Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-09-16

have been the same as az West Paris.
Their meeting house was built by them
and the BaptistS in 1888, and was repaired
in 1859.
At West Paris Methodist class WAS
formed in lS66, by Rev. W. G.. Stevens,
with three members. During the last six
wears their preachers have been
Rev : d. Brown. year lS54.
Rev j. Hillman. years. lS54-A
Rev. Benjamin =. Fease, year. ls1T.
Rev. NJ G PendeXter. year, iS's.
Rev Elbridge Gerry, jr.. year. lSss.
Their meeting house was built in 1873
and was dedicated July 25th Of that wear
At North Paris is 3 church known a. the
Paris and Woodstock church." because
some OF its members live in each town. 1t
was organized on the llth of March, lS29,
with 81 members most Of whom were
dismissed from the First Baptist church in
Paris During the half century OF it,
history besides various supplies in different
wears, the ONCE Of pastor has been filed 10y
Rev Luther Perkins, years, 1885,.
Rev. Addison Abbott. years, l>tt12,
Rev. Charles Perkins, years, ISIS.
Rev. VI. Lawrence, years, lS1s60-
Rev. z b. Andrews, year, ISL.
Rev %. Richardson. year, l~62
Kew. Nm Beavius, years, l~siA
Rev g. ". FULLER. years, l>,Oll.
Rev. T. G. Lyons. years, l,lo-.l-
OF these. Luther Perkins, Addison Alb
bolt. Charles Perkins and q. W. Fuller
were ordained hy the church.
They occupy the meeting house built by
them and the MethodiStS in ISIS, one half
~ the time.
The First Freewill Baptist church at
West Paris was organized ON the IN of
July. lS29 It, original members had pre-
vouSly been "a branch OF the church IN
sumner; and they were nine in number.
During the half century OF its history
thi, church has hal four pastors, viz
Rev. VIM e. Nitham, ten years nom his
ordination the next day amer the organiza-
ton OF the church, of which he was one
OF the constituent members, till his dis
mission. Sept 2Oth, 1889; Rev. Robert
HAYES. eight and half Years, from the 2l>t
OF Nav. lN5S, till his resignation ON the
2lSt OF Dec 1851; Rev. Alexander Hill
from Dec 3lSt, l>6l, till his resignation.
Dec. 10th, 1876. fifteen years and Rev.
e. W Gould nom April 2l>t, l>6l, till his
resignation. Dec SOth, ISIS. The Rev \.
Hin had been a member Of the church
since the 18th OF Nav, 1884. and he had
been ordained on the 25th % june 1857.
The meeting house occupied hY this
church WAS built in >66. and was dedicated
on the 9th % February. 1860.
The first lnivyr>all>t church was or
gained on the 18th 90 March. l>64. There
had been IuiverSaliSts IN the town from
time a. early a. l>2o, and from that time
there had been occasional preaching from
their ministers tin an organization was
effected IN l~4l. under the iaoorS ~ Rev.
ID T. Stevens. who preached here some
time before and after that date. Tie was
succeeded by Rev. y. G. Hodgdou who
was ordained IN the early part OF 1876
Following his ministry there was only
occasional preaching, tin Rev =. g. snow
occupied the field in l>iN, and his minis
tratlOus were continued regularly tlli De-
len 90 serve - chaplain 90 Che 2Jd Reg
mcut 81 Maine Volunteers IN September
I>62 From thj, time his Successors have
been 81 follows
Rev " W Haywood year. l~s5.
Rev. >tldcu Gilbert e years. l~6il-
NtN. y. tsuuul~oU. . years. l-ts->-
Rev Lcuas Thompson. year l~S
Rev. L. a Tabor. years, i>.-l
Rev J 4 Church. 2 yetr. l>-t
Rev l.. n Tabor, years, lsl3i.
Rev D. A. Ncitz, from ,-.. Co tbc prc>.it i.inr
During the ministry ~ Mr snow. the
meeting house was built in 1857.
Elder Hooper was the FIRST and only
minister settled hy the town. His minis Z
try was longer than any other In our hl>to-
rs. and 10 WAS all spent here from IL BE-
siuniug 90 IL close. lie was a Young
man ~ TWENTY-FIVE when be- came here
De- was an old msu 90 -j when ne died |
He was man OF mark, eminent and intu- /
rgti4l among the eminent men of The town
throughout his generation. He was a
man % great energy and fore or charac-
Ter, rare powers % mind, quick pcrcep- |
lions clear conceptions. deep insight long !
foresight. strong viii, indomitaole persist /
cucy and courage. absolute fcarlv>>ue>>
and independence, complete self-po>sesSiou /
and Selfcoutrol and >elf-Cou1dcucv; a |
magnetic power of influence and control /
over Others 81 man 90 lead and Co command /
anywhere. very Andrew Jackson in his |
sphere.
Besides his work as minister OF the /
gospel. nc was much engaged IN business |
and be mingled much with public men. /
lawyers and saSaciouS statesmen, and he /
s,ways had their respect.
He was member or the convention /
that formed the constitution OF this state 4
and he Wa a member OF the committee |
appointed ny that body on the conStitu- |
ti1u. He served several times a. MEM /
Der or The legislature, and was always /
leader iu his political party. He was |
Democrat. decided and thorough going |
never afraid that il would hurt his fingers |
90 handle hard money. He used 90 say |
that there were TWO things IN which he |
was eStabli Shed-oue was religion and the |
other was politics and when he was e. |
tsbhShed iu anything 10 was Is Hooper |
Ledge or Streakvd Mountain Is established. |
when he was settled Is the minister OF /
q f.H 81 ID. %.
- ministerial land. but he soon rcuu- |
pushed two OF them 10 the Jown. |
snd one ~ them was sold AZ auction Tor /
SOL. while 81 the other two ne made his |
farm. Late in life he said in his aUJObiOg
raphy. Il have had dealings with very
many men and / have had but little diff |
GUILTY with any. but I should not advise |
any minister 20 buy and sell - much Is
have"
During the drst ten years Of his minis |
t-y hc received no salary from his people |
only occasionally some presents; and |
afterwards, he received but little more
than 500 year from the ministerial fund [
That had accrued from the land which be
had given back % the town still he said
The Lord has 50 pro>pered me that ]
was a. able % help the people - they
We're 20 help me Late in life, however
he said. IF had my life % live over
again. would DO differently IN that matter
~ salary" In everything he was a man OF
strict puuctuality. integrity and Justice
sud whatever he said the people received
As II they had read II in the Bible, or a. n
DO were the law OF the land.
His preaching was plain, direct. positive,
strong His words were short. sharp ami
decisive A. ride shots. His sermons were
II thnnrht and rnsrgy AL cnmnacI. and.