Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-16

biological school, poor but a worthy
boy of true American type, became in
+, terested in the welfare of the French
Canadian people who were few and
scattered at what is known as the
Head of the Falls and on the Plains
| His work consisted largely in teaching
and reading the Bible to the people,
with the organization and mainte-
nance of a small Sunday school class,
was unfortunately of short duration
| for he died in the spring of 1885.
| This young mans remains rest in
the Pine Grove cemetery. The Sun
Iday-school of the Mission has found
the place where he lies, decorated the
grave and paid to have the headstone
cleaned and the lot taken care Of for
/ two years. He had sown the good
seed of the Kigdom. In honor of this
young man and for the sake of Christ
. his fellow students continued the work
many years afterward A splendid
work of moral worth was done by
these devoted students Of theology.
| Progress Made.
| When the work was sufficiently de-
veloped, some kind hearted women of
the First Baptist church in the city,
natural heirs of this work of grace
| took hold of it and with motherly care
maintained the work, consecrating
much of their time and money. About
this time a young woman of rare re-
ligious qualities. by the name of Re
becca Drinkwater, rendered a good
service in the line of Bible reader
going in and out among the people.
| She
needed much sympathy and love.
Charles Attaway, the efficient superin-
tendent Of the First Baptist church
Sunday-school of the city is appoint
| ed to look after this work, which had
now become so promising. He gave
much of his valuable business, time
| and attention to the Mission This
was in the year 1858, 1t is stated that
| this man of God would take bundles
of Sundaysch papers and dis
tribute them from house to house
Sunday morning. This part of his work
was attended to with zeal and love
In 1873 the Rev. Samuel p. Merrill
| became the pastor of the First Bap-
list church. a man of rare mission
airy spirit, the work. now being suf-
ThclentIy promising, he succeeded in
bringing the first French Baptist Mis-
| slonary on the field. In 1875 Rev. T
\. Williams, ID. D., visited the field as
representative of the Baptist Home
Missionary Society. He quickly dis
covered the need of the people and
recommended that the Rev. Eusebe
Leger be appointed the missionary in
"aterville, Maine. He came and as
| SiInp1 tho
1875. This was good move in the
flsht direction. Our brother presses
the claims of the gospel with rare zeal
and courage he pushes his way into
the heart of the people. Suspicion is
aroused, persecution of the severest
type begins. On every hand the mis-
slonary is accused of deceivin$ the
| people. Professionalism a word which
is repugnant to most Catholics is now
hurled against the minister and his
few followers with all meanness.
| The French had their priest. the
Rev d. L. Halde. who came in the
city IN 1870, and served with some ac-
eeptahee to his people, naturally op-
posed any movement which might de-
tract his congregation from the faith
of their fathers.
The Opposition.
| The opposition Became very great
| ana the poor missionary discoura sed
TINS spirit of opposition and persecu-
ton lasted many years afterWard. For
| example, during the pastorate of two
missionaries the opposition was so
| great that the lives of the French
| Frotestants We're threatened. One oe-
| casion, about election time. one of the
| leading men came with a team loaded
! with the most determined in the
| community and stopped right in front
| OF the store of Edward Baldie. n
strong supporter of the Mission and
! they altogether threatened the Pro-
! testantst,- to wipe them off frorrfS the
face of the earth. The Rev Eraie Lee
| clare, then pastor of the Mission, who
! was with his people in the store, told
| them to keep cool and that nothing
would be done unto them. The rioters
turned back and left them alone On
| another occasion a Missionary was at
! tending funeral service in the Pine
| Grove cemetery. A woman came with a
| big long stick and threatened the life OF
| the pastor. 1t was thought best to
| have the woman arrested and fined.
| 1t served its purpose. The strong
| hand of the Jaw had done its perfect
work. Mr.. Joseph BaIdie, who had
| on many occasions rescued the mis-
| sionary, whose house had sheltered
! him very often, against the terrible
| attacks Of the opposition, and his son,
| Edward Baldic. whose rife was ex-
| posed on more than one occasion to
| protect and defend the poor and prac-
| tically defenseless. Ministers are now
| satisfied that the victory was won.
| These two men, particularly the son,
| Edward who had been from the be-
| ginning of the work, deeply interested,
| undoubtedly saved the life of the
| founder of the Mission. the Red
| Eusebe Leger
Angelic Help in Disguise.
! At this time another woman of ex-
| traordinary gifts and of pious DISPOSE
/, ton, Mrs. Hunt Morgan, came to the
! help of the Missionary. The service
| which she rendered was of a religious
| and material character. Mrs. Adams
| Wilson and Mrs. Elizabeth 3. Foster
\ Of jpata taI In, hA ccsn