13 Evangelistic Work 1780-81
14 - EVANGELISTIC WORK IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MAINE 1780-1781
SOON after Elder Randall’s divine illumination, in response to an invitation, he went on a mission tour to Maine. In his account of it he says:
I visited Little Falls on the Saco River, and there experienced a precious work of grace, which spread about for a number of miles in that region, and many came to the services. On November fifth the Little Falls friends wrote to the New Durham church for one to be sent to their aid. About the same time a delegate, in the person of one of their deacons, came from a band of professing Christians in Gorham, Maine, requesting the privilege of fellowship as a sister church with the New Durham brethren.
These requests were interpreted as imperative calls that must not be disregarded. The church responded by delegating to their aid its pastor and Robert Boody, as traveling companion, who at once set off on their mission. As to the result of their Gorham visit, records are silent. But the visit to Little Falls resulted in strengthening the religious interest there, and the formation of a church of a hundred members. In February, 1781, Mr. Randall, having received an invitation from one Jewell, a Baptist brother, visited Tamworth, New Hampshire, then but recently settled. One of the results of this visit was a revival in which a goodly number were converted and a church organized. This church was gathered in the westerly part of the town, about the region later called Stevenson’s Hill. The same season Mr. Randall gathered another church in Barrington, probably in the section over the "Blue Hills," and extending somewhat into Barnstead. A part of this locality has since been called North Strafford. It is probable that his own labors had been largely instrumental in preparing the material for this church. As to who else may have preached there about that time we have no record. These tokens of divine approval greatly encouraged Mr. Randall, and stimulated him to increased zeal in his labors. His journal holds the following record :
Early in the fall of 1781 I was deeply impressed with a desire to take a religious tour eastward as far as the Kennebec River. But discouraging conditions confronted me, it being near the close of the war and money scarce, of which I had but little. Then too, I would be a stranger in a strange land, and it was unusual for a minister to go about and preach, such being regarded with suspicion on the part of many. At length, however, Mr. Randall’s objections were overcome, and he went, as thus described: On the last day of September I set off alone and traveled to Saco River, where I found a brother willing to accompany me to the end of my journey. The Lord granted us his presence and prospered us on our way. The people showed us much kindness as we traveled.
Mr. Randall crossed the Kennebec at Georgetown, and in the evening of October first held a meeting in that region on Ker’s Island. The people gave respectful attention and expressed a desire to hear him again. Randall complied with the request the next forenoon. At this meeting many were brought under conviction, were at length converted, and became substantial, devoted Christians. That afternoon Mr. Randall preached his first sermon in Woolwich. This proved to be an eventful occasion. Here lived a number of devoted Christians of free sentiments. They were intelligent, and withal of good standing in public esteem. But they had become tired of the old, lifeless religious forms among them, and had been. earnestly praying for some evangelist to visit them and preach a free salvation and a heartfelt religion. This stranger’s visit seemed in answer to their prayers. His sermon, and the unction with which he spoke, appeared as of God.
These people were much like sheep, long left uncared for, but now permitted to hear the shepherd’s voice. They could hardly contain their joy. If at the time the Holy Spirit did not fall upon them, as under the preaching of Peter, they were made to drink from the cup of happiness in Christ as deeply as human beings may reasonably expect to until released from earthly bondage. The rumors of this meeting spread extensively the next day, and a crowd gathered for the next service. Mr. Randall then preached from Php 2:9 : "Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name." The word seemed like fire and hammer to many flinty hearts. The work of grace here begun spread through the region with great power. At the close of these meetings Mr. Randall baptized five persons. This was a novel scene for that place. Though about three hundred were present, not more than three or four had ever seen a baptism administered by immersion.
Returning to Parker’s Island, Randall found the work spreading prosperously. After laboring here a few days, he left and spent the Sabbath in Woolwich, where he baptized a number and organized a church. Before leaving this region it is probable that Mr. Randall formed a church at Georgetown, Squam Island, and at Durham; for he speaks of having a church at each of these places soon after his return.
Mr. Randall was absent on this eastern tour thirty-seven days, held forty-seven meetings, and traveled about four hundred miles. He soon left again in answer to a call from Gorham and Scarboro. God blessed his labors, especially at the latter place, where many were converted, baptized, and added to the Little Falls church. About this time Samuel Weeks, a Baptist minister of East Parsonsfield, Maine, with his church, came out and took a stand with Randall. So also a body called the Gray and Gloucester church.
These accessions, thus rapidly made, were at once a comfort and a care to Mr. Randall. These churches were all organized on the same model as at New Durham, and looked to the same undershepherd for general oversight. Still, each stood in an independent state, having no connecting bonds, except what existed in the fact that each had embraced the same general views, and taken the same platform in its structure. But conditions were now rapidly tending to the organized union that soon followed.