Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-25
TOOTH ANN VERSARY
Of Founding Of the Baptist
Church at China.
The Memorable Occasion Observed
by interesting Exercises.
Aged Members Present. We'll Known Clergy
men and Others in Attendance.

China. Maine. May 2i-(Sp ,ciaD-
The ore hundredth anniversary Of the
founding of the Baptist church. China.
was observed Thursday. May 90 Many
former members. pastors of the church
and visiting cIerGymcn We're in at
tendance. After singing. Scripture
texts and prayer. the church clerk.
Frank Mctcalf. called the roll. which
was responded to b: short speeches
from members present.
Mrs. Mary Ward. aged 81, answei ed
70 her name. She ana Mrs. Jane Met
.calf a,e the two oldest living mcmrct s
of the church and were born in The
came month ANA year March, 1871.
Mrs. Harriet Foster Of Watervillc
VINO has belonged to this church for.
oS years was also present Many
coIdial letters Wee read FROM former
members ANA pastors, all expressive Of
love fct md interest in the church
and ibis memorable occasion. At the
noon hour, dinner was served to al in
t.Ia VGE.ly.
IN the afternoon. 81 ceilings We're ex-
tended from the Baptist church in
Waterviile through Rev. G. D. b. Pep
psr. Histories of the China and
Palermo chui ches Were given by Rev
III +. Wood and Allen Goodwin
Palermo was originally a branch of
the China church. The centennial ser
mon was then preached by Or. Pepper
1t was most able and helpful. At the
evening service more letters We're read
and Mrs. Pepper gave a short but IN 1st
excellent address. and Rev. f.. G.
Whittemore preached fine sermon
from the text: Il have learned how to
| be aba sod and how to abound Rev.
and Mrs. Clark of Windsor, added
| to the program by their singing dur
ing the day and evening.
The China church was organized.
| May %, 1901. with n membership of
II. 1t was than within the limits Of
tie Bowdonham Association. 1t is now
| III the Kennebec Association. At first
| its meetings We're held in private
| houses and barns. The first church
was built in 1914. near the old mill
across the lake, where the whole set
| IL ment was then located. This church
WAS moved 10 the site of the present
one in 1892 and rebuilt in 1882. The first
| pastor was Jabez Lewis. and in the
| congregation on this Tooth anniversary
sat two children belonging to the sixth
gene ration from him.
| The salary paid to the first min ster
was 800, which was voted payable in
money, corn and grain or such produce
as he might require" There have been
many and glorious revival in this
church. In the memorable one of 1913
| there Were more than 80 converted.
| The largest number of members on
record at one time is $50. This was I'M
der DIR. Shaws pastorate. In 1865 the
| parsonage was purchased. The Chris
| tan Endeavor was organized in 1889.
One of the specially interesting fea-
| lures of the program was the singing
| by the whole audience of an anthem
composed for the dedication Of the
China and Albion meeting houses" in
| 1882 by ]. c. Washburn. One hundred
| copies of this had been printed for this
occasion and it was sung with the fer
vOr. if not perhaps the melody of q
century ago. A tithing stick was ex-
hibited such as the tithing men used
100 years ago to arouse sleepy and
inattentive youngsters. 1t is said that
| the feather end was used on the girls
and the hard knobby end on the boys.
| Also n large tray was shown. the iden-
| teal one often appearing at the Ordina-
| ton of ministers bearing its load of
| liquors. Much of the success and in
terest of this anniversary is due to the
| wise planning and interchangeable labors
| Of the present pastor of the church.
Rev. II. f. Wood.