Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-19
THE MeTH0DIsTs
Continued from page %

from the front sue VI the Dellry and
end of a long rope was fastened to the
bell which was placed on the ground just
in front of the church and beneath the
block A similar block was securely fas-
tened 10 the ground and the rope run
through it and attached to an OK team
owned by Mr., Smith. father of Il. S.
Smith and Clarence Smith. The oxen
then drew the bell TO the level of the top
Of the beIfry and a rope fastened to the
bell was used to draw 1t to its present
position.
Boston and take the organ down prepar-
atory to sweeping changes in the build
ing. In 1868 the church was practically
rebuilt at an expense OF about $500. 1t
was a change from a country meeting
house to modern and comfortable
church, and the result was alike credi-
table to the financial committee and sat
isfactory to the congregation.
The vostries were entirely changed.
Small vestries We're bullt beneath the
vestibule Of The church; The addition
commodating organ and choir. Modern
pews We're built. stained glass windows
took the place of the clear white glass
ones The old galleries were taken down
and the present slanting ones built In
fact but little was left Of the old church
besides the foundation and walls. Lastly
the Spire was erected ana the whole frcS-
coed within and painted without making
it beautiful house for Il congregation
well worthy Of II.
In 1873 the present parsonage was built
by Mr. II. w. Jgwett; which gives the
forward the work of the church and
leaving nothing to be desired from ma
terial point Of view.
At the building OF the church we find
that VERY many of the members who
We're prominent in the church on Bow
mans Point had gone to join the great
majority and new names appear on the
t hf G fhG IN l amG ha name Of
his talented ana educated son, Moses Jr.,
then occupied large place in the rec
ordS Of the time.
Maltiah ana John Lawrence were young
men in 1880, just beginning to be promi
nent in church and city life. Cyrus Ken
drick, the moderator OF the first churCh
meeting held in this church, who with
Moses Springer, Jr.. Thos. fitzpatrick and
Geo. cox, all members. Of the church.
were the charter members OF Hermon
Lodge of Masons in this city, formed the
pillars of the church. Vim. Day was
also one of the prominent members, rs
were Marvel SpraSue, John Russell and
John Moore.
u. H. Milliken was the clerk Of the
parish for some years. from ISIS to 80 or
-. alternating with John Moore and
Moses Springer. Jr.
the records. to he replaced by others
with whom many NJ us are familiar,
such as Samuel aimee: Elbridgc Berry,
who was moderator of the parish meet
grocer and father OF Mrs. .. Il. Clason;
John X. Foy; Geo. Flaisted, IN whose
memory the window was placed in the
front of the church, Benz. Johnson,
father Of :. f.. Johnson; Hiram Preblc;
Wheeler Woodward. son of Michael
This we may call The second generation
from the original builders OF the first
church on the Point
Later We find new names and many OF
these are now liyinE. n i. T. Euiium'
Elbridge Drake, VIM. Wiles. Levi Kair-
II, rIttfa II t.IE
Collins. Daniel Robinson. Carlton Blair.
etc. There are then four distinct genera
tons to be traced from the founders Of
the church in Gardiner 10 the present.
We may trace them ~ several lines, fnr
example, Moses Springer. Sr.. whose
name | have mentioned - often; t-nza,
his daughter:. who married Nathaniel
Remission; Julia Remission. daughter Of
Nathaniel and Eliza. married Freeman
TrUtt, whose daughter Julia married %.
Il. ClasOn. ana Il iiith generation Is now
growing Vi WHO need no Introduction to
Michael Woodward may be called the
first generation, his son Wheeler the sec
on. George son Of Wheeler, the third,
ann Emma is the fourth.
Again, Moses Springer tthc hrst, then
Eliza. who married Nathaniel Remission.
is the second generation, Jacob Remission
the third, Mrs. Clarence Day the fourth,
and again a fifth generation is met with
10 this generation we are to look for
the supporting members Of the church
=
come sacred memory.
This then is but an imperfect outline
of the history of this old church during
the century OF its existence. We have
spoken Of fcw Of its prominent Nom
hers. but Of the real. the internal life of
the church who shall speak? VINO shall
chronicle the influence of the noble men
and women of God who have lived and
died members of this congregation. or Of
that other list Of people who have gone
from this locality to carry thc influences
Of their lives iatO places thousands Of
name of Springer has disappeared from
Gardiner but its influence is felt in many
places in the. West. The mann, Of Piais-
ted is kept in our memories by only Il
very few of the descendants Of lChObOd
Plaistcd. who vas 50 prominent a cent
ury ago. but on the Western coast Of our
members of this church. In fact. there
are but few of the families connected
with this church but can look into some
far distant part Of the world ana find
some representatives, Of their name who
We're born and raised within the limits OF
this parish. Who can doubt but that its
future is destined to he as brilliant as its
past. that thousands in the future as il
the past shall turn 10 this church rs to
the Mecca Of their faith? Within its
walls they first listened TO the public
worship Of God. they saw the chains of
calling slavery to sin loosCned bad
men made good. and good men made bet
ter. and while the church has not lived
uD to its opportunities in every respect,
vet its principles have ever been far in
advance Of public sentiment ana it has
seen those principles prevail because
they were right. More work yet remains
to he done and | believe as do you that
when the solution of the problems that
face our city shall have been obtained it
will be found that no small part Of the
work will have been done by the men
and women who form this church and its
congregation.
Following this, Revs. Mr.. Jones and