Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-26

introduced about 1914 by Mr.. Mcneil foreign
er. In 1913 the first school inspectors (as then
called were chosen. About 1921 an academy was
started in q small building at China village, but a
new and spacious brick acadsmy was afterwards
built, where many young men have been fitted for
college.
In the early days of Harlem religious meetings
were held in private houses barns and school
houses. The first Baptist meeting house was
erected in 1914, on knoll near the old muster
ground, at the east of the head of the lake. In
1872 the building was removed to the site of the
present edifce. The Baptist church was organ
lied in China towards the close Of 1901, and con-
sisted OF IL members, who had previously been
members of the First Baptist church in Vassalboro.
The Rev. Jabez Lewis was the first pastor. The
Second Baptist church of China, formrly "First
! Harlem" is located in the town. and owes its ex-
stence to a revival in Vassalboro' and vicinity.
| In 1872 third Baptist church of several members
WIS formed in Harlem it continued Is years, but
by advice Of the Association the I'd and Sd church
es united to form the I'd China Baptist church
| VIM. Bowler had charge of the church for many
| years. Miriam Clark, wife Of Jonathan Clark,
senior the first settler, was member of the So
cicty of Friends, as were also her sons, Andrew
and Ephram, and her son-in-law George Fish and
his wife. In 1895 others came. At first the near
est regular place of worship was at Getchell's
| ner, where they went. In 1877 a meeting was
| held at the outlet. Members of the Society of
| Friends came to the settlement to live, but we
do not find that any regular meeting was held
house.
| The first meeting house erected in town, and
which still stands on its original site-wel known
as the "pond meeting house" was erected by the
Friends on piece of land purchased of Jedcdah
Jepson. The expense of building the house was
apportioned on the property of each individual.
The first meeting for church business held in town
by the Friends, was preparative meeting held in
September, 1909. In 1913 they were permitted by
the Quarterly meeting to hold monthly meeting.
| Since the establishment of China monthly meet
ing in 1913, seen hundred and Mirtyfour of these
| monthly meetings have occurred, and only in one
solitary instance has the meeting failed to be held,
and then owing to impossible travel.
temperance society was formed at South
China, April 18th, 1880, known the "South
| China Temperance Society" The whole number
of members was 300. The total number of gal
| Ions of liquor sold in China in 1881, was 1876
This society continued in operation six years. A
temperance society existed at early date at
China village. Some years later the Washington
! ians had organizations at the different villages,
embracing some of the "old soakers." Lake Di-
| China, June 90, 1859, and closed up its affairs in
1864. Similar divisions existed at Branch Mills
| China and Weeks Mills.
| Free Masonry seems to have been introduced
almost Immediately after the incorporation OF
China. In 1924 meeting of Central lodge
| held to report code of bylaws. In 1860 Dirigo
lodge was organized, meeting at South China until
the fire of II, and then removing to Weeks Mills,
| where connexions building was erected.
The first post Office of Harlem was established
April 20, 1910; J. c. Washburn, postmaster. The
South China office was established Oct. l. 1929.
The letter postage collected the first quarter
u cents; quarterly pay of the postmaster 30t cts.
| The post office at Weeks Mills was established
| about 1880; Chas. A. Russ, postmaster. Dirgo
| post Office established in 1860. 1.-The Orb"
newspaper, edited by J. c. Washburn, issued its
first number Dec. Z, 1898, and continued to circu-
late for three years. There have been in town
| five lawyers, and fourteen doctors. The South
China Library Society was formed on January |,
1880, and the organization still exists in working
order 1t has numbered among its members and
patrons large number of the leading citizens of
| the town. 1t has received liberal donations from
| time to time. A. III. Abbot was for 80 years its
faithful librarian. The library of 500 volumes was
destroyed in the recent destructive fire. But it is
now rising from its ashes. 1t was through the in
strumentality of a committee appointed by the
Society," that much valuable information was OBJ
| tanned relative to the history Of the town.
The historical paper closes as follows
"Jones Plantation is almost forgotten, ard Har-
LENS memory is almost passed away. China Of
| to-day is ours. Nature has blessed her. Art has
aided in civilizng her. But her position is be-
| hind the times. The "Iron Horse" has not vet
| come TO give new energy to her industries. The
electric wire bears message to her children.
| Her lake that might teen with salmon and shad,
Is the hiding place of pickerel and cells. Her
town buildings are decaying for want of care
These are themes for our consideration. Whilst
God has abundantly blessed her children, and
these industrial energies and public needs may in
time be remedied, one browning need of China,
and our address is closed. We need hearts traught
with gratitude to the Great giver-we need pray
| ing communities instead of half empty churches,
| we need the dear old Bible as the choicest
household treasure, and the hour of family prayer
and eviction the hottest and happest hour to
| the circle at home. Then indeed shall "the Wild
| erness and solitary place be glad and the desert
shall rejoice and blossom the rose And those
| around Us shall in wonder exclaim, Happy the
people that is in such case" Yea happy that
people whose God is the Lord