Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-05-12

For the journal.
METHODISM SIXTY YEARS AGO
And NOW


and NOW.
The meeting of the recent Methodist
Conference has called up "reminiscences
in relation to the history of that order of
Christians which may be of interest to
relate. Sixty years ago Augusta was not
a station, as it now is. but only part of
a circuit as they term it. We can recolect
when they had preaching here only once
month, soon after once in three weeks,
and then once in two. and then again
once q week, when it became station.
They had however no Church building
until 1928. Our first recollection of their
preachers were Father Hillman, Baker
Lowell. and some others whose names
we have forgotten. They used to worship
in the Old Town House, and then in the
Old Court House, until the erection of the
church which they still occupy; it has been
however recently enlarged, renovated and
beautitied, so that it compares favorably
with the best in town.
We were very forcibly reminded, On
Sunday morning last. Of the great disparity
in numbers now and sixty years ago,
when we attended love feast in the late
Elhu Robinson's shop. Then there were
from fifty to one hundred persons present,
persons out side of the church attending
in proportion as they do now. 1t is esti-
mated that on Sunday noon there were
assembled between two thousand and
twenty-five hundred. Mr. Robinson was
worthy member of the Methodist order,
sence Of clergymen. and for many years
prayer meetings We're held at his private
house. The writer has attended them
scores of times. And here we cannot well
forbear relating an anecdote. During the
war of 1912, with Great Britain, Augusta
was a rendezvous for soldiers, the same as
it was in our recent struggle. Some three
or four hundred were about to march to
the seat of war, (and here we mean no
reflection or disrespe-t for any one-we
only relate it as a matter of history
noted clergyman was called upon to
preach to them just before they left, when
he took for his text Because thou hast
rebelled against the Lord, this year thou
shalt surely die The writer was presenl
and heard every word. 1t was an honest,
well ment discourse, and the preacher
intended it should have personal applica-
ton. As they were going into danger
they might die suddenly, therefore they
should repent and turn to God if they had
not ALREADY done so. But they took it in
high dudgeon, and declared they would
not 20 under the circumstances, as the
preacher was in politics opposed to the
war There was great excitement about
the matter, and Capt. Josiah H. Vose,
who was in command, gave consent for
another sermon. Old Father Hillman was
called upon to preach it, when he took his
text from two different verses in the Bible;
one was, Cursed is he that keepeth his
sword from blood the other was, go
and the Lord 60 with you;" they then
went off in high glee, for they knew Faith
er Hillmans politics were in favor of
prosecuting the war even to the bitter end.
We will relate another incident relative to
the growth of the Methodist Church. Some
five years ago we spent the winter in
Brooklyn, n. Y Rev. Samuel Haskins,
Rector of St. Mark of that city, says
when he first came there some thirty years
ago, there was no church Tor a long dis
tance from St. Marks, now there are
seven or eight within stone throw, which
to him is almost unaccountable.
AN OLD CITIzAN.