The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-07-18
Rev. George Pratt
A Distinguished Methodist Clergyman;
Born in 1872. Died In 1882.


Born in 1872. Died In 1882.
The following incidents in the life and
service of Rev. George Pratt, who
came to the Belfast Methodist church as
pastor in 1874, are from the East Maine
Conference Year Book:
In 1851 George Pratt was appointed to
Rockland. Brother Pratt was then in
the early vigor of his always vigorous
life and it was not long before not only
the church but the town recognized the
presence of a Master in Israel. Rock.
land had reached a population of five
thousand people and this was an inviting
field for Brother Pratt. 1t was not long
before there was sweeping revival and
scores were converted. During its pro-
gress, at one of the evening services six
master mariners were kneeIlng at the
altar seeking pardon.
1t was a grand sight to see Brother
Pratt in revival service; it was such a
JOY to him. One writes of him: 81 al
ways thought of a general marshalng
his forces for conquest. The inspiring
hymn of Heber's always seemed approp-
riate to the occasion (The Son of God
goes forth to War)". Brother Pratt re-
NAMED here two years 1851-'52.) At
the end of his first year he reported 159
members ian increase of 25) and 81 pro-
bationers, and at the end of his. second
year he reported the same increase of
membership.
Brother Pratt's successors We're Heze-
kiah C. Tilton Q853-5D and Albert
Church Q955-56), men long to be re-
membered in the annals of Methodism,
and nuder their administration the church
prospered.
The successor of Brother Church re-
ported 1872 members and POI probationers
at the close of his first year (l85O; before
the close of his second year charges were
preferred against him and he surrender
| ed his parchments and withdrew from
the ministry. The church was thrown
into much confusion and all the sagacity
of the presiding elder Brother Pratt)
was necessary to conserve it. William
H. Crawford and CHARLES B. Dunn 1.-TWO
rare mem were the next ministers, but
each served only one year. Then came
Barnett NJ Mitchell Q961-'62), Eleazer
w. Hutchinson Q868'6D and Edward
Davies in 1865.
Now it is the beginning Of the Confer
ence year 1866, and the Conference meets
in Waldoboro. Bishop James appointed
| George Pratt to Rockland for the second
time land it was Bishop James who gave
him his first appointment here). The
membership had not entirely recovered
from the troubles of former years, and
the meeting house was in most dilapi-
dated condition. The pastor called to-
gether the trustees to consider whether
to repair or rebuild. Although it was a
great undertaking to build a church fair
" representative of the denomination,
the trustees voted to remove the build
ing and rebuild on the old site. The
trustees at this time, as nearly as can be
ascertained were Erasmus H. Cochran,
Stephen Gould, Andrew Ulmer, Silas
harrington, William Thompson and L.
M. Simmons members of the church,
and Aaron Howes, Timothy Williams
and N. A. Burpee mot members). From
these building committee was elected,
with the pastor as very active member
of it. There was year OF discussion,
hesitation and reluctance, which was
overcome by the persistence of the pas
tor, nobly supplemented by few OF his
devoted friends. In 1868 the old building
was taken down and the work of the new
was begun with undaunted courage and
zeal. The corner stone was laid with
appropriate ceremonies and it was re-
ported, as in Ezra's time 1.-The timber is
laid in the walls and work goeth on
ezra V, 81. But all this involved ex-
pense and the funds ran very low. Win
ter was approaching and all that had
been accomplished would be greatly en-
dangered unless the roof was made tight.
The slate for the roof must be paid for
when delivered.
1t was at that time Bro. Pratt spent
nearly one whole night in prayer, and in
the morning he said to his wife 81 have
prayed through stone wall"
By prudence and self denial Bro. Pratt
and his wife had saved few hundred
dollars and deposited the money in
Savings Bank. 1t occurred to him dur
ing that night of prayer that by drawing
his money and placing it in the hands of
the committee to pay for the slate, such
confidence would be inspired as would
carry the enterprise to successful con-
clusion. Such was the "Faith of our
| Fathers" of which we frequently sing.
Of course such faith as this inspired
even the most faint-hearted and Bro.
Pratt relaxed no whit of his earnest So
licitation and sacrifice. He was gener-
ously, nobly, sustained by many who
made sacrifices worthy of the faith he
had inspired in them.
At last the building was completed
and ready for dedication. In anticipa-
ton of this Professor L. 7. Townsend
had been engaged to preach the sermon,
but two or three days before the time,
he sent word that on account of illness
he must cancel his engagement. Moth
ing daunted, Bro. Pratt rode to Dana
riscotta and pressed Bro. c. b. Dunn into
service as the one man for such an emer-
gency. When Mrs. Pratt greeted Bro.
Dunn at the door of the parsonage on
that bitter cold winter day and heartily
thanked him for his supremely unselfish
act, Bro. Dunn replied, with that twinkle
in his eyes and that unique voice of his
I've just come to say Amen.
The dedication took place on Wednes-
day, February 4, 1870. 1t was a beauti-
full day and the church was completely
filled. The text was "Out of Zion, the
perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Z"
FPS. L, ~ The sermon was quoted for
years, and Brother Dunn certainly came
in with the ''grand amen" After the
| bo