The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-10-10
ANOTHER CHAPTER
In the Picturesque Career Of Walter
M. s. Lowell.
COUNCIL RESTORES HIM TO MINIS
TERIAL STANDING.

-AAs-~A~~
Few Years Ago-The Story Of His Life
Since-A Penchant for Bric-a-Brick and
Fine Clothes
A despatch in yesterdays PRESS to
the effect that Rev. W. M. S. Lowell had
been reinstated as pastor in good stand
ing of the Alewiye church, Kennebunk,
may not have recalled the minister IN
question to the minds of Portland readers
as the Walter NJ S. Lowell who was at
one time resident of South Portland
and widely known in this city. MI
Lowell was young man of striking
personal appearance, with smooth face.
very thick wavy yellow hair, which he
combed down on his forehead, and
gold eye glasses. His dress was always
such as to attract atientlon. He cut
quite figure in Portland at one time
with his penchant for music and art,
which tastes he appeared to indulge to
the fullest extent.
The story of the Councils proceedings,
which reinstated him is told as follows by
an exchange:
The Council was held in the Alewive
church, Kennebunk.
Mr. Lowell was there, primed Tor the
session and backed by the fellowship OF
his new found friends who were not
backward in showing their desire to see
L. Ial fhnIr
flock Mr.. Lowell is a striking parsonage.
He is little above medium height,
stands very erect and holds high his head
of curly blonde hair. His we'll groomed
shoes, faultless neckgear and neat fitJing
clothes gave him the appearance OF
having just been uppacked from bureau
drawer. He sings charmingly and can
preach to suit the most exactlng TASTE
He is not over thirty two years OF age,
has a pretty little wife and one child.
THE TIDE OF ADVERSELY
set in some time ago and does not seem
to have yet reach ed it's ebb. He was a
Cape Elizabeth boy whom DR.. Lowell OF
So. Portland adopted and layished money
upon. Anything the youth fancy craved,
be was supplied with. That probably
accounts for his extravagant tastes,
which the young clergyman frankly ad-
mits that he possesses. His critics charge
him with no worse fault than a lack Of
business capacity which has often led
him, like the enowned Mr.. M1caWber,
into dark and gloomy straits.
He was picture of frankness as he
faced the wise councillors and laid bare
his history as a worker for the Almighty.
Rev. f. M. Lamb, pastor OF the Kenne-
OH or1A
as q singer and evangelist, presided at
the council Rev. S. FL. Emery, pastor
OF the Main street Baptist church, Saco,
was scribe.
After the prelim mary business had
been disposed of, Rev. DR.. A.. 4. T.
Small Of Bidde ford, being moved by the
desire of the Alewive Pensioners and
motion that they be allowed to sit
throughout the hearing. The motion
passed without dissenting voice.
Rey Mr. Lowell was then invited to
have his say He began back at The time
of his evangelical labors, and his pastor
ate at Riohmondville, N. T., where he
got along well and had fine little
parish.
Then came his call to the pastorate of
Baptist church at West Troy, N.
which he admitted to the council, had
the effect of turning his head. 1t was
large city church, and in such contrast to
his humble circumstances in his country
parish that he began to live beyond his
means. He had a weakness for brlc-a-
brac and that with his other extrayagant
tastes, led him into stony paths lie be-
came hopelessly in debt; creditors
crowded in upon him and made life
burden to him. He had long aspired to
become an author, and thinking the IN
diligence in that desire might lead him
out of the slough of despond, he wrote
book whose title, Against the Tide
well fitted his own predicament. The
book scheme turned out to be blooming
failure. AS a last resort he made an
assignment, settled with his creditors at
fifty cents on the dollar, resigned his
pastorate and departed from the walls of
Troy.
After remaining
IN WEARISOME SECLUSION
among the back towns, his desire to
preach again took possession of him, and
he entered the evangelistic work, bring
ing up at Scranton, Pa, where Baptist
church was looking for a hustling young
spastor, and promptly snapped him up
Securing humble, three room apart
ment, he and Mrs. Lowell went to house
keeping, llVGu LllOtloEetu6ly, esIo WSlO Juoo
seeing their way into the sunshine when
his West Troy creditors swooped down
upon him, trusteed his salary, and set his
pari sh into high fever.
Then came the council of fourteen
churches and the vote deposing him from
the ministry, on charges of falsehood and
dishonesty, which accusations, he declared
were unjust and not fairly proven
Next he tried the lecture field but a
newspaper expose of his ministerial
career stranded him. From that time till
about a year ago he drlfted from pillar to
post and was doing little eyangelistic
work down in old Virginia when he came
into correspondence with Rev. 4. NJ
Lamb of Kennebunk was invited to visit
that gentleman, accepted the invitation
and impressed on his host and hostess his
sincerity and desire to start anew IN the
pastoral field. He supplied the pulpit at
the Kennebunk Baptist church for a
time, was called to the pastorate, was
again pursued by old creditors. his
history became known to his parishioners
and dire trouble again was his harvest.
Charges were brought against him by
some Of the people of his parish, but the
York Baptist Association council, which
tod