Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-08
x,ailp G,enMebec 3o,,r}laL
ITS TOOTH BIRTHDAY.
Centennial Exercises Of the First Baptist
Church 81 litchfield.

OTEdtliztO III 1851 with Il members WIN
William Stinson as pastor. who continued
as pastor In L.tchiield for. 30 years This
primitive preacher was ordained in barn
n the northern parA ~ !lle town, Ai and
10 years later Ii Nsappears from the
records Of e3tsocfa ton.
i Ins Being seansstsd ii 81 the brethren
Of the branch of the First Baptist church
in Litchiield. In order to assist. in emDody.
ing them into q separate c ,a.ay asy mel 81
July. 179S, at the house of Brother James
Pierce in said Litch.,eld, examined each
particular member Of those who were 70
BE embodied and found them sound IN the
Faith of the Gospel of Grace and Mercy
of God through Christ and gave them
fellowship as one branch OF the Baptist
church.
Signed in behalf Of the brethren re-
aoes'e0 70 '."s WIG JOB 81 MAcoMBER,
Of Bowdoinham.
The members embodied were John Neal
Weymouth, Joshua Weymouth, James
Pierce, Nathaniel Stevens. Andrew lib
belts, Bartholomew Taylor, Ebeneser
a MSr po ISys Ku nalr1l' i IN all
The delegates chosen to attend the
association this year in order to join IT
were John Neal and James Pierce. John
treasurer and continued to care Tor the
funds until 1905 when he resigned and
John Dennis was elected to that once
assumed the Passionate in 1890. The mem
bership at this time was % and IN 1910 1t
had increased to 2O5.
On July 26th. 1900 voted to petition the
general court for an act of incorporation
of the church and society. and chose
James Shurtleff to write the petition: The
PRAYER Of the petiti;onsrs WAS ean,en an
The first pastor was Elder Jackson who
assumed the passionate in 1SW IN lsol ne
WAS assisted by Elder sne Kendall ts who ,he
latter part of this year committee was
chosen to visit the first church, 10 make
arrangements for Elder Stinson to preach
for them. In 1905 Elder Kendall was em-
ployed to preach a part of tile time, La
1910 a call was extended to Elder Kendall
who accepted the call and remained with
them until 1920. The church Joined the
association by. the name of the Second
Baptist Church, Sept. 18th. 1911.
The records of, the society do not show
e en- Ta from fss to eh ss es show
the meetings were held at schoolhouses,
or in the big back kitchen of some of the
members.
On July 9th, 1914, committee to ar
range for a meeting of the association
reported wants. as follows, 40 pounds flour
bread, % pounds cheese. to be brought to
the schoolhouse for the messengers who
might attend the association. a half a ton
of hay for horses, also committees to
prepare the Westinghouse and to wait on
people in the church.
In 1919 the treasurer was authorized to
buy a jug for the use of the church. but
for what specific purpose is not stated. 1t
Is supposed that 1t was used to carry
milk for the coffee, when the meetings
continued all day.
On Jan. 30. 1890, a committee reported
as follows: We are of the opinion that it
will be advisable for the members of the
church and as many of the society as
may be disposed to bind themselves by
written contract to form themselves into
q society for the purpose of supporting
the Gospel, and to raise such sums of
money. as they ether may from time to
time determine, and that this sum be
assessed upon the subscribers as other
taxes are assessed.
We further recommend that the select
men be requested TO insert AN article in
the warrant for calling the annual town
meeting. to raise sum of money for the
support of the Gospel. W
Signed.
JOHN DENNIS.
JOHN SMITH.
ASA BACHELOR.
JOSHUA n. WATSON.
Elders Stinson. Burr, Houghton and
others supplied the pulpit until 1874; On
January list of this year. Elder William
Oliver Grant was ordained pastor, Ell
der Chesman of Hallowell. preached the
ordainng sermon. Elder Grant continued
1910. The records from 1897 to 1871 are lost.
but 1t is. quite certain that during this
period the church was remodeled pulpit
lowered, gallery removed from the sides.
1t was rededicated in ls4o. and a marble
tablet placed in the church by Elder
this time until 1880 the pulpit was sup
piled by Elders Grant. Hinkley Hooper,
and others, when Elder Grant became
Elder, Ridley began his labors and con-
tinued until 1858. when Elder Elia5 Coy
was called to take the pastoral care of
the church, ne remained until 1876 when
he was dismissed from the pastoral care
of the church. Rev. Samson Powers COM
menced to supply the pulpit on Oct Is,
1870. and on November q, of this year
was installed pastor and continued for
two years.
From 1872 to 1887 no regular church SER
vices were held, and for several years
prior to the latter date the church was
Edwin Morse of West Gardiner arrange
ments were made for a series of revival
meetings. Deacon Morse ard Martin S.
Howes and Nelson S. Burbank 1.-TWO stu
dents from Colby UnfversityD came to
Litchfieu on Feb. /. 1887 and began a
series Of meetings; which We're continued
called away and Mr.. Howes continued the
work. with glorious results.
On Thursday. June 3, 1881 Martin s.
Howes was ordained to the work of the
Sunday, administered the ordinance of
baptism to Is persons. the result Of the
meetings mentioned. KEY. T.. Z, Iilley of
Lewiston. preached the ordaining sermon.
Rev. G. +. Holbrook of Hallowell, Of
fered the prayer.
Rev Robert Scott of Greene charge to
Prof S. X. Smith of Colby University.
charge to church.
Rev. NJ S. Howes assisted by Rev. n. S.
Burbank aE,l other students from the
college supplied the pulpit until 1889, when
Rev. g. A. Chapman accepted caM and
remained three years. from here he went
to Snapleigh, and assumed the pastoral
care of the Baptist church there.
Rev. NJ. S. Howes is now located in
Boston. doing evangelistic work. Rev ~
s. Burbank is now pastor of the Baptist
church at Revere. Mass. For several
Rev: Mr.. Chapman. the pulpit was sup
piled by students from Colby University.
W. +. Rowlcy. ID. w. Kimball. II. NJ
Hooper and others being among the num-
Der.
In 1893 Rev II. A. ehlds. then stu
dent at Bates college, now pastor of the
Free Baptist church a, Gray. became a
regular supply. He continued for three
years. while he remained with the church
IL were added to its membership.
TIL" last ard present pastor, Rev. j. T.
Cow of Gardner. but now living at
l.itchfield. during the two years that he
mas had the pastoral care of the church
1t has prospered. His earnest. faithful
laborsi have been rewarded in building up
the church in all that pertains TO its
SDrifu1l welfare C1nu also aarduotS