The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-02-04

the Terry LOWING rope.
The church was presided over from
1872 to 1914 by Rev. Joshua Brooks.
He was the first educated minister the
church had as pastor. He was a
man of good intentions, but he had
family to support and the salary being
meager he rented a small farm to in
crease his means of livelihood One
instance has been handed down first
by one who was present at the SER
vices, that once in midsummer he as
eended his pulpit and stated that he
was so exhausted by his labors In the
hay field that he did not feel able to
preach and the service was turned into
a prayer meeting. In those days there
was a prevailing sentiment among the
Baptist people of disapproval OF writ
ten sermons and it was said of min
listers who practiced such that they
carried their religion in their saddle
bags" This was aimed at Rev. Fiheld
Holt of the Congregational church who
was employed as a home missionary
orc naif Of rne time on alternate Sun
days and rode to his appointments on
horseback. History refers to one
young man whose name is supposed to
have been Freeman who occupied the
pulpit of this old meeting house for
F.. rIa hnA hn oil
of extemporaneous speaking, but
thought he could overcome the diffi-
Guilty by writing his sermons and
memorizing them. 1t is said however
that they did not sound natural, but
rather like schoolboy's defamation.
This mans subsequent history was
said to have been very sad as he mar
ried woman whose husband obtained
a divorce from her. for supposedly good
causes. She was an artful woman and
probably induced the young minister
to believe her innocent He settled in
after his marriage died suddenly with
symptoms of poisoning. Known condi-
tions pointed strongly to his wife as
the criminal and she was tried for
murder, but the evidence wholly cir
cumstantial was not sufficient to con-
Wet her. She afterwards went to Bos-
ton and opened a millinery store. The
notoriety of her former trial drew
many customers and she was highly
prosperous in her business.
From the year 1914 to 1922 Revs.
Jonathan Steward, Robert Coburn and
Francis Powers were the pastors. Rev.
Mr.. Steward late in life married Mrs.
olive Moore Steward the great grand
mother of Register of Probate Philo
Steward and other present residents of
this town bearing that name. She was
the daughter of Rev. John Moore of
Revolutionary fame and the Rev. Jona-
than was the grandfather of Hon. D.
ID. Steward, who has become man
noted for his keen judgment as an at
torney. He has now become very aged
but is still in practice in st. Adams,
having amassed considerable for
tune there.
Rev. Robert Coburn was an uncle
of the late Ex-Governor, Abner Coburn
and a great uncle of Mrs. NJ T. Pooler,
Miss Louise H. Coburn and Mrs. Geo.
Otis Smith of Skowhegan. He lived
for years in North Newport, Maine,
where he died and was buried.
Between 1928 and 1926 Rev. Samuel
Dinsmore ministered to the Baptist
people and it is said that during his
pastorate the church enjoyed season
of revival. His son, b. Bradbury Dins-
more. now deceased was for many
years a member of the church to which
his father formerly ministered and his
daughter, Miss Lucy Dinsmore of
Hinckley. is a member of the same
church now.
From 1925 to 1929 the pulpit was
supplied from Waterville College and
from 1929 to 1882, Rev. Noah Hooper
was the preacher. From Millett we
gained the knowledge that Mr.. Hooper
became improbable and resigned. He
was succeeded In 1886 by Rev Arthur
Drinkwater. who remained until the
year 1872 During the winter of 1889
there was a very encouraging revival
and thirty-three were added to the
church membership. During the win
ter Of 1888 Mrs. Lucinda Allen OAK,
was among those noted as having Join
ed the church and she Is now living
at the advanced age OF 80 years She
bears the distinction OF being the old
est living member of the society. Her
home Is with her daughter. Mrs, Nah
um = Steward ON Water Street. In
the winter of lNti-2 another revival
secured an addition of twehty-foui
more persons Mr. Drinkwatcr who
LETT the church In lst2 vas ordained
at Mt Vernon In 1915. he VAS pastor
there from that time until 1921 aud
lrom 1928 tU 1883. from is3i To 1899
Ia banYsrs. Mass. aud from 1884 To
lk.a