USA > Maine > Washington County > Machias > Narrative of the town of Machias, the old and the new, the early and late > Part 16
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"It having pleased the Divine Disposer of all things to deprive us of our late Pastor, we, the subscribers, request that a meeting of the inhabitants be called for the purpose of entering into some measures for supplying the town with an able minister."
This is signed by George Stillman and five other leadng men, the movement having the co-operation of East Falls. Middle River and Lower District.
A Committee appointed for the purpose enquired of Rev. Peter Thacher D.D. of Boston : Mr. Thacher recommended Rev. Clark Brown. For many reasons Mr. Brown failed to satisfy the Society or the people generally and at the end of two years he returned to Massachusetts. The Parish had weakened rather than strengthened under his ministery, so that 1797 to 1801 no minister was available, when Rev. Marshfield Steele of Boston, Mass., was hired his active pastorate continuing twenty-one years. Under his ministra- tion the church was reorganized with only nine members. Later twenty others united and during the years of Mr. Steel's pastorate sixty-five united with the church.
At Mr. Steel's ordination the sermon was by Rev. Jonathan Fisher of Bluehill; the charge was given by Rev. John Sawyer of Boothbay; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Ebenezer Price of Belfast.
The first statuatory organization of the Parish was in
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April, 1817, when one hundred members signed a Petition to the General Court for an act of incorporation. Under the new order greater regularity and care appear in the records.
Rev. Abram Jackson, a student from Bangor was settled as colleague of Mr. Steele in 1820, the latter giving up preach- ing altogether on account of poor health in 1821. Mr. Jackson was ordained at East Falls, the council meeting at the house of Dea. Peter Talbot. Mr. Jackson's ministry continued thirteen years In 1826 a wide spread revival is recorded.
As one immediate result of the revival the church at East Machias was organized, Seventy-eight were dismissed from the parent church and fifty-eight new converts added mak- ing one hundred thirty-six members of the East Machias church. Ninety converts were added to the Machias church.
In 1830 a church was organized at Machiasport twenty-five being dismissed from Machias and twenty-five converts, making the church at Machiasport start with fifty members.
Mr. Jackson remained in Machias until 1834, when he received a call from Belfast. Mr. Harding's address states that "The records of the later years of Mr. Jackson's min- istry are not pleasant reading nor edifying to any soul of man." He was succeeded by Rev. S. D. Ward, who labored with the Society for ten years with marked ability and success.
In 1836 the Parish felt the need of a larger and better church building-accordingly a voluntary Association of subscribers to shares was legally incorporated. One hundred shares at fifty dollars each were taken. The building com- mittee were George S. Smith, Daniel Longfellow. Wm. F. Penniman. Samuel Burpee. The present fine building on Centre street was erected at a cost of $12.500. The lot cost $1,200. The church was dedicated free from debt ; the pride of the town, because of its size and beautiful architectural outlines. No one thing ever accomplished by its citizens did so much to elevate and promote the town's good name. For many years it stood recognized as the best framed church edifice in the State. There is no shrinkage in com-
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parison with others of today. The pews were sold to the high- est bidders, the late John Crocker of Marshfield paying $260.00 for his choice, being the highest price paid.
With the occupancy of the new church and favorable, united spirit of his parishioners Mr. Ward's ministry was one of eminent success. Extensive revivals in 1836 and again in 1840 -- '41 attended his labors: ninety-eight persons became members, thirty-six at one Communion. While pastor Mr. Ward married Miss Laura A. daughter of Hon. Samuel A. Morse, his second wife. Owing to failing health after ten years service he resigned and was dismissed, August 1844 Subsequently he had a Parish at Feeding Hills, Mass., where he died in 1858.
Mr. Ward's successor Rev. R. S. Kendall, installed as pastor, Dec 24. 1845: dismissed July 5, 1847 He made no especial mark of distinction, except in the scathing denun- ciation of persons or societies in his sermons for whom he entertained slight respect.
Rev. Amos Brown succeeded Mr. Kendall: ordained May, 11, 1848; dismissed July 22, 1851. In his three years forty members united with the church. Afterwards Mr. Brown became first President of the Peoples' College at Havanna, N. Y., established by a few wealthy New Yorkers, where he continued several years. He died August 14, 1874.
Late in 1852 the Parish sent a call to Rev. Stephen L. Bowler, a graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary, who commenced his work Jan. 5, 1853 under favorable con- ditions. He closed his pastorate at the end of eighteen months on account of impaired health, much to the regret of his Society and people as a whole.
Following Mr. Bowler, Rev. Henry F. Harding a young man, graduate from Bowdoin College, and three years at Bangor Theological Seminary, received a call to the church. October 17, 1855 at nine A. M. the Council of eleven ministers and nearly as many delegates assembled in the Cong. church for the examination of the young preacher The result was satisfactory in all the essential doctrines of the evangelical system so called and the scene
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6
REV. HENRY FISKE HARDING. Pastor Congregational Church 1855-1872.
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would have closed, when one member, who seemed to have doubts, suggested that a few questions be asked the can- didate on peculiar points of faith. This opened a wide field and introduced unexpected difficulties. Some of the elderly members of the board became so dissatisfied that they withdrew from the Council and "Only the voucher of Prof. Shepherd of Bangor united with the announcement of Dea. Peter Talbot, that the Deacons would ordain if the Council refused, saved the ordination, which took place in the evening, Prof. Shepherd preaching the sermon.
Mr. Harding's ministry proved sucessful from the start The church prospered. He married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. Jeremiah O'Brien thereby becoming a resident of the town, participating in the various phases of municipal life; continuing his pastoral relation to the church till 1871.
In December, 1865, the church narrowly escaped destruc- tion by accidental fire. Services were held in Libby Hall while the repairs and re-modeling the interor were in progress. The church was re-occupied in the Fall of 1866 The following year the organ, costing $2.350 was placed in the church. chiefly by the Organ Society, which was started in 1850 by the ladies of the Parish.
Mr. Harding's resignation was reluctantly accepted and in a few months his family removed to Hallowell. During his pastorate one hundred and fifty members were added to the communion, besides a large and healthy growth of the Sunday-school
After a residence of fourteen years in Hallowell, Mr. Harding received a call from the Cong. Church at East Machias, where he labored seventeen years, making thirty- four years of ministry in the two towns. For the year past and at present he is supplying churches which have no settled minister.
In the years of his absence from Machias he was a fre- quent visitor : calls were sent often to perform marriage ceremonies and officiate at funerals because of the former strong attachment that existed between Pastor and People.
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No home so desolate, no soul so discouraged but that the faithful Pastor could make his way thither; no one more sincere in carrying the comforting tidings of Christ's gospel.
The society was without regular preaching up to July, 1872, when Rev. T. T. Merry was installed pastor. His ministry terminated early in the Fall of 1874, although the dismissal did not take place 'til December of this year. Thirteen united with the church during his time of labor.
Rev. S. L. Bowler received a second call and returned to do pastoral work among his former parishioners He re- mained five years his labor being fruitful of good results.
In October. 1879, Rev. Daniel Greene commenced as acting pastor, continuing about nine years. Mr. Greene was succeeded by Rev. Charles F. Clarke of New Haven, Conn., for three years and Mr. Clarke by Rev. Charles D. Crane, a graduate of Princeton. After six years, 1894-1900, Mr. Crane was followed by Rev. Geo. J. Bloomfield, who com- menced his pastorate in 1900 and is now in charge of the parish.
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METHODIST.
The first attempt to organize a Church was in March, 1838: a Class was formed here by Rev. C. C. Cone then laboring on the East Machias Circuit. The Class consisted of nine persons, viz: Samuel Beckwith, Thomas Baker, Jane Baker, Deborah Baker, Patience A. Longfellow, Abram Williamson. Sarah Williamson, Amos B. Long fellow, Nancy P. Longfellow. Mr. Beckwith was appointed Leader. By the annual Conference held in the Spring of 1839, Rev. Parker Jaques was appointed to the Wesley Circuit, of which Machias formed a part. Preaching services held once in four weeks in the Court House. Mr. Jaques was succeeded in 1841 by Rev. C. Stone and the latter in 1842 by Rev. A. P. Battey. Besides the preachers named the following have been Pastors in Machias: Rev's. E. A. Helmershausen, Daniel Chase, Z. H. Blair, Eliott B. Fletcher. Samuel Sargent, Richard Walker, S. B. Tupper, C. F. Tupper, Ammi Prince, M. D. Matthews, J. A. Steele,
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-1837.
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METHODIST CHURCH-1893.
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E. M. Fowler, N. Whitney, H. Wardwell. J. E. C. Sawyer, S. F. Chase, A. R. Lunt, S. S. Gross, S. H. Beale, B. B. Byrne, V. P. Wardwell, J. Q. Biram, C. I. Mills, A. Protsman, W. Baldwin, T. H. Murphy, E. H. Boynton, 1886 -- 91; T. J. Wright, 1891 -- '96; R. J. Sutcliffe, '96 -- '99; D. B. Dow, 1901; I. H. W. Wharff, 1901 -- '03; E. V. Allen, present pastor.
The first Methodist church building in town was com- menced in 1849 during the pastorate of Rev. R. Walker; completed in 1851 at a cost of $4,000. Nathan Longfellow donated the lot, the same on which the present building stands, enlarged in 1893 by one rod added to the Eastern side purchased of Charles W. Vose.
The present fine edifice was built during the pastorate of Rev. E. H. Boynton, mainly by his efforts. When ap- pointed to this charge he was confronted by a somewhat divided Society and a church debt of $780,00. In his five years he was instrumental in reuniting the members of the Parish. cancelled the old debt. raised $9.000 with which he built the new church leaving it all finished and furnished, even to the bell. and "Not one cent of indebtedness," with a working, spiritual church membership. stronger than at any time within its history.
The church, which started with fourteen members at the beginning, in 1900 had one hundred and forty members. Connected with it is an Epworth League of 150 and a Ladies' Working Society of twenty-five members and a Sunday school that has numbered 130 pupils.
The State Conference met with the church in Machias. the first time in 1868: the second time in 1893.
UNIVERSALIST.
The first preacher of the Universalist Faith, of which we find record. to visit and hold religious services in Machias, was in 1834. His name was Dodd and so little interest was taken in him, even those who sympathized with him in belief, could not remember his first name, or whether he was a settled pastor over a Society elsewhere or a sort of self constituted itinerant.
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That was a decade of heated discussion and controversy over denominational belief; instead of gospel, sermons were controversial and often personal-Hosea Ballou and a few others leading in the Universalist creed and about all other Protestant ministers as zealously opposed. Debates and discussions were general in New England.
Dodd's meetings were thinly attended, being held in the old Court House; the proprietors declining to open the doors of the old Machias Church. The only woman who appeared in Dodd's meetings was Mrs. Mary, wife of Capt. Geo. Burnham.
With the wide spread revival of 1840 -- '41, under Rev. John Carruthers, when conversions were reported by hundreds in neighboring towns, and the entire community awakened to religious conditions, the Universalists of Machias organized a society and hired Rev. James A. Milliken, a young and zealous preacher, who became the first resident pastor. Mr. Milliken's ministry continued over ten years with some vacancies, when political dis- sensions arose over the slavery question, interest waned and Mr. Milliken removed from the town.
The next preachers were Rev. Amos Hitchings, Rev. M. Leighton and Rev. David B. Byther who held occasional services. In 1868 Rev. Silas Rawson became resident pastor until 1874. Mr. Rawson was succeeded by Rev. Wm. E. Gaskin who was the resident pastor of the church in Addison; Mr Gaskin preaching in Machias a quarter of the time for one year. Later Rev. Manley B. Townsend came remaining two years and in 1896 Dr. Selden Gilbert succeeded to the pastorate, continuing 'til 1899. Under his ministry a church was organized of thirty-five members, and a church building erected at a cost of $11,000. The church was dedicated in 1898. Dr. Gilbert resigned and was succeeded by Rev, I. W. Cate 'til 1901, when Rev. Fannie E. Austin received and accepted a call to the Society. Mr. Cate and his family left Machias for Tokio, Japan, where he entered on mission and school work. Miss Austin's ministry is attended with success-a united and stronger society than at any prevous time.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH Broadway MACHIAS ANIYW
0
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
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4
In 1869 the Umversalist parish bought a building on Court street and remodeled the lower story making con- venient rooms for worship and Sunday-school, this was used until 1898 when the new church was finished and ready for use. The new building contains a fine auditorium, a parlor, a kitchen, hall used for dining room and when need- ed for Sunday-school all on the ground floor. The Ladies working Circle an organization dating back to 1843 occupies these rooms in their industrial and social weekly gatherings : an organization which gives not only strong financial help but imparts and disseminates Good Cheer and Good Will to those who meet and mingle here.
The records show that the First Universalist Parish was organized. June 7, 1811. The meeting was held in the "Bell School house," David G. Wilson President. Zenas Wheeler. Clerk.
Rev. James A. Milliken introduced the following Preamble : -
We. the undersigne I believing that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is good News of great joy to all mankind, and feeling anxious to aid in the support and dissemination of these tidings of Salvation, hereby agree to unite ourselves into a Society, the better to forward this object, and the moral and religious improvement of ourselves, our fellow men, -and for the Government of this Society we adopt the following Constitution :
Article 1st .- Name: This Society shall be called the First Universalist Society of Machias.
Article 2nd-The officers of this Society shall be a President. Clerk, Treasurer and Collector and an Executive Committee of three persons, all of whom shall be annually chosen.
Article 3rd : It shall be the duty of the President to pre- side at all meetings of the Society for business: Of the Clerk :- To keep a record of all doings and accounts of the Society, to notify meetings: Of the Collector to collect the money subscribed for the use of the Society and to pay the same to the Treasurer: Of the Treasurer :- To keep and pay
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out the money belonging to the Society, at the order of the Executive Committee : Of the Committee :- To transact such business of the Society as may be entrusted to them by vote of the Society, to employ preachers, to secure room or House for worship.
Article 4 :- The annual meeting of this Society for the choice of officers, shall be on the first Monday of June annually, at six o'clock P. M. : occasional or special meet- ings may be held at any time by order of the Committee, or upon the Petition of five members to the Clerk, who shall duly notify the same.
Article 5 :- No person shall be chosen to any office in this Society, who is not an attendant upon its stated worship and a contributor to its Funds. .
Article 6 :- All funds of this Society shall be raised by subscription to be paid Quarterly.
Article 7 :- This Constitution may be amended or added to at any regular meeting of this Society by a vote of two thirds of the members.
The above Constitution was adopted by unanimous vote. The permanent organization was completed by the choice of David G. Wilson, President, William Smith, Clerk, Lemuel Gay. Collector, and Treasurer: George Burnham, James Moore, D. G. Wilson, Executive Committee.
Attest : ZENAS WHEELER, Clerk.
The following are names of the members forming the original Parish :
James A. Milliken, David G. Wilson, George Burnham, Lemuel Gay, William Smith, Freeman Davis, Zenas Wheeler, David Hutchinson, James Moore. Geo. W. Marston. Elijah T. Fitts, Dean S. Robinson, Albert P. Cushing, Otis Crocker, Anthony Fernald, Daniel W. Dor- man, Hiram Hill, Albert Pillsbury, A. G. Lave, Ivory J. Robinson Sam'l Sears, Marshall T. Hill, Jotham P. Hutch- inson, Andrew Foster, G. Handy Longfellow, John Chandler, A. F. Parlin, Oliver W. Crocker, Joseph Allen.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT.
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Ten years later thirty-two other names were added making sixty-one registered members.
The Corner Stone of the new Universalist church was laid in October, 1896.
The exercises opened with a Selection by the Machias Cornet Band, followed by the Doxology by the audience. Divine blessing was invoked by Rev. T. J. Wright of the M. E. Church. W. R. Pattangall, Esq., directed the exercises prefaced by remarks.
The Corner Stone was placed by Rev. Selden Gilbert D. D., Pastor of the church: Levi B. Getchell, who super- intended building the basement walls, spread the cement, who was then eighty years old, skillfully closing the copper box.
Remarks were made by Rev. C. D. Crane of the Cong. church. Hon. John C. Talbot, John F. Lynch, Esq., clos- ing by audience singing, Nearer my God to thee and bene- diction by the Pastor.
BAPTIST.
The record is evidence that the Baptists held a meeting in the Methodist Church on the 21st day of April, 1858. The following shows the origin and order of organization.
Machias, April 6, 1858.
Several brethren and sisters met in the Methodist meeting house at seven and a half o'clock P. M. to consult upon the duty and expediency of making some effort to form a Baptist church in this town.
The meeting was called to order by Rev. Daniel Dodge, Alex'r S. Campbell was chosen Clerk.
2d. Voted: That we proceed to organize ourselves into a Church, and as we wish for the Fellowship of the neighbor- ing churches, a Committee was appointed to write to several churches in this vicinity, requesting them to send their Pastors and their brethren to sit in Council with us and assist us in forming ourselves into a Church,-if said Council become satisfied that the time has arrived when a Baptist church should be formed in Machias.
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
3d. Voted: That brethren Rev. Daniel Dodge, Elmund Nichols, A. F. Campbell be a Committee to write to the Churches. Voted, that brother Thomas Bryant be added to this Committee.
4. Voted: That the same Committee appointed to write to the Churches be the committee to receive the Council when convened with us.
A. F. CAMPBELL, Clerk.
Machias, April 9.
Wrote to the following churches namely : East Machias, Machiasport, Jonesport, East Harrington, Columbia, re- questing them to send their Pastors and other Brethren to sit with us in Council, Wednesday, the 21st day of April, 1858, to assist us in forming ourselves into a Baptist Church.
DANIEL DODGE, Chairman of said Committee.
Machias, April 21, 1858.
In compliance with letters missive from the brethren in Machias, the following Ministers and delegates met in Ad- visory Council, in the Methodist Meeting house in Machias, to take into consideration the propriety of organizing a Baptist Church.
The Council organized by choosing Rev. Homes Chipman, President, and Rev. Horace Perkins. Clerk. The following ministers and laymen were found to ba members of the Council. East Machias, Rev. J. L. Sanborne : brethren James B. C. Dyer; East Harrington, Rev. Homes Chipman; Dea. Dan'l W. Dinsmore; East Machiasport, Rev. Horace Perkins and Dea. Ezra Stevens; West Machiasport, Deacon Joseph Trafton.
After hearing the reasons assigned for the proposed or- ganization, and the letters of dismisson and recommendation presented by the brethren and sisters (whose names are here- with annexed) all of which were satisfactory, the Council voted unanimously to recognize the brethren and sisters thus represented (by these documents)as a regularly or-
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ganized Baptist Church. Rev. J. L. Sanborne. Rev. Horace Perkins, Rev. Daniel Dodge. Rev. Homes Chipman were elected the Committee to arrange the more public services of this occasion, who reported the following order of exercises :
Ist. Reading the scriptures, Rev. H. Perkins.
2nd. Prayer by Rev. D. Dodge.
3rd. Sermon by Rev. J. L. Sanborne.
4th. Charge and Right-hand of Fellowship by Rev. A. Chipman.
Voted, to a ljourn 'till two o'clock, P. M.
Two o'clock, P. M. met agreeably to adjournment, and proceeded as reported by the Committee of Arrangements - viz: Reading the Scriptures by Mr. Perkins: Prayer by Mr. Dodge: Sermon by Mr. Sanborne. After the Articles of Faith and the Covenant were read and acknowledged ; Rev. Mr. Chipman gave the Charge and Right hand of Fellowship to the Baptist church of Machias. After prayer, the Council adjourned without day.
HORACE PERKINS. Clerk.
April, 1858, the following became members: Rev. Daniel Dodge, Dorcas F. Dodge. A. F. Campbell. Julia Campbell, Amanda T. Campbell. Thomas Bryant, Sarah N. Bryant, Anna Tribou. Eliza Bradbury, Hannah Longfellow, Ed- mund Nichols, Priscilla P. Nichols, Stephen Knight, Benajah Ackley, June 6th,-Elizabeth Grover, Susan P. Campbell. Caziah H. Hadley, Olive Kingsley: July 3, Relief Smith, Mary Tinney, Matilda McLaughlin, Elizabeth Chipman, Xenophon A. Chipman. Louis W. Campbell, Lucy D. MeLaughlin. Doc. 4th, Rowena E. Chipman, James Kingsley, Homes Chipman
Feb., 1859, Lucy Drew: Sept 4. Sarah Grover, Roscoe Getchell.
The following became members in different years later. Lorenzo Bridgham, Ann Brilgham: J. L. Sanborne, Aroline Sanborne, Joseph Smith. Lucy A. Smith, Abinl Preble, Sarah Preble, Haskell Preble. Wm. H. Preble, Henry S.
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HISTORY OF MACHIAS.
Bryant, Olive Preble, Lydia Preble, Martha Goff, Lucy Hollis, Philena Bryant, Mary Bedford, Sarah Bryant, Ellen Morey.
In June, 1879, the membership numbered one hundred and thirteen.
April 24, 1858 the church called Rev. Homes Chipman to be Pastor. The call was unanimous and Mr. Chipman entered on his work, May 23, 1858. Mr. Chip man removed to Oxford, Mass., where he had a call to preach in 1859.
Rev. M. C. Burgess labored a short time with the Society and on Nov. 18, 1860, was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Sanborne as Pastor. Mr. Sanborne closed his labors August 1862 having received a call from the church at Milbridge.
Occasional preachers labored with the church Rev. Melzar Dunbar being one. Meetings were held in the Cong. vestry. June, 16, Rev. M. J. Kelley was engaged as resident Pastor. At this time some effort was made towards building a church, Mr. Nathan Longfellow having offered to give the Society a lot of land on North street.
In February, 1871, a call was given Rev. T. F. White to become pastor, which was declined.
Rev. C. C. Long was called and commenced pastoral work in August, 1871. Mr. Long continued with the church until March, 1884, when the following entry was made on the Record.
"The year 1883 was one of the hard years for the Machias Church. The Pastor's labors had closed and we had no preaching; very few took interest in our weekly meetings and monthly conferences, so they were much neglected but not entirely. Some conferences and some prayer meetings were held during the year, but the Clerk being absent no dates were kept of the time when they occurred."
Signed, C. C. LONG.
Mr. Long was dismissed at his own request in May. 1884. No regular preaching is recorded since the above date. Occasional ministers have labored with the Society and a
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few members have maintained the organization. Mrs. Abbie Hutchinson acted as Clerk in 1884 to 1894 when she was succeeded by Enoch Marston and he by Mrs. A. B. Bryant in April 1900.
During Mr. Long's pastorate a church building was erected on the lot ou Dublin Hill where Capt. Gideon ('Brien's house stood. The vestry in the West end of the basement was finished and occupied for meetings several years. but the main building is now standing in an unfinish- ed state and rapidly falling into decay.
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