History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 181

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100

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open rupture between the two antagonistic schools of thought,-that is, in 1818,-we find from the record that the prevailing restlessness and dissatisfaction with the old order of things had reached the remote settlement of Bangor, and it took the form of a secession from the only Congregational church existing in the place.

Contrary to the usual course of things in Massachu- setts, where in very many cases the liberal party outnum- bered their opponents, forced them to secede, and re- tained the church property, here the little band of liberal thinkers became exiles from their old religious home. The conflict which preceeded their exile seems to have been a bitter one, in which theological controversy ran high, and the odium theologicum was intense.

The aim of the other party seems to have been the establishment of a religious test, doubtless with the idea of bringing about the exclusion of the new thought and its adherents. Against this thoroughly un-Protestant proceeding the real Protestants rebelled, and finding themselves in a minority, withdrew. With what feeling this was done, you may gather from the record. Not with the intent to revive old feuds, nor recall painful rec -. ollections, but simply to give an idea of the prevailing spirit and temper of that time of eager controversy, in the heat of which doubtless many things which never should have been uttered, were said upon both sides, I will quote the original bond of association:

WHEREAS, the peace and good order of society depend in a great measure upon the harmony existing between the various denominations of religious people; and whereas, it is provided by the constitution of this Commonwealth that there shall be no subordination of one religious sect or denomination to another; and whereas, in our opinion, the sentiments and conduct of the present Congregational Society in the town of Bangor are uncharitable, intolerant, and oppressive, tending to establish a religious test and to destroy that quiet, peace, and harmony which is of essential importance to the well-being of mankind; therefore we whose names are undersigned, desirous of preventing the evils which necessarily result from the conduct above mentioned, and of promoting religion upon consistent and liberal principles, do hereby agree to form ourselves into a society to be called the Independent Congregational Society of Bangor.

To this remarkable bond of association there were signed twenty-one names, many of which were the names of men who, by the weight of their character, their public spirit, and business integrity, stood high in the estimation of their townsmen, and gave a decided impress to that spirit of individuality and sturdy common sense which our community in an eminent degree still retains .*

The new society, homeless and feeble, evidently had a hard struggle for existence. For five years there are on record but two important business meetings, held respectively at the houses of Joseph R. Lumbert and Wiggins Hill. At the latter three new members were admitted, who signed a paper agreeing to unite them- selves to the Independent Congregational Society for the support of the rational doctrines of liberal Christianity.

In 1823 the society seems to have attained the dignity of a regular parish, as there appears the first formal call for a parish meeting at the Court-house, now the City Hall, where Sunday services were occasionally held, that place having been the early home of every religious soci- ety in the city.

*Extract from a sermon preached in the fall of 1877, by the Rev. A. M. Knapp. Most kindly copied and furnished by Thomas W. Baldwin, Esq.

* The association was formed March 25, 1818.

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During the first fifteen or twenty years of its existence, though there was no rapid increase in numbers, the ac- cessions to the society were for the most part men of even more sterling worth, of even more influence and stand- ing, than the original twenty-one, some of whom could not remain under the odium which attached to the new or- ganization.

In 1824 a committee was chosen to provide a house for worship. But how poorly provided the society was for such a pecuniary burden may be gathered from the fact that in that year the sum appropriated for the support of the ministry was $120. The next year the sum was doubled, and for quite a number of years thereafter there was a steady increase, untill the salary voted indicated what was in those times positive affluence.

There is no mention of any step taken toward building until, in 1827, a part of the present lot of land was given to the society by Isaac Davenport, for the erection of a brick church. This was a doubly acceptable gift, pro- viding, it would seem, not only the land, but also the impetus needed; for in two years more, in 1829, the church was completed, which, singularly enough, though it fronted on Main street, was always known by the name of the Union Street Brick Church, that being also the name by which the corporation called itself. The confusion which might result from the use of the two names, "In- dependent Congregational Society" and "Union Street Brick Church," the former being an unincorporated body, was in 1852 remedied by a new incorporation under the first name, the two old associations deeding to the new all the property held under their respective names.

The so-called Union Street Brick Church was a plain, commodious structure, the largest and finest then in the city. It was dedicated September 3, 1829, by services in which Rev. Mr. Huntoon, of Canton, Massachusetts, and Rev. Mr. Frothingham, of Belfast, took part.

The call to a minister to settle with the new society followed close upon the completion of the church. On the 7th of November it was unanimously voted to extend a call to the Rev. Benjamin Huntoon, of Canton, Massa- chusetts.

Mr. Huntoon remained pastor four years, administer- ing his office and performing his duties to the satisfaction of all, and endearing himself to all by his kindly ways. He resigned, in 1833, on account of ill health.

The pulpit now remained vacant for two years, the usual difference of opinion in an independent society manifesting itself in regard to candidates, until in 1835 a call was given to Mr. Frederic H. Hedge, of Cam- bridge, a young man of thirty.

During the fifteen years of Dr. Hedge's ministry the growth and prosperity of the society seem to have cul- minated. In numbers, wealth, and influence it was a power in the community. Though under him the strength and prosperity of the society culminated, yet also under him it saw its period of greatest depression. It was in his pastoral that the great bubble of speculation burst, and financial ruin came upon almost every family in the city.

In 1847 Dr. Hedge obtained leave of absence for a

year, for the purpose of visiting Europe. In the follow- ing year, extensive repairs being made upon the church, the Universalist society offered the use of their house, an offer which was gratefully accepted, and as a mark of appreciation of the kindness, a clock was presented to our hospitable neighbors. Two years after the pastor's return from Europe, in the fifteenth year of his ministry, he received and accepted a call from the Westminster society in Providence, Rhode Island, and his resignation followed, his people parting from him with the deepest regret, and with many expressions of their love and appreciation.

Only six months intervened before a call was given to Rev. Joseph H. Allen, of Washington, D. C., then a young man of thirty. His pastorate continued six years. In him the scholarly tone of thought and life given by his predecessor was continued; and the society, having recovered in some degree from its financial embarrass- ments, continued as prosperous and successful as could be expected. Its prosperity, however, received another most severe check in the total destruction of the church by fire on the morning of Sunday, November 30, 1851. Only the communion service, part of the pew furniture, the pulpit, and the Sunday-school library, were saved from the wreck.

From the many proffers of use of churches, the society deemed it best to accept that of their old friends, the Universalists, with whom they were then and have ever been in the pleasantest relations.

The misfortune under which they labored, there being no insurance on the property destroyed, was not permit- ted to discourage the people. With characteristic energy, measures were immediately taken to rebuild. A building committee was chosen, the lot was greatly enlarged by the purchase of more land, and in September of 1853, about twenty months after the destruction of the former church, the present exquisitely proportioned and beauti- ful edifice was finished, and furnished with a taste and judgment which in those days had not been excelled.

No very heavy debt was incurred, and in the whole history of the society there has been no stain upon its financial honor; it seems never to have been burdened with any debt which it was not within its power, with very slight effort, to liquidate. Generous liberality seems to have marked the course of its prominent members, thus showing that they kept true to the original articles of as- sociation, which declared for religion upon consistent and liberal principles.

In May, 1857, closed Mr. Allen's pastorate, after sev- en years of the untiring labor and devoted zeal which have ever marked his character and services.

After two more years of the dreary experience of hear- ing candidates, and after an unsuccessful call to the Rev. Mr. Frothingham, of Portland, the society heard with such great satisfaction the very youngest sermons of Mr. C. C. Everett, then a young man of thirty, a student in the Cambridge Divinity School, that, he not being able to consider a call while connected with the school, they waited nearly half. a year for his release, and then had. the fortune to secure as their pastor one who, besides

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giving them for ten years the blessing of faithful and de- voted service and valued friendship, has also won for himself a world-wide reputation among scholars and men of letters, for work which is destined to live with ever increasing influence - work, too, performed under every possible discouragement and physical disability. The relation of pastor and people was so thoroughly har- monious that nothing but his appointment to a professor- ship at Harvard could, in all probability, have sufficed to sever the bond.

After the resignation of Mr. Everett, with that extraor- dinary disposition which the society has constantly ex- hibited to repeat its history, an interval of two years of candidating elapsed, until in September, 1871, your pres- ent pastor (Rev. Arthur May Knapp), then a young man of thirty, was called.

Mr. Baldwin adds a note to bring the history from the time of Mr. Knapp's pastorate to the present :

In February, 1874, Mr. Knapp asked for a leave of absence for six months on account of ill health, which time he spent in traveling in Europe.

In the summer of 1877 extensive repairs were made on the interior of the church, and at the opening of the church after their completion, Rev. Mr. Knapp preached the sermon from which the foregoing extract is taken. In February, 1879, he closed his pastorate.

In February, 1880, Rev. S. J. Stewart, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, was called to fill the pulpit for one year; and so great satisfaction did he give that in November, 1880, a permanent call was given him, which he ac- cepted.

WEST BANGOR CHAPEL (CONGREGATIONAL) .*

In 1833, when the village was known as Barkerville, some who believed that here was one of the by-ways where their Master would have them go, to invite people to the gospel-feast, held meetings in the school-house, which was then located on the Webster road, near the corner of Lincoln street. The members of the Theo- logical Seminary took an active part in the work ; among them Rev. Dr. Hamlin, afterwards a prominent mission- ary in Turkey; Revs. John D. Paris and Elias Bond, missionaries at the Sandwich Islands, and Rev. George F. Claflin, a missionary to Africa.

In 1848 two young men, members of Hammond Street society, afterwards active members of the church, J. Evarts Pond, and Henry W. Rice established a Sab- bath-school, which was the origin of the present school. It was held at first only from May to October, but for the last twenty-five years every Sabbath. In 1858 there was a regular organization of the school. Darius E. Adams, now a devoted pastor at Ashburnham, Massachusetts, was the first Superintendent; William G. Duren, Secretary, who has been connected with the school as teacher, Secretary, Manager, or Superintendent for twenty-five years, with unwearied devotion and constancy. Dennis C. Fink was its second Superintendent, afterward a faith- ful minister, who died in New Boston, New Hampshire, June 22, 1871, aged thirty-nine. Deacon S. D. Thurston

and Deacon W. P. Anderson were Superintendents a few months each, the latter until he removed to Boston; Deacon A. L. Bourne, Superintendent five years; N. W. Littlefield from 1880. Teachers from Hammond Street and other churches, and the Seminary, have been present each Sabbath, and done good service.

The Sabbath-school and religious services were held in the school-house on Webster street, and in Allen Street school-house when that was built, in 1849, all in the neighborhood meeting together. In 1872-3 some oppo- sition began to spring up, and the result was that a part of the time the Sabbath-school and meetings were held in private dwellings. All felt the need of having a Christian home. There were forty families represented, and there being no church edifice in the vicinity, many were unable to attend public worship, and the school- house was not large or convenient enough to accommo- date all who desired to.

Accordingly the present neat chapel was built in 1873-4, and dedicated April 2, 1874, Professor Barbour, and Dr. Pond, of the Seminary, Rev. G. W. Field, Rev. S. P. Fay, and Rev. J. E. Pond, of the Congregational churches, Rev. Dr. Butler, of the Baptist church, and Rev. A. Prince, of the Methodist church, taking part in the service. A hymn was written for the occasion by Mrs. J. E. Littlefield, and a poem by Mrs. D. M. Dun- ham. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham, Mr. and Mrs. H. Doughty, Mr. and Mrs. William G. Duren, with efficient helpers, took a leading interest in the work. Much of the mate- rial was donated and money contributed by friends, and nearly every one in the vicinity gave a portion of their services to aid in building. The lot was paid for by three gentlemen respectively connected with the three Congregational churches of Bangor, and they were ap- pointed trustees of the property (though the enterprise was not considered denominational).

The changes which have been wrought in the general condition of that part of the city bear testimony to the influence of the efforts to promote its moral and relig- ious interests. There is a change in its outward appear- ance. There is thrift and order and quiet where there were once shiftlessness, disorder, and confusion.

The West Bangor Chapel Association was organized June 5, 1880, and by-laws were adopted. The following are the officers: Rev. J. E. Adams, Deacon A. L. Bourne, James A. Dole, Charles E. Seeland, Edward H. Bailey, Standing Committee; William G. Duren, Secre- tary; Pierre McConville, Treasurer; E. F. Duren, Au- ditor.

CROSBYVILLE CHAPEL.

A missionary enterprise, conducted as an undenomi- national effort, but in which the Congregationalists of the city took chief interest, has been undertaken of late years in that quarter known as "Crosbyville," on the Hampden road, below the City Farm. It culminated in the latter part of 1881, in the erection of a neat chapel for public worship-a building very creditable to the neighborhood, and one which gives promise of the or- ganization therein, at no distant day, of a flourishing re- ligious society.

* By Deacon Elnathan F. Duren.

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HISTORY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, MAINE.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH .*

Nine persons, members of the Baptist churches, had become residents of Bangor, who, in their private dwell- ings, were often together for prayer; occasionally enjoy- ing a communion season with the church in Hampden, of which they became members-but chiefly attending upon the preaching of the town minister, of course, if, as provident men, they looked for any benefit from their re- ligious money, which was legally claimed for his support.

In December, 1817, the Rev. Isaac Case, on a mission- ary tour, visited these brethren, and baptized two per- sons, Edward Sargent and Sarah Randall, supposed by some to be the first persons baptized in town. Resulting from that visit was the appointment of a meeting for the organization of a church.

Accordingly, on the afternoon of the 25th of January, 1818, a few neighbors were seen quietly gathering in a room then occupied by Thomas Bradbury, in a house owned by a Mr. Seward, in the rear of the present Penob- scot Exchange, which was the service which we now commemorate. The presiding officer was the venerable Elder Buck, of Orland; Nathaniel Parker, of Hampden, was clerk; and Elders Dexter, of China, Case of Read- field, and Ruggles, of Carmel, with deacons from distant churches, sat in council with them. Before them sat eleven disciples, meeting a singular embarrassment at the very threshold of their undertaking. Unfortunately their letters of dismission, expected from distant churches, had not arrived; and, therefore, in apostolic independence of all ecclesiastical authority (perhaps the most distinctive principle of their denomination), it was decided that each should give an account of personal religious experience, and that they should be recognized as a church, if satis- factory evidence was given to the council, and to one another, of a special work of grace in their hearts.

Satisfactory evidence having been obtained of the con- version of those professed disciples, all stood in a circle with joined hands, as the covenant was read, when Elder Case exhorted them to faithfulness in the Christian walk, and then commended to God in prayer the little house- hold, thus in primitive simplicity organized, which ven- tured to assume a name as the Baptist Church of Ban- gor, and to open its apparently uninviting door. for the welcome of heaven-bound pilgrims. The organization having been completed, Mr. Nathan Fiske immediately presented himself as a candidate for membership, and on the following Sabbath was baptized ; after which the little band, just equal in number to that with the Master when the sacred rite was instituted, assembled for the first time around the table of the Lord.

Popular prejudice still remained, hardly credible now ; which, happily, none of any sect would countenance at the present time, for which none now living are account- able. Quite difficult for us to believe the fact that here, at that time, a man who otherwise would have had urged upon him the honors of the community, was rudely pushed into the ditch on Sunday, because one coming

from a Baptist meeting was not supposed to have any right to walk the same path with those of the standing order. And women are remembered who went with drooping heads and veiled faces, because to be known going to their place of worship was no slight humiliation.

And the pittance of money which they could spare for religious purposes being still expected for the support of the town minister,-to provide for one of their own, and to obtain a respectable place of public worship, being ut- terly impossible,-we are quite certain that nothing less than most decided convictions of duty could have led that little church, in its penury, to venture out into the cold world, so like its Master, without where to shelter its head. From its birthplace it might have been followed, now to an old school-house on State street ; and now to a place once known as "Leavitt's Hall," near City Point, then known as "Budge's Point ;" sometimes to a school- house on the hill opposite the First Parish church ; some- times to one on Union street ; driven at times to an un- finished upper room in that private dwelling (so difficult of access) now standing nearly opposite the Hammond Street church ; and at length to the old City Hall. When attempts had been made to obtain land on which to build, others of more ability immediately purchased it, to de- prive them of any permanence.

In one year after the organization of the church, Rev. Otis Briggs was invited to the pastorate, which office he nominally filled about two years (somewhat longer, preach- ing a part of the time, while Preceptor of Hampden Academy), never having been installed, but referred to in the records as the "Elder " of the church. Mr. Briggs was a graduate of Brown University, of the class of 1808. He was ordained as pastor of the church in North Yar- mouth, July 23, 1816, where he remained two years, and commenced his ministry here in the spring of 1819. He was afterwards pastor of the First Baptist church in Hampden eight years, and three years of the Second church in that town. In 1838 he was appointed agent of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and on a journey in that service, after an illness of four days, during which he calmly closed his worldly affairs, sending affectionate messages to his family, and speaking of his hope in his Redeemer and his readiness to depart, he suddenly died at the house of a friend in South Carolina, October 1, 1842, aged fifty-six years.

The records of the Maine Baptist Convention (which was organized in 1824) show that missionaries of its ap- pointment preached here for a few weeks or months, at different times ; among whom were William D. Grant, Ezra Going, H. B. Dodge, and Daniel Bartlett.

Thus the church pursued an uneven journey, with al- most disheartening feebleness, till 1828, when there dawned one of the brightest, most memorable seasons in all its history. The singular faith and courage which seemed to prelude the new era may be suggested by the fact that land had at length been secured, and arrange- ments made for the erection of a sanctuary, the estimated cost of which was more than all the property of the mem- bers. The plans of that house were spoken of as indica- tions of insanity. Days of fasting and prayer were of

*Abridged from an historical discourse by the Rev. Albion K. P. Small, the Sabbath after the semi-centennial anniversary, January 25, 1868.

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somewhat frequent occurrence. Unexpected and gener- ous friends soon were found, prominent among whom were Messrs. N. R. Cobb, of Boston, and Nicholas Brown, of Providence. As a pleasing indication of more kindly popular feeling, it appears that Benjamin Bussey, Esq., of Boston, to whom the Selectmen of Bangor had presented a vote of thanks for his donation of a bell for the Congregational society in 1816, now (twelve years later) united with John P. Boyd in bestowing upon this society the same favor.

At a meeting of the Maine Baptist Convention in Thomaston, in October, 1827, the chairman of the com- mittee to distribute the meagre domestic missionary funds, in a special plea for as large an appropriation as possible towards a missionary for Bangor, set forth the condition of this promising village in such an interesting manner that Deacon Joshua Adams, of Thomaston (or " Owl's Head," as the fathers would say), immediately arose and pledged the support of a missionary at Bangor for eight weeks. The Rev. J. S. Smith was found all ready for the service, even longing for it before it was proposed.

The place of baptism so frequently visited before the native banks of the Kenduskeag were changed into city wharves, was spoken of as near the hay scales on Ex- change street, not far from the house where the church was organized.

The first regularly settled pastor was Rev. Thomas B. Ripley, who had been a pastor in Portland twelve years. He arrived in Bangor in season to preach the dedication sermon, the 16th of April, 1829, from the text, I Chron. 29: 3-"I have set my affection to the house of my God."

The interesting services of that occasion were partici- pated in by Rev. Dr. Pomroy, of the First Parish church; Rev. Greenleaf Greeley, of the Methodist church; Rev. Mr. Briggs, of Hampden; and Professors Adams and Smith, of the Theological Seminary. The Bangor Register of that date said: "It was gratifying to witness the harmony which seemed to pervade the feelings of the different denominations; and it is believed the friends of religion had much enjoyment."

The installation of Mr. Ripley took place on the 10th of September, 1829, in connection with the fourth very interesting anniversary of the Penobscot Baptist Asso- ciation which was held here ;- the sermon being preached by Rev. Alonzo King, of North Yarmouth, from the text James 5: 20-"Let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

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History of Penobscot County, Maine; with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 181

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co. Number of Pages: 1100

Author: Williams, Chase & Co., Cleveland (Ohio)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams, Chase & Co.
Number of Pages: 1100