Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-09-21
MAINE TO NEW JERSEY.
A Glimpse of Our Coast Towns as
Seen by "A Visitor.

A Glimpse of Our Coast Towns as
Seen by Visitor.
The following letter from Rev. Edwin
Farley, Who has been spending the sum-
mer at Seal Harbor, to the Caldwell On.
j. News, will be of interest to many
AMERICAN readers:
SEAL HARBoR, ME-, July II, ls9s.
To the Editor Of the Ne,ns:
The usual column of religious notes must
yield this week TO personal chronicle, be
cause the writer is far away from his usual
sources of Information, and is not in "a mood
for composing notes or sermons. This letter
will be an attempt TO describe a vacation sun.
day yesterday which brought with 1t some
unique experiences.
We are staying at Seal Harbor, Mount Desert,
at the seaside inn, one OF the most beautiful
places in 6od's beautiful world. Nowhere else
on tte eoa-t OF our country II there such "a
charming combination OF mountain and sea, and
seal Harbor i IN the centre OF attractions.
Bqt sunday, and not scenery, is to he the sub
ject Of this letter The chronicle begins with
morning service at i. Jude,--a little Episco-
pal chapel near the hotel. The building WAS
filled, most Of the people coming from our inn,
the native population being conspicuous by ia
absence. The grand liturgy Of the Episcopal
church seemed a solvent for all creeds. and we
saw Christians Of every denomination devoutty
Joining in the prayers and hymns.
a ftcr Il lunch started again with some
friends Tor Great CrenDerry Island, which ic- TO
the southwark OF this island about three miles
away. 1t was here that our friend, Rev. {. +.
1T
missionary, and we were invited To speak at the
island because OF our friendship for him. We
sailed over In IL E7pcrance", a beautiful
.loop. y fellow passenger was the Episcopal
rector from Northeast Harbor who was going
over to conduct a funeral.
We were all taken to the house of mourning,
because the entire population OF the island was
there, and the church service was to be delayed
until the funeral was over. ON invitation of
the rector, assisted him in the service both at
the house and at the grave There singing
| by a quartette, but no sermon.
| After the service at the house, a procession
was formed, the clergymen leading, then the
coffin borne by eight stalwart sailor men, then
the choir, and afterwards the mourners two by
two In long line following after. The GENE
terry in the woods-a little back from the
road. 1t seemed very strange to be assisting
thus at funeral of an entire stranger on an
| island one had never visited before, but when
grief comes, one is very willing to render any
service possible. The whole scene was so weird
and unusual that it made an impress sion not
| likely soon to be forgotten.
| BY this time 1t was long past the hour of ser
vice, SO we went Immediately TO the church
only TO find another minister in the pulpit which
| I tn IL
minister of the church had been called away,
and In his absence the people had asked me to
preach and to say something about my friend.
Mr. HARDWOOD, their former pastor. But the su.
perintendent of missionary work in this part of
Maine had arrived on Saturday night and not
knowing about my presence had started to con.
duct service on his own account. However
! one of the deacons explained matters to him