Morning Star

HISTORICAL.
For the Morning Star.
Historical Sketch of Churches. No. 26
FIRST CHURCH IN HOLLIS, ME.
Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4.
The town of Hollis is on the west side of Saco river. There were settlements about the year 1775, but the town was not incorporated till 1812. For a considerable time, the principal part of the settlements were near the river, which forms its eastern boundary.
The first F. W. B. minister that preached in this place was Elder Randall. It was in 1780, the year that the first church in the connexion was formed at New Durham, N. H. Having been remarkably blessed in embracing and publishing the doctrine of a general atonement and free grace at home, he felt moved upon to go abroad and call upon others to repent and obey the gospel. The first place he visited was Little Falls, now the easterly part of Hollis. A reformation took place, and a good number found a pardon, through faith in Christ. Elder R. baptized amidst much opposition. Once a man undertook to prevent the ordinance by drawing off the water of the pond where it was to be performed. But Eld. R. seeing that the water was fast falling, said, "Our heavenly Father has given us water to baptize in, and we must improve it while we have it," & began to baptize. The man then threw clubs at the Elder while he was in the water, but they fell short of the mark. After the ordinance was over, the man aimed a blow at the administrator with his fist, but he was saved by being pulled out of the way by his friends.
A church was gathered the next year, 1781, which after a while numbered 100. There was much spiritual life in the members of this body for several years. They had no stated preaching; but Elder Randall visited them occasionally, dispensed the word of life, administered the ordinances, and regulated their affairs. In the latter part of 1783, a convention was held in the place to deliberate on some measures for establishing general meetings for the interest and benefit of the infant connexion. The result was, a plan for holding Quarterly Meetings four times in a year. The first was to be held with the church in that place, commencing on the first Saturday of Dec. following.—When the time arrived, Eld. Randall was there, and that was the first Q. M. held by the Freewill Baptists. It proved to be a comforting season.
The church continued to prosper for a time, but there were breakers ahead, which human foresight could not observe, human wisdom prevent, nor the arm of God avert, man being left free to his own volitions. In 1784, there was a sad declension in many of the members. There were gross immoralities in some, especially in one of the leading members. At a Q. M. held Dec. 7, 1784, his case was considered, and he was rejected, and his expulsion published to the other churches in a circular epistle. From this, the church declined for several years.
In 1792, a Baptist church was formed in Lyman, adjoining what is now Hollis, and several who had been members of this church united with that. Finally, the church became extinct, altho' there were a few scattered members left, who sometimes prayed together that God would send deliverance. About 1820, there were 15 found in the place who desired to live and walk in gospel order. But little was done however until 1827. Early in that year, it was a sickly, dying time, and the people were much alarmed, and some sought the Lord. Then God directed Elder James Emery to the place. He preached with great success, commencing about the first of March. Soon he was joined by Elder Jonathan Clay, of Buxton. They labored, and God confirmed the word with great power. By the 12th of June, Eld. E. had baptized 24. These were united with the other living members, and it was hoped the church would live again. But there was not much regular preaching, the ordinances were neglected, the church languished some ten years, and about 1839 its visibility was gone.
We come now to the church named at the head of this article. It is not situated on the territory where the above operations took place, but in the north-easterly part of the town, in the vicinity of a place called 'Deer Wander.'—In this section, an Elder John Sweat resided for several years, and preached some. He died sometime after 1826, we believe. Here resided also Elder Humphrey Goodwin, a native of Berwick, who for many years was pastor of the ch. in Shapleigh, now Acton. He moved to Hollis in 1814. When Jacob Cochran came with his innovations and delusions about 1817, Elder G. was caught with them, and re-baptized. But he afterwards saw his error, and confessed to the general satisfaction.
In 1827, there was a good religious interest, and on the 5th of April, Elders Goodwin and Jonathan Clay organized a church of 23 members. Several others were baptized soon, and by the middle of May the church increased to 41. A good season was realized during much of the summer; and by the last of Aug. the No. of members was about 80.
Sept. 4, 1824, Josiah Goodwin, who was clerk of the church, died while away from home about 160 miles. He was a son of the Elder, improved as a public speaker, and was highly esteemed. The church enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. Other preachers were occasionally, and labored with Elder Goodwin. In 1829, Elder Small baptized 4. In Sept. 1832, brethren John Smith and Moses Tarbox were ordained Deacons. In 1833, Elder C. Bean baptized 12 or 15. In 1835, the number was 111.
But after this a scene of trouble came on which was painful to the friends of truth, and which resulted in reducing the church in numbers. It began with the ch. in Limington, under the care of Elder Jeremiah Bullock, which ch. was labored with by the Parsonsfield Q. M., and finally rejected for unscriptural measures in opposing the causes of Temperance, Sabbath Schools, Missions, and Education. But the disaffection extended beyond the limits of Limington. Elder Goodwin, of the Hollis church, and a majority of the male members, although a minority of the whole number, sympathized with those at Limington.
After much commotion in this church, a council from the Quarterly Meeting convened with the brethren, and investigated the matter. They made their report at a session of the Waterboro Q. M., held at Waterborough in Sept. 1836.—The substance of it was, that Eld. G. and a part of the church had declared independence, being dissatisfied with the manner in which the Q. M. transacted business, the sending of delegates to the General Conference, being opposed to Sabbath Schools, Temperance Societies, Mission Societies, &c. The Q. M. decided to consider them no more of the connexion. The church was now reduced to 45 members. Eld. Goodwin lived a few years after this, and then departed this life. It is just to say of him that he was a good man, but did not possess all the independence at times that was requisite to withstand improper influences. But, after seeing his error, he was ready to retract and confess.
In Oct. 1838, Bro. Lewis H. Witham commenced preaching with this church, and he supplied much of the time until Dec. 1839. Several were converted, who were baptized by Elder O. McKenney. Sept. 13, 1839, Bro. Witham was ordained here, the sermon being preached by Elder Henry Hobbs. After this, Elder W. baptized 5. A meeting house was built in 1840. In 1840, Bro. Franklin Morrill preached here considerably, and Elder McKenney baptized some. In 1842 and 43, Eld. Nahum Foss was the principal preacher. Since that time, there have been different preachers who have supplied. Elder Wm. Smith, now of the Portland and Westbrook church, was a native of this place, and was reared up within the pales of this ch. Brother S. Fabyan is a member, and has supplied the people with preaching much of the past year. Present number of members 58. There are two other small F. Baptist churches in the town.
JOSEPH FULLONTON.
* Life of Randall.
Star, June 3, 1835.
Temptations and trials are the fire that brings up the scum of the heart.