USA > Maine > Waldo County > Belfast > History of the city of Belfast in the state of Maine v.I, 1770-1875 > Part 27
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Although this Church did not deny to the Parish the right of
1 The ministers belonging to the Council that installed Mr. Frothingham were the following, to wit, Dr. Ripley of Concord, Dr. Allyn of Duxbury, Rev. Mr. Lowell of Boston, Dr. Packard of Wiscasset, Rev. Mr. Mason of Castine, and the Rev. Mr. Warren of Jackson.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
proceeding separately to choose a minister for themselves, and of selecting their own council, yet they felt that they had a right, according to ecclesiastical usage, to choose their own pastor, and to have a voice in selecting a council to install him; and, that, if this were denied them, they had at least the right to decline considering the minister thus chosen by the Parish as their Pastor, and hoped that, by doing this, they should not forfeit their standing as a Church.
The Council called by the above-named Parish committee con- vened agreeably to request, July 21, 1819, for the purpose specified in the letters missive. During their session and previous to the installation, the Church, feeling greatly perplexed as to the path of duty, held a meeting for the purpose of deciding upon the course which it might be proper to pursue; and as the Council were very desirous that the Church should receive Mr. FROTH- INGHAM as their Pastor, they (the Church) made one more fruitless attempt, he being present, to satisfy themselves that he did not reject those great doctrines which they held so dear. And, after finding that they could not agree with him respecting a Covenant, they voted as follows, namely : -
Voted, "That the Church have no Council in town at this time.
Voted, "That the Church cannot consent to such alterations of their Covenant as shall exclude the Doctrine of the Trinity." The above votes communicated to the Council.
Since the installation of the Rev. Mr. FROTHINGHAM, this Church have, by the requisite legal steps, formed themselves into a separate Society.
In view of the foregoing statement, which is supported by the Church Records and other papers, among which are two com- munications of considerable length from the Rev. Mr. FROTH- INGHAM, the Council feel happy in being able to come to this result: That the First Church in Belfast, considering the very trying circumstances in which they have been placed, have con- ducted with much Christian patience, forbearance, and meekness ; and, so far from having forfeited their good standing as a Church, or of having merited censure, deserve commendation for the stand they have taken in maintaining those blessed truths which will ever be held dear by Evangelical Christians.
The Council, while pursuing this examination, have not claimed the right, nor have they felt disposed, to interfere in the separate
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
concerns of the Parish in Belfast; but they do claim the right, and they feel disposed, to attend, when solicited, to the case of an afflicted, suffering Church, which has ever been in fellowship with them, and which therefore is entitled to their faithful and friendly services.
This Council would particularly and urgently .recommend to this Church to maintain a careful discipline, and to walk with each other in all member-like love, faithfulness, meekness, and sobriety ; and would commend them to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, praying that grace, mercy, and peace may be. multiplied unto them.
(Signed) J. FISHER, Moderator. HARVEY LOOMIS, Scribe.
After the separation of the church, missionaries sent by the Massachusetts Missionary Society preached, and ministers from the neighboring towns occasionally afforded their services. In October, 1821, the society voted "to build a meeting-house fifty by forty feet, and one story high, provided they can obtain a con- venient site near the guide-board near the north end of Belfast East Bridge." This plan was not carried into effect, and the next year the " conference house " 1 was erected on the land northerly of the late Hon. R. C. Johnson's house. In 1824, as doubts existed that the organization of the society was legal, a reorganization took place under a warrant from Henry Davidson, Justice of the Peace.2
On the 8th of March, it was " voted unanimously to unite with the Church in presenting a call to Mr. Charles Soule to settle with them in the work of the ministry, and to raise $200 for the sup- port of the gospel the present year." This sum was afterwards increased to $400, " in order that Mr. Soule," who had accepted the call, "may be free from worldly cares and avocations." His ordination took place June 30, 1824. The services were held in the Unitarian Church. Rev. Asa Cummings, then of North Yar- mouth, made the Introductory Prayer, followed by Sermon by the Rev. Enos Merrill, of Freeport ; Ordaining Prayer by the Rev. Eliphalet Gillet, of Hallowell; Charge by the Rev. Mighill Blood,
1 It was occupied for public worship until January, 1832. It was afterwards cold, and removed to Front Street, where it was burnt in the fire that destroyed the Foundery, in June, 1851.
2 Parish records.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
of Bucksport ; Right Hand of Fellowship by the Rev. John H. Ingraham, of Thomaston ; Address to the People by the Rev. Benjamin Tappan, of Augusta; and Concluding Prayer by the Rev. David M. Mitchell, of Waldoboro'.1
REV. CHARLES SOULE
was born in Freeport, Aug. 29, 1794. He graduated at Bowdoin College in 1821, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1823. On account of ill health, he asked and received a dismissal at the close of his second year's ministry in Belfast. He preached subse- quently in several towns in Maine, until his death, which occurred May 31, 1869. "Mr. Soule was a scholar, an exemplary Christian, and sound in the faith. As a preacher, he was clear and logical, and presented the truth with simplicity and force. He had great equanimity of temper, coupled with genial and cultivated manners." 2
In 1825, services were held once a month on the east side of the river.
Soon after Mr. Soule left, the pulpit was supplied by Mr. Nathaniel Wales, of Hanson, Mass., who was engaged to preach for six months, commencing Nov. 1, 1826. Before the expiration of the term, he was invited to become the regular pastor, with a salary of $500, including aid promised from the Missionary Society, and from Boston and Portland. His acceptance is dated June 29, 1827, and his ordination took place on the 26th of September fol- lowing, with the following exercises : Introductory Prayer by the Rev. John Sawyer, of Garland; Sermon 8 by Professor Smith, of Bangor Theological Seminary ; Prayer by the Rev. Mighill Blood, of Bucksport ; Charge by the Rev. Benjamin Tappan, of Augusta ; Right Hand of Fellowship by the Rev. Stephen Thurston, of Sears- port ; Address to the People by the Rev. S. L. Pomeroy, of Bangor; Concluding Prayer by the Rev. Stephen A. Loper, of Hampden. The services were held in the Unitarian Church, and the music was by the " Belfast Musical Library Society." 4
During Mr. Wales's ministry, a second movement towards building a church took place, but was suspended after the pastorate became again vacant.
1 Gazette, July 7, 1824.
2 Minutes of the General Conference for 1869, p. 88.
8 The Sermon of Professor Smith was published in pamphlet form.
4 Belfast Gazette, Oct. 3, 1827.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
REV. NATHANIEL WALES,
born in Randolph, Mass., graduated at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1826. He approved himself a faithful and de- voted minister, and was much beloved by his ministerial brethren.1 His labors were terminated by his early death, Jan. 20, 1829, at the age of thirty-five. In 1842, the Church voted to erect a monu- ment to his memory. This was accordingly done, and a plain cenotaph marks the place of his burial in Grove Cemetery.
After the death of Mr. Wales, the church invited the Rev. Beniah Green, of Brandon, Vt., to succeed him ; but the invitation was declined. In May, 1830, Mr. Ferris Fitch, of Andover Theo- logical Seminary, engaged to become pastor, with a salary of $500.2 His ofdination took place on the following 20th of October, in the meeting-house of the First Parish. The Rev. Messrs S. A. Loper of Hampden, Mighill Blood of Bucksport, Stephen Thurston of Prospect, Darwin Adams of Camden, and A. G. Duncan of Jackson, participated in the exercises. The sermon was by the Rev. George Shepard, of Hallowell.
REV. FERRIS FITCH.
Mr. Fitch was born in Pawlet, Vt., November, 1802. He gradu- ated at Middlebury College in 1826, and at Andover in 1829. After leaving Belfast, he was settled in Ohio, and died at Brown- helm in that State, June 30, 1847, aged forty-four.8
During the ministry of Mr. Fitch, the society had so far in- creased as to require a more commodious place of worship. A subscription for that purpose was accordingly begun, and filled to the amount of forty-three shares, of $100 each. Some of the shares were taken by friends abroad. Encouraged by their suc- cess, the subscribers were regularly incorporated, under the name of " The Proprietors of the North Church," and held their first meeting Jan. 14, 1831. A lot for the proposed edifice, on Market Street, between Church and High Streets, was purchased of Thomas Bartlett, John Lane, and Mrs. Paul Giles, for $400. The frame was raised June 29, 1831. "No ardent spirits were used on the occasion," remarked the ' Republican Journal,' " and to this cause we attribute the order, silence, and cheerfulness in which the work progressed." Joel Hills, Benjamin Houston, Samuel
1 Rev. Mr. Cutter's Semi-centennial Discourse.
2 Parish records.
8 Catalogue Andover Theological Seminary. .
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Upton, Luther Gannett, Martin Gilmore, and Frye Hall were the building committee. The house was completed the following
NORTH CHURCH. BUILT 1831.
winter, and dedicated Feb. 14, 1832. The exercises were as fol- lows : Invocation, Rev. A. G. Duncan, Jackson ; Reading the ยท Scriptures, Rev. H. Seaver, pastor Baptist Church ; Prayer, Rev. Mighill Blood, Bucksport; Sermon, from 1 Tim. iii. 15, by the Pastor; Dedicatory Prayer by the Rev. E. Gillet, Hallowell; Benediction by the Pastor. The church is sixty-four feet long by forty-six wide, and twenty feet in height from floor to ceiling. Colonel B. S. Dean, of Thomaston, was the architect. The bell, which was the second in town, was first rung for religious services, Jan. 22, 1831.
By reason'of ill health, Mr. Fitch dissolved his relations with the parish, May 15, 1832. During this year, a present of com- munion service was received from the church at North Yarmouth.
Aug. 6, 1832, the church voted to give Rev. Silas McKeen, of Bradford, Vt., a call to become their pastor. The invitation was accepted, and his installation took place Feb. 27, 1833. A sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. David Root, of Dover, N. H.
REV. SILAS MCKEEN
was horn at Corinth, Vt., March 16, 1791, ordained at Bradford, Vt., Oct. 17, 1815, and dismissed Jan. 31, 1832. He pursued his
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
course of studies, both literary and theological, mainly with private instructors. After leaving Belfast, he returned to Bradford, and in 1842 became a second time settled over the church in that town, where he now resides.
He was a faithful and laborious pastor. Blessed with a hardy constitution, he entered upon his work with zeal, and prosecuted it with diligence. The church was much increased under his charge. Besides his ministerial labors, he was an active and efficient promoter of temperance and moral reform, and exercised an extensive and happy influence for the general good of the com- munity. His salary was larger than had been paid any other min- ister of the parish, being $700. Aid was at first received from the Maine Missionary Society, but afterwards became unnecessary. In 1841, however, in consequence of failures and removals, it be- came difficult to raise the required amount, and Mr. McKeen asked and received his dismission. The council assembled for that purpose, Nov. 14, 1841, made a long report, in which they con- demned and lamented the frequent changes in the pastoral office, and bore high testimony to the character and usefulness of Mr. McKeen.1
He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts at Dart- mouth College in 1822, and at the University of Vermont in 1828. The degree of D.D. was conferred on him by Dartmouth College in 1861.
In the year 1836, " the proprietors of the North Church " trans- ferred to the First Congregational Trinitarian Church in Belfast all the right and control of the above-named North Church or meeting-house, and of the site on which it stands, according to the original design of the builders. The church voted to accept the trust, Feb. 3, 1836. On the 20th of July, 1836, the vestry in the basement was first occupied for a religious meeting.2
After Mr. McKeen's dismissal, the Rev. John Lord, who has since been favorably known as a lecturer upon mediaval history, preached for a few months. On the 15th of June, 1842, the Rev. Elbridge Gerry Cutler, of Farmington, was ordained over the church and society. The Sermon was by Rev. Dr. Tappan, of Augusta ; Ordaining Prayer by Rev. Nathaniel Chapman, of Camden ; Charge by Rev. Isaac Rogers, of Farmington ; Fel- lowship of the Church by Rev. Uriah Balkham, of Union;
1 Semi-centennial Discourse by Rev. E. F. Cutter.
2 Church records.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Address to the People by Rev. Lyman Wiswell, of Jackson. During the first year of Mr. Cutler's ministry, a great revival of religion, as it was called, took place in town, and his church re- ceived an addition of fifty-six members.
REV. ELBRIDGE G. CUTLER,
a native of Farmington, pursued his collegiate studies at Harvard, where, however, he did not take a degree. His theological course was taken at Andover and at Yale College, where he graduated in 1839. He supplied the pulpit at Phipsburg in 1840-41, and was ordained Jan. 15, 1842. The labors of his ministry were performed with unabated zeal, notwithstanding his feeble health. During the spring of 1846, his strength was so far reduced as to require relaxation, and he visited Reading, Pa. While there, he was at- tacked with bilious pleurisy, which terminated his life on the 28th of April, after an illness of ten days. "He died at the age of thirty-four, leaving behind him a name endeared to many hearts that will not soon be forgotten."1 His remains are interred at Reading. Funeral ceremonies, occasioned by his sudden death, were held at the North Church, May 20 ; a sermon being preached by Rev. Stephen Thurston.
The next settled minister was the Rev. Edward F. Cutter, of Warren, whose installation took place Sept. 23, 1846. The Ser- mon was by Professor Edwards A. Park, of Andover Theological Seminary; Charge by Rev. Nathaniel Chapman, of Camden ; Installing Prayer by Rev. Stephen Thurston, of Searsport ; Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Daniel Sewall, of Castine; and Address to the People by Rev. Stephen H. Hayes, of Frankfort.2 Mr. Cutter was born in Portland, Jan. 20, 1810, and graduated at Bowdoin College in 1828, and at Andover Theo- logical Seminary in 1831. He was ordained to the pastoral charge of the First Church in Warren, May 8, 1833, and dismissed May 12, 1846. His pastorate here was terminated at his own request, Oct. 8, 1856.8 He afterwards edited the " Christian Mirror," and supplied churches in Beardstown, Ill., and Rockland. On the twenty-seventh day of December, 1846, he preached a semi-cen- tennial discourse on the history of the First Church in Belfast, a copy of which is preserved among the archives. Of those who organized the church in 1796, the pastor, Rev. Ebenezer Price,
I Semi-centennial Discourse. 2 State Signal, Oct. 1, 1846.
8 Min. Gen. Conf. 1867.
19
-
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
alone remained. But one member, received during his ministry, survived. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on Mr. Cutter in 1871 by Bowdoin College. He continues to reside here without pastoral charge.
On the 12th and 13th of June, 1849, the Waldo Congregational Conference, which was organized at Searsport the year previous, held meetings at Belfast, the first since its separation from the Hancock Conference.1
Mr. Cutter was succeeded by the Rev. Wooster Parker, whose installation took place Oct. 8, 1856. The Sermon on the occasion was by Rev. Enoch Pond, D.D., of Bangor; Installing Prayer by Rev. Joseph R. Munsell, of North Belfast; Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Stephen Thurston, of Searsport; Conclud- ing Prayer by Rev. Wellington Newell, of Frankfort.2 Mr. Parker graduated at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1832, and was first settled at Castine, where his ordination took place Sept. 21, 1832. He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Bowdoin College in 1850. He resigned his pastoral charge here Aug. 28, 1870, and was dismissed by a council the 21st of the following November. He has since occupied the position of inspector in the custom-house.
In the spring of 1868, the interior of the church was renovated, gas introduced, and the walls and ceiling painted in fresco. The bell was removed from the belfry on the 21st of April, and re- placed by one of larger size and more agreeable tone.
For a year following the resignation of Mr. Parker, the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. Rufus K. Harlow, a graduate at Amherst College in the class of 1865, and at Bangor Theological Seminary in 1868. Mr. Harlow is now settled in Medway, Mass. He was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Henry Davis, a graduate at Am- herst, in the class of 1868. He remained until 1873, and has since resided at Hiram, Me., and Granby, Mass.
The Rev. John Alexander Ross, the present pastor, was in- stalled Sept. 4, 1873. The exercises were as follows : Sermon by Rev. William M. Barbour, of Bangor; Installing Prayer by Rev. Stephen Thurston, of Searsport; Charge by Rev. Al- fred E. Ives, of Castine; Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Wellington R. Cross, of Orono. Mr. Ross graduated from the Free Church College, now merged in Dalhousie College, Nova
1 Republican Journal.
2 Progressive Age.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Scotia, in 1851; from the Free Church Divinity Hall, Nova Scotia, in 1854 ; and was a resident at Andover Theological Semi- nary in 1859. He practised law for a short time in Boston, was acting pastor at New Gloucester from 1860 to 1864, supplied the church at Marion, Iowa, from 1864 to 1866, and was its pastor from 1866 to 1873.
A parsonage for Mr. Ross was built in 1874, on the Josiah Farrow lot, at the corner of High and Park Streets, by the First Congregational Parsonage Society, incorporated by the Legislature of that year.
292
HISTORY OF BELFAST.
CHAPTER XIX.
BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
Elder Isaac Case the Pioneer Minister here. - Church organized. - Religious Condition of Belfast in 1809. - Petition for Incorporating Baptist Society. - Act of Legisla- ture. - Ecclesiastical Council. - New Church formed. - Elder John Wagg. - Elder Joshua Eveleth. - Purchase of the West Meeting-house. - Elders Noah Hooper, John Hull, John S. White, Horace Seaver, H. Kendall, and William Day. - Vote on Tem- perance. - Increase of the Society. - Meeting-house huilt. - Engraving. - Bell. - Dedication. - Ordination of Rev. Sylvanus G. Sargent. - Temperance Society. - Branch Church formed. - Revival. - Slavery Resolve. - Settlement of Rev. Edward D. Very. - His Resignation and Death. - Rev. Joseph Ricker settled. - Ordination of Rev. Samuel Cole. - His Death. - Rev. Cyrus Tibbetts. - Rev. Eli Dewhurst. - Rev. William Read. - Rev. H. Hawes. - Settlement of Rev. Winslow O. Thomas. - Meeting-house reconstructed. - Description. - Engraving. - Rededication. - Rev. F. S. Fish. - Rev. H. W. Tilden.
T THE first efforts in behalf of a Baptist interest here were commenced by Elder Isaac Case, of Thomaston. In June, 1809, he made a brief visit, with a view to assist the few Baptists, who had gained a residence in town, in securing to themselves denominational privileges. By his advice, arrangements for es- tablishing a church took place; and on the 13th of July one was organized, composed of several persons who had been members of churches elsewhere, and of two converts, who were baptized by Elder Case. " The principal motive for doing this," wrote Deacon James McCrillis, several years after, "was the religious condition of the community, which for a new place was as immoral as most any place," and because "little or no vital religion characterized the old Congregational Church."1
In 1810, the leading members presented a petition to the Legis- lature for incorporation, as follows : -
To the Honorable Senate and the Honorable House of Representatives in General Court assembled : -
The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of the Town of Belfast in the county of Hancock and Commonwealth of Massa-
1 Millet's Hist. of Baptists in Maine, 290.
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BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
chusetts, humbly sheweth : That we, your petitioners, are of the denomination of Christians called Baptist; and are desirous of the liberty and privilege of worshiping God, agreeable to the dictates of our own consciences. We therefore pray your Honors that we, our families and estates, together with as many more as may hereafter join themselves unto us, may be incorporated into a society by the name of the First Baptist Society in Belfast, with all the powers, privileges, and immunities which other Parishes in this Commonwealth by law are entitled to, and as in duty bound will ever pray.
Dated BELFAST, April 19, 1810.
JOHN MERRIAM.
JAMES MCCRILLIS.
WILLIAM GRINNEL.
HUGH Ross.
JOHN MERRILL.
WILLIAM GRIFFIN.
ROBERT SARGENT.
ISAAC SENTER.
WILLIAM CUNINGHAM.
NATHANIEL EELLS.
SAMUEL WALTON.
THOMAS HOUSTON.
NATHAN B. FOSTER.
GEORGE W. BRUCE.
WILLIAM MORRILL.
ELIJAH FIELD.
JOHN H. CONNER.
JONATHAN PITCHER.
NATHANIEL STANLEY.
ELIJAH MORRILL.
EBENEZER PEIRCE.
SAMUEL PATTERSON.
LEWIS BEAN.
JOSEPH HINKSON.
JOSIAH BEAN.
PETER COCHRAN.
The result of this petition was the passage and approval of the following bill :-
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND ELEVEN.
An Act establishing the First Baptist Society in Belfast.
SEC. 1. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Represen- tatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That John Merriam, William Grinnel, John Merrill, Robert Sargent, William Cunningham, Samuel Walton, Simon Watson, John H. Conner, Nathaniel Stanley, Ebenezer Peirce, Lewis Bean, Josiah Bean, Nathan B. Foster, George W. Bruce, George Kimball, Elijah Field, Jonathan Pitcher, Elijah Morrill, Samuel
ANNAS CAMPBELL.
GEORGE KIMBALL. .
SIMON WATSON.
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HISTORY OF BELFAST.
Patterson, Joseph Hinkson, Peter Cochran, James McCrillis, Hugh Ross, William Griffin, Isaac Senter, Nathaniel Eells, Thomas Houston, Annas Campbell, and William Morrill, together with their polls and estates, be and they hereby are incorporated, by the name of The First Baptist Society in Belfast, with all the privileges, powers, and immunities which parishes in this Com- monwealth, by law, enjoy.
SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That when any person in the town of Belfast, who may desire to join with and become a mem- ber of said First Baptist Society, shall declare such intention in writing to the clerk of said society, fourteen days, at least, previous to the annual meeting of said society, and shall receive a certifi- cate signed by said clerk, that he or she has actually united with and become a member of said society, and shall also leave an attested copy of such certificate, under the hand of said clerk, with the clerk of the parish or society to which he or she did belong, on or before the last day of April then next ensuing, which certificate shall set forth that he or she has constantly attended publick worship with said Baptist Society, for at least one year preceding the said first day of April: such person, from the date of such certificate, shall be considered a member of the said First Baptist Society, with his or her polls and estates, and shall be exempted from all future taxation for the support of publick worship in the parish or society which such person has left as aforesaid.
SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That when any member of the said First Baptist Society shall desire to leave the same, and to join in religious worship with any other religious society in the said town of Belfast, and shall give notice of such intention in writing, to the clerk of such other society, fourteen days, at least, previous to the annual meeting of such society, and shall receive a certifi- cate of membership, signed by the clerk thereof, setting forth that he or she has constantly attended publick worship, with said society, for at least one year previous to the said meeting of said society ; and shall also leave an attested copy of such certificate, signed by said clerk, with the clerk of the society he or she did belong to, on or before the last day of April, then next ensuing, such person shall be considered a member of the parish or society which he or she may so join, with their polls and estates, and shall be exempted from all further taxation for the support of publick worship in the society he or she hath left as aforesaid :
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