USA > Maine > History of the Baptists in Maine > Part 21
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The Missionary Society meanwhile continued its work in a feeble way. The receipts were small. For the years 1838 and 1839, we have no report of the Society's income.
The crisis in the affairs of the Convention continued. By added efforts, heroically endured, however, a large part of the debt was at length paid. But the Convention was not yet ready to resume its former position as a mis- sionary organization. At the meeting of the Convention held at Thomaston, Oct. 8 and 9, 1840, the board was made a committee to confer with the trustees of the Maine Bap- tist Missionary Society to ascertain if some plan could not be devised to unite the two bodies. The trustees of the Maine Baptist Missionary Society, at a meeting held in Topsham Jan. 20, 1841, appointed a committee to confer
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with the trustees of the Convention in reference to the proposed union.
Such a conference was held and an arrangement was made in accordance with which it was agreed that the Maine Baptist Missionary Society should henceforth be the sole organ of the domestic missionary operations of the Baptists of Maine. At a meeting of the trustees of the Maine Baptist Missionary Society, held in Hallowell Oct. 13, 1841, a report to this effect was received and adopted, and certain changes were made in the constitu- tion of the Society. The Maine Baptist Convention held its annual meeting in Hallowell Oct. 13 and 14, 1841. At this meeting a report from the board of trustees was received, recommending "that the Maine Baptist Mission- ary Society be considered the sole organ of our domes- tic missionary operations." The recommendation was adopted, and the treasurer was directed to pay over to the treasurer of the Maine Baptist Missionary Society the amount of money that remained in his hands, after set- tling the accounts of the previous year and paying for the printing of the Minutes.
The missionary work of the Baptists of Maine was now left to a single organization, and that the earlier one. The Convention, however, continued its organization, finding still a field for its activities ; but unquestionably in relinquishing its missionary work it lost, in a great measure, the position it had hitherto held.
At a meeting in Hallowell, Oct. 14, 1841, the trustees of the Missionary Society, in order to secure greater effi- ciency in its operations, divided the State into sections. The first embraced the counties of York, Cumberland and Oxford; the second, those of Bowdoinham, Lincoln, Kennebec, Waldo and Piscataquis ; the third, those of Penobscot, Hancock and Washington. The members of the board in these sections were made sub-committees of the board, and it was voted that the funds raised by the churches within these sections during that year should
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be placed at the disposal of the sub-committee and appro- priated as its members saw fit, but within the provisions of the constitution of the Society. It was also voted that ministers might subscribe to the funds of the Society and pay such subscription in missionary labor "at the rate of five dollars a week, if performed within the year."
The missionary activity of the churches was increased by the new order of things. More money was placed at the disposal of the board. In the report of the board pre- sented at the annual meeting, held in Turner June 15, 1842, there is evidence that a brighter day in the mission- ary operations of the Baptists of Maine had now dawned. At this meeting the Society voted to enter into an aux- iliary relation with the American Baptist Home Mis- sion Society.1 At this session of the Society, Rev. Joseph Ricker, then editor of Zion's Advocate, was made secre- tary of the Society, entering into a relation, though for a year only, in which he was made familiar with the mis- sionary work of the denomination in Maine, a work in which afterward he was to find so important a part of his life work.
Missionaries were appointed, and as their reports were published the members of the churches were more and more strongly impressed with the needs of the State as a missionary field. The report of the board, prepared by Secretary Ricker, and presented at the annual meeting in Warren, June 21, 1843, showed that the expenditures of the year were about $1,500. Year by year the importance of the work was emphasized, and more and more the imperative duty of the churches to make their domestic missionary work increasingly effective was forcibly pre- sented. Larger contributions were called for, and at the annual meeting of the Society in Brunswick, June 12 and 13, 1846, it was deemed important to secure the services of "an agent, whose time should be entirely devoted to advocating the claims of domestic missions, and collect-
1 As there is no further mention of such a relation, the vote for some reason probably was not made effective.
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REV. L. B. ALLEN, D. D.
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ing funds." Rev. J. Wilson, who had been pastor of the church at Waldoborough, received and accepted this appointment, but his service continued only during the year. His appointment, however, furnishes evidence of the growing importance of the missionary work in the State. Mr. Wilson was succeeded by Rev. Handel G. Nott of Bath, who at a meeting of the board held June 29, 1847, was elected agent with primary but not exclusive reference to the collection of funds. Mr. Nott's salary was $500, and he was allowed "$50 additional towards his outfit, provided he furnished himself with horse and car- riage." He was also to have his necessary traveling expenses.
Mr. Nott, after faithfully serving the Society as its agent about six months, resigned, though at the request of the board he continued to serve the Society by correspondence until the next annual meeting, when he was succeeded by Rev. L. B. Allen. Mr. Allen, who received his appoint- ment June 22, 1848, was at the time in delicate health and entered upon this service with hesitation on this account. He was able, however, faithfully to discharge his duties, spending thirty-eight weeks during the first year of his appointment in attending exclusively to the interests of the Society, twenty-four weeks in collecting funds and fourteen weeks in performing missionary labor among the destitute churches. The whole number of missionaries and pastors aided during a part or the whole of the year was thirty-six. After spending about twenty weeks in the service of the Society the following year, finding that his health would not permit him to do the needed service, Mr. Allen resigned Nov. 30, 1849.
Several attempts were made by the board to fill the vacancy, but without success. Among others, Rev. Adam Wilson was urged to accept the position of agent or finan- cial secretary. Manifestly there was a deepening interest in missionary work in Maine. The amounts appropriated to destitute churches in recent years had been as follows : For the year ending June, 1848, $1,678.83; June, 1849,
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$1,970.63; June, 1850, $1,949.87; June, 1851, $2,014.87. At the meeting of the Society at Bloomfield, June 18, 1851, the trustees reported the beginning of a permanent fund by a bequest of $1,000 from Thomas Burton of War- ren. At the meeting of the Society at Belfast, June 16, 1852, a resolution was introduced, to the effect that "of all the benevolent contributions in the State, it was right and expedient that one-half be expended in Maine." This resolution gave rise to an animated discussion with refer- ence to the claims and needs of Maine. All who took part in the discussion expressed the conviction that more should be done for the home field, but in place of the resolution that led to the discussion, the following was adopted : "That the Baptists of Maine ought to raise at least $4,000 for domestic missions the present year." It is noteworthy that the interest in missionary work in Maine awakened by this discussion "did not subside in unmeaning resolutions." The receipts of the Society for the year, including a balance of $367.45, were $4,126.65, an increase of $1,084.10 over the receipts of the previous year.
The fiftieth anniversary of the Society was held in Ban- gor, June 21, 1854. The financial report was an encourag- ing one, the receipts having been upwards of $4,000. On motion of Rev. S. L. Caldwell of Bangor, it was voted "That the board of trustees be requested to form their plans of operations with reference to an increase of con- tributions and appropriations each year, and that for the current year they endeavor to raise $4,800."
For some time Rev. E. Nugent had served the Mis- sionary Society as its agent or financial secretary. At a meeting of the board, held in Portland Sept. 4, 1854, Mr. Nugent resigned, and it was suggested that at the next annual meeting of the Society a recommendation should be made by the board that a corresponding secretary be appointed "to care for all the mission churches, to super- intend the labors of the missionaries and also to superin- tend the whole work of obtaining funds." At the annual
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meeting of the Society held at Eastport, June 20, 1855, it was voted to employ a secretary who should have the care of the Society's financial affairs and missionary oper- ations. Rev. N. Butler was elected corresponding sec- retary at a salary of $800 and "reasonable expenses." Mr. Butler accepted the appointment, but discouragement because of the apathy of pastors and churches with refer- ence to his work led to his resignation Oct. 13, 1855. Evidently the Baptists in Maine were not yet ready for such an appointment.
The board, however, addressed itself to the task of fill- ing the vacancy, and also of finding one or more brethren to act as general missionaries. Year by year, as the records show, there was a clearer apprehension of the work to be done, and a stronger determination to use the forces available for its accomplishment.
At the annual meeting held in Waterville, June 16, 1858, when by the great revival much encouragement had been given for a more vigorous prosecution of the work, it was voted to attempt to raise during the year the sum of $4,000 for missionary purposes in the State. This amount was not fully secured, but at the annual meeting in 1859, a recommendation was adopted that an effort be made to secure $4,500 during the coming year. In the annual report presented at the meeting of the Society at Bidde- ford, June 22, 1859, mention is first made of Rev. S. G. Sargent in connection with our missionary operations. He had received the appointment of general missionary, and in the report his work called forth grateful acknowledg- ment on the part of the board. This was the beginning of a service long continued and greatly blessed. At this meeting Rev. W. H. Shailer, D. D., was chairman of a committee on "the Method and Scope of the Operations of the Society." Rev. G. W. Bosworth was president of the Society, having been elected in 1858. Both had come into the State from pastorates in Massachusetts. Dr. Shailer was pastor of the First Baptist church in Portland, and Mr. Bosworth was pastor of the Free St. church,
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Portland. Wise, strong, masterful men, they had secured the confidence of their brethren in the State, and their influence was strongly felt in all such enterprises as were connected with the progress of the denomination in Maine.
At the meeting of the Missionary Society held in Augusta, June 20, 1860, President Bosworth appointed committees on "Important Centers," on "Aroostook Mis- sions," on "Churches in the Rural Districts" and on "Finance." The committee on "Important Centers" reported the following resolution : "That this Society, in its own experience, has already had proof that sympathy for feeble churches in retired positions can in no way be more wisely manifested than by efficiently sustaining the struggling churches in important centers." Addresses by Rev. A. K. P. Small, Mr. M. Giddings and Mr. G. F. Emery followed. The committee on "Aroostook Mis- sions" offered the following resolution : "That the present indications are that God, in his providence, is about to open a wide door for effective effort in the Aroostook region, and that this Society should at once prepare itself to meet the rapidly increasing wants of that important portion of the State." Those who addressed the Society on this resolution were Rev. C. G. Porter, Rev. S. Besse, Rev. H. Kendall, Dea. J. C. White, Rev. A. Wilson and Rev. A. K. P. Small. There was not at that time a single Baptist church in the Aroostook region. How accurately thus early had the brethren discovered Aroostook's possi- bilities ! The committee on "Churches in the Rural Dis- tricts" made this report: "That after due consideration, taking into account the relation of the parts to the whole, they are prepared to say that in their opinion the rural portions of our large territory have special claim upon our board, and hold out many inducements for evangelical labor." Remarks were made by Rev. C. Parker, Rev. Dr. W. H. Shailer, Rev. S. Ilsley, Rev. S. G. Sargent, Rev. H. Hawes, Rev. I. Leland and Rev. H. V. Dexter. The whole field was in this way surveyed and its needs presented. It only remained to hear from the committee
DEA. J. C. WHITE.
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on "Finance," consisting of such business men as J. C. White, Wm. Wilson and H. M. Hart. This was their report : "That while we rejoice in the increase of funds to the treasury the past year, we would recommend fixing the sum higher than that voted last year ($4,500), hoping that we may this year come up to that mark, and thus make our resolves and acts meet each other. All three of the members of the committee addressed the Society, and they were followed by Rev. W. Hurlin, Rev. S. Chisam, Rev. S. G. Sargent, Rev. H. Fittz, Rev. W. T. Sargent, Rev. S. Hall, Rev. Geo. Knox and Rev. C. G. Porter.
It is evident that the Baptists in Maine, with inspiring leaders and increasing financial resources, were now in a better condition for an advance movement than at any other period in their history. Other events, however, were soon largely to occupy public attention. Before the arrival of another annual meeting the Civil War had opened, and during the next four years the energies of the people of Maine, in common with the people of the loyal States, were engaged in the strenuous effort to put down rebellion and maintain the federal union. The work of the Society, however, was carried forward, even under these circumstances, with a growing interest in its prog- ress. There was an increase in contributions, especially during the last two years of the war, which enabled the Missionary Society somewhat to extend its operations.
At the annual meeting of the Society in Lewiston, June 21, 1865, the importance of securing "an efficient man as secretary" was again presented by Rev. N. Butler, and the board was instructed to consider the expediency of appointing such a secretary, "who shall devote his whole time to the affairs of the Society, and to missionary labor among the churches and in the missionary fields of the State, and who shall receive as salary $1,000 and expenses."
The missionary work of the Baptists of Maine had now been under the direction of the Maine Baptist Missionary Society since 1841. Meanwhile the Maine Baptist Con-
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vention had continued its organization, with an outlook upon the varied interests not cared for by the Maine Baptist Missionary Society and the Maine Baptist Educa- tion Society. But there was a growing conviction that the Missionary Society and the Convention should be united, and at the annual meeting of the Missionary Society at Saco, June 19, 1866, the question was presented for discussion, "How may the efficiency of the Society be increased ?" A committee on organization had been appointed at the opening of the session. This committee consisted of A. Wilson, S. W. Avery, N. Butler, M. Gid- dings, J. C. White, W. H. Shailer, W. H. S. Ventres and W. H. Evans. Their report, recommending a union of the two organizations, was presented at the afternoon session and was adopted. Rev. Dr. W. H. Shailer and Rev. J. Ricker were made a committee to obtain from the Legis- lature of Maine "such alterations of the charters of the Maine Baptist State Convention and the Maine Baptist Missionary Society as shall make this new organization the legal chartered representative of both of these bodies." A like report was presented at the annual meeting of the Maine Baptist Convention, and the same action was taken.
When the Missionary Society adjourned, it adjourned to meet with the Maine Baptist Convention on the third Tuesday in June, 1867. For more than three-score years, with varying efficiency, it had prosecuted its work. The men who brought it into existence had passed away. Well it had served its day and generation. But a new era was opening. New men were at the front in the vari- ous enterprises of the denomination, and a wise concentra- tion of effort was plainly demanded in order to meet the requirements of the situation.
REV. T. B. RIPLEY. REV. S. G. SARGENT.
REV. ADAM WILSON, D. D.
REV. T. B. ROBINSON.
REV. E. WORTH.
CHAPTER XVI.
MAINE BAPTIST EDUCATION SOCIETY.
The opening of the Maine Literary and Theological Institution at Waterville, in 1818, called attention to the importance of ministerial education. In the Correspond- ing Letter of the Bowdoinham Association for that year occur these words : "The numerous and extreme disad- vantages which have heretofore attended those in this section of the country who were inclined to engage in the gospel ministry and who wished to obtain further instruction in divinity and the auxiliary branches of sci- ence, has been felt by numbers, and acknowledged by all enlightened Christians. These disadvantages have arisen chiefly from the want of such a seminary as has lately been opened at Waterville. We cannot but hope, that by the establishment of this institution God has answered the prayers of his own people, and by this providence he intends the good of our churches."
There were those, however, who did not share this hope, and who looked with disfavor upon ministerial education ; but there was no open opposition to the new movement at this time. Indeed the Bowdoinham Association voted at this session to recommend to the churches the propriety of forming societies for the purpose of aiding the theologi- cal school at Waterville, and the messengers to correspond- ing associations were instructed to use their influence to secure the co-operation of these associations by adopting similar measures. Messrs. Chaplin, Boardman, Daggett, Drinkwater, and Francis were made a committee to assist the churches in Bowdoinham Association in organizing societies for the purpose of securing ministerial aid. Such a vote was passed by the Cumberland Association in Sep-
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tember, 1819, but there was no response from the Lin- coln Association. In the Bowdoinham Association, held at Bloomfield Sept. 22 and 23, 1819, this action was taken : "Understanding that the trustees of the Maine Literary and Theological Institution are about to erect a large building for the use of that seminary, Resolved, That we recommend to the churches composing this association to use their best endeavors to assist the said trustees in this arduous undertaking."
The Baptists in Massachusetts had organized the Massa- chusetts Baptist Education Society in 1814, and the Society was incorporated Feb. 10, 1818. President Chaplin was familiar with its work, and early suggested the import- ance of organizing a similar society in the District of Maine. Not only would such a society, he said, render needed assistance in the development and maintenance of the institution at Waterville, but it would be able to assist young men connected with the institution who were pre- paring for the work of the Christian ministry, and who were unable to meet the expenses which an extended course of study entailed.1
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1 "A Society for Promoting the Education of Religious Young Men for the Ministry, and also for Sending the Gospel to the Destitute" was organized at Sedgwick in 1803, and Rev. Daniel Merrill was elected president. Its object was to obtain gospel laborers. "It has been repeatedly the case in this vicinity, and elsewhere, that young men of apparent piety and promising abilities have manifested a laudable desire to devote them- selves to God in the work of the ministry, had they but property to support themselves while they could acquire sufficient literary information. The object of this society is to bring forward such young men." When Mr. Merrill, in 1805, became a Baptist, ques- tions arose connected with this society, and at length certain members of the society, including three of the trustees, requested the president to call a meeting to see if the society would agree that "all the Pedobaptist members belonging to it, who shall not express a wish to the contrary, become a society by themselves." Rev. S. P. Merrill, a grandson of Rev. Daniel Merrill, while on a visit to Sedgwick a few years ago, made some investigations concerning this society, but was not able to ascertain what was the action of the society at this time. The work of the society was continued, and Mr. Mer- rill was of the opinion that it was continued as a Baptist society. He found a record of the society as late as Sept. 3, 1822, when a committee was appointed to deliver the books of the late treasurer, Bro. Doyle, to the new treasurer, and Rev. Amos Allen was made secretary in place of Daniel Bickford. A copy of a note given by one of the beneficiaries of the society was sent to the writer a few years ago by Rev. E. A. Davis, and is as fol- lows: "Sedgwick, January 20, 1806. For value received I promise to pay to Thomas Doyle, treasurer of the Society for Promoting the Education of Religious Young Men, &c., in the county of Hancock by the expiration of five years from the date hereof the sum of one hundred dollars; if not then paid afterwards on demand with interest. And
*
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Accordingly Aug. 17, 1819, the Maine Baptist Education Society was organized in the home of President Chaplin at Waterville. A constitution was adopted and signed, and twenty trustees were chosen, who elected executive officers on the following day. At the first meeting of the board it was voted "that whatever surplus money is raised this year (fifteen dollars excepted) be applied to the sup- port of instructors," so difficult was it at that early period in the history of the institution at Waterville to procure funds for its maintenance. But books as well as instruct- ors were needed, and this action was taken by the board in 1820: "That twenty-five dollars be intrusted to an agent in Boston and fifteen dollars to an agent in Portland to purchase books for the library of the Society. Voted that Brother Sharp be the agent in Boston, and Brother Ripley the agent in Portland." It was also voted "That instead of paying the board and tuition of the benefici- aries, it shall be left to the examining committee to appro- priate to each beneficiary such a sum, and under such regulations, as they shall think proper." Still another vote authorized the examining committee, "to loan or to give, to such persons as they may think proper, any books." A long list of books procured for this purpose, "from Latin Grammars to the Federalist and Goldsmith's works," is given.1
There is no mention in the Minutes of the Bowdoinham Association of such an organization as the Maine Baptist * Education Society until, in the record of the meeting held at Lewiston, Sept. 27 and 28, 1820, we find the following : "Voted to comply with the request of the delegate from the Maine Baptist Education Society, which is, that lib- erty be granted to insert in our Minutes a constitution for
in case I turn my attention to any other employment than contemplated by said society, or stop of acquiring such accomplishments as are recommended by the trustees, I also promise to hold myself subject to pay interest for the whole or any part of the time I am favored with the above sum as the trustees shall require. William Allen. Attest, Rob- ert Upton."
1 Report of the Board of the Maine Baptist Education Society in the Minutes for 1889, p. 25. This report, written by Rev. E. S. Small, secretary of the society, is a valuable document.
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the formation of benevolent societies for the purpose of encouraging domestic and foreign missions, the distribu- tion of the Scriptures, and the education of pious and indi- gent young men called of God to the work of the ministry, and an accompanying address recommending the above benevolent object." But no such document appears in connection with the Minutes of Bowdoinham Association for that year. At the Cumberland Baptist Association held at Livermore, Oct. 4 and 5, 1820, similar action was taken. The Maine Baptist Missionary Society, which met at the same place October 6th, received a communica- tion from the Maine Baptist Education Society, request- ing the trustees of the Missionary Society to co-operate with the trustees of the Education Society in preparing a constitution for benevolent societies which should embrace domestic and foreign missions, education of pious, indigent young men called of God to the gospel ministry, and the establishment of a library for the benefit of "ministering brethren." An address was added, urging the claims of these respective benevolent objects. This address was published in connection with the Minutes, and to it was appended the draft of a constitution to be used in organiz- ing the proposed societies.
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