Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/214

 i88 THE GRANITE MONTHLY.

Saviour in whom I trust. I do not know that I have any doubts of my accept- ance by him."

Raymond had not enjoyed the labors of an early ministry like Epping, but had the labors of men only at short intervals. In 1829, Rev. Seth Farnsworth was settled as pastor of this church. Fie continued ten years with eminent suc- cess. There was a continued religious interest during his ministry, and large ac- cessions to the church. He entered a pastorate at Hillsborough Bridge in 1835, and when he had awakened a deep interest after two years, he was suddenly cut down by death. As he approached the closing scene, he exclaimed : " O, my God, how sweet, how sweet are the employments of heaven." After a season of unconsciousness he said : " I thought I was in glory, I have just come from the world of bliss. What happiness, what unspeakable happiness to sing with the angels." With many such expressions upon his lips he passed away. This was a young man who at the age of twenty-two, left his work- bench for preparation for the ministry ; fitted for college ; pursued a regular course, of eight or ten years in close study, and spent all his property, so served he his Lord. Such men are ever wanted in the church.

Rev. Ephraim Abbott, closed a ministry in Greenland of fifteen years in 1828. During this time thirty-seven persons were received to the church. Rev. Samuel W. Clark succeeded to the ministry in that place in 1829. A faithful, affectionate and beloved pastor for eighteen years, when he died in great peace of mind. The people of that place were favored with two seasons of refreshing from above during his ministry, and thirty-seven were added to the church.

Rev. Ora Pearson became the pastor of the church in Kingston in 1827, — a young man from the Seminary at Andover. He entered upon his work with earnestness, and in dependance upon the spirit of God, and enjoyed his blessed influences. In a ministry of seven years more. than seventy persons were re- ceived to his church. It is strange to us that a minister with few exceptional traits of character, and who had been so useful, should not have been retained. It remains to be accounted for, why the church and people in this important town, and after the ministry of two of the ablest men of their day for two generations, should have been five years without a pastor, and then to have been unable to support one without foreign aid. Rev. Forest Jeffcrds was settled here in 1825, for five years, and received fifteen to the fellowship of the church.

In 1827, a hall was fitted up for worship in the recently established manu- facturing village of New Market. Preaching was commenced by Rev. David Sanford. In March, the following year, a church was organized, consisting of two men and sixteen women. This church awakened much opposition, and its existence it was predicted, would be short. But it had awakened an interest in all the surrounding churches, and secured their prayers. The husband of one of the female members was affected by the solemn services at the institu- tion of the church and led to Christ, and not long after, became a member of the church and one of its officers. In June following, nineteen were received to the church. At short intervals during Mr. Sanford's ministry, additions were made to the number of sixty-five. Exhausted by labor, he was dismissed in 1830. He had made vigorous efforts to secure a house of worship, with which the neighboring ministers deeply sympathized. Seldom has there been so large a contribution from ministers as for this house of worship. Mr. Sanford was succeeded by Rev. O. Tinker, a young man devoted to his work. His stay was not comfortable but useful. He left at the end of three years and soon died. During this time forty-eight were added to the church.

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