The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-30
THE CUMBERLAND ASSOCIATION
lOONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

press his mind. " ii0-o'i'1is 'n'
AT the November meeting of 1913 an act
MAS passed which throws suggestive back
tbersp ne e. social fbat customs Of clerical
lnere be no ardent spirits used by the assoc
citation as body in the future"
Between 1913 and 1920, thirteen candidates
received licensure: Enos Merrill, ordained
AT treeport In 1876. and pastor there until
1880; Isaac Weston, ordained at Boothbay in
1918, and pastor between 1880 and $40 at
Cumberland; Josiah G. Merrill and Joseph
I. Fessenden, the former pastor at Otisiield
LOT 10th 10 years, ana more lately at Cape Eliza
Fessenden was kindred with the eminent
FAMILY OF that name in our State Charles
freeman and Asa Cummings. The latter
Daniel Webster called "the finest paragraph
writer IN the Union" and for years editor of
the Christian Mirror.
In 1920. the association numbered not less
than 81 active members Only one of its
founders was now living, Rev. Thomas Lam
caster OF Scarborough, who died in 1881,
from 1888 to 1920, including the original mem-
bers, was "A. There were 20 churches.
AT the May meeting of 1920, creed was
adopted, which was very moderate Calvin
istic creed, conservative, and yet free from
dogmatism. The records contain 23S sigma
lures to the constitution. while 265 persons
were voted in. Until May, 1876. any Congre-
gational. Presbyterian or Episcopalian min
lister stationed in the county or in the yicni
| ty, was eligible to membership on his own
request, by a majority of votes. Article III.
was then amended so that none but Congre-
| gational ministers are eligible to full menu
| bershlp. but the association may elect those
| of other denominations as honorary men,
bers, with all the privileges of the associa-
| ton except that of voting. Among the emil
nent men to whom ministerial credentials
| were voted were Asa Cummings. Samuel
| Phelps Newman, William Smythe, Alpheus
| Spring Packard, George Lewis Prentiss and
| Henry Boynton Smith. In November, 1922.
| the churches were discussed, and the next
month the Cumberland County Conference
| began its existence. Edward Payson being
i the first preacher. Four years later the first
State Conference followed, having been or.
| ganized in the vestry of the old
| Second Parish church in Portland. In 1928.
| system of fines was adopted, but had to be
| abandoned. In 1928 Rev. Asa Rand sue
| ceeded Rev. Caleb Bradley as scribe. From
| 1923 to 1910 the association held its meetings
| semi-annually. and since 1923 its moderator
| was elected annually In 1882 the custom of
| electing a board of examiners was stopped.
| The 50th anniversary of the association
| passed with no celebration or memorial II
occurred May 8. 1888, and the meeting that
| day was with Rev. Thos. Jameson at Scar
| borough. Among the members were Elijah
Kellogg. Caleb Bradley. Amson Smith.
Josiah G. Merrill Enos Merrill a1 I Thaddegs
| Isaac Western George e. Adams, David
| Shepley, VIM. T. Dwight and John w.
| Chickering, Jonathan b. Cordit, Thomas
Jameson, Noah Emerson, Joseph 3. Stew
| ems, Weston B. Adams, Anson w. Sheldon,
| Nathan w. Sheldon, Thomas Williams, Clark
| Perry, John w. Shepherd, and Ebenezer G.
| Parsons.
From 1888 to 1850 not less than 81 members
| were added, among whom were Samuel ii.
Shepley of New Gloucester, Charles Dame
Il nf Eolr ,n,rfh Of Wfpdbo.r,
John L.. Davenport of Gorham. John II.
Merdough of Westbrook, James Drummond
| of Auburn, Aaron G. Adams of Gorham,
| John l.. Carruthers of Portland, John r.
Adams Of Gorham, and Edward X Alden of
Yarmouth. OF these last named who became
members between 1888 and 1850 only four are
| living. Rev. DIR. Chickering has his home in
| Washington. Rev. Charles Dame is spend
| ing his last years in Falmouth, and is occa-
sionally with us now. Rev. Aaron G. Adams
fcld Conn., The Rev. DR.. E. X. Alden,
| the beloved and h0nored secretary
| of the American Board. was for four years
the scribe Of the association. The venerable
DIR. John j. Carruthers still dwells among
u.s. Born with the century, he entered the
association in 1876, the same year he was in
| stalled pastor of this Second Congregational
church, which, he devotedly served for more
than 30 years, ending in an able and fruitful
| ministry in 1878. This beautiful edifce
stands, not only as memorial of the vener-
| ated Payson, but as well as monument TO
| the indOmitable energy and patient industry
| of DIR. Carruthers. to whose influence and eff
forts, more than to those of any other indi=
| vidual its completion Is due.
Between the years 1850 and 1860, the asso-
oiation was perhaps at its strongest in num-
bers and intellect. The Bowdoin professors
Alpheus Packard, William Smythe, were fire.
| quently present. Both had been for years
the liceptiates of the association. Prof.
Packard became q Notwithstanding to
Isaac Weston's catalogue Windham now
gave us Luther Wiswell, man of marked
| ability. From New Gloucester came Hora-
tic Merrill. from Yarmouth, Charles A.
Lewiston sent US Vrlah Balcolm.. Portland
added to its list OF honored ministers, the
name of George Leon Walker, and gave to
our associations one of its most gifted men,
bers, whose presence was hoped for here to-
day. Brunswick added Professor Egbert G.
Smythe to our membership, Eight years be-
fore Mr.. Smythe, then tutor in Bowdoin,
had by request, read an essay before the as
sociatlon, when the meeting was at Bruins
wick, and his father, Professor William
Smythe, was moderator. wonder II he re-
members today that this beautiful theme
was 1.-The Virgin Mary"
During the century now ended, 266 clergy
men have been members of the Cumber-
now living. The oldest living member, old
| est /. e. in association age, is, believe, the
Rev. John w. Chickeriug. d. D., of Wash
ington, who was admitted in 1885.
OF those who have been members since
1860 have not aimed to speak. Nor have /
enumerated the long list of those who have
| worthily served the association as its scribes.
Some Of those who have been foremost
among us, in recent years, have passed away
| from earth. Among these We recall the Glas-
steal face Of Rev. Jacob J. Abbott Of Var
mouth, and the genial earnest preacher at
Auburn, the Rev. Arson p. Tinker. Some
| of our most valuable members since 1860
have entered upon other spheres Of service.
Two are now professors in Andover Theo-
logical seminary, DR.. Edward Y. Hincks and
Dr. George Harris, Among those who have
left our association for other fields of labor,
| we can recall no more useful members than
the Rev; Ezra II. Byinyton. and the Rev. Ed
win A. Harlow. Not more than three pres
emit members have had an unbroken connec-
ton with the association for twenty years
viz: Rev. Horatio Ilsley, Rev. Francis South
| worth and Rev. DR.. Vim. III. Fem.
| In November. 1876 the ASSOCIATION was in
vited by the Rev. E. Y Hincks Of this city.
to make the State street chapel its permas
nent meeting place and that was our home
until 1881, when the association took up its
abode in the reading room of the Second Par
which time the Preble House, of this city,
has been our meeting place. Our present
membership numbers not less than thirty.
OF our history for the past ten or fifteen
| years nave no Heeu 10 SPEAK.
Mr.. Wright's address was exceedingly inz
teresting, giving a very full and graphic
picture of the persons, scenes and events
connected with this organization, After
singing. Rev. Mr.. Byington, formerly of
Brunswick, now of Boston, was called upon
by the chairman, and responded with in
teresting "reminiscences of former members
| of the association. Letters and messages
from absent members and friends were read,
expressing deep interest in the meeting and
regret at their inability to be present. Among
the names of the writers were the following,
with extracts from their letters;
Rev. 7. s. ROBBIE. of Boston, writes
greatly regret that cannot be present with
| you this evening and tomorrow on the interest
| ing occasion which calls you together.
| Whlle nave been connected during ministry
OF nearly thirty years with other clerical brother
| holds unique place In my history, on account Of
| the associations with IFS immortal dead. When
| the memories OF those with whom we have been
allied IN the service Of Christ are brought before
us on an anniversary like this, il seems as if not
| only the Master Himself came to the meeting to
| gorify by His presence the services of the occa-
| sion, but that He brought with him our departed
| brethren to exalt our souls by their real though
| unseen participation in the spirit OF the hour.
**s And may we all receive on the threshold
OF this new era a fresh conservation to the King