Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-10-22

Rev. Arthur Drinkwster.

h6V' AItQuI UIlnkWetor.
We copy from lions Advocate the fol.
lowing sketch OF the life and character, OF
Rev. Arthur Drink water, believing that II
will be found interesting to the Baptist de-
nomination Of the County, and his friends
in Ellsworth, where he was formerly set.
tied as a pastor:
From a notice which appeared In the
Advocate, its readers have been led to ex-
pect a more extended sketch of the life and
labOrs OF the venerable servant of Christ
whose name stands at the head OF this ar
ticle; but from the scanty materials in the
hands ofthe writer, this sketch must OF
necessity be comparatively brief and i'm
perfect.
1t appears from a sketch of his early
life. written by himself, that he was born
In North Yarmouth, Aug. 18th, 1888. He
was the fifth son and seventh child Of Da-
vid and Rachel Drinkwater. His father,
being seafaring man, he received his
early instruction almost exclusively from
his mother. Being q Christian woman, she
was careful to impart to him a knowledge
of the principles of religion. In bis four
teenth year his mother was removed by
death; but he was accustomed to reflect
upon what she had said to him, and her
instructions were productive Of good. He
seems, however, not to have been the sub
ject Of conviction Of personal sinfulness
until about eighteen years OF age At that
time he states. 1T pleased God, as l hope,
to show me my situation. | felt myself to
be dead In trespassses and in sin; and, IL
God cast me Off, it would be no more than
l deserved, for had always been living
without God in the world" Under these
deep convictions he was enabled to accept
Christ as his Savior; he was soon after
baptized. and united with the Baptist
church in his native town.
From his diary, commenced about two
years after that time. we learn that he en-
ioyed the privilege from time to time Of
listening TO a number of those holy men of
God who were then actively engaged in
the gospel ministry; most prominent
among these were Stearns, Case. Merrill,
Sewell. Payson, Chase, Blood, Boardman
and Tripp, the last two of whom were his
pastors, the former at North Yarmouth
the latter at Hebron. From the varying
phases of his religious experience, of which
he made record, We gather conclusive evil
dence that he WAS the subject OF deep
Intelligent and growing piety Favored
with the instruction of such men As have
of God under such an experience, his views
OF doctrinai truth became eminently scrip
tural; these views seem to have been ear
ly established, and TO have been cherished
without wavcring to the end of life.
soon after his conversion. he commenc-
ell Il career Of study ut Gorham, which
was Afterwards more extensively prose
cuted at Hebron. During his course OF
study at the latter place, his attention was
called to the work of the ministry this he
made the subject Of special and earnest
prayer and at length came TO feel it to be
the will of God that he should labor in
public. A strong desire for the prosperity
of the cause OF God on the one hand. and
knowledge OF the desttution of the
churches at that time on the other, seem
TO have lent their influence to deepen his
interest In this subject 10 God he express
ed himself willing to relinquish all worldly
pursuits, and TO prepare for this work. pro-
viding h" could feel u clear evidence that
it was his duty.
Elder Trip, suspectlng what was pass
ing in his mind, drew from him II confess
sion of his exercises upon this subject.
Notwithstanding these convictions he
shrank from the duty. until in agony Of
SOUL he could adopt the language of the
apostle. Nv oe is unto me if | preach not
the Gospel. Here occurs break in his
diary. During period OF two wears, Of
which no record is found, this question of
duty seems to have been fully settled, since
on resuming his diary at the expiration of
that time, he makes mention OF preaching.
and since. in oct. 9th, 1913, which was
soon after. he received license from the
church in North Iarmonth; he continued
TO preach until Dec. 80, 1916, when he was
ordained at Mt. Vernon, and became pas
tor OF the Baptist church in that place.
Referring 10 the day of examination he
wrote as follows: This to me was a sol
emn and interesting day. yet | was not de-
pressed nor elated." The sermon on the
occasion of his ordination was preached
bv Elder Boardman, from Eph. iv II, II:
Elder Haines offered the prayer of ordina-
ton; Elder Frances gave the charge. and
Elder Houghton the hand of fellowship
or the charge he wrote: "Oh that ! NAV
never forget il, and of the day OF ordina-
ton This Is the most solemn day have
seen for years; o that may ever feel the
responsibility OF my station" Beyond this
date nothing worthy of special note can be
gathered from his diary. We learn, how.
ever. in part from notice recently pub
lished. that after a pastorate in Mt. Yer
non OF i've years, he, in 1921 accepted
call from the Baptist church in Danvcrs,
Mass, but in 1899 resumed the pastoral
charge of the church in Mt Vernon; he
was subsequently pastor at Hallowell,
Bloomfield, Ellsworth, Fayette. Green,
Sidney and Norridgewock With the ex-
ception of an occasional sermon. his pub
lie la6ors in the ministry closed in 1862
with his pastorate in the last mentioned
place.
Eath N 4
succeeded DR.. Chaplin at Danvers. and
that he continued his relations as pastor
OF the church for eight years, is ample
proof, of his ability and the acceptable
character Of his ministry in that place his
re-settlement at Mt. Vernon is alike cred
table to him and to the church there. The
advanced position SO long held by Mt
Vernon among the Baptist churches in our
rural districts is due, we may venture to
infer, to no little extent to his sound scrip
tural teachings and to his wise and judici-
Gus management. He assumed the pastoral
charge of the church in Bloomfield during
critical period of its history. was speci-
ally blessed in his labors. and left them
united and prosperous. So far we learn
his connection with the several churches
he was called to serve was uniformly
pleasant, and his labors productive of
spiritual pTOut. AFTER leaVlng DanVerS,
DR.. Chaplin continued to retain deep in
terest in the church i'm that place. and in
his immediate successor in the pastoral
office; between these two ministers of
Christ there continued mutual good un-
derstanding. As creditable to both parties.
and as highly suggestive, reference NAV
here be admissible. If at any time. during
an occasional visit to Danvers, DIR. Chap
lin discovered anything which he thought
specially demanded the attention of the
pastor, or any course Of procedure that
might enhance his usefulness. instead of
indulging in criticisms, or passing judg-
ment before others, he was accustomed to
seek a private interview with the pastor
and call his attention to the Sc things, add
ing such suggestions as the case seemed to
require; this delicate service was perform
ed in way SO unOfiiciOus, and with such a
high sense Of propriety, as always to make
it acceptable; these suggestions, so timely
and jndiciOus. Elder Drinkwater gladly
received, and, from the dictates of his own
good sense. they were promptly needed.
To these counsels he afterwards alluded
with grateful interest. expressing the fact
Il L n