Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-23
REV. JOTH.4W SEWALL.

REV. LOTHIAN SEW4LL.
The notice, in the Daily Journal of the
Goth inst, the visit, by Rev. Daniel Stikney,
editor Of the Sunrise, to the grave of the ven
cradle Rev. lothian Sewall of Chesterville,
brings to the mind of the writer of this,
some painful reflections upon the fact that
even the best and most useful of men may out
live the affections and the respect of the COM
mittees they have served. Mr. Sewall was
one of natures noblemen, belonging to fami-
ly inheriting all the attributes of greatness.
Hon. David Sewall, a companion of Washing
ton, who was the lifelong Judge of the U. S.
District Court Of Maine, was his brother. Gen.
Henry Sewall of the Revolutionary Army,
Clerk of the Dist. L. S. Court, and Reg. Of
Deeds for this county, was also his brother.
He lived and died in Augusta. Rev. lothian
Sewall was the first settler of Chesterville,
who did more to promote the temperance and
spiritual interests of his town, than any other
man who ever lived in it. He was an excel
lent farmer, a skillful house mason, and lay
preacher of the congregational denomination,
who united the material and moral elements
in building up the best order of society. For
more than fifty years he labored III the minis
try, chiefly as missionary, visiting all parts
and almost every town and waste place of this
State, sowing the seeds of gospel truth all
over the moral vineyard, and did more in es-
tablishing congregational churches than any
other nan in Maine. He was known every
where and almost by every body, as relig
Gus counsellor and a family friend. Who
has not heard of Father Sewall'? His pa
fri chol M q hnusphNld
a man was entitled to and received the most
widespread respect and affections. And yet,
when he closed his long and useful life, hav.
ing out-lived his generation, and was borne
TO his grave, there was almost none to do him
reverence! This thought, so painful to re-
fleet upon, is the cause of this tribute to his
memory. Mr. Stickney says, she was one of
the noble men in the kingdom of heaven"
recollect an account which Mr.. Stickney,
shortly after the death of Father Sewall, gave
me of his funeral. 1t took place at his an
Gent home in the town he had settled and
served SO long and we'll. At that time Mr..
Stickney was visiting in Pennington, near to
Chesterville. Whilst there. he heard of the
venerable mans death, and on the morrow,
made it point to show respect for his
memory by repairing to the funeral scene.
Surprising that half of Pennington and all Of
Chesterville, Wilton, N. Sharon, MtVernon
and Jay would be present, he engaged a car
riage and, accompanied by another old friend
of the deceased. Mr.. John Church, proceeded
to join the throng at the meeting-hou Sc, in
which he dispensed the word of life. 1t was
closed and silence reigned around it! Thence
he went to the mansion which lie built and
wherein he reared his family and died. No
doubt every room and the yards in front Of
it would be filled and covered with crowds of
people. At the door stood a cart, called
hearse, to which one horse was attached, and
on entering the house, he found one room, and
only one, occupied by half dozen mourning
relatives, with the coffin npon the table, and
in the entry about the same lumbar of his inn
mediate neighbors. The officiating minister's
prayer concluded, the body was removed to
the hearse, and a procession formed consist
ing of the half dozen relatives, followed by
Mr.. Stickney and Mr.. Church arm in arm
and TINS the sacred dust of the sainted Faith
er Sewall was carted to his grave by an old
horse! Such are the honors awarded to the
aged whose long lives of usefulness have emit
tied them to the shortest testimonials Of graf
itude and respect. AS l have said-the
thought is a sad and shameful commentary on
the civilization of the living.
Among the churches gathered by Father
Sewall in various parts of the State, were the
congregational parishes in Cheste rville, Will
ton, Temple, New Sharon, Strong, and Far
mngton. The writer of this was at that time
a resident of Pennington, having charge Of
the Academy Of which Mr. Sewall was Trus-
tee. His duties on this Board, and his
preaching in F. often called him to town where
our acquaintance was made mutual and pleas
ant. Though strictly honest and conscientious,
he was not without his fault on the side of
bigotry. He was very set in his way He
knew every body was wrong who did not think
as he did. He did not like the Baptsts be-
cause, they would not admit sprinkled con-
gregationists to their communion. We rec
collect one instance of his taking occasion to
offer rebuke to that church. One Sunday
Elder Sylvanus Boardman of New Sharon,
Gather of the celebrated Missionary preach
ed in Pennington whilst father S. was laboring
to gather Congregational Society. 1t was
the Baptist communion day. Father S. con-
,rived 10 be present Elder BIS invitation to
the qualified commandments was in terms that
did not embrace congregational church mem.
bers, and consequently excluded Father Sew
all from the Lords table. When the ele.
ments were distributed, Father S. retained his
seat in pew, which the Deacons passed
without offering the bread to him, whereupon
he arose and his stately form moved slowely
down the broad aisle to the door, exclaiming
as he went, wiping his eyes as il in tears and
with loud sobs: "Ill go and tell my heaven
ly Father that his children here won't let me
come to His tablet" The rebuke was under.
stood and felt. As Paul said to the Corinth-
ians. so Father Sewall might have said to FL
der Boardman, "Being crafty caught you
with guile. DREux.
The dispatches which we were obliged to