Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-11-11
Interesting Chapter of Maine History.

The State OF Maine realizes the dig
nifty OF reaching the age OF one hundred
years, and steps are being taken to cele-
brate this event. In 1920 the State was
admitted to the Union, having hitherto
been under the political control of Mas
sachusetts. An appropriation of public
festivities as will mark the centenary OF
the State in the memory of It's people.
Like other celebrations of it's kind, fur
ther information bearing on the subject
is eagerly sought and welcomed. We
are aware that 1920 is not the ultimate
date boundry of the historical past OF
our State, but going back to origins, we
find renewed interest in early discov.
cries, settlements, and institutions and
bring to light much that is forgotten.
The Episcopal Church in the Diocease
OF Maine, under the leadership Of Bishop
Brewster, is also making preparation for
the celebration of its own one hundredth
anniversary next year. Following the
precedent of the early days OF the Re-
public when the Church took on Its ex-
ternal organization soon after the found
alton of the Nation, the Diocease Of
Maine was organized Immediately after
Maine became State.
1t will be seen that the venerable Epis-
copal Church was the institution that
accompanied the English discoveries, ad.
ventures, and commercial enterprises In
the earliest days on these western shores.
in the hope perhaps OF giving touch OF
idealism to the practical dreams OF that
age. The English discoveries under John
and Sebastian Cabot In 1897 sealed the
English claim to the territory from the
Gulf of st. Lawrence to Florida. Upon
the French intrusion into the land of
Evangeline In Nova Scotia, the Govern.
ment sent Captain George Weymouth In
1905 to investigate, and landing on Mon
hegan Island, off the coast OF Maine, he
set up Cross in token of the sovereign
ity of James the First. After kidnapping
five Indians, who became OF great SER
vice, be sailed later for home. The
Plymouth Company was formed on &C.
connt of the attractive reports submitted
and the Virginia Colony was also organ.
ized. These two companies were granted
rights to the whole Atlantic coast. Chief
Justice Pophsm and Sir Ferdinand Cor
ges were the leaders of the Plymouth
Company. In 1907 1.-THE Gift of God"
and the "Mary and John" sailed for the
Maine coast for the purpose OF planting
q colony. After touching at Monbegan
Island they landed on the shore for re-
ligious service, when the Rev. Richard
Seymour, Church of England clergy.
man, used the prayer book and preached
q sermon. This was the fret service In
the English tongue In New England.
The so-called Popham colony then es.
tablished was shortlived, but later at
tempts succeeded. By new grant from
the King, Sir Ferdinand Gorges became
Governor General in 1885, and In 1889 he
was given the proprietorship OF the ter
ritory extending from the Piscataqus
River to the Penobscot and one hundred
and twenty miles inland. He made 1t bis
chief business to inculcate religious In
fuence In the colony, and required the
baptism OF children In the Church. The
character OF this doughty knight was
evinced when some years later, at sew
enty years of age, Sir Ferdinand Gorges
fought for Charles First at the siege OF
Bristol and died two years before his
royal master. :,
It is curious to note from historical
standpoint that the religious origins OF
the State of Maine ante-dated the Puri.
tian settlement in Massachusetts,, and
were from an independent source, and
that source was the Church of England.
Hence from the earliest days the Episco-
pal Church has been linked with the bis
tory of Maine.
The special exercises commemorating
the founding of the Diocese in 1920 will
be held in Christ Church, Gardiner,
Maine, on May 31st and June 1st, 1920.
The committee in charge are: Mr.. Rob.
ert d. Gardiner, Chairman, Reverend
Canon R. W. Plant, and Mr.. Josiah s.
Maxcy of Gardiner; Reverend E. A.
Pressey, Mr.. Charles F. Flagg, Mr.. Sid
ney st. F. Tha1ter, Mr.. Frederick b.
Gabbi, Mrs. Herbert PsysoD, Miss Mary
NJ. Burgess and Miss Marguerite Ogden
of Portland; President Z. c. NJ. Stills OF
Brunswick; and Mr.. D. M. Bates of Lew
iston.