USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 43
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RISHWORTH J. AYER.
Rev. Rishworth J. Ayer, a son of Rev. Philip Ayer, was born in Standish, Maine, November 15, 1803. He was brought up in Monmouth, converted in his fourteenth year, admitted to Conference on trial, in 1826, and appointed to Baldwin Circuit.
Of the forty-eight years of his connection with Conference, eighteen were effective, nine supernumerary and twenty-one superannuated. His early advantages were limited, yet he was endowed with peculiar gifts for the ministry. Sound judgment, ready utterance, persistent
3 The writer was one of them.
446
G. WEBBER.
energy, and ardent temperament, combined with deep piety which gave him a commanding influence upon the people under his charge. His carnest labors undermined his constitution, and compelled him to spend most of his life out of the effective relation. He was, however, successful in his work. Many were converted under his labors.
In his years of retirement from effective work in the ministry, he gave his attention to the study and practice of medicine. In the carly years of his ministry, he professed and exemplificd through his life, the doctrine of perfect love. He was highly esteemed by the people of his charges and by his neighbors.
He died suddenly, January 17, 1874, aged seventy years.
(Minutes, 1874.)
GEORGE WEBBER, D. D.
Rev. George Webber, one of the oldest and most honored members of the Maine Conference, suddenly closed his earthly labors May 11, 1875, at his home on Kent's Hill, aged seventy-four.
Mr. Webber was born in Shapleigh, Maine, March 18, 1801, converted in early manhood, and after spending some time as a student in Maine Wesleyan Seminary, he was admitted, on trial, in Maine Conference in 1828, and appointed with Elisha Streeter, to Strong Circuit, extending from Mercer to Phillips, embracing the whole valley of the Sandy River.
His reputation as an able minister was soon established, and his services were sought by the most important charges of the Conference. No preacher in the Maine Conference, has been so highly honored by his brethren.
For many years, he was appointed to the most important stations in Conference; he was sixteen years a Presiding Elder ; five times a delegate to the General Conference, once a delegate to the Evangelical Alliance in London, and once a delegate to the Methodist Episcopal church in Canada.
At the General Conference of 1852, he was a prominent candidate for the office of Bishop, and, about the same time, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity, from Wesleyan University. He was, for many years, a trustee of Maine Wesleyan Seminary and was prominently connected with all the leading interests of the church for nearly half a century.
As a preacher he was solid rather than brilliant, yet in his happier moods his discourses were profoundly impressive, always evincing
Rev b. Fuller
447
C. FULLER.
deep thought and thorough mastery of his subjects. He was deliberate in manner, and the treatment of his themes was thorongh and exhanstive. His sermons though carefully studied, were entirely nnwritten. He was eminently conservative, ever ready to do battle with heresy, and to resist all radical innovations in the doctrines or polity of the church. No abler debater ever appeared upon the floor of the Maine Conference. He was discreet and dignified in deport- ment, friendly and familiar when once acquainted, but never frivolons.
During the forty-eight years of his ministry, his record as a member of Conference, was without a blemish.
For many years, he had suffered from impaired health, and throngh life, was constitutionally prone to seasons of hypochondria. At the Conference of 1874, he received a superannnated relation, and retired to his home at Kent's Hill. His health continned to decline, his nervous system gave way. Indications of mental aberration had been observed, for some time by his friends, with much alarm. Their worst fears were suddenly realized on the morning of May 11, 1875. After conducting his family worship with more than nsual calmness and fervor, he retired, and when found, life was extinct. Thns sadly closed a long and nsefnl life.
The Methodist church in Maine has produced no abler minister, all things considered, than Rev. George Webber.
Mr. Webber was married to Miss Phebe Clark of Strong, sister of Dr. E. Clark, a woman of great excellence, who shared with her husband, the labors of the itinerancy, fourteen years. One son, by this marriage, is a practicing physician in Millbury, Massachusetts. The second wife was Mrs. Rebecca H. Nickerson, who died April 29, 1867, a most worthy woman. Subsequently, he was married to Mrs. Daggett of Farmington. (Minutes, 1875.)
CALEB FULLER.
Rev. Caleb Fuller was born in Paris, Maine, November 12, 1805. He was brought np on a farm and favored with good school privileges. At the age of eighteen he became a school teacher, and continued in that employment till he entered the ministry.
He was converted in 1826, and in 1828, was admitted, on trial, in Maine Conference and appointed with Rev. P. P. Morrill, to Rumford Circuit, then embracing twelve towns and plantations, requiring a great amount of traveling and labor. He remained on the circuit the second year as colleagne of Rev. I. Downing.
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J. B. ILUSTED.
There was an extensive revival upon the circuit during these two years, resulting in a net gain, to the society, of nearly two hundred members and probationers. He continued in the itinerant service till 1845, receiving ordination as deacon and elder in regular course.
In 1831, while stationed at Belfast, Mr. Fuller was married to Miss Luda Munroe of Livermore.
In the year 1845, in consequence of the feeble health of his wife, he took a supernumerary relation, and was appointed to Wayne. Mrs. Fuller died during the year. The next year he loeated and settled upon a small farm in Wayne, and was subsequently married to Miss Elizabeth B. Swift of that place.
During his eight years of superannuation, he preached almost constantly on the Sabbath, serving, some time, as Postmaster, and one year as representative in the Legislature.
In 1854, Mr. Fuller was re-admitted to Conference, and continued in the itinerant work till 1871, when he retired from aetive serviee, and from that time, his name has been upon the list of supernumer- aries.
He is tall and spare in stature, with strong voice and ready utteranee, and animated style ; kind and social in manner, and much beloved by all who know him. He has been unusually sueeessful in his ministry, and has been specially useful as a peacemaker. His home is now at Augusta.
REV. JOIIN B, HUSTED.
Rev. John B. Husted was born in Alford, Birkshire county, Massachusetts, December 4, 1804.
At the session of the New York Conference, in 1828, he was admitted in full membership in that Conference and received deaeon's orders at the hands of Bishop George. At the request of Bishop Hedding, he consented to be transferred to the Maine Conference and was appointed to Winthrop, to remain there only till the new ehureh on Park street in Portland, should be finished, then he was to take the place of Rev. Wm. H. Norris at Bath, who was to be the pastor of the new church in Portland Accordingly, in the latter part of December, he was notified by the Presiding Elder, that he must remove to Bath.
At the next Conference, he was re-appointed to Bath. From that time, he continued to receive prominent appointments ; serving four years as Presiding Elder of Bangor distriet.
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Charles W. Morse
449
A. ALTON.
In 1841, he was transferred to New England Conference, and appointed to Bromfield Street Church, Boston; remaining in that Conference till 1845, when he was transferred to the Providence Conference and continued many years in the itinerant work. For several years his name has been upon the list of superannuates in the New England Sonthern Conference.
Mr. Hnsted was married to Mrs. Harriet E. Kidder, daughter of Gen. James McClellan, while he was pastor of the church in Augusta.
Mr. Husted is a preacher of more than ordinary ability ; his voice is clear and sonorous ; his enunciation is distinct; he is a ready speaker and his sermons are well prepared and forcibly delivered. He is an excellent minister. He is strongly conservative in his views, and jealous of the integrity of the church. His ministerial career has been highly honorable and successful.
ABEL ALTON.
Rev. Abel Alton was admitted to Maine Conference, on trial, in 1828, and continued in effective service till 1856, when he located, having rendered twenty-eight years of itinerant service in Maine.
In 1858, he was received into Providence Conference.
He was married to Miss Bachellor of Solon. Mr. Alton was a man of robust constitution, an energetic and faithful pastor. He was uncommonly unassuming. At one time, he went to fill an appoint- ment to preach in a school house. After the meeting, the people all retired, no one inviting the preacher to the hospitality of his home, he passed the night in the school house, while his horse was fastened to the fence in the yard.
CHIARLES W. MORSE.
No member of the Maine Conference has ever held a higher place in the affection of his brethren in the ministry and in the churches he served, than Rev. Charles Willard Morse.
He was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, December 27, 1805. In early life, he was converted and joined the Congregational church. From convictions of duty, feeling that he was called of God, he commenced preparation for the ministry, intending to take a full collegiate and theological course of study, but he was prevented by
29
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C. W. MORSE.
feeble health from pursuing his studies, and decided to abandon his chosen profession.
He became a clerk in the store of J. C. Whitwell, an eminent apothecary of Boston. At the close of his three years' engagement, when he was about to set up in business. for himself, Mr. Whitwell, who was a Unitarian, said to him, "Willard, you ought to be a minister." Aroused by this appeal from an unexpected quarter, Mr. Morse determined to try once more to prepare for the ministry, and studied with Master Hall and Rev. J. Ives Hoadly of Worcester, and with Rev. Enoch Pond, then pastor of a church in Ward.
He came to Maine in 1829, and entered the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, to review his classical studies, with the intention of taking a course in the Bangor Theological Seminary. While at Kent's Hill, he attended a camp-meeting in the vicinity and received a wonderful spiritual baptism, which continued with him and shaped his future life.
Finding that his health would not allow him to pursue a full course of study, deemed essential for a Congregational preacher, and being in more full sympathy with Methodist doctrines and experience, he was drawn towards the Methodist ministry. While he retained the warmest affection for his former brethren, his convictions of duty led him to change his church relation, join the Methodists and commence at once preaching the gospel.
In the winter of 1829 and 1830, having received license as a local preacher, he went to Wayne, to assist in a revival then in progress.
The next summer he joined the Maine Conference on trial, and was appointed to Durham Circuit. From this time he continued to travel on large circuits till 1836, when his health gave way, and for two years he held a supernumerary relation, living at Wilton.
In 1838, he again took an effective relation, and continued in the itinerant work till 1849, when his failing health compelled him to receive a superannuated relation.
Through the favor of the owners of the ship Charles D. Crooker of Bath, where he had been stationed, he was granted a free passage to Europe. This was the more pleasant to him, as the captain, C. C. Duncan, was a member of his church, and a warm personal friend.
Returning invigorated by his voyage, the next year he resumed his itinerant work, and continued in active service till 1875, when his health was so impaired, that he received a superannuatcd relation, which he retains at the present time (1887).
451
C. W. MORSE.
During the first four years of his ministry, Mr. Morse was appointed to large circuits requiring extensive traveling and much labor, with very small compensation, aggregating in all for the four years, not over two hundred and fifty dollars, and, until his appointment at Bath, in 1843, he did not, once, receive the whole amount of his claim, and this year his salary was $500.
And yet in his penury, he continued to answer the claims of benevolence. generously. In a letter to Dudley Moody, Esq., treasurer of Maine Wesleyan Seminary, dated Hollis Circuit, March 8, 1832, he writes, inclosing four dollars, "I subscribed twenty-five dollars. for the Seminary, at the last Conference, to be paid in five annual. instalments. Last year, I received about sixty dollars, all told. I think I shall not receive more this year, which leaves me a poor Methodist minister. I do not regret my change from Congregation- alism to Methodism, although my support may be limited, for I have learned, where the Lord calls, to be content."
These were severe tests, but he endured them courageously. He received his appointments as from the Lord, and always went cheer- fully to his work, regarding it as a privilege to labor in the Master's. vineyard. The hardest appointments were, to him, "good enough."
In June 16, 1832, he was married to Miss Hannah D. Russell, a woman of rare excellence, a great help in his itinerant work. By her sympathy and wise counsel, she encouraged him in his labors, and by her prudent management, she contributed materially towards the support of the family, especially during the years from 1835 to 1838, when he was compelled to take a superannuated or supernumerary relation.
In 1840, he served as secretary of Conference.
In 1844, he was a delegate to General Conference, and thence- forward was advanced to more important stations.
In the year 1859, a great sorrow came to his home, in the death of his wife, after a long period of feebleness and suffering, which she endured with christian patience and resignation.
Their son, Rev. J. L. Morse, was for many years, Professor of Ancient Languages in Maine Wesleyan Seminary, but for several years past, has been Professor of Languages in the preparatory department of North Western University.
The youngest daughter died early, the only remaining daughter, lives with her father, who, in his closing years finds a home with his son, in Evanston, Illinois.
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W. F. FARRINGTON.
In 1861, he married for his second wife, Mrs. Rebecca T. Cobb of Portland, with whom he lived in happy union till the fall of 1883, when she suddenly passed on before him to her rest above.
Charles W. Morse, is small in stature and apparently of a fccble constitution, yet an active and efficient worker. Few ministers have continued longer in the service of the ministry or have performed a greater amount of work.
The wondrous baptism he received at the camp-meeting, in 1829, remained upon him, gave luster to his character and effectiveness to his labors. His sympathies are ardent, his faith strong, and his charity unbounded.
In his years of superannuation, his presence in the social mectings, in the families of the people, and especially in the house of sickness and sorrow, has been a benediction highly prized.
WILLIAM F. FARRINGTON.
Rev. William F. Farrington was born in Poland, September 7, 1800. His parents were highly respected people. His mother, a devoted christian, died while her son was a child. Young Farrington received only such advantages as the common school afforded. At the age of fifteen he was converted, and from that time he was impressed with a conviction of duty to enter the ministry. He resisted this conviction from a sense of unfitness, and from a desire to remain with his father, then in declining health. The result of this refusal was a decline in his religious life. In 1825, at a camp meeting, he was wonderfully reclaimed, and with his renewed joy the conviction of duty to preach the gospel returned with too much force to be resisted with safety. Soon after, at a quarterly meeting at Otisfield, he was licensed to preach.
His first attempt at preaching was in May, of the same year, in the meeting house in Poland. When about half through with his discourse he became confused. He closed the meeting and hastily retired from the house, and went home through the pasture greatly mortified.
But he tried again with better success, and continued his labors, occasionally, though sometimes under much embarrassment, till 1829, when he was received into Conference on trial, and appointed to Durham Circuit, as colleague of R. J. Ayer. The circuit was extensive, embracing several towns. For some time he continued to travel on large circuits, with great success, enduring severe hardships. He was soon advanced to the most important fields of labor, such as
Rev.
Nº F. Farrington
453
W. F. FARRINGTON.
Gardiner, Bath, Chestnut Street, Congress Street, Pine Street, Biddeford and Bangor.
Four years presiding elder; twice a delegate to the General Conference. In 1859 he was transferred to the East Maine Conference and stationed at Bangor.
In 1861 he was transferred to the Providence Conference, and filled some of the most important appointments. At present, 1887, on the list of superannuates, residing in Auburn, Me.
Mr. Farrington is, in many respects, a man of rare endowments. He has a noble physique, tall and well proportioned, graceful and dignified. A countenance beaming with benignity, a voice of wonderful compass and sweetness, a ready utterance and a poetic imagination. He is a natural orator, though not fond of disputation. His ability as a singer is seldom equalled ; this talent has served him an excellent purpose, and has been often more effective than the sermon.
" Not many years ago, at an Annual Conference in Maine, he was called upon by the presiding bishop to favor the vast audience of ministers and people with a song. All eyes were fixed upon him- breathing was almost suspended-when his large majestic figure was seen slowly rising above the crowd. Before the close of the first stanza, tears began to flow, and suppressed shouts to break out over the whole house. Every one was doing his best, however, not to disturb the singer or mar the song. But the second stanza was too. much for mortal endurance, and during the whole of the third and last, no voice but his could have risen above the tempest of shouting that threatened to swallow up both the singer and the music. When he sat down the bishop was seen weeping like a child ; the vast gathering of people were melted, and it was full five minutes after the song had ceased before the Conference could be brought into sufficient composure to resume the regular order of business."-(Rev. B. F. Tefft. Worthley Brock Sketches.)
Mr. Farrington has been three times married, but is now a widower,. living in the family of his niece, kindly cared for and patiently waiting the call of the Master.
Several children of the first marriage survive.
REV. MELVILLE B. COX.
On the ninth of November, 1799, two twin children were born: in the town of Hallowell, Maine. They so nearly resembled each
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M. B. COX.
other that they could scarecly be distinguished, even by the family. Their parents were converted in a revival under the labors of Rev. Epaphras Kibby, preacher in charge of the circuit, in 1800, and presented their twin children to him, for baptism.
At the age of ten years, the family was broken up by the death of their father, and the twin brothers went to live with friends of the family, one upon a farm and the other in a tavern. Subsequently Melville was employed in a book store in Hallowell, and Gershom was employed in Mr. Wales' West India goods and drug store, in the same place. At about the age of eighteen, after a season of deep conviction, Melville was brought into the liberty of the gospel and soon united with the small elass, and took an active part in religious meetings. Gershom soon after beeame a decided christian.
In 1820, Melville, believing himself called to the work of the ministry, received license as a local preacher, and preached his first sermon, with much trembling, in the Carlton school house, in Readfield.
He continued his labors under the presiding elder, preaching at Wiscasset, Phipsburg, Brunswick and Hampden, teaching sehool in the meanwhile to obtain money to furnish himself with an itinerant outfit. In 1822 he was received, on trial, in the New England Conference and appointed to Exeter, Me. ; 1823, Buxton ; 1824-5, Kennebunk ; 1826, he was obliged, by failing health, to take a superannuated relation, and continued in that relation about five years. In the fall of that year he went South as far as Baltimore, in hopes to find work more favorable to his health. He found agreeable friends, but no opening for work, and returned North. In 1827 he repeated his visit to Baltimore, was married to Mrs. Eleanor Lee, a lady of superior excellence, and became editor of the "Itinerant," a paper published in Baltimore, to defend the polity of the church against the " Mutual Rights."
While in Baltimore he met with a great bereavement by the death of his wife and ehild. In 1831, he offered himself for itinerant service to the Virginia Conference and was stationed in Raleigh eity, but was obliged, through failing health, to relinquish his eharge before the close of the year.
In 1832 he was appointed superintendent of the mission in Liberia, a position which he accepted with great joy. He embarked for Africa Nov. 5th, of the same year, and arrived at Monrovia on the 9th of March following. He at once commenced his labors, and finding a number
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M. B. COX. EPITAPH.
of local preachers and members of the Methodist Episcopal church among the emigrants from the United States, he organized them into a Methodist Society.
He took measures for organizing and enlarging the work of the mission. and for establishing the academy at Monrovia.
In a few weeks after landing, he arranged for and held the first camp meeting ever held in Africa. His ministry commenced with great prospects of success ; but in less than five months from his arrival he was prostrated with the African fever, and died July 21, 1833, in the thirty-third year of his age.
Rev. Melville B. Cox was a man of fine personal appearance, of superior natural ability and winning manners.
His sketches of Western Africa indicate no ordinary skill as a writer and a mind accustomed to close and accurate observation. His naturally amiable disposition united with deep piety and a persistent, though quiet energy, qualified him for eminent usefulness in the department of labor assigned him.
His remains were buried in Monrovia, and by the generosity of friends in Boston, a monument was erected at his grave with the following inscription engraved on three sides :
To the Memory of REV. MELVILLE B. Cox, the first Missionary from the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States to Liberia, Western Africa, He arrived in Monrovia on the 9th of March, 1833, where having organized a branch of the same church, he died in the triumphs of christian faith on the 21st of July, of the same year, aged 33 years. He was a truly amiable man, a devout christian, and an able and successful minister of Jesus Christ.4
4 From "Knights of the Cross." Minutes and Bangs' History of Methodist Episcopal Church.
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G. F. COX.
REV. GERSHOM F. COX.
Soon after the conversion of his brother Melville, at the age of eightccu, Gershom also settled the great questiou and commenced a christian life, and immediately took an active part in religious meetings.
Upon coming of age he went to Belfast, taking with him his mother and sister, and opened a West India goods and drug store, and prospered in business, his brother Melville sharing in his profits. He took an active part in religious meetings, aud yielding to a conviction of duty, he decided to euter the ministry, aud received license as a local preacher, probably not inteuding to enter the itinerant work.
Iu 1823 he was married to a young lady of a Uuitarian family, who survived her marriage ouly a few months.
While at Belfast he formed a life-long friendship with Jacob Sleeper, afterwards of Boston, who was theu iu the store with him and resided in the family.
In 1827 he left Belfast and purchased the stand of his old master, iu Hallowell. In September of the same year he was married to Miss Susan Merritt, daughter of Rev. Timothy Merritt, then stationed in Springfield, Mass.
In 1829, from a conviction of duty to give himself wholly to the work of the ministry, while closing his business he accepted the general superintendency of the affairs of Maiue Wesleyan Seminary, and removed to Kent's Hill.
In 1830, he was admitted, ou trial, to the Maine Conference, and appointed to York. The next year he was appointed to Portland, where he remained two years, during the same time acting as editor of Maine Wesleyan Journal.
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