USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 74
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In 1835, Elliot B. Fletcher was appointed to Frankfort, having fifty-eight members, and eight or ten on trial. The last quarter, E.
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B. Fletcher was absent, and M. Palmer took his place. Five or six were added. In 1836, '37 and '38, some additions. In 1840, Rev. William Marsh, who, because of ill health, left in January, and Rev. Joseph Hawks served the remainder of the year.
In 1842, Rev. William McDonald appointed by Presiding Elder. There were about sixty conversions, mostly at the Cove, Oak Point and Cole's corner.
In 1843, the circuit was divided and Frankfort included the village, Marsh village, Deanc neighborhood, and Oak Point."
Thus much has been gathered from the "Historical Record ;" and now, to make the record here complete, two other book entries, must be used, the first being the earliest record of official members, apparently made about 1830, as follows :
Ephraim K. Smart of Prospect, local preacher, who died September, 1831 ; Samuel Merrill, Henry S. Trivett, Isaac Johnson, Page Moorc, Timothy Gilman, Richard Trivett, William Holmes and Noah Little- field, stewards ; T. Gilman was also class leader, and died in 1834; Thomas Seavey, leader and exhorter. And the second consisting of extracts from Quarterly Conference records, as follows :
" Minutes of the Quarterly meeting Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal church, on Hampden Circuit, commencing July 11, 1818 ; the former minutes having been destroyed by the British troops, in their last war with America." September, 1818, voted, that E. K. Smart receive license as a local preacher. March, 1819, voted to renew the licenses of Ezra Patten and Charles Tucker, as local preachers. January, 1820, Mark L. Chase licensed as a local preacher. November, 1822, voted that C. Tucker, J. Gilman, H. S. Trivctt, J. C. Jayne, and J. Black, Jr., be a committee to settle the difficulties in the Methodist Church at Bangor, with directions, first to labor to reconcile the parties, or let them withdraw, and if failing, then to try them, according to discipline."
The following extracts from Quarterly meeting Conference records are made, because of the novelty of the "process," by which to contribute to church expenses, of limited use, and long since forgotten. The editor well remembers, what he supposes to have been a similar case on a large scale, as it occurred about the same time, in a sister church, in a distant part of the State.
Both this and that probably proved to be non-paying, on the basis of " what is everybody's is nobody's business."
May, 1823, Hampden, "Voted, that Josiah Hopkins hold in his possession the original constitution of the 'sheep concern.' That
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the agent of the sheep concern be instructed to repair the loss that said concern has sustained, or may sustain, until the next Quarterly meeting, according to article 2 of the constitution."
" Voted, that the agent of the sheep concern be instructed to appropriate the profits of said concern to the benefit of the preacher or preachers, who shall be appointed to the circuit, the year ensuing, consulting his or their wishes, at the time."
January. 1825, Frankfort, "Voted to submit the constitution of the sheep fund concern, to a committee of three, to say whether it shall be altered, and to report at the next Quarterly Meeting Conference."
" Voted, that Abel Ruggles be agent for the sheep fund concern, for the present year."
April, 1825, Hampden, "Voted to accept the report of the committee upon the constitution of the sheep fund concern, to sell the property, pay the agents, and dispose of the remainder, as the conference shall think proper."
"Voted, that Peter Burgess, Joseph C. Jayne and William H. Reed be a committee to send circulars through the circuit, with reasons why the conference disposed of the property of the shecp fund concern."
September, 1825, Frankfort, " Voted, that Heman Nickerson and Stephen Wardwell be a committee to instruct the people, on the circuit, why the conference disposed of the property of the sheep fund concern."
November, 1825, "Voted, that the stewards sell the property of the sheep fund concern, and forward the proceeds to the next Quarterly Conference."
February, 1826, Prospect, "Voted to pay Timothy Gilman seventeen dollars and twenty cents out of the proceeds of the sheep fund concern, to furnish things needed by the preacher."
April, 1826, Hampden, "Voted, that the residue of the sheep fund concern be appropriated to the purchase of heavy furniture for the use of preachers, who may be appointed to Hampden Circuit."
Quarterly meeting Conference, Hampden, April, 1826, Rufus C. Bailey and Ezra Patten recommended for admission to the Maine Annual Conference.
November, 1828, Frankfort, "Voted to accept the choice of
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Trustees of the Methodist meeting-house, in Prospect, Mt. Ephraim, as follows :
"William J. Dodge, Alexander Black, 2nd, James Black, Jr., Josiah Staples, Elisha Thayer, Ephraim K. Smart, and Martin Bailey."
October, 1830, Mt. Ephraim, " Voted, that the committee appointed, proceed immediately to erect a parsonage."
In 1831, E. K. Smart recommended for Elders' Orders.
In 1836, "Voted to build a district parsonage in Hampden and to raise fifty dollars therefor, on Frankfort Circuit."
September, 1840, "Voted, that Brother Varnum Baker be licensed to preach."
April, 1848, Frankfort, " Resolved, that we relinquish all our right and title to the pulpit of the Union meeting-house, so called, in Frankfort, provided that, by negotiation with the Congregational society, a sum satisfactory to our committee, shall be obtained ; which shall be held, to be invested in another house, to be for the exclusive use of the Methodist Episcopal denomination."
To a Quarterly Conference, convened August 24, 1872, the pastor reports :
"I have lectured to the children twice, and Brother Rich, once. Somc souls have been converted, both adults and children. Sunday school one of the best in the country. Brother R. A. Rich is a live man, and carries his life into the school. He loves the children, and the children love him. He is saluted by every child in the street, as 'Brother Rich, our Superintendent.'"
To which it affords the editor pleasure to add : Brother Rich was a man of truth, of justice, and of unflinching and unwavering piety ; always to be found in his place, when and where his services were wanted in the church. He was long time Sunday school superintend- ent, loved and respected more and more.
Near the close of the Conference ycar, 1885, the pastor, Rev. A. A. Lewis, writes :
"My pastorate here has been the pleasantest I have had. Quite a number have been baptized, and joined the church. During the year our vestry has been enlarged and remodeled, a new organ and communion rail, a new communion table and lamps have been put in to the church.
SURRY. CULLED FROM QUARTERLY CONFERENCE RECORD.
(60.) The first that appears of record was a Quarterly Conference for Surry Circuit, August 13th, 1831, at which "Chose John Moore
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BUCKSTOWN (NOW BUCKSPORT CENTER).
steward for Reed's Brook Class, and Benjamin Wood for Patten Bay class, and Bryant Morton, recording steward.
"Voted, that Sylvanus Smith's license be renewed, as an exhorter, and that the members of this conference pledge themselves to sustain the preacher in carrying to effect the rules of the discipline in regard to the use of ardent spirits."
At a Quarterly Conference, holden November 15; 1831, voted, that. Brother William Morgan's license be renewed, as a local preacher.
November 23, 1833, chose Rufus Clemmons, steward, and chose' Moses P. Webster, Benjamin Lord, William Morgan, Benjamin Wood, Benjamin Morgan, Jonathan F. Wormwood, and Dominicus Lord, at committee, to provide for a parsonage.
February 22, 1834, Voted to raise a board of trust to superintend the building of a parsonage and have it secured to the Methodist Episcopal church.
May 31, 1834, Voted to recommend William Morgan to the next; Annual Conference, to receive Deacon's orders.
June 16, 1838, Voted to recommend Brother William Morgan for Elders' orders.
September 4th, 1839, Voted to license Brother Herrick M. Eaton of Trenton, as a local preacher.
July 19, 1840, Voted, that we sustain the motion of the Trenton: Quarterly Meeting Conference in recommending Herrick M. Eaton to the Annual Conference.
April 24, 1858, Resolved, that we, as members and officers, of the Methodist Episcopal church, will use all prudent and christian means. to do away from among us the habitual use of tobacco.
In another book is a very imperfect record of membership, with very few dates, from which the items following are taken. The first entry is :
Dominicus Flood, received, 1799, died March 9, 1845. Benjamin Morgan, no dates. Jacob L. Morgan, died Dec. 26, 1839. Samuel Lee died May 6, 1834. William Morgan, no dates. David Greene, died December 15, 1831. Benjamin Young, died February 10, 1835. John Young, Jonathan Wormwood, Nathan Morgan, Abraham Meader, deceased, no dates ; Benjamin Young deceased, February 10, 1835.
BUCKSTOWN (NOW BUCKSPORT CENTER) AS REMEMBERED, AND AS COLLECTED, BY THE EDITOR.
(61.) October 1, 1793, Jesse Lee preached in Buckstown (meaning
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BUCKSTOWN (NOW BUCKSPORT CENTER).
North Bucksport,) which was, in due time, made part of the third ·circuit, called Penobscot, formed in the "Province of Maine."
In 1806, Orrington Circuit included Buckstown, where, in 1809, on the old river road, and not far from the north ferry, so called, a Methodist mecting-house, being the first church building erected in town, and the first Methodist churchi built east of the Penobscot river, was completed. It was finished with a box pulpit, and pews, having a tower, with two entrances to the porch, and a gallery on three sides. It was a first class house for the times, in which the town meetings were held till 1812, when a Congregational house, built after the same style, though of larger dimensions, was ready for use on "Oak Hill."
"Old Squire Abner Curtis," as familiarly called, who resided not far from the Methodist church, was a leading member. He was the first town clerk, elected in 1792, and serving till 1805. IIe also represented the town in the Legislature in 1823. He was a reputa- ble citizen, and a worthy church member.
This society furnished to the Annual Conference, two members, Josiah and Phineas Higgins. It was also the home of Jonathan Cobb,-long time a very acceptable and useful local preacher, who traveled to supply and to assist in protracted meetings. Abraham Plumer, many years, and over a wide territory, supplying as a local preacher, was also born here.
The second session of the Maine Annual Conference, Bishop George, presiding, and Oliver Beal, Secretary, was held in the church above described, in 1826, at which the editor remembers seeing John Emory, then book agent, and afterward Bishop.
The eighth session, in 1832, Bishop Roberts, presiding, and Justin Spaulding, secretary, was also held here. It was here and in a grove near the cemetery, that. for several years a camp-meeting, whose intent and use was refreshing and conversions rather than rustication or recreation, was held, the meeting being old style in its conducting, its preaching, and its conversions.
Unfortunately this society, one of the oldest, and that might have become and should now be one of the strongest, has for more than half a century been wasting its strength against itself.
The church has consisted mainly of members residing on the eastern border of the Penobscot river, between Bucksport village and Orrington.
The first meeting-house, built early in the century, was so far from
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DIXMONT CIRCUIT. GOULDSBORO.
what came to be the centre of the interested population, that sectional and discordant feeling soon developed, which, from time to time taking on new features, has been perpetuated to the chronic damage of the church, and detriment of its usefulness and growth; whereas, if instead of provoking to discord, christian men and women had provoked each other "unto love and to good works," letting " brotherly love continue"-the few might have become strong in their unity.
The editor is happy in 1886, to add : there is prevailing a better condition of feeling and conduct. In all parts there have been conversions, and, for the present, union and good feeling throughout, prevail.
DIXMONT CIRCUIT. BY REV. F. W. TOWLE.
(62.) Dixmont Circuit formerly embraced part of Unity, and was set off, with Jackson, Thorndike, Troy and Burnham, at the Annual Conference of 1839, and was called Dixmont Circuit.
In 1841, Rufus Day was appointed, and was blest with a glorious revival at North Dixmont and South Plymouth.
In 1842, Jackson, Thorndike, Troy and Burnham were made a charge and Dixmout, with Plymouth another.
In 1845, Thorndike, Jackson, Troy, Burnham, and Brooks were again classed with Dixmont and Plymouth. This year the parsonage at North Dixmont was repaired, and made a good home for the preachers.
Nothing more appears of record till 1856, when James Hartford was appointed.
In 1858, Rufus Day was appointed to the charge for the fourth time. The Lord blessed him as before, and quite a number were converted. He was again appointed in charge in 1859. I find no further record.
In 1826, Brother John Whitney of Thorndike, succeeded in getting means to build a Methodist Episcopal meeting-house at North Dixmont. The house still stands, but is not in condition to be occcupied.
Bennett Morse was the first class leader in Dixmont.
There was revival under the labors of John Tinling in 1880, 1881, and 1882. In 1885, there was revival at Plymouth, North Dixmont. and Dixmont Corner, under F. W. Towle.
GOULDSBORO. BY REV. H. W. NORTON.
(63.) In autumn of 1883, a forest fire having burned over some six or- seven hundred acres of fine forest, suddenly turned and swept down
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upon the little village of Gouldsboro, taking all before it. A dwelling house, two barns, town hall and Union church were burned.
Sorrow filled the hearts of many, and it was a serious question what should be done for a place of worship. The Methodists were the first to agitate the question of rebuilding, and, not feeling equal to the attempt alone, they consulted the leaders of the Baptist denomi- nation, one of whose deacons replied : "I think each denomination better look out for itself."
Whereupon, under the leadership of Rev. C. L. Banghardt, the Methodist people secured pledges to the amount of over four hundred dollars to build a Methodist Episcopal church.
In the spring of 1884, H. W. Norton was appointed to Gouldsboro and Steuben charge, who found the work of preparation to build begun ; and here let it be recorded, that much of the success of the undertaking was due to the labors of Brother George Whitaker, who toiled both day and night, and ceased not to pray for the success of the enterprise.
As in the autumn, nearly two years previous to this, the hearts of many had been sad, now, in this opening of the summer many hearts were gladdened, as it was announced that, on the eighteenth day of July, 1885, the first Methodist Episcopal church in Gouldsboro would be dedicated. On which day Rev. C. E. Libby, Presiding Elder, preached from Isa. 1:18, and St. John, 14:26. During the evening of the same day, one hundred and twelve dollars was raised, which enabled the trustees to pay all indebtedness, and Methodism took a new lease of life in this promising field of East Maine.
They have now a church that they can call their own, costing about two thousand dollars, which stands as a reminder of what pluck and perseverance will accomplish.
ORLAND. FROM RECORDS BY EDITOR.
(64.) The following record was made by Rev. E. W. Hutchinson, in 1869.
" It is a duty to keep in remembrance the past loving kindness of the God of our Salvation. One generation shall praise thy work to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. It is good thus to remember the days of old ; for we have heard with our ears, O, God ! our fathers have told us what work thou didst in their day, in the times of old. While we remember the past with gratitude, and are delighted to examine the records, which men of former times have
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left, we know it is our duty to leave some memorial of God's dealing with us, and the history of the church, in our times ; that those who succeed us may know what reason there is to trust him, who worketh and none can hinder."
At a Quarterly Conference held in Bucksport village, April 22, 1843. it was voted to connect the society at Orland with Bucksport, which connection was continued until 1848, when it became a separate charge.
In 1848 and 1849 some religious prosperity was enjoyed. January 4, 1850, a meeting was called in legal form to incorporate for the purpose of building a "Methodist meeting-house, in Orland." At which meeting held January 12th, Gilman Crane was chosen chair- man, and Rev. David Higgins, clerk, and duly sworn. It was then voted .'to build a meeting-house upon a lot, which was afterward deeded by Joshua R. Howes to trustees. with the house erected, for the use and benefit of the Methodist Episcopal church forever."
The trustees were J. R. Howes, Enoch Page, Gilman Crane, Eben Eldridge, and Thomas Sparks. In October, the same year, the house was dedicated, the sermon being preached by Rev. David Higgins. In 1858, J. O. Knowles, and 1862, Edwin Parker, were supplied by Presiding Elder, and 1866, '67 and '68, J. B. Crawford supplied, though appointed Principal of East Maine Conference Seminary.
Though a good degree of religious prosperity has from time to time been enjoyed, still the society is small. It has had to contend with difficulties, and has sustained heavy losses in its membership. Of the prominent members, Brothers Howes, Page, Eldridge and Sparks have gone to their reward,
Brother Hutchinson, having been re-appointed, September 20th, records : "I have this day, without any seeking on my part, received the appointment of Superintendent of the Maine Reform School, and regarding it as a Providential opening, I have accepted. I feel sad to leave the little flock, over whom I have had the pastoral care, but trust God will overrule it for their good as well as mine."
Rev. George N. Eldridge records as follows :
"The society had been destitute of preaching from October 1st, 1870, to July, 1872. which caused spiritual death in a great measure, but like good soldiers of the cross. there has been a general rallying around the standard of Christ. Twelve or more have professed to have found pardoning grace. Death has removed a mother in Israel, Sister Mary Gerry, who, on the way to meeting, fell and broke her hip, and died October twenty-fifth."
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In 1875, Rev. William II. Crawford was in charge, who says : Notwithstanding obstructions were in the way, God has honored the . work, and encouraged the workers. Two have given good evidence of conversion. I leave the charge more united than I found it. Three have died. Widow Polly Atwood was received years ago. One of her neighbors said, she was one whom all loved dearly. Her age was eighty-seven years. Joseph H. Viles, after years of suffering, passed away. The testimony of all was, he was a good man. Widow Abigail Saunders died at seventy-six years, an acceptable member. Rev. R. M. Wilkins supplied in 1877, who records neither conversions nor deaths, though on other parts of the charge souls have been saved. No further record of history.
MACHIAS. BY REV. THEODORE H. MURPHY.
(65.) The following sketeh of early Methodism in Machias, is copied from the church records.
In the latter part of the winter of 1837, and 1838, Brother Abel Baker, who had been a member of the church for many years in the western part of the State, but then a resident of Maehias, was ealled to his reward in heaven. The family of the deceased, wishing to procure a minister of their own persuasion to officiate at the funeral, invited the Rev. C. C. Cone, then laboring on the East Machias Circuit, to preach on the oeeasion. While with them he learned that several individuals residing there were Methodist in sentiment and were desirous of enjoying the privileges of that church with which some of them had been connected.
In March a class was formed by him, consisting of the following persons : Samuel Beekwith, leader, Thomas Baker, Abram Williamson, Jane Baker, Safah Williamson, Deborah Baker, Amos B. Longfellow, Patience A. Longfellow, Nancy P. Longfellow.
The elass remained in connection with East Machias Circuit until March, 1839, when by the action of the Quarterly Conference of East Maehias and Wesley Cireuits, with the consent of the Presiding Elder, it became connected with the latter, and was supplied with minis- terial serviee by the Rev. John Cleaveland, who, at the preceding Annual Conference, had been appointed to the charge of East Machias. In the fifteen months immediately following the formation of the class one member was dismissed at his own request, and six individuals added to the society, leaving, at the close of the Confer- ence year, fourteen members.
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MACHIAS.
At the ensuing Annual Conference, Rev. Parker Jaques was appointed to this field of labor.
At the commencement of the year, the number in the society was, in Machias, fourteen, as stated above, and in Wesley, thirty ; in all forty- four. The appointment of an unmarried man to the circuit had been anticipated, and some disappointment was felt at the coming of Brother Jaques on the ground of inability to support a family. In Machias the members were poor, and but little of the world's influence at that time was thrown in favor of Methodism.
Preaching one-fourth of the time, on the Sabbath, was decided upon. and the court house hired as a place of worship. Brother Jaques settled his family at Wesley, and entered upon the duties of the circuit early in July. Nothing of importance transpired, save some quickening in the church, until late in the fall, when, at a protracted meeting, holden in Wesley, some were converted, and twenty added to the society there. Immediately after this, a similar meeting was held in Northfield, which was attended with the divine power, and resulted in the conversion of many souls. A society of forty members was raised up there, where none before cxisted.
The little class in Machias, hearing of the work of God in the places above named, became aroused and encouraged to labor and pray for a display of the power of God among themselves.
In December a protracted meeting was commenced in the village, which continued thirteen days. A revival attended the effort made, and soon became general, extending to every part of the town, and indeed through the county, resulting in the conversion of not far from twelve hundred souls. The society numbered, in December, fifteen : in January, 1840, forty ; in February sixty-two; in March, eighty-eight members.
The congregation at this time being large, the society increasing, and all things appearing prosperous, the upper part of the circuit was otherwise provided for, and the labors of Brother Jaques, on the Sabbath, confined to Machias. He moved his family to the village about the first of April.
At the first session of the East Maine Conference in August, 1848, Machias Circuit was made a mission, comprising Machias, East Machias, Machiasport, Whitneyville, Marshfield and Cutler, and Rev. Caleb D. Pillsbury was appointed to labor, but, on account of personal and family affliction, etc., he did not come to the mission during the year.
During all these years, meetings were held in the court house and school house ; but in the year 1849, the society in Machias commenced
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HIARRINGTON. DEER ISLE CIRCUIT.
building a meeting-house, the land on which to build being given by Nathan Longfellow. It was finished in 1850.
Throngh varying degrees of prosperity and adversity, the church has held its way, till, at the time of present writing, (July, 1886,) the membership in Machias proper, is seventy-seven, with fifty others in adjoining districts and towns.
During the past year the ehnrch has been graciously blessed in the conversion of souls. Fifteen have joined in full, and nearly fifty added on probation. The social services are largely attended, and all branches of the work are in a prosperous condition. A new church is now greatly needed, the old one having become too small and inconvenient for present use.
CHAPTER XI.
HARRINGTON. BY REV. F. L. BROOKS.
(66.) Methodism was introduced into Harrington by Rev. H. M. Eaton, Pastor in Cherryfield, who came to West Harrington, and had a successful revival in 1842.
Meetings were first held in the old Baptist church of that placc. In a short time, however, its doors were closed against him. He then went to the distriet sehool honse, which people threatened to burn.
In 1844 he built and dedicated the church now standing. The church prospered, and grew rapidly, being bathed from time to time with gracious Pentecostal showers. Oakes, Morelen and Small, each had sweeping revivals.
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