Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-07-12
"REMINISCENCES.

Having occasion OF late To visit nv old
home ia the town OF Livermore, the old
landmarks, the hills, and the old Andro-
scoggin rolling msjesticallv along, with
the old and dilspidated church with its
l0-light 1X9 windows, la which used
20 listen to the expounding, pounding,
and compromising Of the law. sometimes
In very primitive English, for be II
known, education Was not considered
Que Of the essentials for spiritual work
in those DAYS. All OF these things
brought back 20 my mind some OF the
happenings OF those times as fresh AS
new, while one incident 10 which Is at
tached some historical significance may
De OF interest To some AZ least.
Incidentally | will briefly mention a
few of the changed conditions that have
come over the hamlet In three decades.
Where we're nine families there are now
four. Four good school houses closed,
ranging from a mile TO 4 mile and one
half from the Centre, where the school
Is now held.
The farm on which the writer was
reared seems to have fallen into good
hands, for altogether, farm aud build
logs appear Ia better condition than
previously. The osner's nfme Ia Ner-
rill. Francis, think. This Is the only
name now extsnt within the lines OF the
old district of INV boyhood. All Others
gone and many Of the family names have
become extinct, As far as their families
are concerned.
Adjoining nv fathers farm Was an
other ow ned by Bishop JoshuN Soule, al
lied To the Methodist Episcopal church,
on which his brother Nathan lived and
reared large family, three sons OF
which followed in the footsteps OF their
illustrious predecessor and became
ministers.
GA one occasion il WAS heralded forth
that Bishop Soule WAS TO visit his broth
er and would preach AZ the Centre on
Sunday. To see live bishop was &
great event. The people were all s9og
sunday came aud the old church groan-
ed. while eyes and ears were strained
for every word and gesture coming from
the wise man.
The bishop walked out a mile OF
more TO view once more familiar scenes
On the other side of the road, little
absck walked his brother Nathan. A
little back OF him walked Nsthsn's son,
Francis Asbury, young divinity stu
dent, aud named for Francis Asbury, the
| first American bishop.
Silently he moved along, like one 10
the presence OF some august parsonage
How do know this: All. was there
we four and no more. Flooding along
IN the rear Of the bishop, nv innate
cussednesss bAnishing all thought oil
holy ground, dared 70 tread where ne
had trod. can see that stately step as
though il were bat yesterday. The
flourish and twirl Of that cane Was
significant. Coming occasionally to
stone wall, There Is n wall | built with
me own hands" with very broad In
hands while Nathan in modest tone:
would modify the statement somewhat
by naming the men Who did the reAl
work. None spoke except in answer u
some remark by the bishop, and onl,
the brother then.
Small boy that was, and being &C
customed to listen 10 long TRADES frou
the pulpit, in bitter denunciation o.
pride and osientation, aud the essentia
qualities OF humility Ia order 10 become
acceptable 10 Him and His church, tn
effect Of such pomposity and pride In
bishop made 8 deep impression on IN,
mind which has never become eradicateo
and doubtless was one OF the grestel
lessons Of = lifetime.
In later wears when the agitation o
the slave question disintegrsted tn
Methodist church. his sympathies beini
with the slave holder, he went with lh'
southern wing.
But they hsve all gone. Francis As
bury Soule, inheriting many OF tn
eharscteristics OF his uncle, became
preacher of some note, aud died not lon,
ago AT Ann Arbor, Mich, bearing tn
name OF Soule's Frenchy See.
GILBERT TILTON.