Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1919-09-09
Anniversary Of Hebron Church.

The Hebron Baptist church observed
anniversary roll call services on Sat
urday and Sunday, August IS and "a.
One hundred and twenty-seven years
ago, on August %, 1871, the church was
organized, and since that time Its pulpit
has never been vacant, an almost IN
paralleled record for q small country
church.
In the Baptist churches OF Maine,
roll call services used to be held
and In some churches still sre-an
annual affair, but the present occasion
was the first time for thirty years that
the Hebron church has thus observed
the anniversary of It's founding. That
appropriate recognition was made OF
the event this year was due to the dill.
gence and happy resourcefulness of
Pastor Herbert L. Newman, whose
untiring efforts during the past six
months have brought new life and vigor
into the local church.
The exercises began on Saturday
evening with q banquet open to all
citizens of the community. After the
1870 guests had partaken of the tasty
products of Hebron cookery, Prof. E.
C. Mariner spoke few Introductory
words of welcome, and then introduced
the following post-prandial speakers:
Deacon A. M. Richardson, who rendered
an account of the church finances, show
ing the sound and economic condition
of the organization; Miss Ethel Mar.
and most interesting history of the
Hebron church from it's foundation to
the present day. She especially empha-
sized the remarkably few pastors the
church has had during the century and a
quarter Of its activity. For nearly a
half century-49 years to be exact, or
from 1908 to his death In 1S47-Rev.
John Trip held the pastorate. Rev. A.
R. Crane, D. D., served for 20 years,
Rev. s. D. Richardson for ~ years, and
other pastors only slightly shorter terms.
With her vivid portrayal Miss Marshall
brought back to the minds of the older
people present visions of the old straight
backed pews with their swinging doors
and the galleries on either side of the
auditorium, filled with the giggling
girls of more than two generations ago.
Several speakers then made short
addresses on various phases Of activ-
ity in the local church. Prof. G. G.
Dwyer spoke on the Church and the
School; Mrs. G. NJ. Cummings on the
Church and the Community; Miss
Agnes Bearce on the Woman in the
Church; Albert Richardson on the
Young Man in the Church; and Miss
Marion Cummings on the Young Lady
in the Church.
The United Baptist convention OF
Maine was represented by its secre.
tary, Rev. I. B. Mower, D. D., of Water
Vile. After a few congratulatory
remarks, Mr.. Mower delivered q pithy
message on "A Democracy Safe fol
the World" 'Such q democracy,
said the speaker, "must be an edu'
Gated democracy and 1t must be q re-
ligious-a Christian democracy"
Albion Hale Brainsrd of Arlington,
N. j., son-in-law and devoted com
panion of the late DR.. A. R. Crane
spoke briefly on the associations that
linked him 80 closely with Hebron
and the local church. DR.. W. E. Sar'
gent, principal of Hebron academy,
and for "a years a member OF this
church, gave a witty and thoughtfu!
address filled with many. delightful
"reminiscences of former days. The
last speaker was Pastor Newman, who
confined his remarks to announcements
for the next day.
At the anniversary services, Sunday
morning, Principal Sargent gave
memorial address, especially commem
orative of the four members of the
church who have died during thu past
year: DR.. A. R. Crane, Mrs. Ellen
Gilman, Ansel G.. Bowman and Mrs
Charles q. George. The anniversary
sermon was delivered by DR.. Mower or
"Stored-up Treasure"
| At the roll. call held after the regular
service number of interesting letters
from absent members were read. Tht
service closed with observance of tht
Lords supper.
The final service of the anniversary
was q union service of the church
organizations at Hebron, East Hebron
West Minot and the Western Maine
Sanatorium. The heavy thunder showers
and the consequent loss of electric lights
somewhat marred the occasion and GU
down the attendance, but those who
braved the inclemencies of the weather
heard an excellent address by Mr.
Brainard on "The Rural Church. 1T
Problems and Its Opportunities"