History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 64

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

USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 64

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That mother knew well the trials of an itinerant. Her first born had been twelve years in the field. Her house had been a home for-

M. J. TALBOT.

many a toil worn servant of Jesus. She well knew their joys, and by an eye of faith she saw the great reward of those who point sinners to the Lamb of God. While big tears coursed down her checks, she was the first to break the painful silence. "Go, my son," she said, "and God go with thee !" All joined with mother, that the path of duty was the only safe onc. They then kneeled in prayer, and as the simple earnest supplication of that pious youth was offered, there was more joy in his heart than he had ever known before.

Many souls will stand purified before the throne of the Eternal through the decision of that evening, when Christ makes np his jewels.

Soon that son bade good bye to the old homestead, and the loved ones there, and went to the school of the prophets. He now stands on Zion's walls in the same conference with his elder brother.

(This was written many years ago .- Editor.)

Brother French was born March 8th, 1825.

In 1861, his appointment being "Bneksport," Joseph P. French went into the army as first Lieutenant. He was wounded at the battle of Baton Rouge, on the morning of August 4th, 1862. A leg was amputated August fifth, and he was put on board the transport Whiteman, for New Orleans, which transport was run into by the gunboat Oneida, on the morning of the sixth, and he was drowned, and in an unknown grave, interred, on the morning of the ninth.

Brother French left three children, girls, all of whom are now living, respected and pleasantly sitnated.

(8.) HON. M. J. TALBOT, was the son of Captain Peter Talbot, one of the pioneer settlers of Machias, who, with his wife, Lncy Hammond, removed there from Stoughton, in 1771, and in 1772 bnilt the house which now forms the family homestead, and is the oldest honse in the town.

Peter Talbot was born in 1745 at Stoughton, Massachusetts, and was the son of Peter Talbot, born in 1718, son of George Talbot, born in 1692, son of Peter Talbot, who came from Lancashire, England, about two hundred years ago, having been seized by a press gang and carried on board a man-of-war, bound for the American coast When near the island of Rhode Island, young Talbot escaped by swimming ashore in the night, and arrived in Dorchester. In 1677, he married Mary Wardwell.

Micah Jones Talbot belonged to the fifth generation in direct line from him, and was born in East Machias, Maine, May 18th, 1787, in

MISalbot

M. J. TALBOT.

the same house in which he died, January 17th, 1869, and in the same room where his last illness prostrated him. For eighty-one years he resided, for the most part, under the same roof where he drew his first breath and his last, and where he commenced his married life, in 1809. His life of usefulness and beneficence, his career of prosperity and honor, as well as his prominent position, compelled regard and confidence while living, and sorrow and respect after death.

His private life and character were pure and unsullied ; his disposi- tion genial and affectionate, although at times giving evidence of the stern school in which he had been reared, and the rigid training of those severe and puritan days.

As a neighbor he was kind and obliging, and he was ever the friend of the poor. His house was always the home of the traveling preacher, few, if any, passing without stopping.

In his official relations to town, county and State, he was ever a leading mind. Especially in the capacity of overseer, which he held for many years, the poor found in him a judicious friend and a safe counsellor.

As a christian, sincerity and charity, united with a humble self- depreciation, werc his prominent characteristics. His trust and faith, not self-reliant, rested wholly upon the atonement and merits of Christ, often expressed by him in the words of his favorite hymn :

" Rock of ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee."

His charity embraced all who love the Lord Jesus. His benefactions were large and liberal to the church of which he was an honored member for forty years ; giving them a house of worship. He also donated largely to one of the principal seminaries of the State. His generosity was not confined to the church of his own denomination, but reached other churches and sects, and yet he counted not upon his own works of righteousness, but ever felt to say :

" In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling."

As a husband and father, he received, as he so eminently deserved, the love and veneration of his household. His last illness was sustained by christian fortitude and faith. He was led to "thank God for immortality," and often said : "my work is done, I am ready to go." A few moments before he breathed his last, looking upon the

REV. JAMES TIIWING. REV. B. F. TEFFT.

stricken circle around his bed, he exclaimed : "Farewell ! Farewell !" and as the solemn hour of midnight struck the knell of the Sabbath, he erossed the threshold of the city of God, to go no more out forever, and entered upon the eternal rest. Fourteen aged men, selected by the deceased, acted as pall bearers.

Mr. Talbot and wife were the oldest married couple in town, and during a union of sixty years, had not lost a child, nor had a protracted illness or a death in the family. He left eight ehildren, twenty-three grand-children, and six great-grandchildren.

(9.) REV. JAMES THWING was born in Augusta, Maine, in 1796. He was converted in December, 1823, and soon joined the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1828, he felt " woe is me if I preach not the Gospel." He accordingly made of himself, soul, body and spirit, an entire consecration to God and the work of the ministry, and soon joined the Maine Conferenee. His health being good, till a few weeks before his death, he ever hailed his appointment, as announced by the Bishop, with a smile of approval, and sometimes with a shout of joy and weleome.

In his fields of labor he wrought always with eheer and zeal, warmth of soul being characteristie. The fulness of the gospel was his favorite theme, and his consistent life gave foree to his preaching. He was never satisfied till he could see the cause of Christ rising and advaneing in his congregations.

In labors he was abundant. "At it, and always at it," was his motto. He was prompt and punctual at his appointments. During his entire ministry, of a score of years, he failed but three or four Sabbaths to be on time. His sueeess was uniform. Many of his revivals were extensive and of mueh power. Those who knew him can never forget the visits, the singing, the exhorting, the preaching, and the shouting of brother Thwing.

His exeellenee, as a husband, a father, a christian, and a minister, was notorious. His death was painful, but trinmphant. He died in China, July 18, 1848, at the age of fifty-two years.

(10.) REV. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TEFFT was born in Floyd, Oneida county, New York, 1813, and died in Brewer, Maine, September 16, 1885, aged seventy-two years and twenty-six days. He was edueated in Cazenovia Seminary, and graduated from Wesleyan University in 1835. He intended the study of law, but God called him to the study of his word for the ministry.

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REV. JAMES B. CRAWFORD.

Soon after his graduation, he began teaching in the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, remaining there till 1839, when he was appointed to the pastorate of the " First Methodist Episcopal church " in Bangor.

In 1841 he was Principal of the Providence Conference Seminary. In 1842, he was a pastor in Boston.

In 1843, he was elected Professor of Hebrew and Greek in the Indiana Asbury University, and after three years, he was elected editor of the Ladies' Repository, and the publications of the Methodist Publishing House in Cincinnati, where he remained six years, when he was elected President of Genesee College, at Lima, New York.

In 1852, he was a member of the General Conference, from the East Genesee Conference.

In 1859, he was again pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church in Bangor, and in 1860 of Union Street Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1861, fired with devotion to God and love of country, he left the pulpit and was appointed Chaplain of the First Maine Cavalry.

In 1862, he was appoined Consul at Stockholm, and acting Minister to Sweden.

In 1863, he located, and the year following he was appointed Commissioner of Immigration, from the north of Europe to the State of Maine.

In 1874, he was a member of the Legislature of Maine, and about the same time he came to be editor and publisher of the Northern Border. As an author he wrote : "The Shoulder Knot," "Hungary and Kossuth," " Webster and his Master-pieces," "Methodism Suc- cessful :" the last of his books being, "Evolution and Christianity," in 1885.

He was a life-long student, a great reader, a ripe scholar, an eloquent speaker, of graceful manners and well spoken words. He was positive in his opinions, but kind toward his opponents. His was indeed an eventful life, much above the ordinary rank.

His family attachments were strong. His christian wife, and four of his children passed on before. Four children were left, one of whom has followed him. The last six weeks he spent with his son, Dr. H. F. Tefft, and his daughter, Mrs. H. L. Bass, in Brewer. In the sunset of life he fell asleep in Jesus, surrounded by children and kind friends.

(11.) REV. JAMES B. CRAWFORD was born in Durham, Maine, December, 22, 1828, and died in Bucksport, March 31, 1869. He

REV. JOHN S. AYER. MRS. MARY JONES.

was converted when eleven years of age. He obtained his education at Kent's IIill, at the price of much toil and sacrifice.

He began to preach in 1862, and joined the East Maine Conference in 1866, when he was ordained Deacon.

From 1859 he was ten years connected with the East Maine Confer- ence Seminary.

He was an ineessant worker. With ability to teach he united power to win, and this power was used to train souls for heaven. He was not satisfied merely to eultivate the minds of his pupils, but aimed to impress the higher obligations of life. As a preacher, his earnest address enlisted the sympathies, and won the affections of his hearers. The secret of his power was not in mental qualification, but in God was his strength. The same faith that sustained in life's arduous labors, sustained in his last hours. "Glory ! Glory ! Blessed Jesus ! This is sweet dying," and with these words he passed away.

(12.) REV. JOHN S. AYER was born in Freedom, Maine, in 1795. He was converted when twelve years of age; joined the Maine Conference in 1818, and was appointed to Industry. He was married in 1819. He labored efficiently and sueeessfully, and enjoyed more or less revival on all his charges, till 1826, when, because of ill health, he loeated and engaged in business in Belfast. While there he greatly helped to sustain the means of grace by his liberality and regular attendanee at the elass and prayer meetings, and by his labors in the Sabbath sehool.

In 1836, he moved to Bangor and was as successful in business as he had been in Belfast, and, having obtained a competeney, he retired from business.

In 1867, he was readmitted to the Conference, and placed on the superannuated roll, where he remained till death, January 18, 1876. His removal was sudden, but he was ready. He had made several calls during the afternoon, and after tea, while conversing pleasantly with friends, he suddenly threw up his hands and before he could be reached, he was gone.

Our departed brother was deeply interested in the missionary cause, and was a liberal annual contributor to its funds. In 1869 he donated $1,000, to Italian Mission, and in his will bequeathed about $20,000 to the cause of missions. He also left $500 to the Preachers' Aid Society.

(13.) SISTER MARY JONES, widow of Rev. Benjamin Jones, departed this life in 1877.

MRS. SARAH B. PRATT.

Father Jones and his wife were well known by the older members of the Conference, as among the excellent of the earth. He was called home years ago, and now his equally venerable wife has gone to the same reward and rest. She was many years a useful helpmeet to that useful man. She shared with him the hardships of the itinerancy, when those hardships were real, and there was little time to waste upon imaginary ills.

While her husband traveled the sparsely settled circuits of that generation, she cared for the family. She made her home a place where God's honor dwelt. In her widowhood she exhibited the same saintliness of conduct and character which marked her earlier years, and while she had physical strength, she was active in every good work.

(14.) MRS. SARAH B. PRATT, widow of Rev. George Pratt, was born at Grashlagh, Ireland, May 10, 1816, and died in Belfast, Maine, February 20, 1886.

When four years of age, being the second of three children, the family came to the United States to make for themselves a home. To the inevitable tediousness of the voyage was added shipwreck, on account of which they put into St. John, New Brunswick. A few weeks later the family re-embarked for Belfast, Maine, which port they reached on Saturday, and on Sunday, Captain Frye of North- port. who was in search of a hand to place on a farm in Montville, went on board the vessel then riding at anchor, seeking a man for his purpose.

He saw but one man who seemed to be suited to his case, and he was reading the Bible, of whom Captain Frye inquired whether he would like to go on a farm ; scarcely raising his eyes from the Book, he replied : " If you will call to-morrow, I will be glad to talk with you."

The Captain left the vessel in anger, determined not to call again ; but, advised by his wife, he went the next morning on board, and made an agreement with Mr. Banan.

Having lost nearly everything by shipwreck, six cents remained as tlie family resources. Monday night was spent on the wharf, a night of peaceful and refreshing slumber to the husband, but of fear and anxiety to the wife.

Being brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Sister Pratt became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of ten years.

REV. REUBEN B. CURTIS.

Becoming the wife of Brother Pratt, Sister Pratt also became the step-mother of three children. Radically unlike in temperament as this couple were, they blended so harmonionsly in their lives, that it is said no word of contention ever passed between them. Her influence upon his life and work was great. To her sweet spirit and holy example he owed much of his heroism, much of his unyielding purpose and devotion to his life work. She ever highly prized sanctuary privileges, and esteemed the ministry and membership of the church. The last call she made, was at the home of her pastor, and the last religious service she attended was the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

(15.) REV. REUBEN B. CURTIS was born in Lisbon, Maine, Novem- ber 28, 1811, and died in Appleton, Wisconsin, May 21, 1872.

He was converted in Kingfield, Maine, 1830, and received into the church. Subsequently he sought a home in the west, and was licensed to preach, at Sonth Bend, Indiana, in 1844. At the close of which year he was recommended to the traveling connection. Being afflicted by the loss of his companion he returned to Maine, with a motherless infant in his arms.

In 1845, he united with the Maine Conference.

He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Hedding, in 1847, and Elder by Bishop Janes, in 1849.

While upon his first circuit he received a severe injury, by being thrown from a bridge, by the fright of his horse, from which he never fully recovered.

In 1862 he was transferred to Wisconsin Conference, where, after filling several appointments, his health failed, and he took a superan- nuated relation, which he held till transferred to the church above.

In early life he was a student of the Maine Wesleyan Seminary. As has been said by one of his fellow laborers in the east and in the west, Brother Curtis was no ordinary man. His mind was clear and logical. His grasp of the essential truths of the gospel was like the hold of a giant, and his sympathies ever placed him on the side of suffering humanity. His culture of mind and rare conversational power made him one of the most interesting and companionable men. It may well be said that the church and the world sustained a heavy loss when the Master called him to Himself.

Brother Curtis was married four times. First to Miss Eliza Hackney, in South Bend, Indiana. She died after a few years, leaving an infant boy, who grew to a promising christian manhood. At the

REV. EDWIN ADAMS HELMERSHAUSEN.

breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted, and fell, at Newburg, North Carolina, while attempting to rescue a wounded comrade. The death of this promising son made a wound in the heart of Brother Curtis. which was hardly healed during his life.

Brother Curtis' second marriage was to Miss Mary Ann Gilbert of Kingfield, Maine, who died in Frankfort, Maine.

Miss Louise Holmes of Frankfort, Maine, became his third wife, who, after a few years of faithful service in the church, went to the church above.

Miss M. Louise Hatch of Bangor, became the last companion of Brother Curtis, who did her work well. She survives her companion, and still continues to render efficient aid to the cause of God and humanity.

Tilus, " The workmen fall, but the work goes on !"

(16.) REV. EDWIN ADAMS HELMERSHAUSEN was born in Jefferson, Maine, October 9, 1818.

He was converted April 22, 1841, in Waldoboro ; baptized in 1842, and admitted to the Methodist Episcopal church. He was licensed to preach in the same year and admitted to the Maine Conference in 1843.

He was ordained Deacon in 1845, by Bishop Janes ; and Elder, in 1848, by Bishop Hedding.

He was married July 25, 1848, to Matilda Williams, and May 31, 1853, to Annie F. Brann.

He died suddenly, of heart disease, November 10, 1873.

In character Brother Helmershausen was manly, courageous and sincere. In his intercourse with men he was outspoken, and above dissimulation. His rebuke was sometimes sharp ; but his act was always kind. His intellect was clear, and direct in its modes of action, and eminently practical. He was a man of the present, dealing with living issues.

As a preacher, he was pointed and practical ; often enforcing truth with the keen blade of satire. His discourses lingered in the memory.

As a writer, he was graceful and entertaining, and often evinced a deep and tender pathos, as will be seen in the following extract from an article which he wrote on the death of Rev. Horace L. Bray : " Horace, every flower that blooms in the early summer ; every ray of light that beautifies this world; every breeze that passes over this earth, with its cheerful tones, or sighs through the groves, will whisper to me of thee."

With tenderness we dropped the name, so long familiar, from our

JOHN AND MARY HAM.

Conference list ; but a sweetness comes over the mournful task, as we remember that it is on the roll of heaven.

JOHN and MARY HAM. (BY MRS. L. L. B. WITHERS. )

(17.) John Ham was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, August 20, 1779.

He married Miss Mary Johnson, in 1807, and they came to Bangor near the commencement of the war of 1812, bringing two little daughters, the elder of whom became Mrs. Larrabee ; the younger, now living, Mrs. Greenough of Portland. Mr. and Mrs. IIam were among the few members composing the first class in Bangor.

Mr. Ham was a man of marked traits of character, and strong personality. He was distinguished for his plain common sense, as well as for industry and shrewdness in business ; attaining to wliat, in earlier times was deemed wealth. He was of plain manners, but very affable at home and in social gatherings. He had a strong liking for the little folk. It was a pleasant sight to see them, in his later years, gather around him on the street, each seeking to get his hand, and all receiving from him a kind word.

As with many others of his day, his early educational opportunities were very meagre ; but being endowed with force and ability, he rose to influence, and in business circles his judgment was appreciated. In church affairs he was at his post, and never failed to have an opinion worthy of presenting. At social meetings he was constant in attend- ance, and ever prompt in prayer and speech ; ever fervent, but never impassioned. He was, in his years of retirement from business, earnestly devoted to the suppression, not only of the drink habit, but of the use of tobacco ; claiming that, as he had conquercd himself, others could do the same, and he was ever ready to aid them in doing so. He was interested in all departments of church work, and contributed to their support. He devised a sum to be paid to the society, after the decease of Mrs. Ham, the interest of which was to be used for the relief of the needy in the church.

During the war of 1812, the British having ascended the river to Hampden, Mr. Ham, fearing they would go to Bangor, went, with his family, for refuge, into an adjacent piece of woods, which he owned, cutting his name upon a tree. He then went back to New Hampshire. After his return to Bangor, some years having elapsed, he found the tree bearing his name, and built a house on the spot occupied by the tree, now known as the Hinckley house, corner of Broadway and Somerset streets.

REV. RUFUS DAY.

Mrs. Mary Ham was born in Brookfield, Massachusetts, June 8, 1788. She became a christian quite early. In middle life her piety had taken on a warmer and a deeper form under the ministry of the saintly Schermerhorn, and she ever after believed and testified to a full salvation. In her days of strength, she was always in her place at church, and in social meetings. She was easy in conversation, and loved to talk of the things of the kingdom. She died in December, 1873.

CHAPTER VII.

Biography of a few, who, having completed life's effective labor, now watch and wait till they shall hear the summons, "Your Father calls, come home."

(1.) REV. RUFUS DAY was born in Bristol, Maine, (now Damaris- cotta,) October 28, 1807.

His parents, William and Martha Day, belonged to the first generation of Maine Methodists.

His grandmother Day was excluded from the " standing order " for harboring Methodist preachers, one of whom was Jesse Lee.

He was converted in Wiscasset during what was known as the "great revival," under the labors of Rev. Philip Ayer. He was then eleven years old. He was baptized by Rev. Joshua Soule in Bristol, and was received into the church by Rev. Heman Nickerson.

The family afterward removed to Gardiner, where he learned the blacksmith's trade of his father.

He was married to Elizabeth Cochran, daughter of Dr. James Cochran of Monmouth, November 2d, 1829.

Impressed with a sense of duty to preach, he was licensed to exhort, by Rev. John Atwell, January 17, 1830; and to preach June 26, 1830, at a Quarterly Conference in Gardiner, Rev. David Hutchinson, Presiding Elder, and was admitted to the traveling connection in 1831. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Waugh in 1836, at Hallowell, and Elder, at Hampden in 1838, by Bishop Soule.

In 1850 he was appointed to Mercer, but did not, on account of ill health, go to the charge. He had a surgical operation on one of his

REV. ABRAHAM PLUMER. WILLIAM_II. PILSBURY.

eyes. In 1851, as supernumerary, supplied at Forks of the Road, Ilallowell. In 1858 and 1859, Dixmont, Plymouth and Jackson. In 1860, Carmel, Weston's Mills and Etna. In 1864, superminerary, Roekport. In 1865, supernumerary, Upper Stillwater and Argyle. In 1866, superannuated at Carmel. In 1868, superannuated at Upper Stillwater. (For other appointments see Appendix .- Editor.)

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History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 64

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