Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-27
4 RIDE INTO THE INTERIOR.
DIxrIELD, Sept. %, 1878.

Il RIDE INTO THE INTERIOR.
DIxFIELD, Sept. %, 1878.
To the Editor of the Journal:
At Gorham, Saturday morning after the
heavy rain of Friday night, rose clear, cool
and with northwesterly wind. Everything
looked promising for 4 second attempt at as
cending Mount Washington. Our whole par
ty of the day before were of one mind, and
The landlord made us q very liberal offer, in
view of our unlucky failure the day before.
We commenced getting together our wrap
pings, mostly dry now, Notwithstanding the
wetting they had had. But Burns was not the
first OF last who discovered that "the best laid
plans of mice and men gang aft agley." Be-
fore we were ready for a start, the wind
whirled about, and masses of fog and cloud
came drifting over the horizon and the noun
tain tops; and we unanimously came to the
conclusion not to risk another effort, without
better prospect of success than was then
manifest.
Reluctantly, and with many "a longing,
lingering look behind" we turned our faces
towards home. Our ride was through Shell
burne, Gilead, and Bethel, to Rumford. The
day was exceedingly changeable,
cool and clear, then the sun would shine warm
and pleasant, then wind or rain squall would
come up, and then it would subside again.
The scenery all along was wild, picturesque
and variegated. Low intervale land borders
the Androscoggin, sometimes narrow in ex-
tent, and then spreading out into wide mea-
dows, green, fertile and peaceful to the eye,
with the river winding in and out, and cut
ting and crossing the intervales in every
shape. High hills and mountains of every
form and in every position shut in the river
valley, sometimes leaving only narrow strip
Of land for cultivation, and at others receding
50 a. 10 leave = broad amphitheatre of field
AMI pasture. Wild river, Pleasant river, Sun
quite considerable mountain streams which
empty into the Androscoggin, as well as many
smaller ones which we crossed in the course
of the day.
After spending Saturday night at 4umford,
we found it necessary to ride several miles
the next morning, to reach religious meet
ing. There was . meeting house not far from
our inn, but no services that day. At East
Rumford we stopped to attend services. Rev.
A. Hatch is the stationed Methodist preacher
at Rumford, but there being several villages
scattered along the river, with each a meet
ing-house, he has to divide his time amongst
them. The meeting house at East Rumford
is small, but planned and finished, and even
frescoed with much more taste and skill than
some of our city churches. Mr.. H. is an ear
nest, fluent, and pointed speaker, and admin.
istered telling blows to his audience which hit
right and left. The hits would, however,
been more numerous, instead of being rather
scattering. The text was from Malachi, -
"They that loved the Lord, spake often one
to another" &c. The preacher drew a vivid
picture of the circumstances of trial, spiritual
declenson and persecution, under which thes G
faithful ones conversed together, and men,
toned various topics on which they probably
spoke to each other. 1t was rather unfortu-
nate, perhaps, that his turn of mind led him
to dwell more on the discouragements and
troubles which they experienced, than upon
the grace and goodness which supported and
sustained them, and the sex ceeding great and
precious promises" and comforts of the Cos
pei. After the sermon succeeded the Sabbath
school, in which was an interesting Bible class
instructed by the preacher, and attended by
number of very intelligent men and women.
In the afternoon, the pastor expounded sew
eral of the parallels. Why do not our preach
ers oftener vary their public efforts with &C.
casional expostions of scripture?
Our party had by this time scattered some
what' but we who remained were Hospitality
invited into the house of christian GENTLE
man and lady, who opened their doors and
hearts to receive us. Though strangers be.
fore, we found them warm hearted, intelli-
gent and very pleasant company, and parted
as friends, hoping to meet again. Our host
was the architect of the meeting house near
his residence, Representative in the Lepisla-
ture last winter, and he and his wife are large
manufacturers of cheese in their private dairy.
They have sold about eighty large cheeses the
present year, and have as many more on
hand. They have also large farm, the same
formerly owned by the late Gen. Bolster. In
The midst of all their labors and cares, they
ind time for the most active and constant at
ention to all christian duties and sevices.
We spent the night at the beautiful village
Of Diyfeld, and, as home is the next stage,
will here close our rambling letters, as our
excursion draws to close.
SENIOR.