218 THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
terest continued until the close of his second year's pastorate, "when a gathering and winnowing took place" which gave strength and character to the Methodist society. Application was made to the conference to appoint Mr. Fillmore for the third year, as indispensable to the success of the church. The conference, not willing to violate the two years' rule, evaded it by appointing Mr. Fillmore to Newmarket, and Martin Ruter, who had charge of the academy at South Newmarket (the first Methodist seminary in New England), to Portsmouth, Mr. Fillmore virtually supplying the pulpit at Portsmouth. The arrangement was regarded by many as a mistake, and occasioned a somewhat unhappy division between the older members and the pastor. During these three years prayer and class-meetings were held weekly at private houses in every part of the town. The room over a store on Congress street, — the second building west from High street, — was celebrated for the lively prayer meetings held there. Quarterly conferences were held at private houses. It was during the pastorate of Mr. Fillmore, probably in 1818, that a Sabbath school was established. The society also commenced paying its preachers their disciplinary allowance, instead of leaving their compensation to uncertain and sometimes scanty collections. In July, 1820, Rev. Josiah A. Scarritt was appointed pastor. He enforced the discipline against unworthy members, and there was a rapid growth in grace and usefulness among the recent converts. In 1821 the much beloved and successful Enoch Mudge was stationed in Portsmouth, and regulated the records of the church, and the manner of raising funds for its support. I have been informed that Rev. Mr. Maffitt was announced in the conference of 1828, as stationed at Newburyport, and Rev. Jotham Horton, a clergyman of good repute and ability, at Portsmouth. The society had petitioned for Mr. Maffitt, and when Mr. Horton reached Portsmouth he was waited upon by a committee at the stage tavern, on Congress street, where he had arrived, with his wife, and was informed that the church would not receive him; Mr. Maffitt was wanted, and no other minister would be accepted. Mr. Horton and wife left by the return stage. A change was, however, effected by an exchange of appointments, and all concerned were satisfied. July 29, 1835, the annual conference convened at Portsmouth for the second time, Bishop Emory presiding. It was an important session. The conference had become thus early abolitionized, and presented through its committee on slavery a radical report. Bishop Emory refused to entertain a motion for its adoption, whereupon the conference went into a committee of the whole, elected Rev. John G. Dow, chairman, and adopted the report. The action of Bishop Emory, on this occasion, convulsed the church with the great controversy on conference rights.
[To be continued]
