USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 45
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His last message to his brethren of the Conference was, "nothing; gives way in the gospel I have preached and believed ; it is fastened to the throne of God." At his request, all but one of his fourteen children, gathered around his dying bed and sang,
"Forever here my rest shall be Close to thy bleeding side,"
when he gently fell asleep .- (C. F. Allen.)
HENRY BUTLER.
Rev. Henry Butler was born in New Vineyard, July 15, 1806. While reading law at New Sharon, his attention was called to the subject of religion, and in a revival, under the labors of Rev. Greenleaf Greely, he was converted. He soon felt himself called to the work of the ministry. Accordingly, he abandoned his chosen
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A. CALDWELL.
profession, and in a few months, commenced the itinerant work under the Presiding Elder, on the Paris Cireuit.
In 1832, he was admitted, on trial, in Maine Conference, and at the usual periods was ordained deacon and elder.
For eleven years he held an effective relation, when his health gave way under excessive labors.
In 1843, he was compelled to retire from active work to the rank of the superannuates, and for six years, was returned super- annuated. He was a man of ardent temperament, and of remarkable . energy.
Few were his equals in faith, in labors, in patient endurance, in deep piety, or in the success of his labors. He was a good man, full of faith and the Holy Ghost ; he was triumphant during his long snfferings, and died April 5th, 1850 ; he left a wife and four sons.
ASBURY CALDWELL.
Rev. Asbury Caldwell was a native of Paris, Maine. He was con- ·verted in early life, and was, for some time, a student in Maine Wesleyan Seminary. In 1832, he was admitted, on trial, to Maine Conference and appointed to Newfield and Shapleigh Cireuit, and continued in the itinerant work till 1841, when his health gave way under his severe labors, and died of consumption December first, that year.
He was a man of great intellectual activity, and a gifted extempo- raneous speaker, abounding in striking original illustrations ; his views of truth were comprehensive, and he exeelled in the qualities which constitute an effective preacher, except an easy elocution. His heart was formed for friendship and expanded with benevolence. His religious feelings were eminently eatholie.
He lived a witness of entire sanetifieation and was an able minister of the New Testament. Few were ever favored with more ecstatic views upon the bed of death. He died at the early age of thirty-three years.
His son, Rev. J. M. Caldwell, for a few years, a member of Maine Conference, is now a member of Roek River Conference, Illinois .- (Minutes.)
MARCUS WIGHT.
Rev. Marcus Wight was born in Raymond, Maine, February 14, 1804. He received his education at the academy in his native town, and at the Seminary at Kent's Hill.
At the age of eighteen he was converted, and soon joined the
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M. WIGHT. A. F. BARNARD.
Methodist church and commenced active religious service as a class leader and exhorter.
In 1832. he was received, on trial, in Maine Conference, and continued to hold an effective relation, with the exception of two years of snperannnation, until 1875, when he retired from active service, on account of the feeble health of his wife, having performed in all. forty years of effective service.
He had a modest estimate of his own abilities, for many years entertaining the opinion that he ought not to remain longer than one year upon the same charge, subjecting himself, for thirty years, to the inconvenience of an annual, and sometimes, a long removal. This, he at length saw, was a mistake.
He received thirty-eight appointments, always going uncomplainingly to the field of labor assigned him, however unpromising it might be. He was honest and blunt in his style, flnent in utterance, plain and forcible in preaching, and a faithful pastor.
His departure was sudden and unexpected. While visiting at the house of a friend in Scarborough, on his way to Old Orchard camp- meeting, he retired to rest in the evening of August 3, 1875, and before the family were apprised of his illness, he had passed away.
He had, for some time, been ripening for heaven, manifesting unnsual fervor of spirit, and declaring that the last years of his life, had been his best years. "Faithful nntil death."-(Minutes, 1876. )
REV. ALBERT F. BARNARD.
Our excellent Brother Barnard departed this life, in full assurance of a blessed immortality, at Saco, Maine, March 27, 1867, aged sixty- one years.
Mr. Barnard was born in Dixfield, Maine, January 30, 1806. His parents were Unitarians. At the age of sixteen, he went to. Massachusetts, where he remainnd six years.
In the Autumn of 1826, he was converted, and soon united with the Methodist church on Needham Circuit, then under the care of Rev. Jared Perkins.
In the spring of 1828, he returned to Maine, and the following year, entered the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, where he pursued his. stndies about one year and a half.
Being impressed with a conviction of duty to enter the ministry, he. directed his attention to that work. He received license to exhort, and was received, on trial, in Maine Conference, in 1832, and
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J. CUMNER.
appointed to Cooper, and from that time, prosecuted his itinerant work from onc extreme of the State to the other, for thirty-three years, till his health gave way. and he was compelled to retire, in 1865, to a comfortable home he had provided at Saco, where he died in 1867.
Mr. Barnard was a studious. intelligent and disercet man ; faithful and earnest in his work as a pastor. He succceded well on all his appointments, and on some of his charges there were extensive revivals under his labors. In a last conversation, a few weeks before he died, he exclaimed, "O what victories God has given me during my sickness." He was a good man and a faithful minister.
Mr. Barnard was twice married. At his death he left a widow, and one son by the first marriage, a graduate of Wesleyan University and a worthy young man. (Minutes.)
JOHN CUMNER.
Rev. John Cumner affords an example of success in the work of the ministry under very unpromising conditions. He was a native of Massachusetts. He early married and settled in the town of Wayne, Maine.
His opportunities for education, were very limited. He was never able to pass, even tolerably, the Conference examinations. After a long period of trial, he was received on the ground of his success, in work as a minister.
He was licensed to exhort in 1826. For a long time he felt a convic- tion that he was called to the work of the ministry, but hesitated from a sense of his lack of qualifications. A conviction of duty, at length, became imperative, and he was received, on trial, in the Maine Conference, in 1833, and with the exception of three years of location, his connection with Conference continued till the close of his life ; he died February 5, 1861, after nine years of superannuation.
He was a man of great faith and remarkable fervency in prayer, and was skilled, above most ministers, in directing penitents to Christ.
He was faithful and earnest in all his duties as a pastor, and very successful in his ministry.
He suffered much during the last months of his life, but was graciously sustained. He died, as he lived, in holy triumph.
(Minutes.)
JAMES FARRINGTON.
Rev. James Farrington was born in Wilton, New Hampshire, .August 30th, 1866.
Affectionately your bleleone
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C. C. CONE.
He was admitted, on trial, in Maine Conference, in 1833, and appointed to Wilton and Strong Circuit ; he remained connected with the Conference, till the close of his life, thirteen years in active itinerant work, and nineteen years on the supernumerary or superan- nuated list.
Mr. Farrington was a man of ardent temperament, and deep religious experience, a zealous worker, an earnest and successful preacher, and, emphatically, a revivalist.
His intensc earnestness prematurely broke down his naturally strong constitution, and compelled him, after the eleventh year of his itinerant service, to retire mostly from the responsibility and labors of the itinerancy, to his small farm in East Wilton, where he spent the remainder of his life.
While thus partially laid aside, he continued to render valuable service as a preacher in the region of his home. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him.
His faith was strong in sickness and in the dying hour.
The young preachers on the circuit who often made his house their home, will never forget the godly example and valuable advice of Father Farrington.
CHARLES C. CONE.
Rev. Charles C. Cone was born in Bolton, Tolland county, Connecticut, January 8, 1802. His parents were of Puritan descent, and of honorable record in our revolutionary struggle.
In early manhood, he engaged in business, and at the age of twenty- two, he was postmaster, sheriff of the county and captain of a military company.
In 1831, he made a public profession of religion, and united with the Methodist Episcopal church. For some time he had a couviction of duty to enter the ministry.
In 1833, while acting as an agent for the American Temperance Society and the American Anti-Slavery Society in Maine, he was requested by the Presiding Elder, to take charge of the church in Gorham. He accepted the service, February 14, the same year, and at the ensuing session of Maine Conference, he was received on trial. though he had been warned that he would not be received without a pledge to keep quiet on the subject of abolition. He made no such pledge, but contiued to lift up his voice against our great national sin.
He continued in the itinerant service till 1844, when he located and
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engaged in lecturing on temperance and anti-slavery in the eastern part of the State, supplying the church at St. Stephens, New Bruns- wick, two years, and the church at Calais one year.
In 1848 he was re-admitted to Maine Conference, and with the exception of one year (1852) of superannuation, continued in effective service till 1862, serving eight years of this time as presiding elder. He was once a delegate to the General Conference. In 1863-4 lie was agent of the American Bible Society. Since 1866 his name has been upon the supernumerary list.
Mr. Cone has been remarkably successful in his pastoral work ; extensive revivals have often followed his labors. He has ever been an uncompromising enemy of slavery, rum and tobacco, and has sometimes incurred severe opposition ; but opposition has only served to render him more determined in his assaults upon these great evils.
The dark shadows of affliction have often come to his home. In 1835, while laboring on Fryeburg Circuit, his wife, whom he describes as an " estimable woman," died of consumption. While at Brunswick, 1839-40, he was again bereaved by the death of his second wife, "a lovely and affectionate woman." While at Saco, 1850-1, he again inet with a " sore affliction " in the death of the third wife, "who was the mother of his four children."
In 1852 he was again married to Miss Purinton of Bowdoinham.
For the last twenty-two years he has lived upon a small farm in Bowdoinham, preaching often on the Sabbath when his services are needed.
JOHN ALLEN.
Rev. John Allen was born in Farmington, Me., March 7, 1795.
He was brought up on a farm, and with the exception of one term at Farmington Academy, he had only such advantages for education as the common schools afforded.
He, however, acquired sufficient knowledge of common English branches to become a teacher of district schools. He learned the trade of clothier and established himself in business at Farmington upper village.
October 20, 1820, he was married to Miss Annah S. Hersey of Farmington, an intelligent and excellent woman. Three daughters and one son were born to them.
He was exceedingly found of society, and not always sufficiently careful in his selection of associates, and much given to hilarity and
John Allen
.
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J. ALLEN.
mirthfulness. His company was much sought on account of his wit and jovial disposition.
His associations, at one time, were fast leading him astray. To quiet his fears of the future, he resorted to the doctrine of Universalism. But his conscience was not wholly at rest.
In the fall of 1825, he was led, by curiosity, to attend a camp meeting held in the town of Industry. It was a meeting of primitive fashion. He was impressed with the fervid style of the exercises and soon became thoroughly awakened.
Upon invitation he went forward and knelt at the altar, in deep distress. Soon, under the influence of the prayers and singing, peace came to his troubled mind, when he sprang to his feet and rushed up the aisle, " leaping and praising God."
On returning home, he entered at once upon a course of active christian work, visiting from house to house and declaring what the Lord had done for his soul.
He received an exhorter's license, which he faithfully improved. In 1828, he was licensed as a local preacher, and for several years continued to hold meetings on the Sabbath, working during the week to support his family. His preaching, like that of most local preachers in those days, was " freely given."
In 1835 he was ordained deacon, received on trial in Maine Conference, and appointed to Rumford Circuit, and continued in the itinerant work, traveling large circuits till 1852, when he retired for two years to the local ranks. In 1854 he was re-admitted and served for two years as tract agent in East Maine Conference.
He continued in the itinerant work till 1860, when he again located. In 1864 he was re-admitted as supernumerary, and in 1876, his name was entered upon the list of superannuates, which relation he still holds (1887).
He has been an uncommonly earnest and successful religious worker.
During the first year of his itinerant ministry, he became greatly discouraged and requested his presiding elder to excuse him from his work. He was, however, soon cheered by a revival, in which a considerable number of persons were converted ; and thence forward, revivals usually followed his labors, in which many were converted, numbering in all more than five hundred conversions.
During the war of the rebellion he served for some time as chaplain in the Christian Commission. He was also chaplain in the Legislature
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in 1879 and 1880. IIc has been twice married. His second wife, Mrs. Sarah A. W. Fellows, dicd in 1883.
One son and two daughters by the first marriage are settled in Boston.
His remarkable conversion at a camp mecting gave him an intense love for such gatherings. They are so much in harmony with his cheerful and social disposition that he is never so much at home as when at such a mecting, and his presence on such occasions is highly prized. He has attended about three hundred and fifty camp meetings. He has sometimes had a tent spread near his own dwelling, to which his neighbors are invited for a sort of miniature camp mecting.
"Camp Meeting" John Allen (a title in which he rejoices) is, in many respects, a remarkable man. He has a vigorous physical constitution, capable of extraordinary endurance.
He is short in staturc, strongly built, erect, and brisk in movement. He has a keen sense of the ludicrous, quick witted, genial, good natured ; ready at repartee ; abounding in pertinent anecdotes. He is a general favorite with preachers and people.
He retains his physical and mental characteristics to a remarkable degree. He is now (1887) in his ninety-third year.
HUSE DOW.
Rev. Huse Dow was admitted to Maine Conference, on trial, in 1835, and continued in the itinerant work till 1841, when failing health compelled him to retire from active service. His name was placed upon the list of superannuates. His health continued to decline, and he died in Jay, May 25, 1842. He was laborious and successful. He bore the sufferings of his sickness with christian patience. He had great peace of mind and felt that all was well .- (Minutes.)
Фактории
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF DECEASED MINISTERS OF MAINE CONFERENCE FROM 1835 TO 1878, INCLUDING SKETCHES OF LIVING MINISTERS WHOSE RECORD IS NEARLY COMPLETED. ALSO, BRIEF NOTICES OF THOSE WHOSE PORTRAITS ARE IN THIS HISTORY, AND OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME MEMBERS OF MAINE CONFERENCE : E. SHAW. N. D. GEORGE. A. HATCH. J. RICE. T. HILL. I. T. THURSTON. J. GERRY. R. H. FORD. L. STOCKMAN. J. SIMPSON. A. MOORE. S. ALLEN. J. S. RICE. W. D .. SEWALL. H. L.
LINSCOTT. P. JAQUES. J. C. PERRY. C. ANDREWS. R. H. STINCHFIELD. S. S. CUMMINGS. H. M. BLAKE. L. P. FRENCH. J. W. TRUE. S. W. PIERCE. W. WYMAN. D. WATERHOUSE. B. LUFKIN. J. C. ASPENWALL. J. HAWKES. C. MUNGER. C. STONE. S. M. VAIL. N. HOBART. E. K. COLBY. S. M. EMERSON. S. F. WETHERBEE. C. C. COVELL. C. C. MASON. B. FREEMAN. A. GREEN. C. F. ALLEN. E. H. GAMMON. J. McMILLAN. C. C. WHITNEY. J. FAIRBANKS. W. H. FOSTER. J. COLBY. F. A. CRAFTS. J. MITCHELL. U. RIDEOUT. H. B. ABBOTT. N. C. CLIFFORD. H. P. TORSEY. F. C. AYER. J. COBB. T. HILLMAN. A. B. LOVEWELL. H. F. A. PATTERSON .. E. W. HUTCHINSON. A. C. TRAFTON. A. S. LADD. A. TURNER. T. J. TRUE, E. G. DUNN. F. A. ROBINSON. J. ARMSTRONG. S. S. GRAY. E. MARTIN. S. W. RUSSELL. S. H. HYDE. J. MOOAR. N. ANDREWS. N. D. CENTER. J. C. STROUT. J. COLLINS. C. PHILBROOK. H. B. MITCHELL. C. W. BLACKMAN. W. B. BARTLETT. J. H. NEWHALL. G. W. BARBER. G. F. COBB. J. GIBSON. A. W. POTTLE. J. B. LAPHAM. W. W. BALDWIN. R. H. KIMBALL. L. H. BEAN. E. T. ADAMS. W. S. JONES. P. H. HOYT. J. W. SAWYER. E. H. MCKENNEY. C. J. CLARK. G. WINGATE. J. E. WALKER. G. R. WILKINS. B. F. PEASE. E. W. SIMONS.
EATON SHAW.
Rev. Eaton Shaw was born in Paris, Maine, November 4, 1803. His parents were members of the Baptist church, and were intelligent and highly respected people. His early life was spent at home with such advantages as the common school afforded, and made such improvement that at the age of seventeen, he became a successful teacher of public schools.
His religious life dates back to the formative influences of an excellent christian home; but a public christian profession was delayed until the age of twenty years ; then, while in Boston, pursuing his studies in architecture, for which he had a strong taste, he joined the Bromfield Street Church, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Timothy Merritt ; here, he became impressed with a conviction of
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E. SHAW.
duty to enter the ministry. After a painful struggle with a sense of insufficiency, he left Boston in 1826, and entered Gorham Academy, where, in two years, he prepared to enter College a year in advance ; but this severe application broke down his health and compelled him to abandon all hope of entering the ministry; he then settled in Portland, and entered into mercantile business.
On September 9, 1828, he was married to Miss Mary Roberts of that city, a lady of high social standing, who, for more than half a century, made his home a paradise, and who still survives to bear the burden of her bereavement.
In 1836, during the session of Conference in Portland, his mind was greatly exercised with a conviction of duty to enter the ministry ; his judgment for a time wavered between a sense of duty and fear of failure. On the last day of the session, his wife said to him, " Go, you had better fail in the attempt, than to carry through life an unsatisfied conviction of duty." This heroic advice decided him ; he was received on trial into the Confercuce, and stationed at Kent's Hill, where he won the hearts of both citizens and students ; he was ordained deacon and elder in regular course, and for fourteen years continued in the effective work of the itinerancy, filling the leading appointments of Conference with great success, on all his charges ; in some of them, extensive revivals occurred under his labors.
He was deeply interested in the missionary cause. At one time, in his superannuation, when the Missionary Society was so embarrassed that the secretary, Dr. Durbin, sounded the alarm of a possible re-call of some of our missionaries, Brother Shaw's heart caught fire, and lie said, " this must not be ;" he prayed and exhorted with reference to it in Chestnut Street Church, where he worshipped, and on the day of annual collection, he headed the subscription with five hundred dollars, and largely through his example and appeals, that church went up in her collection from four hundred and seventy dollars of the preceding year, to thirteen hundred and ten doilars.
In 1848, he was a delegate to the General Conference. For many years he was a trustee of Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and was always foremost in the general enterprises of the church.
In 1850, came the great trial of his life. After an unusually successful ministry of fourteen years, his health broke down, and he was compelled to retire to the superannuated ranks ; he returned to Portland and engaged in mercantile business. His relations to the pastors of Chestnut Street Church were of the most delightful
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character : he was a punctual attendaut upon the services of the church. a wise counsellor and a generous giver ; he was a model of a superannuated minister.
The experience of his last days were the gentle out-flowing of his life-long devotiou to God. His last words were, "I am being lifted up : the Lord is calling me. Let me go."-(From Memoirs. Minutes, 1885.)
NATHAN D. GEORGE.
Rev. Nathan D. George was boru in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, June 24, 1808. He was the youngest of seven children. At the age of seven years, his father died, leaving the family without means of support except by their labor.
His sehool privileges were very limited. At the age of fourteen, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a shoe-maker. At the age of sixteen, he became a journeyman at this trade, and was often surrounded by vicious associates. The prayers and counsels of his godly mother, and a fondness for reading useful books, exerted a restraining influenee upon him.
About this time, he imbibed the sentiments of Universalism. In pursuit of business he went to Great Falls, New Hampshire, where he became acquainted with the Methodists and was converted ; he joined the class in February, 1830, and in due time was received in full connection, and almost immediately was appointed class leader.
In October, the same year, he was married to Miss Mary Hill.
In 1832, he received an exhorter's lieense, and in July, the same year, he was licensed as a local preacher, and continued in that office four years.
In 1836, he was admitted on trial to the Maine Couferenee, and continued in itinerant service, occupying a prominent position in the Conferenee, till 1854, serving four years as Presiding Elder.
In 1854. he was transferred to New England Conference, where he continued in itinerant serviee till 1870, when he received a supernum- erary relation.
In 1874, his name was returned superannuated.
He was a delegate to the General Conference from East Maine Conference in 1852; he was one of the trustees of East Maine Conference, and of the East Maine Conference Seminary.
He is a man of studious habits, a fluent speaker and an able preacher, always preaching without manuscript ; he has lectured
-
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extensively upon Temperance, Universalism, Comeoutism, Millerism and other prevalent errors ; he has been a prolifie writer; his subjects have been the living questions of the times.
The following is a list of his publications :
1. Were Christ and His Apostles Universalists? 24 pages.
2. Materialism, Anti-Scriptural. 48 pages.
3. An Examination of Universalism. 24 pages.
4. Universalism not of the Bible. 420 pages.
5. Annihilationism not of the Bible. 324 pages.
Also five tracts on Annihilationism.
These works have had quite an extensive circulation.
Mr. George now resides at Oakdale, Massachusetts.
(Partly from letter of Mr. George.)
ALVRA HATCH.
Rev. Alvra Hateh was born in Alfred, Maine, July 4, 1810. He was converted in Sanford, December 21, 1827, and joined the class the next year ; he was engaged several years as a farmer and school teaeher.
In 1833, he was licensed to preach, and traveled three years under the Presiding Elder.
In 1836, he was received on trial in Maine Conference, receiving ordination as deacon and elder in regular course. He continued in effective service till 1879 (forty-six years), when he was compelled, by sickness, to take a superannuated relation.
In 1882, he returned to effective service, and continued his labors till 1886, when he retired as a superannuate, and provided himself a home in Saeo. He was married to Miss Abigail Mariner, of Searsmont, Maine, August 7, 1834. They have three children, all daughters.
Mr. Hateh has performed a large amount of service, having traveled large and widely separated circuits, some in the extreme east, and some in the extreme west of the state; he is a man of strong convictions upon doctrines and morals, and fearless in his utterances ; he is an ardent advocate of temperance, and a eordial hater of tobacco ; no terms are too strong to express his abhorrence of the " aleohol and tobaceo devil ;" he is an honest and true man, and a faithful minister.
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