Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-08-06
WARREN LOCALS.
Seventy-fifth Anniversary Of the Baptist
Church - Mrs. Mason - Indians HAY
Crop, &c.

On the lst inst, was the seventy fifth annivcr-
sary of the Baptist church in this. town. and the
sermon by Rev. n. 4. Dutton, the pastor, review
ed the history of the church, and brought out the
salient points terscly and strongly, holding his
audience for over three quarters Of hour, with
wonderful power. One could hardly believe that
quiet little town like Warren, should have really
so much Of stirring history in connection with one
of its churches. Seyenty-hye years since, nine
members came together, and without money,
house, or regular preacher, organized Baptist
church which, before the end of the year, num-
bered twenty-five members. This was done under
difficulties scarcely known to us, and restrictions
that we should question, did we not know the
source Of our information. The Congregational
ist church mad been organized a few years preyl-
ously, and these nine, and afterwards Others found
their consciences forbidding them to enjoy all the
privileges of the gospel by worshpping with the
Congregationalist church; SO they took upon
themselves the responsibility of Baptist organi-
cation, which included St. George and Cushing
Church support was had, not by taxing societies,
but by taxing the people generally, as in case OF
town tan AT first, none of this town tan could be
used for the Baptist society, though its members,
even by petition to the town, could not be exempt
All monies thus raised must go to the Congrega-
tonal church. Hence the Baptist members were
doubly taxed, in order to pay their expenses, which
very little in our eyes, but not IN theirs but
feeling became so strong against this unjust taxa
|
by raising $35 more by the town, and permitting
the Baptists to draw that amount. In the course
| of years this varied and the product of the
! alewye fishing was devoted to the support OF the
| gospel, and finally it was relieved entirely from
town support, and each society left to its own In
dividual resources as it ought to be. The church
| has had eleven pastoratts, several OF them
quite lengthy. The first pastor, Rev. Andrew
/ Fuller, long since gone to his rest, was here
seventeen years. His successor, Rev. Mr. Wake
! field, still lives in Rookland. DR.. Granger now
of Providence, r. l., was here with this people
nearly twelve years, and Rev. Ira Leland Of Tops
ham, had about the same stay. Others, though
their stay has been shorter, have left good record.
! Their names could be given, as many Of them are
still alive, such as Dr. Shaw of Ioulton, and Rev.
O. j. Richardson of st. George. The membership
has varied from nine in its beg inning to two humid
red and eighty in $780, under the pastorate of
Rev. Mr.. Isley The whole number of different
names belonging to the church amounts to about
$50. Its growth in members is commensurate with
its other works, and its pastor said he had ask
ed himself why this spirit OF prayer, works and
devotion that we find in the church in Warren
Its history is its answer.
A small church was built few years after on
ganizaton, and in 1928 the present house was ded-
icated-a large commodious building, with
good furnaces and pipe organ. Is not this good
example of what small beginnings will do when
God is with theml The present pastor has a
strong hold upon the church, and bids fair to make
his stay long any of his predecessors, and a
profitable.
In the afternoon, at the Congregational church
Mrs. Kent Mason delivered her temperance lee
ture with some dramatic effect to An appreciativt
audience She spoke, she said, in a sober ant
quiet town. Probably she was not in town OIL
several Saturday evenings past, and saw the rows