Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1886-12-28
AMnNn THE oXFoRn HILLs.

Rev. L. Y. uansons IN llont AhF'cAt".
From my eaflis,, recollection ! have
heard kindly word. both OF Pan. Hill
and h. people. Those thu, ! used 10
NEE, from time 90 time. Who claimed
the village either a. their birthplace OF
home. weie unAnimoa, ia their expires.
sion. Of regard for this beautiful aud
picturesque place. bad seen glimpse.
Of Il in the distance from the Grand
Trunk road. but none Of those has,y
view. had revealed Il. many and varied
attractions. In my rambles 10 this re.
zion. however. va. led naturally TO
visit the NOS, fAmoa, abode OF the Or.
ford bears. This well known aud de-
lish,ial county sea, has had a high aud
honorable place Ia the civic life OF
Maine. aud has sen, forth those Who
have secured q ha,ionAl reputation.
AfierA re.,ful nigh, at the plr.on-
age, | looked out upon dawn that
u,ksred in an enjoyable and memorable
day. Breakfast over, Bro. Coehrane
proposed a walk through the gooily
town. We frs, turned towards the
Hamlin homestead. where our honored
ex .,ice.pre.iden, A. Bangor 'pen, hi,
earliest year. Through the courtesy OF
Il. presen, occupant. Mrs. William
Chase. We were permitted 10 pass to
the cupols. where we bad a mos, de-
lish,iul yies Of hi. charming region.
Below /. the valley in which are some
fine farms, while in the distance rise the
hill. and mountains bfigat with the
morning light, bat the time IL short
and We descend all too sooa from the
place Of pleA.ln, vision. do no, woa-
der that Mr. HAmlin returns with in
ereasing pleasure TO the scenes OF HI.
early life, for they are delightful beyond
expression. Hut Why a,,emp, TO enum.
crate the mAny charms OF Pan. Hill ?
Here are - pleAsan, and comfortable
homes a. YOU can find Ia tie borders OF
the good State Of Maine. Here. too. are
house. ,ha, have held many honored oe.
eupan,, and guests. There is an air OF
quie, dignity Abou, the place tina, you do
no, find in many more busy eeniers OF
population. With Bro. Coehrane as
guide. | learn much Of the history OF the
place. and il. people. Yondsr i' the
academy. a substantial building Of wood,
Of two stories. The principal Is II. Il.
Durham. a graduate Of the last class At
Colby. lie was having large and
prosperous school at the date Of my visit.
The county building. are neat and IN
good repair. The jail was surprisingly
small, and | wa, glad TO know ,hA, bu,
few Of the Oxford bears ever find their
way into this unpleasant den. There
are some noticeable residences. with noble
and vide spreading elms. bat We have
no space for the enumeration OF them.
The Bap,i,, house Of worship Is In =
very eligible location. aud IL surrounded
with very ample grounds. The church
is the mother church in this region. and
has had q wide influence for good. The
admirable and extended historical sketch
Of the church IN the advocate some years
since by Dr. II. q. Estes. preclude. the
necessity OF any statements IN thi. dirse'
ton from myself. Few Of the churches
in the State are as historic IS this. and
few can boas, a brighter or more useful
record. The town clock in the tower OF
the Bsp,is, church. tina, strikes out the
hours so clearly. was the gift OF Hon.
Hannibal Hamlin. The Univerali't
house also hA. an excellent location. and
/, the church home OF quite portion OF
the people Of the town. Ex-Gov. Per-
ham Is an a,,endan, a, this place OF wo'-
ship. On Sunday forenoon Il was the
privilege OF the writer TO preach for Bro.
Cochrsne. The audience was quite
large, and one which quickly secured
the good opinion of the stranger The
nea,ness Of the house was worthy OF all
praise. The sexton mus, have had
long and thorough training Ia the home
Of model hoasekeeper. IL W. pleas
an, to greet quite a number who remem-
bered the preacher |. boy 10 Portland.
While looking over the audience l
though, OF the many aud valuable gifts
which this historic church has made to
the churches In this aud ether states.
The Firs, and Free st. churches 10 Port.
are specially indebted to Paris Hill.
Hon. Geo. +. Emery. Mr.. J. A. King.
Mr.. Elias Chase. Mr. q. II. Watkins.
Mrs. Edward +. Chase. and Others,
could III be spared from these prominent
churches. Such. however, seems to be
the 10, Of these smaller churches among
the hills and valleys. They rear and
train the men and women who become
the leaders In the churches 10 the larger
centsrs ofpopulation.
In the afternoon Jour correspondent
had the pleasure Of preaching II Soa.h
Paris. An early start gave time for .
thorough inspection Of the new house OF
worship. had heard much OF this sdi.
fee, but It proved to be far more aiirac'
tive and convenient than I had supposed.
The enterprise and liberaliiy Of the peo-