Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/353

 METHODISM IN PORTSMOUTH.

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��Salem until his father's death, which occurred when he was fourteen years old, and thereafter, until nineteen years of age, when he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and entered Atkin- son academy with the purpose of taking a collegiate and theological course, the first at Dartmouth, the lat- ter at Andover ; but the call for preachers became so urgent he was advised to leave Atkinson and enter the Newmarket Methodist academy, where he pursued his literary and theological studies until March, 1822, when he commenced preaching on the Rochester circuit, and was received into the N. E. Conference at Rath. Maine, with a class of thirty-seven persons, in June, 1822. His first ap- pointment was to Landaff, N. H.. cir- cuit, with two associates — a circuit of two hundred and fifty miles, and re- quiring a full month to travel the dis- tance, and supply all the appoint- ments, preaching every day and three times on Sunday, and also conducting the class meetings. Thence he was transferred to Barnard, Vt., with a circuit of fifteen towns, extending from Connecticut river to the heights of the Green mountains. Afterward he went to New Hampshire where he formed the Sutton circuit, and classed with Warner, Wilmot, New London, &c. Subsequently he was assigned to Lyndon, Vt., Sutton, Deering, and Sandwich, N. H., circuits. Afterward he was stationed at Gilmanton (where a church was built), at Northfield, and at Newmarket, when it first became a station. In 1830 he went to Concord, N. H., being the first Methodist preacher stationed there. He was re- turned in 1831, and the church was built during his pastorate. He was again appointed to Concord in 1854 and 1S55. In 1833 he was the Conference agent of the Newbury seminary ; was stationed at that town the two years following ; and in 1836-7 at Montpelier, Vt., the church there having been built during that period. Afterward he was stationed at Danville, Vt., at Nashua, N. H.,

��at Newmarket again in 1 843-4, then at Great Falls, at Dover, and, in 1848. at Manchester, where he was active in re-purchasing the Elm street M. E. church, raising $6,500. Afterward he was appointed to Lawrence and Bris- tol. In 1841-2 and 1849-50 he was the pastor of the State street M. E. church in Portsmouth, where he was greatly beloved and appreciated by its members and the community. He subsequently joined the New England Conference and was missionary at large at Charlestown, Mass., for up- ward of two years. He then entered the regular work and was stationed at Worcester, Newburyport, Waltham, Lynn, Worcester again, Boston, and Quincy Point. In 187 1 he was ap- pointed cnaplain of the " National Sailors' Home," at Quincy, and in 18S3 retains the position, laboring as of yore with unabated fidelity. He has always been remarkably active, industrious, and vigorous. Beloved as a father in Israel, he has commend- ed himself to the love and affection of the church by his zeal in faithful services and his labors of love, in preaching the word, forming new and strengthening weak societies, and in erecting churches. He has always been indefatigable in pastoral visita- tions, and in all kind offices to the sick, afflicted, and dying, officiating at the bridal altar, at funerals, and on other occasions. He has also been active as chaplain in his many con- nections with temperance, Masonic, and other organizations. His motto " Labor here, and rest hereafter," has been fully exemplified in his life. He has served as trustee of Nashua acad- emy, and also the N. H. Conference Seminary, at Northfield, and agent of the Conference Seminary, at Newbury. In 1S36 and 1844 he was a dele- gate from New Hampshire to the General Conference, and in 1840 a reserve delegate. He was the first chaplain of the N. H. state prison, serving two years ; was appointed chaplain of the N. H. legislature four sessions, and of the Vermont legisla-

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