USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 70
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The church at Patten village now (1885) numbers half a hundred members. The more prominent of these are E. G. Stetson, Calvin Bradford, Jerome Frye, James Cunningham, Samuel Kimball, William B. Mitchell, R. C. Mitchell. One name also worthy of mention is the sainted wife of Brother E. G. Stetson, who passed triumphantly home some years since. The name of this godly woman is indeed fragrant with the memories of by-gone days. Her influence still lives, and each pastor is reminded by the large pulpit Bible, which bears her name, of one who loved souls with an unspeakable lovc.
The parsonage, beautifully situated at the lower end of Patten village, was built in 1854. It is still in good condition, and makes :an excellent home for the ministers.
Next to the parsonage stands the church building, of which the people are justly proud. It is about 30 x 60, carpeted and richly frescoed. with semi-circular pews, and all modern appliances. There is also a good vestry beneath for smaller gatherings. The auditorium seats two hundred and forty, and the vestry will accommodate a hundred. The building now requires renovating. The value of parsonage and church is about seven thousand dollars.
This society, which has endured the changes of forty years, is to-day
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(October, 1885) in an encouraging condition, with prospects of development, which God will grant if we prove faithful, as a church, to the doctrines and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WIIITING. BY REV. D. SMITH.
(29.) The first Methodist preaching in Whiting was by Rev. Moses Hill, in 1832, and there was a gracious revival, during which more than thirty were converted, some of whom have moved, and others have died ; but Samuel Wheeler. John Allen and some of the Crane family still remain, as fruits of that revival.
After this. Rev. Alvra Hatch was appointed to Whiting and Lubec. (1836, A. Hatch, Calais ; '37, Columbia ; '38 and '39, Lubec ; '40, Machias .- Editor.) He held a protracted meeting at Whiting Center, and was blessed with a glorious revival. Here another class was formed. During his second year he was assisted by M. Tuell, in a protracted meeting at Whiting village. Rev. Mark Tuell was a local preacher.
The church was revived, and many were converted. They also held a meeting at Whiting Center, which resulted in conversions. Now, (1856 and 1857, apparently,-Editor, ) the members were few, the records lost, no reports to Conference, class meetings given up, and Methodism almost extinct.
In 1858. Alfred S. Adams was appointed to Lubec and Whiting, and commenced revival efforts at East Stream school house, in Trescott. The work commenced the first evening, and as a result of the revival, a class was formed of twenty members. He then commenced at Whiting Center, and there the work commenced the first evening, and a class of twenty-two was formed. The work continued to spread, and the class was divided, combining all in the Connecticut Mills and the middle district in one class, and all in the Crosby District in another.
A good work commenced at Whiting village, and a class was formed. William Bell, eighty-one years of age, who had ever been a moral man, sought religion, and was baptized. He publicly warned the people not to procrastinate as he had done. Between ninety and one hundred were converted.
In 1860, Alfred S. Adams was re-appointed. In September, he held a grove meeting near Connecticut Mills, and there was another glorious revival, as a result of which, twelve married men and some. women and young persons joined the classes. About forty were:
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converted, some of them from Marion, Cutler, Northfield and East Machias.
Rev. Edward Davies was appointed to East Machias and Whiting. In September, 1870, a grove meeting was held near Connecticut Mills, where the power of God was wonderfully displayed, and many were converted. Fifty-two adults and four children were baptized.
It was determined to build a Methodist church in Whiting village, to which both ministers and laymen, and some good women, contributed cheerfully and liberally, as God had prospered them, of coin, of bank bills, of jewelry, of land, and of labor. The walls were raised in November, 1870, and a house worth two thousand five hundred dollars was dedicated in February, 1871, by Rev. William McKellar.
In 1874, Whiting was joined to Lubec.
In 1885, Rev. D. Smith was appointed to East Machias and Whiting ; found the church low spiritually, but willing to work.
METHODISM IN BANGOR. BY REV. A. S. LADD.
(Jesse Lee, in his " Short History," appears in Bangor, April 18, 1795 .- Editor.)
(30.) It is stated that about the year 1799, Rev. Timothy Merritt, then upon Hampden Circuit, which included a great extent of territory, preached in the town of Bangor. Under his labors, Thomas Howard and Mary Howard, his wife, were converted.
Nothing more can be learned till the Conference year, commencing A. D. 1813, when Rev. Amasa Taylor, then upon Hampden Circuit, preached one or two lectures in a private house, and received a few members, who were connected with a class in Hampden.
In 1814, Rev. Benjamin Jones formed the first class in Bangor. The names of the original members are Alvin Nye, leader, Susan Nye, Thomas Howard, Mary Howard, John Ham, Mary Ham, Nancy Johnson, Betsey Boyngton, Zebulon Smith, Sarah Smith, Peter Burgess. (Mrs. Susan Nye was converted in Wayne through the instrumentality of Jesse Lee ; as her daughter, Mrs. Nourse, now in Chicago, informs the editor.)
This year Bangor seems to have been taken into the work as a preaching place on Hampden Circuit, as we learn that Rev. Benjamin Jones preached once in four weeks in an old school house which stood 'on the site now occupied by the briek school house, corner of State and Pine streets.
But little of interest can be gathered till the erection of the house
"BANGOR FIRST M. E. CHURCH."
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upon Summer street. The following eleven years Bangor formed a part of the extensive territory included in what was called Hampden Circuit. During some of these years, but little labor was bestowed upon the place.
In 1826, Bangor Circuit, embracing Orono and some other towns up the river, was formed; to which Ezra Kellogg was appointed. Although a class had been in existence in the place for thirteen ycars, as part of a circuit, we can learn nothing from the minutes respecting the progress of members.
John Ham, one of the original members, who lived till February, 1857, said, "that, notwithstanding the labors of the preachers were at times blessed to the salvation of souls, yet, so crippled was Methodism that the members in the class, from its formation to the present year, 1827, ranged from ten to twenty."
Truly, this was a day of small things. Deaths, removals, apostacies and proselytism, took as many from the class as were added by certificates and conversions.
The circuit was large, preaching places many, and the pastoral oversight limited, which afforded ministers of other denominations, who were constantly on the ground, an opportunity to have a very special care for Methodist converts, which opportunity has not been unimproved.
Some good, but mistaken men, were led to regard Methodist ministers as vile intruders upon the rights of the "regular clergy," and to view Methodism as a heresy, to be dreaded as a dangerous moral contagion. With such views, it was quite natural for them to conclude that they had a divine right to proselyte, and throw every possible obstacle in the way.
Although, as we have scen, a class had been formed as early as 1814, yet we may not consider Methodism as established till Brother Hill. in 1827, set himself to work to stir up the people to build a meeting-house ; which was built on Summer strcet, and finished the following year, costing $4,500. The Lord smiled upon this effort and at a Quarterly meeting in March, 1828, poured out his spirit, and a precious revival followed. Brother Hill's health soon failed, but the few members, having a mind to work, the revival continued. Providen- tially, Rev. C. L. Browning, a pious and zealous Wesleyan, arrived from England in the month of May; whose labors were blessed, giving a fresh impetus to the work. Not far from forty were converted ; but how many were added to the Methodist Episcopal church does not appear.
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METHODISM IN BANGOR.
Methodism took a position it had not before occupied in Bangor, and many friends were added to the house builders. Among the fruits of this work were Joseph HI. Jenne and Mark Trafton, who became itinerant ministers.
There was some religious prosperity in 1828 ; and in November the Summer Street house was dedicated by Rev. Charles Baker, Presiding Elder.
In 1829, although a circuit, the work was so divided that Brother James G. Warren labored exclusively in Bangor, and Brother Green- leaf Greely, in Orono and the towns above.
In 1830, Bangor was a station.
In 1831, Richard E. Schermerhorn, a holy man, was appointed to Bangor. (Brother Schermerhorn was a man of extraordinary piety, and exclusively devoted to the work to which God had called him. He was indeed a sanctified man, soul, body and spirit. He died a Presiding Elder, April 18, 1836 .- Editor.)
1834, Justin Spaulding, who was taken sick in November, and performed no labor until about the close of the year.
1835, the Maine Conference held its session in Bangor for the first time. This year there was some revival. In 1836, more extensive revival than the preceding year, and the Summer street house became too small for the congregation ; and this being about the time when the noted land speculation was making many suppose themselves quite rich, an elegant house was commenced, by a corporation, on the corner of Somerset and Pine streets.
On the twelfth of December, 1837, the Brick Chapel was dedicated by the pastor, Stephen Lovell, and the house on Summer street was abandoned. A protracted meeting and revival followed, which resulted in the addition of about one hundred members.
B. F. Tefft, 1840 .- October fifth, the Brick Chapel having fallen into the hands of one of the creditors of the corporation, was closed, and offered for sale; turning the Methodists out of doors ; those who had purchased pews losing all their property in it. When the crisis came, though the Universalists were eager to purchase, a few came forward, purchased the house, and subsequently secured it to the use of the Methodist Episcopal church, when it was reopened by a sermon from the pastor, B. F. Tefft, October twenty-fifth.
A statement of facts was submitted by S. Rich, Jr., S. Larrabee, J. S. Ayer, proprietors ; and H. Little, George F. Marston, J. P. Jackson and Joel D. Thompson, corporators and proprietors, for use
you yours sincerely A.& Spade,
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on occasion of the re-opening, and was published in connexion with the sermon, conclusively showing the rectitude of the transaction above stated.
1841 was the year when Millerism was rampant. Brother George Webber. the pastor, was zealous in confuting the doctrine, by a course of lectures, so effectually as to save the church in Bangor, it is thonght from the fearful consequences which have come to other places.
Previous to 1846, the subject of a second Methodist Episcopal church in Bangor, had been discussed ; but nothing decisive was done prior to the Conference of this year, when a second preacher, to re-occupy the house abandoned on Summer street, was asked for ; wherenpon the house was repaired, and neatly furnished ; and Brother H. M. Blake was appointed, with a missionary appropriation of one hundred and twenty-five dollars, to labor in connection with Brother William F. Farrington, as one charge. Soon God set his seal to the work, by several conversions. The work was gradual and progressive for six months, during which time thirty or forty were reclaimed or converted ; nearly all of whom connected themselves with the society. In 1847 the Summer street society became a separate charge.
1853, Father Hinks and Sister Rich, names that recall sweet memories and hallowed associations, have been called to their reward. They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.
In 1858, B. F. Tefft, Bangor, Ist church, December twenty-sixth, changed order of services to one a day. The same day Dr. Tefft was attacked with bleeding from the throat ; and preached but five sermons dnring residue of the Conference year. In 1859, Dr. Tefft was reappointed. By request sent to the Bishop presiding at the New Hampshire Conference by the Presiding Elder, R. B. Curtis ; after consultation with Dr. Tefft and wife, who said he, Dr. Tefft, would leave the matter wholly with the Presiding Elder, and official board ; Rev. James Thurston was appointed, and May twenty-second, the order of services was changed to two sermons.
The official board were soon embarrassed by the question of amount to be raised for support, some claiming that each minister should receive full allowance, others, that the charge was not able to advance upon what had been provided for. A committee waited npon Dr. Tefft, which committee reported Dr. Tefft's disability for service, and said that he expressed a purpose to relieve the church of responsibility so soon as he could find business to support his family ; but said, on the whole, he would strongly advise to raise no additional sum, and
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METHODISM IN BANGOR. UNION STREET.
that he would take overplus of what Brother Thurston was to have by estimate ; and estimate was made accordingly.
Harmony seemed entirely to prevail for the time being ; but soon dissatisfaction of some members of the church and congregation developed, because the board did not estimate Dr. Tefft's full claim ; which led to division, and serious embarrassment of Brother Thurston's labors. Under these eireumstances, Brother Thurston felt it his duty to resign, and thereupon he notified the Presiding Elder that he withdrew his connection with the church, as pastor. Dr. Tefft, from November sixth to the close of the Conference year, preached five times. Dr. Tefft's friends were anxious he should remain still another year, local or supernumerary, of which the Board did not approve ; whereupon it was proposed to organize another meeting, in Norombega Hall, to be called the City Mission, of which the Bishop decidedly disapproved.
When, in Cabinet Council, Brother Curtis was asked if he would go to the Bangor 1st Church, he replied, " not unless Dr. Tefft and his friends will abandon the Norombega project ;" to which Dr. Tefft pledged himself, as did some of his friends, that he would have nothing to do with it. Dr. Tefft also assured Brother Curtis, that, if he would take the appointment, he would give him his aid and influence in gathering the church and restoring harmony.
Notwithstanding this agreement and these assuranees, Dr. Tefft and friends, in June, 1860, opened an independent meeting in Norombega, a large number going from the chapel. Dr. Tefft's apology was, that a large number would leave the chapel any way, and if he started a meeting, he would save them and others to Methodism ; whereas, of about twenty families who left, only about seven have returned.
In November, 1868, Captain Nathan W. Chase died and gave his house, on Essex street, for a parsonage. His excellent wife died June 17, 1867. It was her joy that the will was made before her decease. It was a noble gift, and their names should be held in everlasting remembranee by the Briek Chapel eharge.
During the years 1869, '70, and '71, many improvements were made in the church property. In 1871, a larger bell was placed in the chureh building.
Notwithstanding reeent finaneial stringency, prior to 1877, about one thousand dollars were expended in repairs of ehureh property.
BANGOR. UNION STREET. BY REV. C. B. BESSE.
(31.)
In the year 1847, the Summer Street Church was made a
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separate charge. Rev. H. M. Blake was continued as pastor. A score or more were converted.
In 1848, the Brewer class became a separate appointment, with a Conference preacher, which reduced the membership of Summer Street Church by thirty-two ; but prosperity still attended Summer Street Church. At a camp meeting held on Long Island, (subsequently removed to Northport .- Editor,) God greatly blessed the people of this charge. Several were converted and others came home carnest seekers. Twenty-eight were received on probation and seventeen in full. In 1849, twenty, by letter, and nine, from probation, were added to the church. At the close of the year there were one hundred and thirty-three members and thirty-six probationers. During three years the church had been aided by the missionary society. This year it sustained itself, and returned to the missionary society more than principal and interest. 1850 was a year of prosperity, showing one hundred and forty-three members and twenty-five on probation. 1851 and 1852 were years of growth. Early in 1853, Rev. C. H. A. Johnson's health failed, and E. S. Preston came, by transfer, from North Indiana Conference. This year the question of a new church was agitated. Eleven professed conversion.
1854 was a good year. One hundred and twenty were converted or reclaimed and the new church was begun. In 1855, the church was finished, and dedicated November fifteenth by Rev. W. F. Farrington. Cost of church, $13,000. Seventy-five professed conversion. In 1858, eight joined the church, by letter, and twelve from probation. In 1859, there was a debt upon the church of about $6,000, which was the occasion of no little discouragement and some disaffection ; whereupon an effort was made to create a sinking fund, looking to removal of the debt in four years. Thirty were added to the church during the year.
In 1864, Rev. T. B. Tupper found the debt to be $4,832. But few thought it could be lifted ; but the thing was done, and eighty-eight dollars and ten cents left in the treasury.
Here the record suffers both mutilation and suspension, and we must glean for subsequent years. In 1866, some conversions. 1874, '75 and '76, years of growth of congregation, church membership and of Sunday School attendance.
In 1877, '78 and '79, solid and substantial work was done. More than one thousand and six hundred dollars, spent in church improve- ment. 1880, '81, '82, years of earnest and faithful labor. Thirty-
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five added to the church. 1883, '84 and '85, years of some tearful sowing, and some joyful reaping. A good number have been adınitted to the church, both by letter and from probation.
The pews in the church have been re-cushioned ; which, with some slight repairs, cost nearly six hundred dollars. All collections have been taken, and all apportionments have been met. A house for the preacher is now (1886) being finished, which promises to be, by far, the finest parsonage in the Conference.
(32.) Methodism, as it appears in 1885, over all the interior of Washington county, so far as can now be ascertained, originated as follows :
" In 1818, Rev. Eben F. Newell, appointed by the New England Conference to labor on the St. Croix Circuit, extended his labors into Plantation No. 15, (Cooper) ; which labors were blessed. Rev. Joseph Lull succeeded him in 1820, and organized a society in No. 15, which was considered as belonging to St. Croix Circuit, and was embraced in the same charge. The circuit was divided in 1823, Dennysville, Cooper and Plantations No. 10, No. 3 and No. 16, composing Dennysville Circuit ; to which, in 1824, Josiah Eaton was appointed. Gorham Greeley was appointed in 1825, and labored with much success, assisted by Brother Cobb, (probably Jonathan Cobb of Bucksport.)
In 1830, the circuit was again divided, Cooper, Alexander, Craw- ford and Great Meadow Ridge, (Plantation No. 25,) constituting Cooper Circuit, to which Joseph Gerry and Francis J. Knapp, were appointed ; but Brother Gerry, being sick, did not appear. Baileyville was annexed in 1831, and B. D. Eastman's labors were attended with much success.
In 1834, Moses Pilsbury Webster's labor in Cooper was much blessed. B. D. Eastman in 1835, a year of revival in Crawford. George Child, in 1836, revival, and about thirty added. The circuit was reduced to Cooper, Crawford and Alexander. D. P. Thompson, in 1837. The first three fourths of the year the circuit consisted of Cooper, Alexander and Princeton, Crawford being annexed at the third Quarterly meeting. A year of general prosperity. More than thirty added on trial."
Of Wesley, nothing appears of record till 1836, when it is associated with Machias and Northfield. The only officials present at a Quarterly Conference, in October, being Winslow Getchell, R. Steward, Otis Titus, steward, and Benjamin Gray, class leader. Nothing more of
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CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT.
record till 1840, when at a Quarterly Conference in Machias, D. Copeland, Presiding Elder, " voted that the circuit, including Machias, Northfield, and Wesley be divided, and that Northfield and Wesley be, for the ensuing Conference year, disconnected from Machias. Recommend Joseph Hutchings and John Lee for admission to the Annual Conference."
May 15, 1841, a Quarterly meeting was held in Jonesborough, after which there is no record till, in another book, the following appears : " Quarterly Conference for Cooper and Wesley charge, at Wesley, August. 1857. F. A. Soule, Presiding Elder, voted to renew Brother C. H. Ellis and B. R. Rackliff's licenses to preach." Second Quarterly meeting at Cooper. At the fourth Quarterly Conference in Wesley, C. H. Ellis was recommended to the Annual Conference. At a Quarterly Conference held March 13, 1878, in Wesley, Perley J. Robinson was recommended to the Annual Conference.
In 1831, Joel Scott and Levi Dunn were licensed exhorters.
(The foregoing fragments have been gathered from two imperfectly kept. and badly mixed Books of Record -Editor.)
CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT. BY REV. C. I. MILLS.
(33.) From 1801 to 1826, Camden made part of Union Circuit ; Daniel Barrett, class leader, who lived at Rockport, formerly called the River, afterward Goose river, to distinguish it from the Harbor. Till 1826, the preaching was generally at Rockport.
The preachers whose names do not appear in the appendix, were, 1801. Joshua Hall; 1802, Joseph Baker and Daniel Ricker; 1803, Daniel Ricker ; 1805, Pliny Brett ; 1807, Samnel Baker; 1808, John Williamson ; 1810, George Gary ; 1811, Nathan B. Ashcroft; 1812, Amasa Taylor; 1813, John Jewett; 1814, Jonathan Cheney and Joseph B. White ; 1817, William McGray.
From 1828 to 1838, Camden was connected with Thomaston ; during all which period Methodism was weak in Camden, with only occasional preaching.
In 1839, Camden was made a charge, with two preaching places, Harbor and River. In 1847, it was left to be supplied, and, apparently was not supplied. In 1848, it was made a mission, John C. Prince in charge.
In 1851, Camden and Goose River were made two stations. In 1852, the name "Goose River," was changed to "Rockport."
In Camden (Harbor,) in 1840 and 1841, a Methodist church was
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built, costing $4,637.60, and named "Trinity Chapel." The dedicatory sermon by Rev. John Hobart. In 1882, and 1883, the church was removed and rebuilt. A parsonage was built in 1852.
In Rockport a Methodist church was built in 1848, J. C. Prince, pastor. Dedicatory sermon by Rev. W .. H. Pilsbury, Presiding Elder ; which church was rebuilt in 1872 and 1873. In 1857, a parsonage was built.
The greatest revival ever occurring in this place, was during the pastorate of Rev. Charles E. Knowlton, in 1872 and 1873, which necessitated the building of the new church. David Talbot, a wealthy layman, furnished the greater part of the funds for the new building.
This specimen of church property, for comelincss, as well as beauty of situation, is not excelled in the Conference. It stands a monument of the interest in the Methodist Episcopal church of David Talbot and Rev. C. E. Knowlton, preacher in charge, who died in Rockport, June 2d, 1878.
RISE AND PROGRESS OF METHODISM IN TOWNSEND. BY REV. J. D. PAYSON.
(34.) The first preaching by Methodists was in 1808, by Rev. Mr. Rogers, a local preacher.
In 1809, the island, now called Southport, then being part of Boothbay, was formed into a circuit, called Boothbay ; Rev. Caleb Fogg, pastor, of New England Conference. During the year there was revival, and a church was organized, at what was then called the "Cape."
From 1812 to 1830, there was no regular preaching, but was an occasional supply by preachers at Georgetown and Bristol.
In 1830, Rev. E. B. Fletcher was appointed to "Boothbay Circuit." During the year a meeting house was built, and about twenty were added to the church.
In 1840, the town of Boothbay was divided, and the island was incorporated as Southport, and about seventy-five were added to the church in Southport and Boothbay.
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