1878, after listening to the reading of the evening paper, he stepped into the adjoining room and in an instant passed to his heavenly home, aged seventy-nine.
DAVID COPELAND.
Rev. David Copeland was born in Braintree, Vermont, December, 14, 1801. He was a lineal descendant of Lawrenee Copeland, one of the Pilgrim band that landed at Plymouth Roek in 1620.
Brother Copeland's parents were Baptists. He was converted at about the age of thirteen, and some years subsequently, he was baptized by a minister of the "Christian" order, so called. At the age of twenty- one, while on a visit to his brother John, then preacher in charge of Wyoming Cireuit, Genesee Conference, he joined the Methodist church, and yielding to a conviction that he was called to the work of the ministry, he labored with his brother for some months.
In the spring of 1823, he returned to Vermont, in great depression of spirit. He nevertheless continued in active religious work, collecting together the few who sympathized with him, he was appointed the leader. A revival followed his labors.
In August, 1823, he received a license to exhort, and was employed as assistant with Rev. John Lord, then preacher in charge of the eireuit.
In June, 1824, he was received, on trial, in the New England Conference, and appointed to Danville Cireuit, Vermont, as colleague of Rev. T. C. Pierce. At the elose of the first quarter, he was removed to Weathersfield Cireuit as colleague of Rev. A. D. Merrill.
In 1825, he was transferred to Maine Conference, and appointed to Strong Cireuit. From that time he continued in the itinerant service of the Maine Conference thirty years ; serving as Presiding Elder on Calais distriet four years, and Portland distriet two years, moving sometimes from one extreme to the other of the State.
In 1855, at his request, he received a supernumerary relation, and continued in that relation till his death. The same year he removed
Rev. ASanderson.
435
A. SANDERSON.
to Appleton, Wisconsin, and continued to preach under the Presiding ยท Elder, while his health would allow.
In June, 1834, Mr. Copeland was married to Miss Joanna Hubbard, daughter of Dr. John Hubbard, of Readfield, sister of the late Governor Hubbard. A son and daughter were born to them, who were married and settled in the West.
Mr. Copeland died in great peace, at the house of his- daughter, Mrs. E. A. Lay, at Normanville, Illinois, Feb. 17, 1879, aged seventy-seven years.
He was a man of deep piety, quiet and unassuming, thoughtful and discreet, sound in doctrine and upright in deportment, a good preacher and faithful pastor. He endured without murmuring, the severe burdens of his long itinerant service, in spite of a strong tendency to mental depression. But there was light at the evening time of his life, and his departure was peaceful. (Minutes, 1879.)
AARON SANDERSON.
Rev. Aaron Sanderson was born in Waterford, Maine, October 4th, 1802. When about sixteen years of age, he was converted at a meeting in a neighbor's house, held by Josiah Shaw, a local preacher. For several years he gave increasing evidence of his call to the work of the ministry.
In 1824, he received license to preach, and the same year was admitted to the New England Conference, and appointed with Rev. Caleb Fogg, to Durham Circuit. His total receipts during the year were thirty-seven dollars and thirty-three cents.
He continued in the itinerant service till 1878, excepting the years 1836, '37, '73 and '74, when failing health compelled him to retire from active service.
In 1878, his health entirely broke down, and his name was placed on the list of superannuates. For fifty years he rendered effective itinerant service, twenty years of which, he served as Presiding Elder. He was twice a delegate to the General Conference, 1852 and 1856.
In 1828, he was married to Miss Catharine Howard, a woman of rare fitness for the position, and an efficient helper in his work.
Four sons and one daughter were born to them; all but one are now living ; one of them, Roscoe, is a member of Maine Conference, honoring the name of his father; all are married and creditably settled.
During the last eight years of his life, Brother Sanderson, was
436
J. STONE.
unable to take work and made his home with his children in Monmouth. His health continued to decline. On the twenty-fifth of October, 1884, the geat sorrow of his life camc to him in thic death of his wife ; this iwas a crushing blow.
The nature of his discasc lcd to seasons of mental depression, which, however, were succeeded by radiant hopc. His last utterance was a few lines of a favorite hymn :
"Lord Jesus be our constant guide, And when the word is given, Bid death's cold flood its waves divide, And land us safe in heaven."
He died February 9th, 1886, aged eighty-three years.
Brother Sanderson was of spotless life and conversation, popular 'on every charge and faithful to every trust. He had a modest estimate of himself, a high sense of honor, and a remarkably buoyant and checrful disposition, a delightful companion and a true christian gentlemen.
As a preacher he was animated, ready, accurate in quoting scriptures and hymns, and apt in illustration, and remarkable for point and brevity.
He was thoroughly orthodox in doctrine, strongly conservative in his views of church polity and deeply interested in all the enterprises of the church. Hc was greatly beloved by his brethren in Conference .and by his neighbors. (Minutes, 1846.)
JESSE STONE.
Rev. Jesse Stone is the oldest incmber of Mainc Conference, and the 'only surviving member of the Conference at its organization in 1825.
He was born in Plainfield, Vermont, April 16, 1802. He was converted and joined the Baptist church in his native town, August 24th, 1817. Hc received license to preach from the Baptist church, in 1823. He joined the Methodist church in Barre, Vermont, June 4th, 1824; received license as a local preacher June 21, and was received, on trial, into the New England Conference, the same year, and appointed to Hallowell Circuit, Maine.
He continued in the cffective service in Maine Conference, with the exception of three years of superannuation, till 1871, when his name was finally placed upon the list of superannuates.
Brother Stone has rendered forty-five years of effective service in
437
J. STONE.
Maine Conference. His appointments have ranged from the St. Croix, to Berwick, and have included many, so called, "hard fields of labor," but he has always gone, uncomplainingly to his work, and has labored faithfully and with good results.
Some of his early circuits in the eastern part of the State, embraced four or five towns, and required a great amount of travel, over exceedingly rough roads, with rivers to cross without bridges ; subjected often to the discomfort of rough entertainment in the unfinished huts of the new settlers, the stars being often visible from his couch, through crevices in the roof, and the snow, sometimes by night, covering the bed and his clothing. The opportunities for study were exceedingly scant.
His compensation for a year's service, at one time was fifty dollars and forty cents, and for several years did not average more than seventy- five dollars a year. "But," writes our venerable Father Stone, "God converted souls and we praised His name. He made me happy, so I went on my way rejoicing."
Since his superannuation, Father Stone has lived in his humble home in North Berwick. He is a modest, unassuming man, and a faithful and serviceable preacher. He has rendered good service to. the church.
438
BIOGRAPIIICAL SKETCHES.
CHAPTER XXVII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MINISTERS OF MAINE CONFERENCE, SO FAR AS SUITABLE DATA HAVE BEEN OBTAINED, FROM 1825 TO 1835, ACCORDING TO DATE OF ADMISSION TO CONFERENCE .- SKETCHES OF LIVING PREACHERS WHOSE LIFE RECORD IS NEARLY COMPLETED, ARE GIVEN; ALSO, BRIEF NOTICE OF THOSE WHOSE PORTRAITS ARE IN THE HISTORY, OR WHO HAVE BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. FOR CONFERENCE APPOINTMENTS, SEE ALPHABETICAL REGISTER, APPENDIX A. TABLE OF CONTENTS :- W. H. NORRIS. P. C. RICHMOND. M. HILL. R. H. SCHERMERHORN. R. C. BAILEY. GREENLEAF GREELY. J. HARRINGTON. D. B. RANDALL. D. FULLER. R. J. AYER. GEORGE WEBBER. C. FULLER. J. B. HUSTED. C. W. MORSE. W. F. FARRINGTON. A. ALTON. M. B. Cox. G. F. Cox. J. SPAULDING. W. C. LARRABEE. S. P. BLAKE. A. P. HILLMAN. J. YOUNG. F. MASSEURE. C. MUGFORD. J. H. JENNE. M. TRAFTON. I. LORD. T. GREENHALGH. H. BUTLER. M. WIGHT. A. F. BARNARD. J. CUMNER. J. FARRINGTON. C. C. CONE. J. ALLEN. H. DOW.
WILLIAM H. NORRIS.
Rev. William H. Norris had an unusually varied experience. He was born in Orono, Maine, October 23, 1801. His parents were Congregationalists, and trained him to habits of filial piety.
With them he removed to the city of New York at the age of fifteen. At sixteen, he was converted and joined the Duane Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
He heard a divine call and abandoned fine mercantile prospects to enter the itinerancy, at the age of twenty-four. He was received, on trial, in the New York Conference, in 1825, and labored that year on Pittston and Saratoga Circuit.
In 1826 he was transferred to Maine Conference, and for thirteen years continued in the itinerant work, occupying the most important stations in Conference. While stationed in Portland, he had editorial charge of the Maine Wesleyan Journal for some time.
In 1838, he was re-transferred to New York Conference and stationed at Sand Street Church, Brooklyn.
In 1839, he was appointed missionary to Montevideo, South America, where he remained three years.
In 1842, he was appointed agent of the American Bible Society in Mexico. In 1848, he returned to New York Conference, and was again appointed to Sand Street Church, Brooklyn.
-
439
P. C. RICHMOND.
From that time onward he received important appointments in New York East Conference till 1865, serving six years as presiding elder.
In 1865, he was appointed missionary presiding elder to Nashville, Tenn. The next year his name was entered as supernumerary. He was appointed to Durham, Conn., 1867-8, and retired from effective service in 1869.
He was twice a delegate from Maine Conference to the General Conference.
His labors in Maine were followed by almost continued revivals, and his success was no less marked at Sand Street Church and other appointments in that Conference.
Mr. Norris was a safe man, in whom the largest trusts could be reposed. As a preacher, he was methodical, logical and scrupulously conscientious. His chief excellence was in his pastoral work. A dark shadow enveloped him some two years previous to his death ;- the edifice of his intellectual powers accompanied by physical decay. At the closing hour of life, the curtain of night was lifted for a short time. So died this faithful servant of the church on the 19th of October, 1878, in the seventy-seventh year of life.1
Mr. Norris was married in 1831, to Miss Sarah Mahan.
PAUL C. RICHMOND.
Rev. Paul C. Richmond was born in Barnard, Vt., in 1798. He was converted in a revival in his native town, under the labors of Rev. John Lord.
He became at once an active religious worker ; his parents and most of the family being converted through his labors.
He received license to exhort August 19, 1825, and soon after, at the Quarterly Conference at Montpelier, Vt., he was licensed to preach and recommended to Conference as a traveling preacher, and was soon after received on trial in New England Conference. After preaching several years in Vermont, he was transferred to Maine Conference in 1829, where he continued his itinerant work till 1855, (twenty-six years) when his failing health compelled him to retire from the effective ranks. Procuring a comfortable house at Fryeburg, he continued to render valuable services in the vicinity, where his memory is affectionately cherished. He died at his home, May 29, 1875, aged 77.
1 From History of Old Sand Street Church,
440
M. HILL.
Bro. Richmond had an ardent nature and a sanguine temperament, and was a whole sonled and devoted man. He was well versed in scripture, apt in illustration, an able and successful minister; he was deeply pious and strong in faith.
His departure was peaceful. His last words were, "All is well ; God's will be done."-(Minutes of 1876.)
Mr. Richmond was married September 27, 1831, to Miss Abigail Edwards. They had three children. One only survives, Mary A., wife of S. H. Weeks, M. D.
MOSES HILL.
Rev. Moses Hill was born of Puritan ancestry, in Redding, Conn., October 7, 1804. His health in childhood was delicatc. The farm work overtaxed his strength, and at the age of fourteen he began teaching school. He succeeded so well that his services were in great demand, and he continued teaching, winter and summer, seven years. His love of books and the habit of systematic study, which he early acquired, made him a man of excellent scholarship.
In boyhood he was subject to strong religious convictions, and at the age of eight or ninc he felt that God, for Christ's sake, had for- given his sins.
During this early period in life, he says, "I often resorted to the barn to pray, and occasionally felt that God heard and answered my prayers."
He did not, however, make a public profession of faith till his sixteenth year, when he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his parents belonged.
In the prayer and class meeting, he became immediately active, and displayed such gifts, that his friends felt, as he himself had felt for years, that God called him to the ministry. Accordingly he was received on trial in the New York Conference, in 1826. At that time a call was made for men to go into the new State of Maine. Rev. Moses Hill immediately volunteered and did heroic service in the Maine Conference for twenty-five years.
He was stationed at Hallowell, Bangor, Saco, Winthrop, York, East Machias, Whiting, Bangor a second time, Stillwater, Oldtown, Gardiner, Bucksport, Saccarappa, Gardiner a second time, Saco a second time, Winthrop a second time. He was also presiding elder of the St. Croix District, and subsequently of the Bangor District. He was a member of four successive general conferences, being first elected
441
R. SCHERMERHORN.
in 1836. Being a strong abolitionist and a natural polemic, he bore a distinguished part in the great anti-slavery discussion, contributing many articles to Zion's Herald, and other church papers. He was one of the bold minority of fourteen, who stood up in the General Conference of 1836, against the vote censuring two delegates for attending an abolition meeting.
Bro. Hill was stricken with paralysis in the fall of 1844, but rallied, and after a year of rest, was able to resume labor.
In 1851 he was transferred to the New York East Conference, and stationed at Hartford, where his health failed, and he was obliged to retire from the active ministry. He had made a thorough study of medicine, that he might better care for his own health and be a greater blessing to his own people ; and he now began practising as a homoe- pathic physician in the city of Hartford, but soon removed to Norwalk, Conn., where he remained till his death.
He was naturally diffident and retiring, but his marked abilities brought him constantly to the front. Many trusted his judgment and sought his advice ; and so in his retirement he was very influential, not only in the church, but in benevolent and business enterprises, and every public interest. Seldom has Christianity furnished a more beautiful example. His faith was strongly grounded in the Bible, which he knew almost by heart. His character was well rounded, and he ripened into years without growing old. A true friend, a wise counsellor, a delightful companion ; every one esteemed and loved him. In a letter to a friend not long before his death, he said, "I feel that I am near the end of the journey of life, and that I have already arrived at the bank of the river which separates this from the heavenly land ; and I am waiting, with assured trust and confidence, the arrival of Him who said, ' I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also.'"
He had not long to wait. While engaged, according to his custom, in mid-day prayer, on Wednesday, June 21, 1882, he was stricken, a third time, with paralysis, and went home the following day. He was thrice married, and leaves a widow and two children to mourn his departure .- (C. S. Wing.)
RICHARD SCHERMERHORN.
Rev. Richard Schermerhorn was born in Nassau, Rensselaer County, N. Y., 1804. He was converted at the age of nineteen at a camp meeting, in Hillsdale. He was received, on trial, in New York
442
R. C. BAILEY.
Conference in 1826, transferred at the same time to Maine Conference and appointed to Scarborough, and continued in the itinerant work in Maine Conference. In 1834-5, he was presiding elder of Augusta District, and was elected delegate to the General Conference of 1836. In the winter of 1836, he was prostrated by consumption and died April 18, the same year.
Mr. Schermerhorn was a man of good natural talents, studious, intelligent and deeply pious. He adopted the Wesleyan doctrine of perfect love, and exemplified the doctrine in his life. He was remark- ably faithful in all christian duties, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him, for his godly life and conversation.
In his last sickness he gave full evidence that he possessed the blessing which he professed .- (From Minutes of Conference.)
RUFUS C. BAILEY.
Rev. Rufus C. Bailey was converted when twenty-three years of age, at a eamp meeting on the Penobseot River.
He joined the Maine Conference on trial, in 1826, and was appointed at Thomaston. From that time till his death, his connection with the Conference continued, though his labors were several times interrupted by periods of superannuation, in consequence of pulmonary disease. He served in an effective relation twenty-seven years, and fifteen years was superannuated.
February 12, 1865, he was prostrated with paralysis, and for about eighteen months he lingered in great feebleness, all the time patiently and joyfully waiting the time of his deliveranee. He passed over the river of death August 24, 1866, aged sixty-seven years.
Bro. Bailey was a good man, a faithful ambassador of Jesus, and a successful laborer in the Lord's vineyard. Many seals of his ministry attest the fidelity with which he labored. Among many others less distinguished, Davis W. Clark, afterwards bishop, when a boy, was converted under the labors of Bro. Bailey. (Minutes of 1867.)
GREENLEAF GREELY.
Rev. Greenleaf Greely was born in Readfield, in 1804. He was converted in 1817.
His first attempt to preach was in 1823. , In 1826 he was received on trial in Maine Conference, and appointed to Norridgewock Circuit, where there was an extensive revival, under his labors. He continued
Ir Randale
443
J. HARRINGTON.
in the itinerant service till 1832, when he was prostrated by hemorrhage of the lungs while serving as pastor at Winthrop, and the next year his name was entered upon the list of superannuates. He went South for the benefit of his health, and died at the house of Col. A. H. Anderson, in Burke County, Georgia, on the 25th of December, 1835.
Mr. Greely was affectionate and kind in disposition. He was deeply and uniformly pious. He had fine preaching talents, and gifts peculiarly calculated to be useful in personal conversation and pastoral work.
He was a faithful and successful minister, and was long remembered by many as instrumental in their conversion. - (Minutes of Conference.)2
JAMES HARRINGTON.
Rev. James Harrington was born in Smithfield, R. I. He was converted at the age of fifteen.
In his twentieth year, feeling himself called to the work of the ministry, he entered the New Market Seminary to prepare for this. work. Here he was encouraged and licensed to exhort by Rev. J. Broadhead.
In 1826 he was received on trial in Maine Conference, and appointed to Durham Circuit.
From that time, with the exception of five years of superannuation, he continued in effective service till 1850, when he retired from active. work. He was suddenly prostrated by sickness, at his home in Durham, and died in full hope of immortality, July 22, 1854. He was a man of faith and prayer, and held a respectable standing among his brethren .- (Minutes.)
DANIEL B. RANDALL.
Rev. Daniel B. Randall has for many years been a prominent member of Maine Conference. He was born in Hardwick, Vermont, July 18, 1807. In early childhood he removed with his father's family to Danville, Vt., where he remained during the early years of life.
His opportunities for education were the district school, high school, and some private tuition.
2 Mr. Greely was the first minister who personally and earnestly urged the writer to be- come a christian, and to the faithful labors of this sainted minister he is largely indebted for encouragement in his early christian life.
444
D. B. RANDALL.
His parents were Free Will Baptists His grandfather, Elder Benjamin Randall, was the founder of the Free Will Baptist denomi- nation. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, he began to attend the Methodist meetings, being attracted by the cloquence of Rev. T. C. Pierce, the preacher in charge of Danville Circuit.
In 1826, he commenced the study of law in the office of Wm. Mattocks, Esq., in Danville, Vt., but was compelled, by convictions of duty, to abandon his chosen profession.
At a camp meeting held in Concord, Vt., September, 1826, he was awakened and became an earnest sceker of religion. At a camp meeting, one' week later, at Plainfield, Vt., he received the witness that his sins were pardoned. He soon joined the class, and in May, 1827, was received in full connection in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On July 4th, 1827, he received license to exhort, and on the 15th of the same month he preached his first sermon. In November, 1827, he was sent to Landaff Circuit, N. H., by the presiding elder, Rev. J. Lord, with two other preachers. The circuit embraced ten towns. There was a powerful revival, resulting in the conversion of about four hundred persons during the year.
He received for his services that year seventeen dollars and forty cents. He was admitted on trial in New England Conference in 1828, transferred to the Maine Conference, and appointed to Augusta, but was soon removed to Fairfield Circuit.
He continued in the itinerant service in Maine Conference, excepting two or three periods of prostration from pulmonary hemorrhage, till 1880, when he was compelled to retire finally to the ranks of the superannuates, having been fifty-two years a member of Maine Conference, and fifty years in effective service.
His labors as a minister have been more than usually successful ; extensive revivals have occurred on many of his charges. For more than half a century he has occupied a prominent place among his brethren of the Conference.
In all the great questions of the day he has decided opinions, and has the boldness of his convictions ; always advocating the progressive, if not the radical side. He was one of the leaders in the anti-slavery agitation, and has always been an earnest advocate of temperance. His appointments have embraced the most important charges in Conference. He has served six years as presiding elder, and has been four times a delegate to the General Conference.
445
D. FULLER. R. J. AYER.
Though suffering from severe bodily infirmity, his mental force is unabated. and he is still able to render considerable service. He preaches occasionally, and for three years he has served as chaplain in the legislature.
DANIEL FULLER.
Rev. Daniel Fuller was born in Paris, Maine, in 1804 At the age of nineteen, he was deeply convinced of sin and earnestly sought and found the favor of God. His entire change of life, his earnest reproofs of sin and his perseverance, under trials of opposition, showed the soundness of his conversion.
After a season of severe conflict in his own mind, about preaching, he resolved to follow his convictions, and in 1826, he was licensed to exhort ; soon after he received a local preacher's license, and on July 5th, 1827, was admitted, on trial, in Maine Conference, and appointed to Baldwin Circuit, and continued in the itinerant work till 1846, when his name was entered upon the list of superannuates. He retired to his home in Brunswick, and died July 27, 1847, in full assurance of hope.
Mr. Fuller was a man of ardent temperament and was fully consecrated to his work. His preaching was characterized by deep feeling, solemn thoughts, and strong appeals to the reason and sensibility of his hearers. He was wonderfully sustained during his last sickness ; his sick chamber was "quite on the verge of heaven." Said he to two brother ministers3 who visited him in his sickness, "sometimes, when I call to mind the precious words of God, my whole soul and body are thrilled as if a wave of glory passed over me. I expect to pass away in one of these waves." A widow and three sons were left to mourn his departure. (Minutes.)
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.