Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-04-18
Voted, That the clerk make that re-
quest in behalf of the church.

quest in behalf of the church,
"Attest:Jos. Z THOMAS, Clerk
At the one hundredth celebration of the
gathering OF the church at Blue Hill. Rev,
Stephen Thurston gave the historical adj
dress.
Tin the history OF this church, said he
on that occasion, ''the first pastor, Rev.
Jonathan Fisher, stands out in high relief,
as the most distinguished and remarkable
man ever connected with ii, indeed as the
most remarkable man in the town, and
did more for its enlightenment and moral
elevation than any other man. / should
be surprised il there is an intelligent man
in town who would dissent from this
opinion; he was decidedly a man of mark.
Sew, ! am confident, have ever in
structed people so fully and on such
variety of subjects. He seemed to have
more comprehensive views of the fuliness
and richness OF the word of God-its
exhaustless treasures of wisdom and grace
than most ministers, and ne was skillful
In developing those treasures and thus
enriehing the minds of his hearers"
"For elevated moral principle and strict
adherence to Il in daily life, know not
the man, have never known him, who ex-
celled the first pastor OF this church. The
love of right as he understood it was OF
supreme authority. He would no more
inteiligently and allowedly trample upon
it, than with milestone about his neck
he would cast himself into the sea. In
deed, verify believe that he had the mar
tyr spirit and in other days would have
gone to the stake for principle.
"For the sick. the beFeaved, the poor,
the suffering OF every kind, Mr.. Fisher had
heart OF sympathy and hand for re-
lief. He was liberal in his charities and
a most unselash man. While living on a
salary OF about three hundred dollars.
knew him To subscribe one hundred dol
lars for one charitable institution. A
poor family lost their house by fire; he
gave them several dollars in money.
These ware specimens which I happened
to know about.
"When he was dismissed from his pas
toral care, this people were charged to
deal kindly with hin in his declining
years, and when called 10 lay his liieiess
remains in the grave, to erect over them a
humble stone, 10 tell the passer-hg, here
lies the man who, for more than forty
years, preached the everlasting gospel to
this people. | rejoice to know that this
charge has been regarded and that they
have raised a respectable monument over
his grave. In doing this they have hon
ored themselves no less than their ven
Grated friend"
Three and a half generations have
passed away since Mr.. Fisher was or
dained over the church at Blue Hill. He
has rested in his grave in the town, with
the graves of those near his TO whom he
ministered, for nearly sixty years, and few
there be that remember him in life, and
yet one would lack perception who does
not discern that his example and influence
are yet force in the community where
he labored and brought forth fruitful
results.
The history Of town and OF its people,
should ever have interest for its citizens,
and for all who are descended from those
who shaped It's course in education, re-
ligion and in civic and social morality.
Such history Is q beacon light that points
to wisdom's ways, and warns of dangers
that may be encountered, while indicat-
ing the way TO avoid them.
The town OF Blue Hin was particularly
fortunate in the character OF its first set
tiers, in their regard for the welfare OF
themselves and their children in matters
pertaining to their educational, moral and
religious training, and in the early estab-
lishment of church and schools.
They were also particularly fortunate in
their selection OF one to be their first set
tied minister-Rev. Jonathan Fisher
whose example in honest moral worth
and In Christian teaching were so helpful
to the young community to which he was
called.
Let their story be often told, and be
kept in perpetual remembrance; let their
sacrifices and self-denials be themes for
conversation and be celebrated in song
for tn. edifieation and instruction of the
present and future generations, and let
their names be emblazoned upon the local
raIia ~ fame