USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > The history of Portland, from its first settlement: with notices of the neighbouring towns, and of the changes of government in Maine, Part II 1700-1833 > Part 25
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- elegant buildings, and rising in commerce. He saw it also laid in ashes in one day ; himself and his flock scattered abroad to wander without shelter under inclement skies. He lived under the reigns of four different sovereigns. Ile saw death take one governor after another from the head of the province, judges from the bench, and ministers of God from his temple." Dr. Deane, in a sermon preached the Sunday after his funeral, thus speaks of the worthy
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before Mr. Nichols was associated with him, and the parish had pro- cured persons to assist him in his labours.1
The parish after the secession in 1787, gradually gathered strength as it advanced, and rose with the prosperity of the town to a highly flourishing condition. The meeting-house, which in every well reg- . ulated society is an object of proper regard was not neglected in this ;
patriarch : "He preached in his turn till the close of the year 1784, and his mental faculties since that period have been so little impaired, that until within a year and a half of his decease he has assisted in the work of the sanctuary with ability and to edification by his public prayers. Though his voice was al- ways feeble, the excellency of his elocution, accompanied with a venerable and becoming gravity, rendered his performances very acceptable. Possessing in a high degree the spirit of prayer, devotion could not but be excited in the breasts of the serious part of his audience. in sermons his composition was elegant and his language chaste and correct. Nor was he wanting in anima- tion and pathos in his pertinent addresses to his hearers." Again : "blest with a singular strength of memory, which he retained with but little abate- ment to the last, and with a lively imagination, his conversation was at once instructive and entertaining. Perhaps the most striking traits in his religious character were his spirituality in devotion, and his most exact and scrupulous temperance in all things. His hearers can witness how often he enlivened their souls with the fervency of his addresses to the throne of grace in pub- lic ; how ready he was in private to give a spiritual and heavenly turn to conver- sation ; and what a faculty he had of doing it with dignity and ease." The morn- ing Dr. Deane preached the funeral sermon, the second parish and their min- ister attended in a body out of respect to his memory, Notwithstanding he was for a long course of years, the most distinguished preacher in this part of the country, but two discourses of his were published, one delivered at the ordi- nation of the Rev. Solomon Lombard in Gorham, the other to sea faring men of his own parish in 1771. Beside his clerical duties Mr. Smith was for many years, the only physician in town ; in times of unusual sickness he was con- stantly occupied in this capacity. In Nov. 1748 he says "I am perpetually hurried with the sick ; the whole practice rests on me."
During Mr. Smith's ministry there were baptized in his society, 2363 chil- dren and 31 adults, and 379 persons were admitted to the church. The fol- lowing points present Mr. Smith's views of Christian doctrines.
1. That God made man after his own image, holy, just, and good, and there- fore perfectly happy.
2. That man fell from this state of perfect rectitude, and thereby brought upon, or subjected hinself to eternal misery.
3. That God so loved the world, that he gave his only son Christ Jesus to redeem mankind from this state of punishment for sin who made an atone- ment therefor by his sufferings and death, and thereby purchased the grant of repentance.
4. To enable man to repent, he promised to send his Holy Spirit to them who ask it. If ye being evil, &c.
5. Therefore to recover a state of happiness we are by the assistance of the Spirit to repent and be obedient, and by so doing, we shall obtain eternal life.
1 Mr. Nichols graduated at H. C. in 1802, was appointed tutor at Cambridge in 1805, and continued there until he accepted the call of the first parish. He was ordained June 7, 1809. Dr. Lathrop of Boston was moderator of the council, Dr. Kirkland made the first prayer, Dr. Barnard of Salem preached the sermon, Mr. Lancaster of Scarborough made the ordaining prayer, Mr. Buckminster of Boston gave the right hand of fellowship, and Mr. Abbott of Beverly made the concluding prayer.
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in 1800, the steeple and vane were repaired, and in 1803 and 1801 the remainder of the building outside and within was thorouzlily painted. In 1801, the town placed a clock on the tower, the first which was introduced in the town or the State ; in 1804, a new bell was procured from England weighing over fifteen hundred pounds to supply the place of the old one which had been many years cracked.1
Dr. Deane lived to see the parish established on a firm foundation, and its spiritual concerns in the guidance of able hands. He died on the 12th of Nov. 1814, in the 81st year of his age, and the 50th of his ministry.2 It may be remarked in this connection as a striking fact that from 1727, when this society was organized by the settle- ment of Mr. Smith to 1833, a period of 106 years, there have been but three pastors over it, and during 36 years of that time, two have been associated together, while at the present moment the third is in
1 Belknap's psalms and hymns were introduced in 1801 instead of Tate & Brady's ; which in turn were superseded by Greenwood's in December 1832. " March 10, 1756, Voted, that £25 be raised to purchase Tate's & Brady's Psalm Book, with the tunes annexed."-Par. Rec.
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2 Dr. Deane was great grandson of John Deane, the first of the name in this country, who emigrated with his brother Walter, from Chardin, Somer- setshire, Eng. in 1636. After remaining a year in Dorchester near Boston, he moved to Taunton, where he died leaving 4 sons and one daughter. Dr. Deane was the eldest son of Deacon Samuel Deane, and was born in Norton, Mass. in 1733. He graduated at H. C. in 1760 with a high reputation as a schol- ar, was appointed tutor there in 1763, and continued in the office until he ac- cepted the call of the first parish the next year. While at Cambridge, he com- posed a Latin poem, which with a volume of complimentary effusions from the University was presented to George 3rd on his accession to the throne. The poem was highly spoken of. He also published several other poems, the longest of which was Pitchwood Hill in hexameter. His largest work and one to which he was most devoted, and which will longest preserve his memory is his " Georgical Dictionary, or New England Farmer" first published in 1790. The Dr. ardently devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and has preserved the practical results of his experiments in this valuable volume ; a new edi- tion has lately been published by Mr. Fessenden of Boston. Beside the fore- going works the Dr. published an oration delivered July 4, 1793, an election sermon delivered in 1794, two discourses to the young men of his parish, and some other sermons. He was a man of good personal appearance and of grave and dignified deportment, but in hours of relaxation he was fond of indulging in social conversation which he enlivened with pleasantry and wit. Several anecdotes of the quickness of his repartee are remembered of him. On one occasion when he was a tutor in College, he was showing a stranger the curiosities of the Museum, among which was a remarkably long sword ; the gentleman asked the history of it. Mr. Deane replied, he believed it was the sword with which Balaam threatened to kill his ass. The gentleman re- plied that Balaam had no sword, but only wished for one ; true said Mr. Deane, but that is the one he wished for.
He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and
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the active performance of his duties ; in no part of the time has the office been vacant. Such instances are extremely rare, a similar one probably does not exist in this country. In the offices also of the church and society an extraordinary degree of steadiness is observable ; the office of parish clerk was held by three persons 67 years.1 Samuel Cobb was deacon 39 years, and Samuel Freeman 44 years.
As the parish increased, the inconveniences of the old meeting- house began to be seriously felt, and in 1821 a project was suggested for altering the form of the pews to increase the accommodation of the society. This did not prevail, probably from a desire in many . to erect on the site of the old house a new one more suited to the wants and condition of the parish. After much conversation and effort on the subject, the society in November 1824, came to the conclusion to build a new meeting-house on the spot occupied by the old one, to be commenced early the next spring and to be finish- ed without delay. In pursuance of this vote, the present church was constructed of undressed granite in 1825.2 The ground floor is 82 feet long by 62 feet wide, and contains 138 pews ; in the gallery there are 38 pews, beside the orchestra. The house was finished in January and dedicated February 8, 1826.3 Dr. Nichols preach- ed on the occasion, Dr. Parker of Portsmouth read the scriptures and made the prayer.
The second parish continued to flourish under the sole charge of Mr. Kellogg for 19 years ; during the early part of this period, the
received a doctorate in divinity from Brown University. He married Eunice daughter of Moses Pearson, in 1766, but left no issue ; his wife died Oct 14, 1812, aged 87.
1 Samuel Moody held the office 10 years, the first Stephen Longfellow 23 years, and John Frothingham 34 years.
2 The corner stone was laid by the venerable Samuel Freeman in the pre- sence of a very large assembly, May 9, 1825 ; on the south east corner under the stone, a silver plate was laid with this inscription. "This C. Stone of ye Ch. of ye Ist Par. in Port'd. was laid by the Hon. S. Freeman, May 9, 1825, on the site of the former Ch. erected in 1740, enlarged in 1759 and removed in 1825. Build. Com'e. A. Newhall, J. Richardson and J. Mussey Esqrs. 1st Pas. Rev. T. Smith ord'd. in 1727, and Sen. Coll. from 1764 to his death in 1795 with the Rev. Dr. Deane, who died in 1814, and with whom the 3rd and present Pas. the Rev. Dr. Nichols was associated in 1809. Deacons, Hon. S. Free- man and W. Storer. Par. Com. Ion. B. Potter, C. B. Brooks Esq. and J. Harrod. Treas. and Clerk C. S. Davies, Esq. (on the other side) Builders, Henry Dyer, Mason ; Nathan How, Carpenter ; Stephen Morrell, Stone Cutter."
3 The whole expense of the church including the fences and laying out the grounds around, was about 823,000. To meet this expenditure there was
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spirit which produced the separation from the old parish kept up a feeling of rivalry and opposition until both parishes had overcome the embarrassment of their affairs. When experience proved that both could be well sustained, all jealousy subsided, and the ministers interchanged labours in a spirit of harmony very acceptable to their people. In 1807, Mr. Kellogg having a desire to extend his society and to establish a branch of it at the western end of the town which was then rapidly increasing, procured the assistance of Mr. Edward Payson, with a view, if his services should be satisfactory to the parislı, to have him united with himself as colleague pastor.1 The high expectations of Mr. Kellogg in relation to Mr. Payson, were more than realised ; he entered on the duties of his profession with all the ardor of devoted feeling and threw the whole power of his enthusiastic character into the offices of his ministry. Such ardour and enthusiasm, accompanied by genius, could not but win the hearts of his hearers, and there was no hesitation on their part in giving him a call to settle over them. He accepted the invitation and was ordained as the colleague of Mr. Kellogg Dec. 16, 1807.2
Under this accession of ministerial power, the society increased very rapidly, and Mr. Payson showed that he possessed the elements of a powerful and persuasive minister ; his society and church be- came by far the largest in the State, and himself the most popular preacher of his day.3 The meeting-house was enlarged in 1807, to accommodate the increased members of the society ; it was divid- ed at the first bay before the pulpit, and 32 new pews on the ground floor were added and sold for the benefit of the parish. The house has within a few years undergone an en ire change in its interior arrangement. Amidst the great success produced by the zeal
apportioned upon the pews $16,500 and $5,789 were raised by selling the right of choice in the pews ; the highest sum paid for a choice was $90 ; the pews were distributed by auction January 1826.
' Mr. Payson graduated at Harvard College in 1803, and was engaged by Mr. Kellogg to come directly to Portland and take charge of the Academy, in which he continued 3 years. About the commencement of his 3d year, his views of religion were established and he made an open profession of his faith. From this period he employed his leisure time until his engagement at the Academy ceased, in the study of theology, which he completed with his father at Ringe, in N. H.
2 Mr. Payson's father preached an interesting sermon on this occasion. Mr. Kellogg offered the consecrating prayer, and Dr. Buckminster of Ports- mouth, delivered the charge. Mr. Payson's salary was 81000; Mr. Kellogg having relinquished $400 of his, reserving but 8300 for himself.
3 By an arrangement between themselves, the senior pastor officiated in the morning and the junior in the afternoon, that there might be no uncertainty
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and ardour of Mr. Payson, and while an apparent harmony ex- isted in the society, symptoms of disunion suddenly appeared, the cause of which is not fully developed, and Mr. Kellogg's connection with the church and society was dissolved in December 1811. The plan which had been fondly cherished by the senior pastor of extend- ing the society and forming a branch in the westerly part of the town was abandoned. The whole of the laborious duty now devolved upon Mr. Payson, which he continued to discharge with renewed assiduity and zeal until he wore himself out in the service, and died October 22, 1827.1
It was in the early part of Mr. Payson's ministry that the line of distinction on religious sentiments became decisively marked between the first and second parishes. This was particularly exhibited at the council which met for the ordination of Mr. Nichols. Mr. Payson believed it to be his duty to withhold his assent to the ordination of that gentleman, on the ground that he was propagating an error, in fact, that he was not a christian minister. Previous to that time there had been an interchange of services between the ministers of the two societies, and although it was understood that Dr. Deane entertained views more favorable to the liberal scheme of christianity than Mr. Kellogg or Mr. Payson, it did not interrupt christian fellowship be- tween them. After that time the narrow breach widened to a gulph, and in one parish what was moderate Calvinism has become decided- ly unitarianism, and in the other the same moderate Calvinism has risen into the firm orthodox scheme, which has excluded from its communion and its pulpits the professors of the other sect.2 In building up this system, Mr. Payson bore no inconsiderable share and to which his enthusiasm gave energy and an informing spirit.
The Rev. Bennett Tyler, president of Dartmouth College succeed- ed Mr. Payson in the pastoral charge of the second parish ; he was
when the latter was to preach. One of the converts, a man of some distinc- tion observed, " Mr. Kellogg gets the sinner down in the morning and in the afternoon Mr. Payson comes and jumps on him."
1 Several of Mr. Payson's discourses were published during his life time, and had an extensive circulation, particularly one before the Bible society, and another to seamen. After his death two volumes of his sermons and a memoir of his life were published under the direction and for the benefit of his widow.
2 In 1811 at a meeting of the association of ministers in this county, Mr. Kellogg and Mr. Payson negatived the appointment of Mr. Nichols to preach in their pulpit.
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invited in May 1828, and was installed in Sept. of that year. The Rev. Dr. Beecher of Boston preached the sermon ; he continues to be the minister of the society.
In 1807, a new congregational society was organized, the meetings of which were held at first in a hall ; their first preacher was Rev. Jotham Sewall. The meeting-house in Congress-street, now be- longing to the third parish, was commenced the same year, and the next spring they were incorporated as the " Third Congregational Society in Portland.""" They had no regular minister until 1810, when the Rev. Nathan S. S. Beeman was ordained as their pastor. But next year bis health being much impaired he took a journey south, and finding it so much benefitted by a change of climate, that he requested and received a dismissal in 1812.2 After this unfortu- nate event, the members of the society were scattered among other parishes; the church consisting of twenty-five or thirty members, by advice of council, communed with the church of the second parish, and eventually amalgamated with them ; in 1814, the society termi- nated its corporate existence by a dissolution of its charter.
The Chapel Congregational Society was formed on the 18th of March 1812, by the secession of Deacon James Jewett and thirty- one others from the second church, who formed themselves into a distinct society under the above name. The dismission of these persons was procured by the aid of an ecclesiastical council, which proceeded at the same time to instal Mr. Kellogg as the pastor of this society, he having received and accepted their unanimous call.3 This small body was joined by some members from the second and third parishes, and their meetings were held in the house of the third soci- ety ; the same year an act of incorporation was obtained. It was the design of this society to build a house in the southwesterly part
' The meeting-house was raised Sept. 11, 1807 ; Nathaniel Cross was the most active agent in forming this new society.
2 Mr. Beeman is now settled in Troy, N. Y.
3 There was for some time a reluctance shown to dismiss the members of the second church who had applied repeatedly to have it done ; at length a council was called by the dissatisfied members, consisting of pastors and dele- gates from the first and second churches in Falmouth, the first and second churches in Scarborough, the churches in Buxton, Standish, Limerick, Bidde- ford, and Cape Elizabeth. At the installation which took place on the 19th of March, Mr. Miltimore of Falmouth preached the sermon, Mr. Lancaster of Scarborough delivered the charge, Mr. Marrett of Standish the fellowship of the churches, and prayers were offered by Messrs. Bradley of Falmouth, Coffin of Buxton, and Tilton of Scarborough.
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of the town as had been contemplated by Mr. Kellogg, when the connection was formed between him and Mr. Payson. But the war and commercial embarrassments taking place blasted at once all the hopes of giving strength to their society by the erection of a house of worship in a part of the town where one was much needed, and they reluctantly accepted the offer of the third society to take the con- veyance of their house encumbered as it was with a heavy debt. After about six years, the fortunes of the society still continuing un- favorable, Mr. Kellogg proposed to relinquish the whole of his sala- ry on two conditions ; one was that the creditors who had claims upon the meeting-house and were principally proprietors should accept a composition of 50 per cent. of the sums due them ; the other was, that they should settle a colleague with him to enable him to engage part of the time in the missionary service. The proposi- tions were accepted ; the Rev. Thomas S. Murdock was invited to become colleague with the Rev. Mr. Kellogg, and the pews were sold on the expectation of his ordination for a sufficient sum to redeem the liabilities of the parish at 50 per cent. But the ordination of Mr. Murdock having been delayed by sickness in his family, the pur- chasers of pews declined paying for them, and the compromise was not carried into effect, so that the burden continued upon the parish. Mr. Murdock however was ordained in Sept. 1819,' and continued to discharge the duties of the pastoral office until March 1821, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Kellogg again became sole pastor ; he soon procured the assistance of Mr. Whipple, a pop- ular preacher, to whom an unanimous invitation was given, but declin- ed. Mr. Nason supplied the pulpit a short time in 1821, during an absence of Mr. Kellogg on a mission, and on the return of the latter in December of that year, the pastoral relation at his request was dissolved .? In the spring of 1822, the Rev. Thomas Smith came to preach to the society, and his services were so acceptable that he
1 The Rev. Dr. Porter of Andover preached the sermon, Mr. Lancaster of Scarborough made the consecrating prayer, Mr. Kellogg the charge, Mr. Mil- timore of Falmouth gave the fellowship of the churches, and Mr. Cogswell of Saco made the concluding prayer.
2 The parish committee addressed a letter to Mr. Kellogg, in which they expressed the regret of the society in parting with him, and tendering him its thanks for his faithful services ; they say, " this request, the society granted you with many painful feelings and not without honourable testimonies of your merits and services."
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received a united call and was ordained July 30th of that year.' Some additions were made to the congregation, and several mem- bers were received into the church ; he continued his services until 1824, when the society not being able to give him a sufficient sup- port, the connection was dissolved by mutual consent. This was their last regular minister; the society and church joined other parish- es in town, about 35 of them becoming united to the second church from which twelve years before they had derived their separate exis- tence. The church has never formally been dissolved, many of the members with the spirit of the ancient people looked forward to a brighter day when they should be reunited and again enjoy their ordi- nances under their own vine.2 In 1825 they sold their meeting- house with its heavy incumbrance to a new society just then formed.
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The Third Congregational Society, the former by that name having been dissolved, was established in 1825. The church con- sisting of twenty males and fifteen females was set off from the second church and formed on the 9th of Sept. of that year. The same year they purchased the meeting-house of the chapel society, and settled the Rev. Charles Jenkins as their pastor in Nov. 1825.3 The socie- ty increased rapidly under the pastoral care of Mr. Jenkins until Dec. 29, 1831, when they were unexpectedly deprived of his very acceptable and useful services, by his sudden death.4
Mr. Jenkins was succeeded by the Rev. William T. Dwight, who was ordained June 6, 1832, and is the present pastor.5 Since
' Mr. Cogswell of Saco offered the first prayer, Dr. Woods of Andover preached the sermon, Dr. Payson made the consecrating prayer, Mr. Walker of Danvers gave the charge, Mr. Cummings the right hand of fellowship, and Dr. Nichols addressed the church and people.
2 The establishment of the new society in High-street, has met the wishes of several of them, whose hearts yearned to accomplish the plan so dear to their beloved pastor of planting a church in the westerly part of the town.
3 The sermon was preached by Rev. S. E. Dwight of Boston and was pub- lished. Mr. Jenkins had been settled in Greenfield, Mass. in 1820, but was dismissed in 1824 in consequence of some disagreement in the society.
4 Mr. Jenkins was an accomplished scholar and able preacher ; he had ac- quired a firm and salutary influence over his people which rendered his death a severe affliction to them. He graduated at Williamstown College in 1813; at the time of his death he was 43 years old. He left a widow and 3 chil- dren. Mr. Jenkins edited 2 volumes of Rev. Dr. Payson's sermons published for the benefit of his widow ; and a posthumous volume of his own sermons have been published to assist his own family.
' Rev. Dr. Tyler preached the sermon, the charge was delivered by Rev. Mr. Chapin of Pownal, the right hand of fellowship was given by Rev. Mr. Barstow of N. H. Mr. Dwight is a son of the late President of Yale College and was educated for the law, which he practised some years in Philadelphia.
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this parish purchased the meeting-house they now occupy, they have made extensive improvements, which have rendered it handsome and convenient, and the society is in a flourishing condition.
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