Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-11-21

taking up his abode in the wilderness,
the speaker having attended his funeral
in 1925. From 1888 TO 'S5 this Oldest in.
habitant was reinforced by several fam.
lies, who came picking their way through
the forest by marked trees, bringing their
scanty household goods upon their
shoulders The privations and hardships
of these early settlers were very great.
The nearest corn mill was twelve miles
distant. One family with six children,
lived two years in 4 dwelling covered
with the bark of trees; and the wife and
mother OF this family was the first inhab.
liant of Waterford in full communion
with tho Christian Church. Even when
there was not single professor OF relig-
ION among them. the few scattered set.
tiers used to meet regularly on Sunday,
and read sermon. In 1889 Rev. Lin.
coin Ripley was ordained pastor OF the
little flock Of christians which had by
this time been gathered. He received .
settlement of 80 pounds, l50 pounds in
land, and according to record. decent
salary" The ordination took place upon
large rock near the place where the
meeting house was subsequently built.
The connection thus formed continued
32 years. and was dissolved by mutual
consent Nov. 7.h, 1921. Mr.. Ripley
lived, universally respected and esteemed,
until 1853, when he died at the great age
of 90 Yeas and 6 months. fIe was q
man whose heart never grew old.
On the same day Mr.. Ripley was dis
missed, the present pastor was ordained
and installed. 1t was chilly rainy No.
vember morning, u limited number OF
clergymen and delegates from other
churches being present, with large au-
dience, despite the weather, assembled
to witness the then inlrequent exercises
OF the occasion The ordination sermon
was preached by Rev. Asa Cummings,
DR. Payson, OF santed memory, had, we
believe, been expected to perform that
service, but on account Of bad weather
and heavy roads, was unable to be pres
ent. From that morning in the distant
past to the present hour, period OF
half century, the relation of pastor
and people had remained. not only un'
dissolved but kindly and cordial through
out. At different periods the church had
been favored with special visitatons OF
the divine Spirit. During the first years
Of the pastors laborS thirty new members
had been added to the church; about
eleven years later l0j new members
were received, 81 at one time in 1889,
fity-two additions to the church, and in
1852, forty more took place. Ofthe en-
dearing relations so long subsisting be.
tween himself and his people; OF his
Intercourse with them in the public SER
vices of the sanctury, ut prayer meetings,
baptisms, funerals, weddings, and upon
social occasions, the speaker alluded
with deep feeling.
To the sterling worth Of the early
settlers he paid hearty tribute. In the
"cod seasons" one Of them had rye to
give away-"good measure, shaken
down and running cr,"-but none to
sell. One of them bought apple seeds,
and though filty-seven years OF age,
against the advice OF his wife, he planted
the seeds; and lived to gather six hund-
red bushels of apples in one year from
the planting.
Very great changes had taken place
since he became their pastor. OF the
ordaining council, only one was living {;
and Of the church and congregation only
two survived, and they were absent.
Within 30 years the church had buried
seven dsacons, good worthy men. 1t
had sent out seven ministers of the gos-
pei, two Of them missionaries to foreign
lands.
In the early days of Mr.. Riploy's pas
torate public services were held in priv
ate houses, and sometimes in the barn OF
The pastor In 1901 the town then mum.
bering Cos souls. built meeting house
at an expense of $4,000. In 1886 the
present house of worship was built.
Several interesting statements were
made, showing the progress of Temper
ance. For preparing the site of the first
meeting house, and raising the building,
the town provided lone barrel of good w.
l. rum, third proof, to the acceptance of
the committee !" the present house was
built without spirit. In 1888 no less than
3,100 gallons Of intoxicating liquors
were sold in the town; if any is now
sold, it is done by those who Glove dark
ness because their deeds are evil"
In 1865 thirty.two members OF this
church were dismissed for the purpose ol
uniting with the Second Congregational
Church at North Waterford, which had
been organized year or two before.
Earnestly thanking his people for their
unvarying kindness, and invoking upon
them the divine blessing, the speaker
concluded.
The address was listened 10 with
great interest, and very close attention,
and steps were taken to have it printed,
The Anthem, "How beautiful upon the
mountains" was sung, and remarks were
made by Rev. Earnest Borchers of North
Bridgton, Rev. Mr.. Kendall of South