Daily Kennebec journal., 1912-09-09

ture 9re big preachers to the Christian
ear"
At the time of the building of the
bridge between Pittston and Gardiner,
about 1888, the church people living
in the part of the town now known as
Randolph, finding it was more con
venient to attend church in Gardiner
gradually left the Pittston church
The old church on the hill overlook
ing the Kennebee was left with a
small attendance, and as most of the
people lived in this end of the town, it
was decided to build a hall on the
site of the old meeting house to hold
meetings part of the time, socials and
entertainments. During the time of
building plans We're changed, and in
stead of hall this church was built
and dedicated, June II. 1891. Rev.
Herbert McCann was the pastor dur
ing the building of the church and
Rev. Charles Thorp the pastor when
the church was dedicated.
Many interesting items are found in
the old church books.
Under date of Jan 13, 1913 we find
that the ordinance of the Lords Sup
time.
We read under date of Feb. 27, 1913
s'The male members of the church
met to spend the evening in prayer to
God for His blessings upon them and
at the end of the meeting agreed to
continue the meetings once a week
from house to house, and have since
given liberty for any persons TO at
tend who please"
We find records of men and women
being examined for admission into the
church and children being baptized.
The entry for Sept. H. 1914, Lords
day, reads. after performing most of
the exercises in the House of God, an
alarm was given as We We're reading
the last Psalm to sing, that the Eng
| lish We're landing at Boothbay and
! the Militia We're Immediately ordered
I to arms and march for Wiscasset.
This order being promptly obeyed pro-
duced much disorder and confusion;
but the alarm proved to be false"
The influence of this church has
been carried all over the world This
parish probably sent out more sea
captains who have sailed around the
world than any other town of it's pop
ulation. Over a score have been lost
or died AT sea- and over a score have
died in foreign parts; in Japan, in
India, in China in the Hawaiian ISL
ands and in South America.
At the time of the discovery of gold
in California in 1916, nearly all the
younger men who We're at home We're
attracted to the gold fields. One dea-
con of this church, being of this num-
ber. Deacon Cults, when he reached
California helped establish church in
his new home, became one of its dea-
cons, and his son at the time of the
fathers death took his place as dea
con.
A number of ministers have served
this church. Among the best known
may be mentioned Rev. Mr.. Kendrick,
McCollum, Stratton, Gay. VIM. Bray,
Father Adams, Mr., Cushman, Lewis,
Davis, Thygesore, Evans, McCram and
Struthers.
A record is found of four ministers
being ordained here, Rev. Mr. Ken
drick, McCollum. Davis and Miss Isa-
bel NJ. Phelps who is now a mission
ary in China.
The Geaoons of the church have al
ways been held in high regard. Some
of the best remembered are Deacons
Loud, Fallansbee, Cults, Flitner,
White and Jackson. Cults, F'litner,
the latter. Mrs. Elizabeth Flitner is
the Oldest member of the church now
living Deacon White was especially
faithful holding the church together
for many years at the time the bridge
was built and the church suffered
great loss of membership. Deacon
White held Sunday night and week
night meetings and was Superinten-
dent of the Sunday school for many
years. and up to the time of his death
West of this church is the burial
place of the first settlers of this town
More than one hundred of the pioneer
settlers rest here. The Colburns.
Smiths, Lawrenees. Agrys, Oakmans
Flitners and others.
20, the music and wailings commingled,
10, the legion of hopes and of fear
In the hundred wears woven together
On the loom of earths joys and her
tears