Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-10-02
Some RecOuecfi0ns of Dr.. adam
DTiisOn.

Wilson was supplying a church some
distance out OF Portland. he called upon
q gentleman teaching in the vicinity, and
solicited his services in procuring SUR
scribers for his contemplated paper, he
Zion's Advocate. The gentleman was
then subscriber for the Watchninn and
not being inclined TO exchange it, hesiia-
ted about encouraging Mr.. Wilson In
starting religious paper in this State,
and frankly told him that he thought. II
attempted, 1t would prove fsiiur Yet
Elder Wilson was so sanguine that he
should make the paper success that,
after much pei lsuasion, the gentleman
finally agreed to see what he could do
for him.
BY many miles travel and very per-
sistent effort he succeeded 30 Tar that,
when Mr. Wilson called again. two weeks
after, he gave him lhe names OF thirty
four pay ins subscribers. He was greatly
pleased and said that, under the circum-
stances, 1t was ,he greatest encourage
ment he had received since he started
tue enterprise. Probably some OF these
persons took the paper one year only and
others not much longer. yet new SUBJ
scribers have been found and it is be-
lieved the paper has circulated generally
through that church End society ever
since. One thought here suggests itself.
"Our fathers, where are they ?" OF these
thirty-tour original subscribers. thirty
three are now dead leaving only one,
and that one is the person who procured
the subscriptions. lie has been spared
TO take and read every number OF the
Adrocate that has ever been issued.
Very few men would have succeeded
as did Mr.. Wilson. lie began small. was
very prudent. did much OF The labor him
self. impressed it upon his friends that
they must help, and that whatever they
did for the paper must be gratuitous.
The gentleman alluded to who procured
the subscribers received nothing for his
services, and afterwards while connected
several years with the legislature. he
acted as correspondent and otherwise
wrote Tor the paper for years; yet be
never received cent for it, and always
paid for his paper in advance. But there
was no wrorg done; Mr.. Wilson was
particular to have it distinctly understood
that the paper could not be sustained un-
less the friends in every way helped
without charge.
One of the thirty-!our subscribers re-
ferred TO was good deacon. whom we
will designate as Deacon IL He was
firm, sound-minded, well-informed man,
always looked matters over and well
considered them before he made up his
mind, and, when once made up, no power
on earth could drive him from his posi-.
tion. When he fairly saw the right, he
thought every other person might see 1t
also; and, when fully explained. ii they
did not see it, he had no patience with
them; and in this matter his .fTmneSS
sometimes would seem TO border on Stub.
bornaesS. But one thing was in his
tavor-he was almost always right.
When the abolition question was first
agitated, Dea. D., who. from his very
heart, loathed and despised everything
like oppression, took most active and
decided stand. His course upon this
question was offensive TO many good
men, so much so, that they were greatly
grieved with him and somewhat estraDg-
ed. One great trial OF the Dea. was the
course of the AdrOcate in regard TO this
matter. 1t ia well known that Elder
Wilson, on The first agitation of the abo-
lition question, was somewhat conser'a-
tive. Dea. ID. labored long and hard
TO induce him 10 come out and make the
Adv0cate an open abolition paper. But
Mr.. Wilson did not do so.
About this time an article, under
fictitious name. appeared in the Adrocdte,
advocating principles and measures en-
tirely pro slavery. 1t was said that it
was inserted when Mr. Wilson was alb
sent and without his knowledge. but be
never so stated in the paper. This COM
] munication offended the Dea. greatly.
lie wrote reply which was exceedingly
severe upon the writer of the article and
also reflected upon Mr.. Wilson for ad-
mtting it into the paper. His reply was
strong, pointed, and not very learned'y
written. He signed it with his full name
and sent it to Mr.. Wilson, requesting
that it be inserted in the paper.
When the next paper appeared, the
Dea. did not find his communication.
The second one came and nothing said
about it. When the third came the arii-
Gle appeared. But it was mol as written
by the Deacon. Mr. Wilson had availed
himself OF the privilege of editors and
had altered the article-snoothing down
its rough expressions. correcting some
bad grammar and omitting the hard say
ings. When the Dea. saw it, his wra'h
knew no bounds. "What right, said he,
"has Mr.. Wilson to put my name to sucn
an article. 1t is not my communication
E. :: foroary1 He immediately