Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-25
RURAL WANDERINGS.-N.

GREENvALE, Sept. %, 1874.
1t was beautiful, bright morning yester-
day, and we left Weld at an early hour. We
saw our preacher of The day before once more,
and took our leave of him. This gentleman
has preached years in New Hampshire and
Vermont, as well as in Maine. Many of these
Free Baptist preachers are pioneer evanee-
lists, stopping but few months or years in
a place, but scattering the seeds of gospel
truth in many neighborhoods. Some forty
years ago, Mr.. Perkins, then Il yolth was
preaching at Gardiner, when great revival
took place, in which all denominations shared
About the same time, he and Elders Water
man and Curtis inaugurated series of meet
ings in Hallowell, which resulted in numer-
Gus additions to the several churches. Now
all three of them are aged and venerable men,
but though their locks are whitened by the
lapse ofyears, ,hey still have the ire of the
gospel in their hearts.
Our route led us amongst lakes, mountains
and forests, diversified occasionally by farms
and farm buildings, showing how man seeks
by toll and persevering effort to make for him
self home, however homely The air was
very invigorating and inspiring; the lungs
drank in new life and health the sunshine and
almost cloudless skies chcered and enllyened
the spirits. The sweet scents of the ever.
greens and wild flowers, as we rode along the
forest paths, refreshed the senses with their
fragrance. The mountains lifted themselves
high into the serene atmosphere, and glad
dened the eyes of the beholders with their
grandeur and majesty. The solitary peak of
Mount Blue, towering above tho surrounding
heights, Mount Abram, with it's double crown,
and Saddleback, Hottest of all. were in fu,l
view in the course of The day, not to mention
numerous less aspiring eminences which d.
versfy this region. Such scenery is fitted 10
inspire feelings of reverence and devotion.
and to lead us to ''look through Nature nm to
NATURES God. No wonder poet exclaims
'Ie mountains, moulded by Gods hands!
le forests, waving by his breath
lie cascades, ieaping far beneath
lie lakes, restrained by golden sands,
JON all, one glorious song to raise
ANU hyihh your great Creators praise"
Riding from the south end of Weld to the
north, we passed near the old mansion and
farm where Jacob Abbott senior, father of
Jacob and John, S. C. Abbott, formerly re.
sided. mile or two down the west side of
the pond, is the former residence of John
Robinson, who when eighty years old and
over, used to spend his summers in Hallowell.
and was much employed as house painter.
He died some years since at the age of lO3
When over 80, he painted the outside of his
sons two story house, and when past 100, he
rode 3 or miles to the town village. The
public house where we stopped is kept by
Nathaniel Dummer Esq, a grandson of old
Judge Dummer of lallowell, one ofthe early
settlers. Mr.. DIS a cousin of Charles
Dummer Esq late of IIalloweli, and has an
interesting family, his sons successful bust
ness men, and his daughters " ell educated and
intellige t.
Passing the rusty looking village of Madrid,
we entered upon the forest road that leads 10
Rangeley. Here we found by the road side
secluded green plat Of ground, with alternate