The Portland daily press., 1875-08-24
An ali .tract from the records of the church


showed that Rev. VIM. Fessenden, a graduate
of Harvard University, was ordained as pastor
Oct. II. 1775 1t was voted that his salary
should be G45 per apnum. and be increased G5
per year till it should reach $40, then to remain
at that sum TWAS to be paid in Indian corn
at three shillings and rye at four shillings
bushe. From the Pastors records it appeared
that he baptized children under the HALLWAY
Covenant" the parents accepting the creed but
not feeling worthy of comiIg 10 the Lords
table. He also baptized entire households, the
heads of the family bringing forward even
their colored servants aud infant children. 1t
is rather remarkable that in the wilderness and
So remote from civilization, this church should
have for pastor man of culture from the
classic halls of Harvard; and not long after
Rev n Porter, D. D., was settled in the ad-
joining town of Brownfeld, both fresh gradu-
ates from the same University.
The reading of records and historical narra-
tives having been completed with the close of
the forenoon exercises, the afternoon was de-
voted to historical addresses. Rev VIM. Clark,
D. D., of Amherst, N. a.. whose acquaintance
and residence reached back fifty years, gave an
interesting account of the families connected
with the church and the inhabitants of the
village. His intimate relationship with Rev.
DR.. Hurd and his family enabled him to pre-
sent an affecting and discriminating review of
the scenes and events of his long pastorate.
Rev. S. G. Fessenden of Stamford, Conn, a
grandson of the first pastor, and former stu
dent at the academy, wildly presented his ear
ly recollectlons of the town where some of his
pleasantest days had been spent, and of some
of its distinguished sons and daughters whom
he found occupying honorable and useful posi-
tions all over the land. He narrated several in
cidents connected with the life and experiences
of his cultivated ard most excellent grand
mother, proving that she was a worthy help
meet to her faithful and self-denying husband.
He presented to the church to be preserved in
its archives the journals and some of the SER
mons delivered by him. These are marvellous
specimens of chirography, so finely written
and so closely written as to be hardly Iegible,
although the ink is as fresh and black as when
it first flowed from the quill one hundred years
ago.
Rev. G. D. Barrows of Lowell, Mass, fol-
lowed with interesting illusions to his native
place, dwelling especially upon the pastorate of
Rev. Mr. Sewall, with which as young man
he was most familiar, although he had vivid
recollectons and impressions of Dr. Hurds
ministry.
An original ode, written for the occasion by
Miss Jennie SewaN, daughter of the former
pastor, was then sung by the choir, which we
have omitted to mention was composed largely
of its old members who had returned to cele
brate the day.
Rev. Dr. VIM. Warren of Gorham, and
native of Oxford county, related incidents and
impressions of his boyhood, confirming his
statement that Fryeburg was regarded as the
headquarters for culture and eminence in all
the professions. He alluded at length to sever
al prominent members of different families,
the Fessendens, Pages, Fryes-to the mother
Of Gov. Andrew, to Rev. Dean Andrews, who
was so identified with the growth and prosper
ity of veteran town that public meeting
was held TO deplore his decease, and to Rev.
Samuel Souther, who gave his life and would
almost have been willing to give his soul for
the salvation of his coantry.
Saturdays exercises concluded with social
assembly at the vestry, where, after an hour
spent in an exchange of greetings interspersed
with songs and instrumental music, brief adj
dresses were made by A. P. Stone, A. NJ, Su-
perintendent of Schools at Springfield, Mass,
for many years resident OF the town and also
a student at the academy, by DR.. Warren, who
referred in terms of highest praise to many of
the accomplished women who had adorned the
homes of the town and filled places of honor
and usefulness abroad
The services eff the Sabbath were in the fore
noon sermon delivered by Rev. S. c. Fessen-
den from Luke vii, 5. The discourse was able,
impressive and appropriate, showing that re-
ligion and education were the true foundations
of country's prosperity and that these are
exemplifed in New England history. The
town, the church, the school, follow in natural
sequence and upon them rest law and order and
god government. No brief report of the SER
mon would be satisfactory, it would do justice
to itself if printed at full length.
In accordance with the custom on such and
similar occasions, the Lords Supper was adj
ministered in the AFTERNOON. Appropriate ad
dresses were made by Rev NJ NJ. G. Dana of
Norwich, Conn.,, Rev. DR.. Clark, and the pas
tor of the church. The first communion SER
vice of the church was used at this time.
An original hymn was then sung, written by
Mrs. R. P. Reed of Chelsea, Mass, a grand
daughter of the first pastor.
The evening of the Sabbath was devoted to a
praise meeting, conducted by Rev. G. D. Bar
rows 1.-THE Hymns and Songs of Praise"
compiled by Drs. Hitchcock, Eddy and Schaff,
supplied. "a choice selection of old and new
tunes.
Rev. E. P. Wilson of Waterfowl, Mass. and
the Rev. Messrs. Dana, Barrows, and Stone
gave short and earnest exhortations. fitting for
the closinn sarcicaa of the centennial