Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-10-29


for the singers. On ono occasion Mr..
walker Was on exchange and the visiting
minister had occasion to snufi the candle.
He did It with his fingers and threw the
wick into Q box OF sawdust which, at
that time, for reasons that I need not
name, was IN essential part Of the pulpit
furniture. One Of the singers noticed
smoky smell In the house before the
service was done, and after hs got home
be was 20 troubled that he went back
and found that the wooden box was
burnt through, and that bis coming back
had saved the building. Mrs. Ann Morse
who sang In the choir that evening 10 my
authority for this.
Rev. Joseph Walker was the first set-
tied pastor. he was called In 1921 on
salary of $400. The churches represent
ed In the Council were Sumner, Turner,
Saco, Gorhsm, Otisfield and Waterford.
The installing sermon was BY Rev. Jona-
than Cogswell, Of Saco. Mr.. Walkers
pastorate was more than three times -
long 10 any that have followed It. Twas
told BY one who knew him we'll that
when you passed him in the road, with.
out word or even . bow, there would
often seem to 60 out from him . holy
influence. His very presence impressed
one deeply with . sense Of eternal
things.
There were large additions to the
church 10 the years 1880, 81, '32, 40,
and '43; % in 1881; II in 1882; % in
1910; rs In 1s43, twenty-five Of these on
one Sunday. Mr.. Walkers sermons and
prayers, In contrast with those Of Parson
Hooper, were very long. He lived In tho
house opposite Colonel Swett's, the
house occupied by William Rice when
vas here; and In that house be died.
A faithful attendant upon bis ministry
was Q man who, on account Of bis pune
tuality In going to church, was known as
"Go-to. meeting Merrill" or "Seven-mile
Merrill" He rode seven miles to meet
ing every Sunday, and he was 30
punctual that people going to meeting
on Paris Hill knew whether they were
late or early by the place In the road
where they met Merrill. May his tribe
increase!
On many q Sunday during Mr..
Walkers ministry there might have been
seen 10 the pulpit with him. one on
-
man was Ezekiel Merrill, and the woman
was Mrs. Moore, Judge Deering's wifss
mother. They were very hard OF hear.
ing and there we're no scOusticons In
those days. Rather than miss the scr.
mon they stood In the pulpit for an hour
or more, each with sn ssr-trumpet made
Of tin. had this direct from some who
bad often Witnessed tho strange
spectacle.
We may judge OF Mr.. Walkers popu-
larity BY the fact that In 1925 1t was
voted to hire him for FIVE years.
In March, 1889. Giles Shurtle6 and
Martin Brett we're appointed . commit.
tee to prevent all persons tt'rom detaclng
the psws and seats and otherwise injuT.
ing the house; and they were In
structed to post notice In the gallery
Offering Q reward Of 81 for evidence that
would convict Of such an offence.
It was during Mr.. Walkers pastorate
that the building was removed to its
present site. The first site was chosen
because II WAS then the most central and
convenient; there was then no village OF
South Paris. In June, 1885, IL was vot-
cd to remove the building, and that 1t DO
pot up again In its present form, and
also that Q belfry be put on 80 that bell
may be had II wanted. At An adjourned
meeting July 4, 1885. the report Of the
committee on removal was accepted.
The garden OF Abijah Hall WAS recon-
mended a. the best location. Mr.. Hall
having generously donated the land. NJ.
King, who built tho house In the frst
place, took It 10 pieces, moved and 70
built It on its present site. No change
was made except that . belfry was put
on, and Seth Morse, uncle TO Deacon
Elisha Morse, donated bell and vane
and received therefor vote Of thanks.
While the building was being moved
services were held In the house long
owned by Mrs. Haskell and In that part
Of the house occupied by Dr.. Rounds
during my pastorate, that part being
then In an unfinished condition. The
cost OF removal was from 500 TO 800.
There was no difference Of opinion - to
the wisdom OF new site. Even those
who were to be ipconvenienced some
what by tho change acquiesced cheer
fully In what they felt to be for the COM
mon good. When the house was re-
dedicated Rev. Ar. Williams, OF Poland,
preached tho sermon from the text:
1.-THE church OF the living God, tho pill
lar and ground of the truth"
In 1S45 new bell was bought, the old
one having become unfit for use.
Mr.. Walker closed his long pastorste
on account Of III health in 1850. and died
in April, 1851. He Was buried In the
old burying ground whore his dust no.
awaits the resurrection. His funeral
sermon was preached BY Rev. j. A.
Douglas, of Waterford. After bis resig-
nation the pulpit was supplied for seven
teen Sundays for 800, for tho benefit OF
bis family. Rev. Horatio Merrill WAS
then invited to supply for few months.
It was during this year, 1851, that tho
pulpit and galleries were lowered. tho
windows enlarged and new glass put 10,
and the pews modernized. Charles Por'
ter was employed to oversee this work,
and Alvah Hersey and A. Field were
consulting committee.
In November, 1851, Rev. Francis Dyer
was called to the pastorate ut . salary OF
$500. His installation sermon was
preached by bis brother, Rev. David
DYER Of Dorchester. On account OF III
health bis pastorate Was brief. In
September, 1854, Rev. Daniel Sewall re-
ceivsd Q call at . salary Of $500, and .
present OF bis wood. The council met
in January, 1855, with Rev. William T.
Dwight, OF Portland, ~ moderator. The
installation services were held next day
with the sermon by NJ. Dwight. II wss
during this year that an organ was
bought st cost OF S450. In the olden
time violin and bass viol were used,
DR.. Tukesbury playing tho bass viol and
Jairus Il. Jackson the violin.
Mr.. Sewall Was dismissed 10 1858, and
In December, 1859, the church and socie-
~ rave Q unanimous call to Rev. Alan
con South worth to whom they had lis-
tened With satisfaction for about yeaf:
Hs vss to receive salary Of 5000, and
10 have . vacation OF four Sundays. Hs
vas installed In January, 1890. Rev.
A. T. Loring, Of tho second church, Nor
vay, preached the sermon. The pastor.
ate OF M. Southworth covered asout
four years and In proportion 70 it length
wss, perhaps, more successful In visible
results than any before or since. During
the first year OF his pastorate the meet
Iup. house was altered and improved on
The outside and inside. The building
was raised and vestry put beneath: An
addition was put on tho south end and
twenty. -four now pews added to meet the
demand for seats. A new pulpit and
pulpit furniture were bought. Tne
stoves were taken ont and furnace, the
Gift Of tho Nessrs. Chase OF Portland.
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