Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1809-04-24
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

0fthe ljs Of the Res. Mr. GILMAN, 9N.
Yarmouth, quhose death, ge. suas noticed in
last MONDAYS Gazette,
The Rev. Tristram Gilman was born in
Exeter, in the State of New. Hampshire, on
the Oath of Move mber, 1855, q. S. lie graz
duated at Hanover College. A. ID 1857
In April, 1869, he came to this town to
preach on probation, and OIL the 9th OF De-
cember following, was ordained. AT the
time Of his ordination, there was but one
Church in the whole town, which at that
time included what is now Freeport and
Pownal.
When he came here, Mr.. Gilman had We.
ny serious difficulties in his mind, relative
to a se>0'0nent among us, owing 70 the
strong e. hments of many, to his immcdi'
ate predecessor, vino had been but just dis.
missed. There were nearly one third OF
the church, and q large proportion OF the
parish in opposition to him, among whom
were some Of the mast influential charac-
tiers but after much time spent in prayer
70 God, and having the advice OF . yenera-
bic council, he conceived the path of duty
was plain, and consented to take the over
sight of us Such, however, was his christ
ian prudence and conduct, that his oppo-
nents were very soon reconciled.
During his miaistry, 295 persons were
admitted by him into full communion with
his church, and 1914 persons were haptiz-
ed. ss
In the year 1871, God was pleased to no.
nor bis ministry by making him mstrNmen.
tai Of wonderful revival of religion, SO
that from the first of May, 1871. to Deem
Der 9, 1872, one hundred and thirty.two
members were added and from that time
to the present, six,y-two more. And that
notwithstanding in September 1893, fifty
eight persons were dismissed, 10 form tie
church, Of which the rev. Anasa Smith now
is Pastor, and in 1867, fifteen persons
more were dismissed. 10 assist in forming
the church of which the rev John Dutton
is Pastor, MIR CilInan's church, at his de.
cease, consisted Of 49, members, viz. AZ
males, and 90 females Bog
Mr.. Gilman stood very high in the est.
nation, not only OF his own church and peo-
pie, but with oil those WHO knew how to
appreciate merit Where fore his advice was
frequently solicited in difficult ecclesiastical
cases, and lead him TO be much in councils,
where his opinions and Judgments had the
weight they deserved. When Bowdoin Col
lege was incorporated, he was named in
the act as one of the Trustees, and at the
first meeting of the corparotion, was cho-
sen Pre- sident, which Office he held, until
his age and IL Fl mites induced him TO re.
sign his seat nj the Board. In June 1907,
when the Lincoln and Rennebec Tract So.
eety, resolved themselves into Missiona.
ry Society, they elected him their Presi
dent, which office he held at his death.
With respect TO Mr.. Gilman's private,
moral, and religious character, we could
say much, and feel dispos tion to say more
than would be proper for the limits Of this
memoir, which is but very imperfect
sketch. His manner Of life as gentleman,
parent, friend, and christian minister, ever
since he resided with us, cannot be spoken
OF too highly As husband, he was par
ticulari, afiectiona;c as a parent, remar
kably tender as man, he was strictly
, honest. II il difficult, to conceive of more
conwgal, parental. and hlial affection in any
one family ON earth, than was to be fouuI
in his. Although Mr. Gilman was man
whose feelings were naturally quick, and
susceptible of great sensibili,y, yet, by d.
vine grace he was enabled, as we trust, at
all times, and in all places, ever 10 MAINTAIN
"a conscience void of offence toward God
and man." and strikingly to exhibit the cha
| racter of christian. lie was very hospIta-
bic 10 all men, and liberal TO the poor, and
took all opportunities of doing goodto those
that visited him. lie manifested. LIS hospl-
tality at such times, not merely by outward
acts Of Kindness, but by recommending reli-
gion 10 them, as peculiarly " the one thing
needful." by precept and example. ris
true, that his first appearance to strangers,
savored rather Of rcseryedness, ard served
to keep such at distance until further &C
quaintsnce renewed his suspicion but, TO
his intimate friends, lac was known 10 be
oae OF the most ope'', free, unrcserled cha