USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 77
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In the spring of 1840, two classes were formed by Brother Lufkin.
Peter Lowell was the first class leader, the members being John Folsom and wife, Rachel Stackpole. Joseph Dean, and Cordelia Briggs, with others.
The first house of worship was built about the year 1872, and, by a fire of unknown origin, with all its funiture, including an organ, was consumed Saturday night, November 6, 1886. Loss about $2,000.
The first Quarterly Conference, of which record remains, was in Monticello, June 13, 1874.
BAR HARBOR. FROM THE MOUNT DESERT HERALD.
(86.) On Tuesday, May 10, 1796, Rev. Jesse Lce got into a canoe, with several others, and went over to Mount Desert, where a multitude had gathered to witness a militia drill. He thrust himself among them, announcing his intention to preach. "Many women," he says, " had also collected to see the men muster, and afterward to have a dance. But when they found out that I intended to preach, they were at a loss to know what to do; some said they would have a dance ; others said nay, but we will have a sermon. The woman of the house said, if they would not hear the gospel, they should not dance. The man
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MT. DESERT.
of the house spoke out aloud, saying, 'If the Lord has sent the man, let us hear him, but if the devil has sent him, let the devil take him away again.' So I told them I would preach at another house, at four o'clock."
He set off for the place, but had a rencontre on the way with one of those sturdy theologians, who so often crossed his path in New England. "He wasthen brim full of religious talk, but I soon discovered that he was a strong fatalist. When he found out that I believed that Christ died for all men, and that the Lord called all men, he got into a violent passion, and with abundance of fury, called it a damnable doctrine, and appeared to be ready to swear outright. Poor man ! how small a thing it is for a man to call himself a christian, while he is governed by wrath and by an evil spirit."
Arriving at the appointed house, he preached with his usual power and effect.
"The Lord was very precious to my soul, and many of the hearers werc melted to tears, and heard the word as though it had been for their lives. But while I was preaching the forementioned man and another of his party, kept shaking their heads at each other, as much as to say, that's not true ! At last I stopped and said to one of them, I shall be glad if you will try and keep your head still. He behaved better afterwards. Mount Desert is now divided into two towns ; the one I preached in is called Eden. This was the first Methodist sermon ever preached in the town, and I feel a pleasing hope that a lasting blessing will attend it. I lodged with Mr. Paine that night." -Memorials of Methodism by Abel Stevens.
Rev. Winfred Baldwin says: The above account is doubtless correct. The next to the closing sentence is almost a prophecy. The Paine house ought to be found. It is most likely that this Paine family was of some prominence in the religious history of the Island.
Methodism was again introduced on the Island of Mount Desert, in the year 1828, by Rev. David Stimpson, who was appointed from the Maine Conference to Penobscot Circuit, with Rev. Rufus C. Bailey.
In traveling this circuit, the preachers visited the mountain island, which had not been visited, save by Rev. Jesse Lee, in 1796. In their travels they found their way to the island dell, where lived John and Sarah Clark, the parents of Davis Wasgatt Clark.
A small class was formed in the Beech Hill neighborhood, which became the nucleus of a Methodist Episcopal church. Among its
XII
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BAR HARBOR.
members were Sarah Clark and her son, Davis Wasgatt, then a youth of sixteen years.
At Becch Hill was built and dedicated, in the summer of 1838, by Rev. James W. Dow, the first Methodist Episcopal church on Mount Desert Island. Hardly any trace of it can now be found.
Rev. Rufus Bailey was the first Methodist preacher that visited Bar Harbor, in Eden. The first convert baptized by him, at Bar Harbor, 1830, was Julia J. Lyman, the wife of John Conners. She is now a member of the Clark Memorial Methodist Episcopal church, Bar Harbor.
That devoted, spiritual minded man, of abounding ardor and zeal, Rev. Mark Tuell, took his first appointment, which also proved to be his last, in 1840, to Mt. Desert. He died July 15, 1841.
In 1881, Rev. James H. Mooers, of the East Maine Conference, formed a class at Bar Harbor of nine members and four probationers, church services being held in the Union church. At the close of the year it was evident that the need of Bar Harbor, and the life of Methodism, was a new church.
Eligible church lots were exceedingly scarce, and enormously high. At last one was secured on school street, and in a central part of the village, at a cost of $3,000. Work on the church was begun in May, 1882, and the latter part of July, though unplastered, it was used for religious services, Rev. James McCosh, president of Princeton College, New Jersey, preaching the first sermon. There was, on the lot, a small cottage, and a stable. The cottage was moved to the rear of the church, and the stable was converted into a parsonage ; the whole cost of the enterprise amounting to nearly, $7,000.
August 12, 1883, the church was dedicated, Rev. James McCosh officiating, using for his text, Matthew XV : 21, 28.
A fine memorial window, bearing the name of Bishop Davis Wasgatt Clark, and the names of the principal donors to the enterprise, has been placed in the church.
On account of failing health, Mr. Mooers did not complete his term of three years. Rev. Henry H. Clark, Chaplain in the United States Navy, supplied the pulpit from September, 1883, till May, 1884.
The pastorate of Rev. W. Baldwin has been a success, spiritually and financially.
Methodism at Bar Harbor is a success.
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FORT FAIRFIELD CIRCUIT.
LEVANT AND EXETER. BY REVS. AMMI PRINCE AND A. CHURCH.
(87.) In 1818, Benjamin Jones organized the Exeter Circuit, formerly making part of Hampden and Norridgewock charge. Exeter Circuit embraced Exeter, Corinna, Palmyra, Dexter. Harmony, Ripley, Garland, Corinth, Bradford, and perhaps other towns, on which there was a membership of two hundred and fifty-six. During the fifteen years, up to the organization of the Corinth and Bradford Circuit, the work evidently extended in this direction, for few were reported here up to that time.
In 1822. Melville B. Cox, the well known martyr missionary to Africa, was appointed to Exeter. It is related of this eminent man that, upon his arrival at the usual stopping place of the preachers, he found it was a log house, and sought a more congenial home. He found a frame house, where he lodged ; but his room-mate was so profane that he returned the next day to the place first visited, made a humble confession, and there fixed his headquarters.
The society worshipped in a Union house till it was burned, about 1830.
In 1835 a church was built, and dedicated the same year, by Henry True and Jeremiah Marsh.
This church is still standing, from whose pulpit the gospel has been proclaimed to three generations, who have there heard and heeded the divine message. Many noble men and women have bowed at its altar and found the favor of God.
Data for history of Methodism in Levant cannot be found. No persons can relate, and no documents exist.
FORT FAIRFIELD CIRCUIT. BY REV. J. W. PRICE, LOCAL PREACHER.
(88.) The first appointed Methodist minister was Rev. A. Hatch, in 1841 and 1842. (A. Hatch, 1841, Aroostook. 1842, Howland. -Editor.)
In 1844, there was a "Beach Class" as follows : Alexander Mc- Dougal, leader, Susannah McDougal, Isaac McDonald, Mahaly McDonald. Solomon Pile, Amos Pile, Mahaly Pile.
The first class leader was Levi Hoyt, in 1846 ; a parsonage was built in 1852, and the first church, 1882.
In 1886, the appointee to supply is J. W. Price.
MAPLETON CIRCUIT. BY REV. S. M. SMALL, LOCAL PREACHER.
(89.) The first appointee to this charge was M. Kearney, local
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LINCOLN.
preacher, in 1883. The circuit extended from Bridgewater to Canada. "The membership was thirty-five in full and eleven on probation.
In 1885, S. M. Small was appointed by the Presiding Elder.
In 1886, the preaching places are Mapleton, Chatman, Easton and "Mars Hill. The circuit numbers forty-seven members and thirty probationers.
LINCOLN. BY REV. W. T. JEWELL.
.(90.) My father moved to Lincoln in 1835, and Abel Alton was :appointed to the mission, which extended to Topsfield, etc.
In 1836, E. B. Fletcher was appointed to Lincoln.
In 1837, Jeremiah Marsh (then a local preacher) came to the ·charge, and a very extensive revival prevailed. J. B. Husted, then Presiding Elder, rendered very valuable service, and I think fifty or more were converted, many of whom came into the church. It was probably the most extensive religious work ever known in that place. Some of the most influential citizens were converted.
In 1838, John Hobart supplied a few months, and Levi C. Dunn finished the year.
In 1839, William Marsh came to the station, and a church was built, which was dedicated in the winter of 1840 by J. B. Husted.
In 1840, John Cleavland, a superior preacher, but somewhat eccentric, was in charge.
In 1841, the appointees were J. G. Pingree and S. S. Cummings.
In 1842, H. C. Henries, a local preacher, supplied.
In 1843, William McDonald was appointed, who, though a contro- versialist, was also a revivalist, during whose pastorate some fifteen or twenty were added to the church.
In the winter of 1844 I was converted, as were two of the deacons of the Congregational church.
In 1845 and 1846, A. C. Godfrey, a local preacher, supplied. (In 1846, A. C. Godfrey, Aroostook, Minutes.)
In 1849, True P. Adams had some revival outside the village. In 1850, C. H. A. Johnson, quite an eloquent young man, was appointed. In 1857 and 1858, Ephraim H. Small had some revival.
In 1859, William Trewin supplied.
As a rule, revival effort has not yielded so large returns in Lincoln as in most other places, and it has been a difficult field to cultivate. Our church is quite small, but the people have been very kind to the
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SHERMAN CIRCUIT.
ministers serving them, and they are very respectful to religious institutions.
And later, a paper from Rev. W. F. Prince, from which extracts are made as follows : The first record in the old church book is dated 1836 : but, as seventy-five members appeared of record, it is evident that preachers had been here before that date. In 1851, there were four classes and fifty-three members ; a class in Springfield of thirty- three members ; one in Enfield of twenty-two members ; one in Chester of sixteen members.
About this time there were local preachers as follows : Andrew Edwards, Billings Clapp and E. S. French.
In 1853, Patten is included as a mission.
In 1855 and 1856, the following appears : Lincoln Village, Elias Hunt. class leader, twenty members ; North Lincoln, Tyler Woodbury, leader. eighteen members : Half Township, John Tuck, leader, eight members ; South Lincoln, Andrew Twombley, leader, ten members : Chester, Micah Barrows, leader, two members ; Pattagum- pus, Elkanah S. French, leader, four members ; West Indian, Samuel Cram, leader, six members ; Lowell, William H. Black, leader, nine members ; Enfield, William Gray, leader, fifteen members ; Spring- field. Phineas S. Woodman, leader, twenty-six members.
In 1857. there was a class of three in Moluncus, William Hadley, leader : a class in Burlington of thirteen members ; in Lee, of two members, and one in Deerfield of six members.
In 1861 and 1862, the church was repaired.
In 1869 and 1870, about twenty were admitted to the church in Mattawamkeag and Half Township.
In 1885 and 1886, the church was again repaired at a cost of about four hundred dollars.
The church is small and feeble. An iron bond has held the hearts of the people for years. The rum power is dominant, and the con- viction is deepening that right here the blow is to be struck.
SHERMAN CIRCUIT. BY S. P. I11GGINS.
(91.) The first Methodist sermon was preached by Rev. Edwin Parker in 1838. No house of worship has been built in town by the. Methodist society.
The first class was formed in 1847, consisting of J. B. Foster, leader, Dorothy Foster, Levi C. Caldwell, Edwin Parker, Rachel
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OLDTOWN.
Parker, IIelen V. Parker, Elbridge Gerry, Laura J. Gerry, Edwin R. Foster, Elizabeth Curtis, Louise MeNamarra.
Local preachers : Edwin Parker, Samuel Chandler, Moses Palmer.
Brother Parker was a man of ability, and preached with power and effect. On rising as a member to address the House of Representa- tives, he was recognized as "The gentleman from Golden Ridge."
There were revivals in 1847, 1850, 1855 and about 1867. Most of these were quite extensive, especially the last named.
OLDTOWN. BY REV. JOHN TINLING.
(92.) As early as 1829, Orono, Oldtown, and Upper Stillwater, with some other places, constituted a circuit, with Greenleaf Greely as preacher. ("1828 and 1829, Bangor, Greenleaf Greely," as per minutes. - Editor. )
The first love feast in this village (Oldtown,) was held in the house of sister Joanna Davis, who is still living, at the age of eighty-eight years. She, and one or two others were received as members of the society in Orono, there being no organization in Oldtown at this time.
In 1837, a class was formed, consisting of Joanna Davis, Betsey Stinson, Maria Marsh, Louisa Emery, Mary Snow, Catherine Palmer, Sarah Johnson, and Ruth Sterling, all of whom have gone to heaven, except Sister Davis.
During the ministry of Benjamin Bryant, who resided in Oldtown, in 1842 and 1843, a small house of worship was built.
During the ministry of Daniel Clark, in 1853, a new church was built on Brunswick street. (As per minutes, "1853 and 1854, Luther P. French, Oldtown."-Editor.)
In 1863, a Methodist Sunday school was organized consisting of nineteen officers, teachers and scholars. In 1864 it numbered thirty- nine members.
Rev. J. W. H. Cromwell while here, died August 23, 1874. From the time of his death until 1883, when it was again connected with Orono, there was an occasional sermon preached by ministers on other charges, but no minister was appointed here.
During L. L. Hanscom's ministry here, in 1883, the old house was thoroughly repaired, at a cost of about $2,000.
In 1884, Oldtown was connected with Upper Stillwater, and Brother Porter sent to supply.
In 1886, Rev. John Tinling in charge, two classes were organized,
EAST MAINE CONFERENCE SEMINARY.
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EAST MAINE CONFERENCE SEMINARY.
and, during the year, twenty were added to the membership in Oldtown, which has now a membership of thirty-three.
DEXTER. BY REV. E. H. BOYNTON.
(93.) Church organized in 1822 ; M. B. Cox, pastor. Official members : Joshua Abbott, Briggs Curtis, Daniel Puffer, Jonathan Weatherbee, Ebenezer Small, Eleazer Keene.
Church edifice dedicated 1834, as a Union church, Calvinist Baptist and Methodist. Dedicatory sermon by Rev. Peter Burgess. Rev. R. C. Bailey, preacher in charge at the time separation took place, about 1845.
Class leaders : 1st, Ebenezer Small ; 2d, Joshua Abbott; 3d, Nathaniel Thompson ; 4th, Henry Glass ; 5th, E. M. Tibbetts ; 6th, P. L. Sewell.
Present membership, one hundred twenty-five.
CHAPTER XII.
EAST MAINE CONFERENCE SEMINARY.
Desiring to put the school, from its beginning, clearly and fully before beneficiaries and patrons, this article will be largely made up of extracts from official records.
True to the university origin of the denomination, wherever it has wrought its way, one of the first questions mooted has been of a school of adapted grade. Adapted, excepting, perhaps, the first. A college, projected and partly erected, in Abbingdon, Maryland, in 1787, which, because-may it not have been ?- of beginning at the wrong end ; or with a grade too advanced, before completion went up in flame " mysteriously ;" perhaps providentially, to relieve the denom- ination. yet only in infancy, of the humiliating results of rushing too fast ; not in providing early for education, but in projecting beyond ability to finish ; not counting the cost before laying the foundation ; thereby bringing humiliation rather than exaltation, and weakness instead of strength, the destiny Divinely designed for the denomina- tion. Work was soon begun in the same direction in Baltimore, but with no better result.
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EAST MAINE CONFERENCE SEMINARY.
The East Maine Conference, immediately upon its organization, acting in accordance with precedent and usage, as well as demand and inclination, at its first session, in 1848, took under consideration the matter of a Conference Seminary, and planned as follows :
" First. Resolved, That we deem it our duty to make a spirited effort to establish a Conference Seminary, to be located somewlicre on the Penobscot. Second. Resolved, That we clect a board of trustees, consisting of twenty-four. Third. Resolved, That we recommend that a committee of five be chosen from the trustecs, to receive proposals for its location. Fourth. Resolved, That the trustees be instructed to apply to the State Legislature for an act of incorpora- tion as soon as they judge proper."
As per second resolution, a board of trustees was elected as follows : Asahel Moore, W. H. Pilsbury, John Atwell, W. Marsh, H. M. Blake, Benjamin Bryant, Cyrus Scammon, Seth H. Beale, George Pratt, Albert Church, Sullivan Bray, Caleb D. Pillsbury. Mark R. Hopkins, Sylvanus Rich, Joseph Doane, Charles Beale, Joseph Cargill, Henry C. Lowell, Horace Muzzy, R. A. Ricker, John A. Jarvis, Micah J. Talbot, W. G. Chase, and Theophilus Doe.
The first meeting of trustees was held in Bangor, August 8, 1848 ; and officers of the board were elected as follows : A. Moore, President, W. H. Pilsbury, Secretary. In accordance with a recommendatory resolution of the East Maine Conference, a committee to receive proposals for the location was chosen as follows : A. Moore, W. H. Pilsbury, W. Marsh, J. Atwell, H. M. Blake. Voted, that W. H. Pilsbury and H. M. Blake be a committee to address a circular to the public, calling attention to the project of the institution. At a
meeting June 22, 1849, proposals for location being in order, David Higgins, in behalf of citizens of Bucksport, proposed as follows : " To make a donation to the trustees of land to the value of five hundred dollars, and, in other forms, to the value of twenty-five hundred dollars ; provided the seminary shall be located in Bucksport."
No other proposals being received, and the former committee having been discharged, a committee to receive further proposals was appointed, as follows : Sylvanus Rich, W. H. Pilsbury, M. R. Hopkins, A. Moore, with power to locate the East Maine Conference Seminary where, in their judgment, the object sought can most certainly be secured, having reference to facilities of access, to the state of society, health of the situation, the bonus offered, and the best accommodation of the several sections of the Conference terri-
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SEMINARY CONTINUED.
tory ; the time of locating being August 15. At a meeting of trustees September 6. 1849, upon notice in Zion's Herald, dated August 16, 1849. as follows : " A meeting of trustees of the East Maine Conference Seminary will be held on the Camp Ground at Northport, on Thursday, September 6th, at one o'clock, of which all will please take dne notice, and attend, if possible. As measures for active operations will come before the board, it is important that there be a general attendance. The names of the trustees may be found in the minutes of the Conference. Will the preachers inform any lay trustees, who may not see this notice, of the meeting ;" it was voted to confirm the location of the seminary at Bucksport village, and on the Hill. as recommended. Also, " Voted, that William G. Chase be, and he is hereby anthorized to take a deed to the trnstecs of the East Maine Conference Seminary, and their successors in office, of the old meeting-house lot, so called, in Bucksport village ; and to commence and proceed in the erection of a seminary building, as the means may be furnished." At a meeting of trustees. July 30, 1850, the charter was adopted, a copy of which here follows :
"' STATE OF MAINE.
In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
An Act to incorporate the Trustees of the East Maine Conference Seminary.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Legislature assembled, as follows :
Section 1. Asahel Moore, William H. Pilsbury, William G. Chase, John Atwell, Sylvanus Rich, Joseph Doane, William Marsh, Charles Beale, Benjamin Bryant, Henry M. Blake, Joseph Cargill, Henry C. Lowell, Cyrns Scammon, Seth H. Beale, Horace Muzzy, George Pratt, Albert Church, R. A. Ricker, John A. Jarvis, Micah J. Talbot, Sullivan Bray, Theophilus Doe, Caleb D. Pillsbury, and Mark R. Hopkins, with their associates and successors, are hereby constituted a corporation by the name of 'Trustees of the East Maine Confer- ence Seminary,' for the promotion of literature, science, good government and morality.
Section 2. Said corporation may have a common seal ; may sue and be sued ; make such by-laws, not repngnant to the laws of this State, as they may deem expedient for the management of their affairs ; remove any of their number, whom they shall deem incapable of discharging said trust ; fill all vacancies occurring by such removal,
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SEMINARY CONTINUED.
or otherwise, and choose additional trustces ; provided, however, that the number of said trustees shall never exceed twenty-seven.
Section 3. Said trustees are also hereby authorized to take and hold estate, real and personal, that they may now possess, or here- after receive, by donation or otherwise, the annual income of which shall not exceed three thousand dollars ; and are vested with all the powers and privileges, and subject to all the liabilities and duties incidental to similar corporations.
Section 4. The first meeting of the corporation may be called by any two of the persons named in the first section of this act, by giving two weeks' notice in Zion's Herald and Wesleyan Journal.
Seetion 5. This aet shall take effect from and after its approval by the Governor.
In the House of Representatives, June 13th, 1850. This bill, having had three several readings, passed to be enacted.
SAMUEL BELCHER, Speaker.
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In Senate, June 13th, 1850. This bill, having had two several readings, passed to be enaeted.
THOMAS M. MORROW, President pro. tem. June 14th, 1850. Approved.
JOHN HUBBARD.
SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Augusta, June 24th, 1850.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original deposited in this offiee.
ALDEN JACKSON, Deputy Secretary of State."
Upon the adoption of which, July 30, 1850, A. Moore was chosen Moderator, and W. H. Pilsbury, Secretary, when a code of by-laws was adopted, as follows :
" BY-LAWS
Of the trustees of the East Maine Conference Seminary.
Artiele 1. This organization shall be known by the name of 'The Board of Trustees of the East Maine Conference Seminary,' and its objeet shall be to act under a charter to said trustees from the Maine Legislature, for the purposes therein specified.
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SEMINARY CONTINUED.
Article 2. The officers shall be a president, vice president, secre- tary, treasurer, a prudential committee of five, and three auditors, to be chosen at the annual meeting of the board.
Article 3. The annual meeting shall be on the second day of the annual sessions of the East Maine Conference.
Article 4. The secretary shall keep a record of the doings of the board ; give due notice of the annual meetings thereof ; and call special meetings whenever so requested by any five members of the board.
Article 5. The prudential committee shall meet as often as their chairman shall direct. It shall be their duty to transact such business as the board may require. They shall have power to inspect the affairs of the seminary at any time ; to require answers to any inquiries which they may address to the instructors, or other officers of the seminary, and to advise them thereon. They may also do such incidental business, not contrary to the charter and by-laws, as they may judge necessary, subject to a revision of the trustees.
Article 6. It shall be the duty of the treasurer, after giving such bond as the trustees may, from time to time, require, to receive all monies belonging to the seminary, and to pay out the same as the trustees may direct. He shall also make an annual report of his doings to the trustees, having his account at all times open to the inspection of the prudential committe.
Article 7. At any regular meeting of the trustees, seven members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business ; but any number, who meet upon proper notice of such meeting, shall have power to adjourn, from time to time, as they judge expedient.
Article 8. The board shall have power to fill vacancies and effect changes at its annual meetings, and then only.
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