The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-02-25

uteu ueu llOueu W JUSTLY luc duOst
characterization of the parish.
/ had in this my first pastorate. as
| have always had, delightful fellow
ships with the neighboring churches
and their pastors. To name the pas
tors, Mr.. Hathaway, Mr.. Bryant. Mr.
Chas. Allen, Mr.. Cutler. At one time
one of the Congregationalist churches
was without pastor. and we joined
forces, these friends allowing me to
be the regular leader; and for weeks
we had a good time together, and
some special blessing from our Divine
Head.
The choir was composed of those
not really of us. Though its service
was very satisfactory, it seemed desir-
able to have choir drawn from our
young people, which would be help
full in many ways. Accordingly
singing school was established, which
gave us what we thus sought.
l experienced two serious disap-
pointments. l had not been long on
the ground before it seemed very EVIL
dent to me. that the kingdom of God
would be better served by us, If our
house of worship were on the island.
After much thought upon the matter,
took counsel where most of the
money required for such an enterprise
must be sought and l received very
decided encouragement. For SUBJ
stance this was the response, Your
suggestions are worthy of considera-
ton and shall receive it." Very soon
after this, rebel guns opened upon
Sumpter, and naturally and necessari-
ly my church building project was
abandoned. Excitement everywhere,
patriotism aroused, regiments organ
lied, soldiers on the streets, and in
the churches in due rank and order.
All unexpectedly l was asked to be-
come the chaplain of the 18th regi-
ment Maine Volunteers, our townsman
and friend, Asa w. Wildes, being Col
onel. In the stress l felt it my duty
to accept The other disappointing
pertained to the work of the church
and it's pastor the limited re-
suits of our associated labors. The
time had indeed been short and dur
ing the latter part great hindrances
had come in the war. but it is the
mission of a church and its minister
to do and to expect. The kingdom of
God advances slowly, but we must
not hide behind this. Oh that better
service had been done
Since leaving Skowhegan. l have
visited the town, but few times,
have stood in the old pulpit only twice
| think, but l have always been inter-
ested and always shall be interested
in the church that laid ordaining
hands on me in June 1860.
GEORGE BULLEN.
In 1861, Bloomfield and Skowhegan
were united and from this time on the
records are dated First Baptist
church, Skowhegan. Prof. S. X.
Smith supplied the pulpit for a time
and in July of that year, Rev N. j.
Wheeler was ordained In 1865 thir-
ty-two persons united with the church
and during that same year great
interest was aroused by Rev. Mr..
Chamberlain, former pastor for the
Freed Men of the South and three
young ladies, Sarah White. Laura
Howe and Mary Gaylord went to
Richmond, Va, as missionaries. Miss
White again became a resident OF
Somerset County, having later mar
ried Dr. Brown and lived in Norridge-
wock. She is now deceased. Miss
Gaylord is an aunt of Mrs. Alonzo
Smith of Skowhegan and is now lee
turer in the west, her home being in
Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Miss
Howe eventually went to Washington
and taught there with DR. King. From
1861 to 1869, Rev. N. J. Wheeler con
tinued to minister to the people when
he resigned His present home is 81
Forest Avenue, Providence, r. |.
Again the pulpit was filled by sup
plies after Mr. Wheeler's departure I'M
til April 1870, when Rev. Hosea
Pierce accepted the pastorate and the
next year ten members were added to
the church. In 1872 Rev. Pierce re-
signed and took up farming. He re-
moved to the Durrill farm about
three miles outside the town and
eventually died there, The same year
of Mr.. Pierce's departure from church
activities and few weeks following
his resignation Rev. b. +. Shaw OF
Wateryille, assumed the pastoral du-
ties. He continued to make his home
in Waterville and after an apparently
successful ministry, during which 1t
was said the prophecy previously In
dictated came to pass. Mr.. Shaw re-
turned to Waterville and Is now de-