Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-05-02
lions Advocate.
"REMINISCENCES OF REV. DUDLEY
i. BAILEY.
pY REV. JOHN HKMMESwAY.

Mr.. Bailey's longest pastorate, which
was nearly twenty years, closing about
the year 1871, was at Monson, where |
was first favored with his acquaintance
and friendship, In 1855, which continued
there until | left the town in December,
lSGO.
Brother Bailey was one Of the best men
I ever knew. As a minister he was sound
and ediying, and interesting TO all intelli-
gent, serious minded persons. He would
not be called eloquent, by fashionable,
worldly hearers, and he made no preten-
sions to pulpit oratory; but he was elo-
quent in the best of all eloquence.
Mr.. Bailey was a very decided Baptist,
but always a true Christian gentleman.
lie enjoyed not only the love and esteem
OF the Baptlsts In Monson, but also OF the
Congregational church in the town. \
very rigid Pedobaptist OF that church, a
hard old Puritan, said 10 me once, Mr..
Bailey is a man for whom have n high
esteem
He was active in Monson in promoting
the good cause OF temperance, and made 1t
a rule to be present and take part In the
Monday evening temperance meetings that
were held in Monson for number OF years
from November TO May.
Mr.. Bailey was far removed from COW
etous, over-reaching, little or mean spirit
in trade. There was beautiful, su-
preme spirit of nobility in Brother Bailey,
in all his words and deeds. He never
needed this admoni,ion, Beware OF q
mean action"
When lived in Monson, he sometimes
bought hre-wood of me. | said to him
more than once, of YOU trade with 9TH
ers as you do with me, think you do not
make what are called good trades The
good man gave me to understand that he
did not trade with oil men as he did with
me, as was, as he we'll knew, in straiten-
ed circumstances, and he had no sympathy
with the old trade maxim, :" No friendship
in trade" | have heard the remark made
OF Mr.. Bailey more than once, Mr. BAL
lev is the most unselhsh man that ever
knew
Mr. Bailey was not only just and often
more than just in trade, but he loved to
mix in sometimes generosity literally. At
one time he employ ed msn, short day
in the fall OF the year, to labor on his farm.
At the close of the day he inquired Of the
man his price for his work; he replied,
Nothing. would like TO give you the
days work" The man was poor, and be-
'longed to the Congregational parish. Mr.
Bailey replied, have made up my miud TO
give you one dollar in money and good
shovel that have TO spare, for your work
to-day" This amounted TO two dollars,
as the shovel was worth dollar, and one
dollar day was the highest price paid for
farm labor at that time.
These few "reminiscences and character
istics OF Rev. Mr.. Bailey might be greatly
extended, but | have written enough to
give the reader some insight into the char
acter of this very good man. To those
who knew him we'll need say nothing.
When / lived in Mouson, my place of
worship was in the Congregational church
and did not attempt to preach the gos-
pei while l lived In that town. / used
often to hear Brother Bailey preach, as
the Congregational pulpit for several
years was frequently unsupplied with any
preaching.
Although this article is now longer than
intended, yet cannot willingly close it
without this fact which has just come to
my recollection. Mr.. Bailey, when on a
journey with his good wife, would some
times make it purpose to spend night
with poor minister; and, in the morning,
the poor minister and his wife would be
greatly surprised, after they had enjoyed
the company of Mr.. Bailey and wife, TO
have money forced upon them to the
amount OF high hotel price, for the enter
tainment Of their guest whom they had so
much delighted in; and when the poor
minister strongly objected to taking money
Of Mr.. Bailey, he would say. "Why, II we
hadn't come here, We should have gone to a
tavern, and / had much rather pay the
money to you than to tavern keeper"
Rev. Dudley p. Bailey was q wonderful
ly kind and considerate Christian, and his
memory Is precious.
Minneapolis, MINI, Apr. 6, 'S2.