Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1893-01-12
to frtghten people than to sare them. The
light in those days seemed to shine dimly (;
but the religious teachers and leaders were
evidently honest men and probably made

but the religious teachers and leaders were
evidently honest men and probably made q
good use Of what light they had. We are
not to despise the men Of seventy five years
ago. The world to-day is better for their
having lived in It. They sowed some good
seed which in time sprang up and bore
good fruit Many of their doctrinal er.
rors have dropped out Of use, and their
successors In the ministry are preaching a
freer and fuller gospel.
IL we look at Mt. Desert Island nc,r and
the people who have succeeded the "fath.
ers, we notice a most wonderful change
for the better. Three score years and
twelve ago-the time when first went to
the lsland-have made 1t different place
and the inhabitants, In many respects, are
different and better people. Now. the
open grog shop does not exist. To sell
liquor for a beverage. Is a crime. The use
of liquor by the citizens Is the exception
and not the rule. The change for the bet
ter is truly wonderful.
Financially, the people are in prosper.
GUS condition. As q rule, they live in
larger and better houses, and have more
costly furniture, aud better kept grounds.
Their stores are large and we'll flled with
all kinds of goods in demand by the peo-
pie. They have well kept hotels and halls
in abundance. Instead of half a dozen
horses. they now have hundreds of them.
Instead of using the saddle only, they
now have fine roads and a large variety of
carriages of modern style. Instead of the
little inconvenient school house, heated by
fireplace, as used seventy years ago,
they now have large and well constructed
school houses on all parts of the Island
and graded schools of high order, In
stead of mail once week, brought
on horseback, they now have daily mail
brought in coaches to all parts of the Is
land. Instead of two post-ofrlces they
now have about score of them.
On that Island have been raised up men
OF education to I'LL the various professions
and avocations Of life Their influence
for good is largely felt and increasing
every year. Two weekly papers are pub
lished at Bar Harbor, with an extended
circulation. Now, instead Of two meeting
the inside. they have nearly, or quite, a
score of very nice churches in which to
worship God. Their pastors are less sec
tartan and manifest a more liberal and pub
lie christian spirit. How changed, since |
went TO the Island seventy-two years ago
Nearly all who commenced life with me
in 1878, have passed lover the Jordan "
When sixty years old left Maine but
have never lost my interest In the pine
Tree State" and especially in the Island
Of Mt. Desert. III the people have i'm
proved morally and religiously in proper
ton to their financial and educational ad-
vancement, they are certainly a people
blessed Of the Lord" II improvement
goes on in the same ratio for the next
three score years and ten, He who knows
all things, only knows what that people
will become, Some of the children of to
day may live to see railroad running the
length of the Island. Such an event is by
no means impossible OF even improbable
Electricity may. ere long, illuminate the
dwellings. stores, halls and churches all
over the Island. Children yet to be born
may have views of progress and improve
ment far more comprehensive and exalted
than the views OF the most advanced men
of the present day. However much each
generation may advance, there is in 1.-THE
far beyond" something better, richer and
far more glorious than can be found in this
world. For each true friend of Jesus
there is ian house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens" In 1.-THE city OF
God" the supply will be ample and salts
factory during the ages of eternity The
heavenly will far exceed the earthly in
beauty, glory and honor.