History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 61

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash
Number of Pages: 1146

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The first "regular Methodist society" formed in England, was in 1739.

In 1741, Mr. Whitefield "parted with Messrs. Wesley, on the ground of unconditional election, irresistible grace, and final perse- verance ; but they never broke friendship." Mr. Whitefield " always. retained a particular love for the Wesleys, and requested that John should preach his funeral sermon ;" which he did, by request of Mr. Whitefield's executors, from Numbers, 23d chapter, 10th verse : " Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.". Mr. Whitefield was emphatically an itinerant, having crossed the Atlantic thirteen times ; and died in his fifty-sixth year.

INTRODUCTION.

In 1766, the first permanent Methodist socicty was formed in New York.

At a Conference held in Lecds, England, in 1769, two preachers, Richard Boardman and Joseph Pillmore, were sent; who landed at Gloucester Point, six miles below Philadelphia, October twenty-fourth, 1769. " They were the first regular itinerant Methodist preachers that ever came to these United States."

In 1771, Mr. Francis Asbury and Mr. Richard Wright were sent by Mr. Wesley to America, who landed at Philadelphia, October, twenty-seventh, after a passage of fifty-five days. Thomas Rankin and George Shadford were also sent ; and they landed in Philadelphia, June 3d, 1773.

The first Conference was held in Philadelphia in July, 1773.

So uninviting was the land of the Pilgrims, the home of the Puritans, exiled because of their non-conformity, that although Methodism had found a wide spread and open field in the south, it did not find its way to the spell-bound north till 1791. Conferences had been held, and repeated, in all the Southern States.

The first held north of New York, was the sixty-fifth, in 1791, in Connecticut. The next in New England, was the eighty-third, held in Lynn, in 1792, and the next, being the ninty-ninth, was in Lynn, August 1st, 1793, when Jesse Lee says : "I was myself appointed to the Province of Maine, to travel through that country, or form a ciruit where I thought best. As there never had been any Methodist preaching there, we had no one to give us a particular account of the place or people ; but it was commonly understood that they were in want of preaching, and that our manner of traveling and preaching would be very suitable for that part of the country." He further says : "I set out from Lynn in September, 1793, for a strange part of the world, and was the first Methodist preacher that ever went to that province to preach."

He again says : " Although I was a perfect stranger to the people, and had to make my own appointments, I preached almost every day and had crowded assemblies to hear."

The third circuit formed in the Province of Maine, was called " Penobscot," which took in both sides of the Penobscot river. Mr. Joshua Hall was the first preacher who went to that circuit after it was formed. He was sent there from the New London Conference in 1795.

The first Conference held in the Province was in Readfield, in August, 1798.

NEW ENGLAND DENOMINATIONALLY PREOCCUPIED.

CHAPTER I.

Methodism was placed at great disadvantage in entering a field in which it was absolutely forestalled, and where the church forestalling was not only in possession, but was, de facto, the State church ; illustrative of which fact, take the following historical record, familiar to the editor :

Early in the current century, a town voted " a call to Rev. -- , as a preacher of the gospel, to become their pastor ;" also, " to raise $300, for his support." To which, a few years later, by vote, " one hundred and fifty dollars was added ;" making his annual salary, paid by the town, four hundred and fifty dollars ; from which no tax payer could be exempt, except by the formal filing with the Town Clerk, to go on record, of a certificate of withdrawal from the parish. In the same town was a "ministerial fund," derived from the sale of a " reservation " called "ministers' lot," which was assumed and appropriated by the occupying church. In all this no irregularity existed, except, it may be, relative to the reservation named.

Such was the law of the good old Commonwealth of Massachusetts, brought by the Pilgrims, when, driven out by church persecution from " father land ;" they sought a home in the wilderness of New England, where they could worship according to their own consciences, and where, without stint or restraint, they could practice the same exclu- siveness of which they had been victims. The law was inexorable, and must be obeyed, though it took, to satisfy the tax-gatherer's demand, the "last cow," the " heirloom silver spoons," or even " the old family Bible, which lay on the stand." All of which did occur in the Commonwealth, if well authenticated report can be credited. The intent of the tax payer, in exhibiting the property, being to show up the bad side of the law.

This recitation of obnoxious history, is not intended to be offensive, or to give offence; but to put in its true light, the inequality of chances, and the magnitude of odds against the new church.

To secure and maintain a standing for Methodism, and extend its domain in New England, the State of Maine not excepted, has cost more patient waiting and persistent labor than in any other part of the United States. But, because it came in the order of Providence, and by agencies divinely ordered, it came to stay; and the line of

JESSE LEE'S APPOINTMENT TO THE PROVINCE OF MAINE.

agencies by which such results have come about should never forget that it is God's work in our trust.

CHAPTER IL.

We have found Methodism not only a strange doctrinc, but a systematically resisted intruder everywhere in New England, not excepting the territory now included in the East Maine Conference. But Jesse Lee, having been appointed to the Province of Maine, " started on a tour of inspection, of introduction, and of propagation, immediately after the session of the Lynn Conference, in August, 1793. He crossed the Kennebec from Bath, where he preached, September fifteenth ; in Union, the twenty-second; in Penobseot, the twenty-ninth ; in Buckstown (now North Bueksport) October first ; in Orrington, October fifth ; in Hampden, the sixth ; in Frankfort, the seventh."

That Hampden to Orrington was the line of crossing the Penobscot is argued, from two circumstances : 1st, Mr. Lee being a heavy man, and traveling on horseback, with a led horse, he could not have crossed the Bay to Penobscot; where he first appears east of the river. 2d. There is a tradition in Orrington that he was ferricd over, with his horses, in two boats. From all which it is apparent, that, leaving an appointment at Orrington and another at Buekstown, he went to Penobseot, where he preached, as above noted; from which extreme castern point he returned, filling his appointments at North Buckstown and Orrington ; where, re-crossing the river, he preached, as above, at Hampden and Frankfort. In his book he says: "I traveled through the greater part of that country from September, to the end of the year. I went as far as Castine, at the mouth of Penobscot river, then up the river to the upper settlements, which then was just below the Indian settlements called Oldtown; from thence returned by the way of the twenty-five mile pond, to Kennebec river."

As this was his entire route east of the Kennebec, by Castine, he must mean the same as Penobscot in another part of his History, and as, in the same ycar 1793, he returned by way of Oldtown and twenty- five mile pond, to the Kennebec at Hallowell, it is apparent that, after preaching at Frankfort, as above, he went up the river.

HIS ROUTE. RECEPTION AND SUCCESS.

"In Union," where he preached his first sermon east of the Kennebec, he says, " there was a good work begun, and souls were awakened and brought to God; and religion has been prospering more or less in that place, ever since."

" The short History " says nothing of the work east of the Kenne- bec river, in 1794 ; but in 1795, Mr. Lee says : "The first time that the Methodists preached in the towns belonging to that circuit (Penobscot) were as follows: on the twenty-ninth of September, 1793, etc., as before given, and on the eighteenth of April, 1795, in Bangor ; on the fourth of June, at Union river; on the fifth, in Bluehill ; on the eighth, in Prospect ; on the ninth, in Belfast ; on the eleventh of July, 1797, in Castine ; on the fourteenth, in Vinalhaven.

The first class formed in Vinalhaven, on Fox Island, was on the fourteenth of July, 1797.

There was a great revival of religion in the Penobscot circuit, in the course of the last mentioned year ; it began about the first of the summer, and it spread through several towns ; many professed to be awakened and converted, and some of the christians professed to be sanctified. I suppose there never was such a gracious out-pouring of the spirit on saints and sinners in that place before since the first settlements were made in those parts. Many stout-hearted sinners were conquered, and brought into the liberty of God's children. One thing in this revival was new and strange to most of the people in that part of the country. Some of the people when struck under conviction, would fall helpless on the floor ; and some christians, when very happy, would lose the use of their limbs, and lie helpless for some time. But the work was generally acknowledged to be of God."

The book further says : "The first time the Methodists preached in Thomaston, was on the eleventh day of June, 1795. Since that time we have raised a society there, and some souls have been brought to the knowledge of God. The prospect of religion in that part of the country was very small, when we first went among them ; and the people who enjoyed religion were pretty generally opposed to us, and were afraid that our plan would hurt the cause of religion ; yet we had not labored among them long before the Lord gave us seals to our ministry, and worked by us, in the conversion of many souls."

The short History further says : "In 1797, we took in a new circuit low down in the Province of Maine, and called it Pleasant River, after the name of the river where the center of the circuit was to be. The first Methodist preaching in that country was on the twenty-sixth of

ACTION TAKEN to CREATE A NEW CONFERENCE.

April, 1795, at Pleasant River ; on the twenty-seventh of April, at Machias. On the first day of May the Methodists preached on Moose Island. On the twenty-eighth, at Chandler's River, and on the thirty- first in Steuben. On the first day of June, at Eastern Bay ; and on the second day of June, in Goldsborough ; and in 1796, we preached for the first time in Sullivan, on Frenchman's Bay, on the sixth day of May ; on the seventh day of May, in Trenton ; and on the tenth, in Eden, on Mount Desert ; and on the 13th, in Sedgwick. This was the beginning of Methodism in that part of the world. However, the circuit was, after a short time, withdrawn from Pleasant River, and fixed at Union River ; and for many years past, our preachers have not gone as far down the country as Pleasant River, but have continued the lowest circuit at Union River."

In the Preface to " A Short History of the Methodists," by "Jesse Lee, Chaplain to Congress," the author says : "In compliance with Mr. Wesley's request, I have written the best account I could." In concluding the Preface he further says : "When I became a member of the Methodist society, early in the spring of 1774, there were but one thousand one hundred and sixty members in the whole United States. I continued four years as a private member ; and five years more as a class leader, exhorter, and local preacher ; and have since been regularly traveling and preaching for upwards of twenty-six years. I have also traveled extensively from St. Mary's River, in Georgia, to Passamaquoddy Bay, in the District of Maine. As no person has yet appeared willing to engage in this work, I have thought good, by the advice, and with the consent of many of our preachers, to publish the following short History ; in which I have been as careful as possible to state dates and facts, such as I think will be for the information and consolation of pious people."

CHAPTER III.

At a session, in 1847, of the Maine Conference, held in Biddeford, Bishop Hedding, presiding, the work was arranged with reference to a division of the Maine, and the creation of a new Conference, to be called East Maine.

The Presiding Elders, representing the several districts, as arranged, were : Joseph H. Jenne, Portland District; Aaron Sanderson,

CREATION OF THE EAST MAINE CONFERENCE.

Gardiner District ; Ezekiel Robinson, Readfield District ; William Marsh, Bangor District ; William H. Pilsbury, Thomaston District ; Asahel Moore, Bucksport District.

At the ensuing session of the General Conference the division was ratified ; and the East Maine Conference created, with the following boundaries :

" East Maine Conference includes that part of the State of Maine not included in the Maine Conference," the line between the two Conferences being, "from the mouth of Kennebec River to the Great Bend, below Skowhegan, and a line running thence north to the State line. (including Skowhegan and Augusta stations in Maine Conference.)" By which, so far as related to the body of Confer- ences, the new Conference was left ont of doors, except by way of the Maine Conference ; the East Maine being, on all other sides, bordered by Ocean and Provinces, and being one of the best from which to emigrate ; and leaving nis at the mercy of Conferences seeking supplies, and knowing in which nursery to find willing material ; and who, to our damage, because of their ability to offer shining baits to willing men, have used their opportunity, selfishly ignoring our prior claim and right, as well as our greater necessity.

The reasons for division were : 1st. The wide-spread area of territory, extending from New Hampshire to New Brunswick, and from the Atlantic to Canada ; much of which arca was sparsely peopled, having no railroad accommodation, and, with an occasional removal, by land or by water, or perhaps by both, of some two hundred and fifty miles. (The writer remembers his second move, which was from York to Bath, a distance less than half of some possible moves. His houschold goods were twice shipped, first from York to Boston, and then from Boston to Bath ; for which, of course, the family had to wait a long time.)

2d. There were but few parsonages, and almost no heavy furniture or iron ware provided ; necessitating, in additition to the expense of moving the family with light furniture and family indispensables, the further expense, and wear and tear of moving the heavy ; or the sacrifice of frequent buying and selling. The embarrassment was enhanced by the occurrence of the move in the busy season of thic year.

3d. The small number of charges, especially east of the Kennebec river, where the Conference could be accommodated.

4th. Taking pastors a long time from the churches, leaving them with no one to visit the sick, or to perform the funeral rite.

COMPARISON OF THE TWO MAINE CONFERENCES.

In cabinet council, after due deliberation, and some difference of opinion and diseussion, as to the whereabout of the dividing line, a conclusion was reached, satisfactory to all, and causing no friction, or ungracious feeling on the part of clergy or laity. The effective membership of the two Conferenees was very nearly equal, being seventy-eight in Maine and seventy-six. in East Maine; but a larger number of superannuates being resident within the bounds of the Maine, all or nearly all, of those non-resident in either, were assigned to East Maine ; making the number eleven ; all of whom are now deceased.

The average age of effective members was so much greater in one Conference than in the other, that the East Maine was labelled the "steer team."

Of the past semi-eentenarians, only R. Day, A. Church and W. H. Pilsbury, remain this side the river ; with one of whom the writer is sufficiently acquainted to say, he has tried to do what he could ; and of the others, they have been good ministers of our Lord Jesus Christ, patiently and unswervingly battling for Him and his ehureh, and never forgetting or repudiating the old land marks.

Of all whose connection is eoexistent with the ereation of the East Maine Conference, beside the past semi-eentenarians, only the following named remain ; all but two of whom are, in 1886, superannuated :

NAMES.

DATE OF FIRST APPOINTMENT.

Ephraim Briant,

1846.

B. M. Mitehell,

1842.

E. M. Fowler,

1843.

W. H. Crawford,

1844.

Abijah Kendall,

- -

1841.

D. P. Thompson,

1836.

C. B. Dunn,

1842.

S. H. Beale,

1841.

B. B. Byrne, -

1843.

Lewis Wentworth, -

1845.

A joint committee was appointed, with authority to adjust eertain pecuniary items of mutual interest, all of which were, by them, either satisfactorily determined, or were referred baek to the Conferenees ; by which a joint commission was appointed, to which all unadjusted items were submitted ; of all which the commissioners made a final

INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF MINISTERS.

disposition, except of a certain legacy, which at the time, it was not deemed expedieut to divide ; thereby leaving in possession of the Trustees of the Maine Conference, a moiety, the income from which is annually remitted to the Trustecs of the East Maine Confer- ence, but which moiety the Maine would like now to pass over to the East Maine Trustees ; which they may be authorized to do by an enabling act of the Legislature.

More than a generation has gone since the birth of the East Maine Conference ; aud good men and true have entered into, and profited by, the labors of those who have gone before ; and who were glad, even at the cost of much labor, and some trial, with sacrifice, to leave so good a heritage.

Because of changed and ever changing conditions, inside and outside ; especially because of the peculiarity of situation on the border, and in a peut up corner, cill the British Provinces shall become States of the Union, the Conference has suffered materially in its actual and comparative membership and has progressed slowly.

It has been inadequately supplied for reasous following :

1st. Some members, because of failing health, and hope of finding a better adapted climate, have gone west or south.

2nd. Some, giveu to popularity seeking, more than to uscful work, have gone where inducements have been temptingly offered.

3d. Others have gone for lighter work, or more money, and perhaps for both.

4th. And others, some who belonged to, and should have been of us, have gone to schools in other Conferences, and have forgotten to return ; or have weakened to inducements temptingly held out by monied selfishness.

The greater increase of church membership in the Maiue Confer- ence than in the East Maine, may be readily and reasonably accounted for, uot ou a basis of less spirituality, or spirited and well adapted effort, but of the very much larger emigration from the eastern than from the western section of the State, and because of the greater increase of manufacturing labor, within the bounds of the Maine Conference.

The Conference is a model of conciseness, and of compactness ; having no all but endless and aimless talkers, in the transaction of business. It has none of the class of tediously pro forma speech makers, who talk more to be heard than to convince. Its members seldom indulge in asperity, verbosity, or superfluity of language.

EXCEPTION TO THE COMPLETENESS OF ADMINISTRATION.

Their aim is utility rather than literary or ornamental completeness, though not lacking clearness, appropriateness or comprehensiveness. These good qualities have been so prominent and apparent as, sometimes, to draw from the Bishop presiding, a word of commend- ation.

Nevertheless, all is not golden. There is a feature in conference practice that mars the symmetry of its otherwisc well done work. It is seen in an occasional loose administration, to which, with reluctance, the editor here calls attention, and which he would gladly pass by did he not feel the obligation of duty to the church, in whose interest he is sure he writes.

The objectionable feature is in the manner of Conference procedure. Not in the passage of character, but in dealing with candidates through the several stages of a duly enacted course of study, preparatory to clerical orders, and especially preparatory to Conference membership. The mistake, if it may be called by no harder name, is of allowing sympathy to override Conference law. Done once it is easier to do it again, and every repetition makes the breach easier, till the rule loses all its force, and would be less damaging in its repeal than in its retention. Regulations called for to advance the interests of the church are of too much consequence to be laid aside at pleasure, till it shall come to be as easy to reach the goal by a side track, though the way may be a little longer, as by the legitimate routine.

" Better one suffer than many " is a maxim with which none may quarrel ; nor need the one suffer if diligent. So much time is allowed in each stage through the course of study as to make it possible to all, and not intolerable to any, who will adopt and adhere to a plan of work.

Sympathy for one should never blind justice to those who per- force of sense of obligation, by a diligent and proper use of time and opportunity, accomplish the work assigned. If regulations for retention on probation, or for admission to membership are deemed of sufficient worth to be made part of the statute, the regulation should, by all and upon all, be considered obligatory ; and if to be overruled at pleasure, the sooner repealed the better. It need not be retained to scare, for the scare will all be taken out, leaving it too cheap a bugbear to cumber the statute.

In 1867, the Maine Conference being in session in Bath, and at the same time the East Maine in Wiscasset, by invitation, the East Mainc enjoyed a day of re-union in Bath, when appropriate services

FIRST SESSION. DECEASED MINISTERS.

were held, speeches made, and all feasted together socially, mentally, and dietetically.

CHAPTER IV.

The first session of the East Maine Conference was holden in Bangor, in Pine Street Church, August 2, 1848, Bishop Hedding, presiding, and the Presiding Elders being, Bangor District : William Marsh ; Thomaston District, W. H. Pilsbury ; Bucksport District, Asahel Moore ; and traveling preachers as listed in Appendix, item No. 4.

A long list of worthies, who had filled with commendation, positions they had severally occupied in the traveling and local ministry, who have fallen, not beside, but in the highway, are entitled to mention, and should have it, were there space, and could they be called to mind. Their record is with God. Some, because of monuments left cannot well be forgotten, having a large place in many hearts. Of some of these more will be said on after pages.

Of those who have gone before, it may well be said, though differing in temperament and manner, all wore the same uniform, marched in the same ranks, and were marshalled by the same leader ; and whose watch-word was " ever upward and onward," swerving neither to right or left, till the goal was reached. Some were sons of thunder, others were ministers of consolation; some armed with piercing truth to wound and slay, others with scripture balm to heal and restore; but all working in harmony, to the same end ; each finding a niche to fill, and being the man to fill it. Some were demonstrative revivalists, while others were skilled educators, cultivators and harvesters. Instance, Benjamin Jones, David Young and Gilbert Ellis, of the former, while John Atwell, John Young, J. S. Ayer and Enos Baxter, were of the latter. Moses Donnel and Jonathan Cobb, partook of the properties of both classes ; while E. B. Fletcher was unique.

The members of the Conference have, in general, been a hard- working, and a hard worked class, having fewer traveling or home accommodations than now, but being quite as happy in their work ; not desiring or demanding vacations, content with small pay, if sufficient to balance the year's account ; always working in harmony among themselves, and with the people, until their proper work was

MEMOIRS. E. B. FLETCHER.

done. Nor has their work been without success in winning souls, and building up the church.

Wesleyan Methodism, in its original simplicity and purity, las been essentially maintained with marked purpose and integrity. "l'is true the fathers aud founders had less school education ; but of course, and of necessity, more self education and discipline.

CHAPTER V.

(1.) REV. E. B. FLETCHER, sought the Lord at niueteen years of age. In 1825, he supplied a charge under Rev. Wilbur Fisk, then Presiding Elder of the Vermont Distriet. He joined the Vermont Couference, in 1826, but was at onee transferred to the Maine, in which he served eleven charges, aud was five years a Presiding Elder. He spent four years in the New Hampshire Conference, and twiee located. In the East Maine Couference he was seven years effective, two years supernumerary, and fourteen years superannuated.

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History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 61

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888 Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash
Number of Pages: 1146