Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/387

 METHODISM IN PORTSMOUTH.

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��elected secretary and treasurer of the board of trustees of the N. H. An- nual Conference in April, 1882, to succeed Rev. Elihu Scott who had held these offices for twenty-six con- secutive years. Present residence, South Newmarket.

Rev. Joseph E. Robins was born at Littleton. N. H., Dec. 9, 1843 ; graduated at the Wesleyan university in 1868 ; joined the N. H. Confer- ence in 1 868 ; was professor of Latin in the N. H. Conference Seminary in 186S-69, and at the Drew female college 1870-72 ; was stationed at Portsmouth in 1882, having previous')' filled other appointments with great acceptance.

When we commenced this article we were contemplating a sketch of Rev. John Newland Maffitt, and in- stead thereof have drifted into mat- ters relating to the polity and distinc- tive features of Methodism, — its intro- duction into New England and its history in Portsmouth. Mention has been made of all the ministers who have been identified with the Ports- mouth church, either as circuit preach- ers, regular pastors, or presiding eld- ers. It is somewhat difficult to write on such a subject in the midst of pressing cares, away from home, ab- sent from records, and without access to the living members who could im- part information. But having a dis- tinct recollection, since the dedica- tion of the church in 1S28, of all who have ministered at -its altars, and also of the great company who have given unequivocal testimony in the full as- surance of faith, we have presumed to place the foregoing on record. We well remember the " four days' meet- ing," which lasted many more days, the revival services, the neighborhood gatherings, and the public religious exercises at places remote from the compact part of the city. The min- isters of the earlier epochs of the church preached almost daily. They were abundant in labors, frequent in visitations, always active in doing the work of evangelists and in making

��full proof of their ministry. We have also a clear recollection of some of the primitive members of the society, who. preferring the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit to costly array, adorned themselves in modest apparel, in almost Quaker attire, as the most becoming garb of disciples. These singular and old-fashioned women were pious and sincere, and were respected for their simplicity and goodness. The mention of their names could not but evoke tributes of prai

To characterize individually the offi- cial and regular membership might be regarded as invidious, and will not be attempted ; but we can not forget the fervid and winning utterances of Doc- tor Holman, the terse and forcible arguments of Wiggin, the finished exhortations of Payson, the logical and convincing testimony of Trundy, the sensible and vehement language of Dame, the sweet and persuasive eloquence of Moses, the impassioned appeals of Colman, the fidelity of Bell, the ardor of Laighton, the pa- thos of Paul, the Christian activities of Hall, Spinney, Gerry, and Marston, who became ministers of the gospel ; the constancy and zeal of Jones, Walker, Philbrooks, Laskey, Dixon, Newton. Reese, and others who par- ticipated in the social meetings. Nor can we fail to remember the quiet and unobtrusive example of Barker, Gard- ner, Wilson, Hoyt, Janvern, Nowell, Parkinson, and others, whose Chris- tian virtues and consistent lives were always expressive, and impressed even- heart. We recollect with interest the liberality of Martin, Johnson, Llub- bard, John F. Robinson, Bailey, and others. We can not but recall with pleasure the excellent meetings which almost invariably distinguished the church, the rich and glowing exhorta- tions which have stimulated to in- creased fidelity and watchfulness. The testimonies of such pious men and of devout women, not a few, were most effective and potential for good. Their declarations of personal Chris- tian experience, always thrilling and

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