Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-05-08
UNFORTUNATE AFFAIR.
Biddeford Church Objects to the Pas
tor Assigned 1t.

Biddeford, Me-. May REV. Nor
man La Marsh of Orono, Me-. who was
assigned to the pastorate of the Foss-
street church. was asked by the Globe
if he wished to give his side of the
present controversy, involving the
bishop, the congregation of the Foss
street church and himself, and his re-
ply, which came by letter Wednesday,
was as follows:
II am in no way responsible for the
present unrest in the Biddeford parish.
My case is in the hands of the bishop
for dispositions; and 1 will go only
where sent. l have been misrcpresent-
cd and misunderstood by those who
do not know me-"
The Methodist people are still wait
ing for an answer to the message they
sent Bishop John w. Hamilton: "Send
us Rev. r. n. Joscelyn, or send us no.
body" A reply is expected by tomor-
row.
Mr. LaMarsh, who has been preach
or in the Maine Methodist churches for
almost 25 years, has many friends
throughout the East Maine conference,
ent trouble. Though he is in no way
responsible for the unrest here, he will
be left without pastorate if Mr.. Josce-
lyn is returned to Biddeford.
He is acknowledged by those who
have heard him to be one of the most
eloqucm speakers in the Maine Meth
odlst conference today. Though he is
blind, his great affliction does not in
any way hamper his success in the pull
pit Ee is a splendid speaker, his style
being compact and logical, without any
attempt at floWery Oratory.
F[e is an expert on the piano, and as
an organist is excelled by few non-pro-
fessional musicians in the State. He is
also a beautiful singer, and while he
cannot see he possesses enough other
qualifications to more than make up for
his lack of sight.
He was bound that he would succeed
though sightless. and by hard work,
aided by his estimable wife, whofis his
constant companicn, he is now one of
the leading ministers of the conference
He has a wonderful memory, and after
his wife has read a chapter in the
Bible for the Sunday morning Scripture
lesson he can go to church and at tha
proper time repeat the passages word
for word
''SOne years ago" says Maine cler-
gyman and admirer, while he was
stationed III a far eastern Maine town.
he planned to attend a convention in
Bangor, where he was to take an eX-
animation, which meant much to him
and his success in the future. 1t was
in the spring and a freshet was in
progress along the river, the car tracks
being submerged and all traffic at d
standstiIl. All through trains were dis
continued, and as it was impossible tt
drive over the roads on account OF
their muddy condition, the preacher
| was in a quandary.
| He finally received permission OF
the railroad officials, before whom he
| laid the case, to go in handcar. He
hired a couple of men and started
| The distance was 100 miles, and tn,
! tracks in many places were covered
with water, yet the clergyman pressed
| on, assisting the railroad men to pumI
the car much of the distance.
He reached Bangor in time to take
the examination and was awarded 6
certificate. the clergymen who officiat
| ed as judges remarking that such
| courage and determination should be
| rewarded" !"