Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-30
4 Bit of History.


Our Methodist brethren have just been engaged
in appropriately celebrating the fftieth anniver.
ssry of the dedication of their church ediice in
| this city. To them, it is Of course, an event Of
marked importance and of great enjoyment,
while we may all, without regard to the forms Of
denom stonsl faith which mark mankind. extend
| our congratulations for the prosperity which has
| attended this Christian organization in our com
| munity.
The larger proportion of those who took part in
the ceremonies of fifty years ago, have long since
| slept with their fathers. A few remain whose
memories sweep over the period of half a century
| since they occurred Although not one of that
denomination, nor even a resident of Augusta at
the time, circumstances have served TO impress
the event deeply on nv memory. The occasion
called into the State very distinguished and elo-
quent clergyman Of the Methodist denomln alton,
who preached the dedication sermon, the Rev.
John Newland Natitt. II happened that saw
much Of him during his visit to Maine. He was
of handsome form, fine presence, and of delight
tul manners In dress he was neat and Aultless.
lie sang, with SWEET and tender voice
not excelled by Sankey or MCabe. His
style of oratory was brilliant and captivating,
full of zea fervor and pathos. His cloquence
thrilled the people, aud the multitude hung upon
his words as they dropped like liquid pearls from
his wondrous lips. Overwhelming numbers flock
ed to hear him preach, and probably no pulpit
OIL ator since the days of Whitefeld ever produced
a deeper impression in America. He was very
successful 10 winning converts to the Methodist
faith. He died not many years after his visit here
| think, while a Chaplain in the U. S. Navy.
At the time of which write the fail Of 1929,
Methodist church had been gathered at Wscasset
and the Rev. Phineas Crandail was its pastor. He
came to that place from Gardiner, where, besides
performing the duties of pastor, he was engaged
in editing and publishing a temperance paper,
called the Light House." the first temperance
paper published in Maine, think. He prosecuted
The enterprise at Wscasset. lie was 40 intimate
friend of Mr.. Mailitt, who consequently spent
much of the time while he remained in Maine,
with him Twas employed in the printing Office
from which the paper was issued, and had charge
of its mechanical execution. Mr.. Msfitt was
frequently in the Office, and had thus good op-
portunitiSe to see him outside of the pulpit. He
was genial, familiar and humorous. During his
stay he was invited to occupy the pulpit OF the
Congregational church, under the charge of the
venerable Or. Packard, privilege not often in
that day accorded by that church to . Methodist
clergyman. large audience was in attendance,
and the sermon preached was one of great elo-
Quence and power, filling his hearers with excite
ment and woader His subject was Christ as .
savior" The peroration of his sermon do not
forget at the end Of fifty busy years. Bending
over the ancient pulpit hung between the floor
and ceiling, in subdued and softened tones he ut
tered these words: al have presented this Saw
or for your acceptance. l have commended to
you HIS great love for the children Of men.
nave urged you to acknowledge his authority,
render obedience to his requirements, and so Sc
cure to yourselves the pearl Of great price, the
salvation of your souls Will you not flee At once
to bis outstretched and eternal arms, or will you
permit me, with your aged pastor. to say amen to
your damna,ion 7" The effect upon 40 audience
already wrought up by the preacher 70 the high
est pitch Of excitement, may be well imagined.
1t was while MIR. Mafiut was on this vist.to MI
Crsndall, and. when, one day, he dropped into the
printing office, thati called upon Mr. Crsndsll
for piece of poetry for the poeticsl column of
the paper. Turning TO Mr.. Mafftt. he sald, "Br.
Mafiitt gives us 9 few verses Of orig ual poetry"
Seating himself at the table, he struck off almost
in twinkling. these beautiful verses. entitled
THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER.
o. sIeed thee, Christian, on thy way,
Aud to thy armor cling:
With girded loins the call obey,
That grace and mercy bring.
There is battle to be fought,
An upward race to run;
crown OF glory to be sought
A victory to be won.
o, faint not, Christian for thy signs
Are heard before His throne
The race mus come before the prize,
The cross before the crown.
have often, in years gone bv. seen this hymn
in print, marked snony and notably in some
standard editions of hymns for use in churchs. 1t
may be a matter Of interest TO some to know its
author, and the circumstances under which it was
written. S.