"Bayley, Kiah, A.B. candidate for Ministry of religion, m. Abigail Goodhue, formerly of Newburyport, in Harvard (CC. Oct. 2, 1794)" (Newspapeer extractions, Columbian Centinel, p. 264)
"Congregational Yearbook for the Year 1858"...
Died at Hardwick, Vt., August 17, 1S57, aged 87 years. Though a man of some peculiarities, yet he was extensively useful to the church, and his labors deserve to be recorded and remembered with gratitude.
Rev. Kiah Bailey was the second son of Charles and Abigail Bailey, and was born in Brookfield, Mass., West Parish, 11th March, 1770, and was dedicated to God in infancy. He removed with his parents to Haverhill, N. H., 1775, when the country was a wilderness. In 1783, his father removed, with his family, to Newbury, Vt., where he was favored with a common school education, and where he fitted for college, under the instruction of Rev. Jacob Wood, minister of the place. While pursuing his preparatory studies, he taught the first school ever kept in Ryegate, Vt., 1789. He entered Dartmouth College in the autumn of the same year, and graduated at that institution, 1793, with the honor of delivering the Greek oration. It was during his Sophomore year, in the autumn of 1790, that, after a long and painful law-work, as he himself expressed it, " the rebellion of his heart was hopefully conquered, aud grace—free, sovereign grace triumphed."
From this moment his whole soul was set on the work of the ministry, and in October, 1793, immediately after he graduated, lie commenced the study of theol ogy with Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, Mass., and was admitted into his church in May, 1794. The next month, June, 1794, he was licensed to preach by the Mendon Association, and delivered his first sermon at the West Parish, Taunton, Mass. He had a call to settle in Milford. Northampton, Cornish, and Ashby, Mass., but he chose his field of labor among the feeble and destitute churches of the then Province of Maine. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Newcastle, Me., October 7, 1797—at that time a church of three persons only, besides the pastor. The little vine, by God's blessing on his labors, was in creased, not a hundred, but sixty-fold, before the time of his dismission, which was at his own request, in 1824. Several revivals had been enjoyed, particularly one in 1816 and 1817, which was of special power and extent.
After leaving Maine, Mr. Bailey preached two years and a half at Greensboro, Vt., three years and a half at Thornton, N. H., and returned in 1833 and settled on a farm in Hardwick, Vt., where his parents died, and where he chose to close his own earthly pilgrimage. From this time he preached only occasionally in vacant congregations, but kept up his interest in the enterprises of the church, and the objects of reform, till the very close of his earthly career. Few men in the State of Maine have been more extensively engaged in all the benevolent movements of the churches there than Mr. Bailey. He was a Representative from Maine to the Legislature of Massachusetts, in 1819 and 1820 ; a member of the Board of Overseers of Bowdoin College eight or nine years ; acted at the election of the first, second, and third Presidents of the College. He was President of the Maine Missionary Society ; was one of the Board of Trustees; was one of the Trustees of the Maine Charity School, and also Secretary of the same ; he was a Trustee of the Society for Theological Education in Maine, in stituted June 27, 1811, incorporated February 27, 1812, and was its Secretary several years—this was the first Education Society in New England. Mr. Bai ley labored hard, journeyed, wrote, prayed, and supplicated with God and man, and finally merged the Society into the Bangor Institution, which was incorpo rated by the Massachusetts Legislature February 4, 1814. Mr. Bailey was named in the charter as one of the Trustees—was the Secretary for five or six years of the Board of Trustees. He drew up the By-Laws, and did what he could to make it a rich blessing to the church. The leading spirit in the concern, and one who corresponded more, and labored more abundantly than any other man to build it up, lived at Newcastle. His wife, than whom few better or more de voted wonieu have been found in her times, obtained over two thousand dollars, which she paid into the Treasury as a female charity fund.
The Lincoln and Kennebec Religious Tract Society was instituted May, 1802, and printed and distributed about thirty thousand tracts. The work of selecting, preparing, printing, and distributing these tracts, rested very much on Mr. Bailey, as Secretary. The Christian Monitor, a magazine published by the Maine Missionary Society six or seven years, and which did much to promote the cause, rested very much on Mr. Bailey for matter and for distribution, though others were associa ted. For several years, Mr. Bailey was one of the sub-Committee to aid in loca ting and directing the Missionaries sent by the Massachusetts Missionary Society into Maine.
About the year 1802, Mr. Bailey commenced an effort to establish an Academy in Newcastle. As this was to be the Academy for the county, they had powerful competitors. But Mr. Bailey succeeded, and secured an act of incorporation, and a fund of about thirteen thousand dollars for the Lincoln County Academy. Rev. Daniel Haskel, subsequently President of Burlington College, was the first Preceptor, and Rev. Dr. Beman, of Troy, was the second. Rev. Mr. Bailey was Secretary, Treasurer, and Agent of this institution for about twenty years, and when he left Newcastle it was a prosperous school.
In 1794, he married Abigail Goodhue, daughter of Hezekiah, of Newburyport, by whom he had two twin sons, born March 7, 1798, but they both died in their infancy. Mrs. Bailey was early bereft of both parents, but she enjoyed the parental attention and instruction of Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D., and Rev. Dr. Spring, of whose church she was a member ; and on the model of these men her mind was formed. She had a very retentive memory ; a lively, chastened imagination ; an ardent, unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She became a ready writer, and left at her death many volumes of manuscripts, diaries, etc. She loved and read her Bible much ; was a strict observer of the Sabbath, always at meet ing, if possible ; loved to do good ; was active in all benevolent movements, never tired. Her heart was always warm. Her last sickness was short, and she fell asleep in Jesus, most peacefully, on the 18th of March, 1846, at Hardwick, Vt., aged 89 years and 10 months—a superior and very excellent woman.
Rev. Mr. Bailey's published works were, nine single sermons, two doctrinal and two ordination sermons. One at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Spaulding, at Penobscot, and the other of Rev. Mr. Beaman, Portland, Me. A sermon before the Maine Missionary Society, one at the opening of the Lincoln Academy, one on the Evils of War, one on Intemperance, and one against Fashionable Amusements. He edited a reprint of Earles' Sacramental Exerchm, published by Lincoln & Edmunds, Boston, 1813 ; The Preciowmess of Christ—edition, 400 copies: Armstrong, Boston ; Two Worlds Displayed; together with tracts and magazines, etc. In the anti-Masonic contest, 1829, he wrote for the journals more, perhaps, than any other person in New England ; and he was no less zealous in the anti-Slavery cause. In one year he wrote over seventy pieces for the press, and for seven years his communications, many of which appeared in the North Star, would amount to fifty a year.
His own estimate of his multiplied labors was very humble. " If there was any thing of good in them," he remarked, " give God the glory. I have been a poor, miserable, unprofitable servant, and must perish, if God does not have mercy upon me. If saved at all, it must be by grace." Mr. Bailey left in manuscript, a Treatise on Baptism, drawn wholly from the Bible, in four sermons, covering ten sheets, on (1) the import of the institution, (2) the element, (3) how performed, (4) Infant Baptism. This work, he thought, met immersers better than any he had seen. But he could not afford the expense of printing it.
This good man, who had withstood the storms of four score and seven winters, firm as a rock, has at length yielded to the attritions of time, and the year 1857 has witnessed the opening and closing of his grave. As a shock of corn that was ripe in its season, he has been gathered to that upper garner of his heavenly Father, where his rest and joy will be complete.
Contributor: Daniel Hollister (49312256)
"Congregational Yearbook for the Year 1858"...
Died at Hardwick, Vt., August 17, 1S57, aged 87 years. Though a man of some peculiarities, yet he was extensively useful to the church, and his labors deserve to be recorded and remembered with gratitude.
Rev. Kiah Bailey was the second son of Charles and Abigail Bailey, and was born in Brookfield, Mass., West Parish, 11th March, 1770, and was dedicated to God in infancy. He removed with his parents to Haverhill, N. H., 1775, when the country was a wilderness. In 1783, his father removed, with his family, to Newbury, Vt., where he was favored with a common school education, and where he fitted for college, under the instruction of Rev. Jacob Wood, minister of the place. While pursuing his preparatory studies, he taught the first school ever kept in Ryegate, Vt., 1789. He entered Dartmouth College in the autumn of the same year, and graduated at that institution, 1793, with the honor of delivering the Greek oration. It was during his Sophomore year, in the autumn of 1790, that, after a long and painful law-work, as he himself expressed it, " the rebellion of his heart was hopefully conquered, aud grace—free, sovereign grace triumphed."
From this moment his whole soul was set on the work of the ministry, and in October, 1793, immediately after he graduated, lie commenced the study of theol ogy with Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, Mass., and was admitted into his church in May, 1794. The next month, June, 1794, he was licensed to preach by the Mendon Association, and delivered his first sermon at the West Parish, Taunton, Mass. He had a call to settle in Milford. Northampton, Cornish, and Ashby, Mass., but he chose his field of labor among the feeble and destitute churches of the then Province of Maine. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Newcastle, Me., October 7, 1797—at that time a church of three persons only, besides the pastor. The little vine, by God's blessing on his labors, was in creased, not a hundred, but sixty-fold, before the time of his dismission, which was at his own request, in 1824. Several revivals had been enjoyed, particularly one in 1816 and 1817, which was of special power and extent.
After leaving Maine, Mr. Bailey preached two years and a half at Greensboro, Vt., three years and a half at Thornton, N. H., and returned in 1833 and settled on a farm in Hardwick, Vt., where his parents died, and where he chose to close his own earthly pilgrimage. From this time he preached only occasionally in vacant congregations, but kept up his interest in the enterprises of the church, and the objects of reform, till the very close of his earthly career. Few men in the State of Maine have been more extensively engaged in all the benevolent movements of the churches there than Mr. Bailey. He was a Representative from Maine to the Legislature of Massachusetts, in 1819 and 1820 ; a member of the Board of Overseers of Bowdoin College eight or nine years ; acted at the election of the first, second, and third Presidents of the College. He was President of the Maine Missionary Society ; was one of the Board of Trustees; was one of the Trustees of the Maine Charity School, and also Secretary of the same ; he was a Trustee of the Society for Theological Education in Maine, in stituted June 27, 1811, incorporated February 27, 1812, and was its Secretary several years—this was the first Education Society in New England. Mr. Bai ley labored hard, journeyed, wrote, prayed, and supplicated with God and man, and finally merged the Society into the Bangor Institution, which was incorpo rated by the Massachusetts Legislature February 4, 1814. Mr. Bailey was named in the charter as one of the Trustees—was the Secretary for five or six years of the Board of Trustees. He drew up the By-Laws, and did what he could to make it a rich blessing to the church. The leading spirit in the concern, and one who corresponded more, and labored more abundantly than any other man to build it up, lived at Newcastle. His wife, than whom few better or more de voted wonieu have been found in her times, obtained over two thousand dollars, which she paid into the Treasury as a female charity fund.
The Lincoln and Kennebec Religious Tract Society was instituted May, 1802, and printed and distributed about thirty thousand tracts. The work of selecting, preparing, printing, and distributing these tracts, rested very much on Mr. Bailey, as Secretary. The Christian Monitor, a magazine published by the Maine Missionary Society six or seven years, and which did much to promote the cause, rested very much on Mr. Bailey for matter and for distribution, though others were associa ted. For several years, Mr. Bailey was one of the sub-Committee to aid in loca ting and directing the Missionaries sent by the Massachusetts Missionary Society into Maine.
About the year 1802, Mr. Bailey commenced an effort to establish an Academy in Newcastle. As this was to be the Academy for the county, they had powerful competitors. But Mr. Bailey succeeded, and secured an act of incorporation, and a fund of about thirteen thousand dollars for the Lincoln County Academy. Rev. Daniel Haskel, subsequently President of Burlington College, was the first Preceptor, and Rev. Dr. Beman, of Troy, was the second. Rev. Mr. Bailey was Secretary, Treasurer, and Agent of this institution for about twenty years, and when he left Newcastle it was a prosperous school.
In 1794, he married Abigail Goodhue, daughter of Hezekiah, of Newburyport, by whom he had two twin sons, born March 7, 1798, but they both died in their infancy. Mrs. Bailey was early bereft of both parents, but she enjoyed the parental attention and instruction of Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D., and Rev. Dr. Spring, of whose church she was a member ; and on the model of these men her mind was formed. She had a very retentive memory ; a lively, chastened imagination ; an ardent, unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She became a ready writer, and left at her death many volumes of manuscripts, diaries, etc. She loved and read her Bible much ; was a strict observer of the Sabbath, always at meet ing, if possible ; loved to do good ; was active in all benevolent movements, never tired. Her heart was always warm. Her last sickness was short, and she fell asleep in Jesus, most peacefully, on the 18th of March, 1846, at Hardwick, Vt., aged 89 years and 10 months—a superior and very excellent woman.
Rev. Mr. Bailey's published works were, nine single sermons, two doctrinal and two ordination sermons. One at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Spaulding, at Penobscot, and the other of Rev. Mr. Beaman, Portland, Me. A sermon before the Maine Missionary Society, one at the opening of the Lincoln Academy, one on the Evils of War, one on Intemperance, and one against Fashionable Amusements. He edited a reprint of Earles' Sacramental Exerchm, published by Lincoln & Edmunds, Boston, 1813 ; The Preciowmess of Christ—edition, 400 copies: Armstrong, Boston ; Two Worlds Displayed; together with tracts and magazines, etc. In the anti-Masonic contest, 1829, he wrote for the journals more, perhaps, than any other person in New England ; and he was no less zealous in the anti-Slavery cause. In one year he wrote over seventy pieces for the press, and for seven years his communications, many of which appeared in the North Star, would amount to fifty a year.
His own estimate of his multiplied labors was very humble. " If there was any thing of good in them," he remarked, " give God the glory. I have been a poor, miserable, unprofitable servant, and must perish, if God does not have mercy upon me. If saved at all, it must be by grace." Mr. Bailey left in manuscript, a Treatise on Baptism, drawn wholly from the Bible, in four sermons, covering ten sheets, on (1) the import of the institution, (2) the element, (3) how performed, (4) Infant Baptism. This work, he thought, met immersers better than any he had seen. But he could not afford the expense of printing it.
This good man, who had withstood the storms of four score and seven winters, firm as a rock, has at length yielded to the attritions of time, and the year 1857 has witnessed the opening and closing of his grave. As a shock of corn that was ripe in its season, he has been gathered to that upper garner of his heavenly Father, where his rest and joy will be complete.
Contributor: Daniel Hollister (49312256)
"Bayley, Kiah, A.B. candidate for Ministry of religion, m. Abigail Goodhue, formerly of Newburyport, in Harvard (CC. Oct. 2, 1794)" (Newspapeer extractions, Columbian Centinel, p. 264)
"Congregational Yearbook for the Year 1858"...
Died at Hardwick, Vt., August 17, 1S57, aged 87 years. Though a man of some peculiarities, yet he was extensively useful to the church, and his labors deserve to be recorded and remembered with gratitude.
Rev. Kiah Bailey was the second son of Charles and Abigail Bailey, and was born in Brookfield, Mass., West Parish, 11th March, 1770, and was dedicated to God in infancy. He removed with his parents to Haverhill, N. H., 1775, when the country was a wilderness. In 1783, his father removed, with his family, to Newbury, Vt., where he was favored with a common school education, and where he fitted for college, under the instruction of Rev. Jacob Wood, minister of the place. While pursuing his preparatory studies, he taught the first school ever kept in Ryegate, Vt., 1789. He entered Dartmouth College in the autumn of the same year, and graduated at that institution, 1793, with the honor of delivering the Greek oration. It was during his Sophomore year, in the autumn of 1790, that, after a long and painful law-work, as he himself expressed it, " the rebellion of his heart was hopefully conquered, aud grace—free, sovereign grace triumphed."
From this moment his whole soul was set on the work of the ministry, and in October, 1793, immediately after he graduated, lie commenced the study of theol ogy with Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, Mass., and was admitted into his church in May, 1794. The next month, June, 1794, he was licensed to preach by the Mendon Association, and delivered his first sermon at the West Parish, Taunton, Mass. He had a call to settle in Milford. Northampton, Cornish, and Ashby, Mass., but he chose his field of labor among the feeble and destitute churches of the then Province of Maine. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Newcastle, Me., October 7, 1797—at that time a church of three persons only, besides the pastor. The little vine, by God's blessing on his labors, was in creased, not a hundred, but sixty-fold, before the time of his dismission, which was at his own request, in 1824. Several revivals had been enjoyed, particularly one in 1816 and 1817, which was of special power and extent.
After leaving Maine, Mr. Bailey preached two years and a half at Greensboro, Vt., three years and a half at Thornton, N. H., and returned in 1833 and settled on a farm in Hardwick, Vt., where his parents died, and where he chose to close his own earthly pilgrimage. From this time he preached only occasionally in vacant congregations, but kept up his interest in the enterprises of the church, and the objects of reform, till the very close of his earthly career. Few men in the State of Maine have been more extensively engaged in all the benevolent movements of the churches there than Mr. Bailey. He was a Representative from Maine to the Legislature of Massachusetts, in 1819 and 1820 ; a member of the Board of Overseers of Bowdoin College eight or nine years ; acted at the election of the first, second, and third Presidents of the College. He was President of the Maine Missionary Society ; was one of the Board of Trustees; was one of the Trustees of the Maine Charity School, and also Secretary of the same ; he was a Trustee of the Society for Theological Education in Maine, in stituted June 27, 1811, incorporated February 27, 1812, and was its Secretary several years—this was the first Education Society in New England. Mr. Bai ley labored hard, journeyed, wrote, prayed, and supplicated with God and man, and finally merged the Society into the Bangor Institution, which was incorpo rated by the Massachusetts Legislature February 4, 1814. Mr. Bailey was named in the charter as one of the Trustees—was the Secretary for five or six years of the Board of Trustees. He drew up the By-Laws, and did what he could to make it a rich blessing to the church. The leading spirit in the concern, and one who corresponded more, and labored more abundantly than any other man to build it up, lived at Newcastle. His wife, than whom few better or more de voted wonieu have been found in her times, obtained over two thousand dollars, which she paid into the Treasury as a female charity fund.
The Lincoln and Kennebec Religious Tract Society was instituted May, 1802, and printed and distributed about thirty thousand tracts. The work of selecting, preparing, printing, and distributing these tracts, rested very much on Mr. Bailey, as Secretary. The Christian Monitor, a magazine published by the Maine Missionary Society six or seven years, and which did much to promote the cause, rested very much on Mr. Bailey for matter and for distribution, though others were associa ted. For several years, Mr. Bailey was one of the sub-Committee to aid in loca ting and directing the Missionaries sent by the Massachusetts Missionary Society into Maine.
About the year 1802, Mr. Bailey commenced an effort to establish an Academy in Newcastle. As this was to be the Academy for the county, they had powerful competitors. But Mr. Bailey succeeded, and secured an act of incorporation, and a fund of about thirteen thousand dollars for the Lincoln County Academy. Rev. Daniel Haskel, subsequently President of Burlington College, was the first Preceptor, and Rev. Dr. Beman, of Troy, was the second. Rev. Mr. Bailey was Secretary, Treasurer, and Agent of this institution for about twenty years, and when he left Newcastle it was a prosperous school.
In 1794, he married Abigail Goodhue, daughter of Hezekiah, of Newburyport, by whom he had two twin sons, born March 7, 1798, but they both died in their infancy. Mrs. Bailey was early bereft of both parents, but she enjoyed the parental attention and instruction of Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D., and Rev. Dr. Spring, of whose church she was a member ; and on the model of these men her mind was formed. She had a very retentive memory ; a lively, chastened imagination ; an ardent, unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She became a ready writer, and left at her death many volumes of manuscripts, diaries, etc. She loved and read her Bible much ; was a strict observer of the Sabbath, always at meet ing, if possible ; loved to do good ; was active in all benevolent movements, never tired. Her heart was always warm. Her last sickness was short, and she fell asleep in Jesus, most peacefully, on the 18th of March, 1846, at Hardwick, Vt., aged 89 years and 10 months—a superior and very excellent woman.
Rev. Mr. Bailey's published works were, nine single sermons, two doctrinal and two ordination sermons. One at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Spaulding, at Penobscot, and the other of Rev. Mr. Beaman, Portland, Me. A sermon before the Maine Missionary Society, one at the opening of the Lincoln Academy, one on the Evils of War, one on Intemperance, and one against Fashionable Amusements. He edited a reprint of Earles' Sacramental Exerchm, published by Lincoln & Edmunds, Boston, 1813 ; The Preciowmess of Christ—edition, 400 copies: Armstrong, Boston ; Two Worlds Displayed; together with tracts and magazines, etc. In the anti-Masonic contest, 1829, he wrote for the journals more, perhaps, than any other person in New England ; and he was no less zealous in the anti-Slavery cause. In one year he wrote over seventy pieces for the press, and for seven years his communications, many of which appeared in the North Star, would amount to fifty a year.
His own estimate of his multiplied labors was very humble. " If there was any thing of good in them," he remarked, " give God the glory. I have been a poor, miserable, unprofitable servant, and must perish, if God does not have mercy upon me. If saved at all, it must be by grace." Mr. Bailey left in manuscript, a Treatise on Baptism, drawn wholly from the Bible, in four sermons, covering ten sheets, on (1) the import of the institution, (2) the element, (3) how performed, (4) Infant Baptism. This work, he thought, met immersers better than any he had seen. But he could not afford the expense of printing it.
This good man, who had withstood the storms of four score and seven winters, firm as a rock, has at length yielded to the attritions of time, and the year 1857 has witnessed the opening and closing of his grave. As a shock of corn that was ripe in its season, he has been gathered to that upper garner of his heavenly Father, where his rest and joy will be complete.
Contributor: Daniel Hollister (49312256)
"Congregational Yearbook for the Year 1858"...
Died at Hardwick, Vt., August 17, 1S57, aged 87 years. Though a man of some peculiarities, yet he was extensively useful to the church, and his labors deserve to be recorded and remembered with gratitude.
Rev. Kiah Bailey was the second son of Charles and Abigail Bailey, and was born in Brookfield, Mass., West Parish, 11th March, 1770, and was dedicated to God in infancy. He removed with his parents to Haverhill, N. H., 1775, when the country was a wilderness. In 1783, his father removed, with his family, to Newbury, Vt., where he was favored with a common school education, and where he fitted for college, under the instruction of Rev. Jacob Wood, minister of the place. While pursuing his preparatory studies, he taught the first school ever kept in Ryegate, Vt., 1789. He entered Dartmouth College in the autumn of the same year, and graduated at that institution, 1793, with the honor of delivering the Greek oration. It was during his Sophomore year, in the autumn of 1790, that, after a long and painful law-work, as he himself expressed it, " the rebellion of his heart was hopefully conquered, aud grace—free, sovereign grace triumphed."
From this moment his whole soul was set on the work of the ministry, and in October, 1793, immediately after he graduated, lie commenced the study of theol ogy with Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, Mass., and was admitted into his church in May, 1794. The next month, June, 1794, he was licensed to preach by the Mendon Association, and delivered his first sermon at the West Parish, Taunton, Mass. He had a call to settle in Milford. Northampton, Cornish, and Ashby, Mass., but he chose his field of labor among the feeble and destitute churches of the then Province of Maine. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Newcastle, Me., October 7, 1797—at that time a church of three persons only, besides the pastor. The little vine, by God's blessing on his labors, was in creased, not a hundred, but sixty-fold, before the time of his dismission, which was at his own request, in 1824. Several revivals had been enjoyed, particularly one in 1816 and 1817, which was of special power and extent.
After leaving Maine, Mr. Bailey preached two years and a half at Greensboro, Vt., three years and a half at Thornton, N. H., and returned in 1833 and settled on a farm in Hardwick, Vt., where his parents died, and where he chose to close his own earthly pilgrimage. From this time he preached only occasionally in vacant congregations, but kept up his interest in the enterprises of the church, and the objects of reform, till the very close of his earthly career. Few men in the State of Maine have been more extensively engaged in all the benevolent movements of the churches there than Mr. Bailey. He was a Representative from Maine to the Legislature of Massachusetts, in 1819 and 1820 ; a member of the Board of Overseers of Bowdoin College eight or nine years ; acted at the election of the first, second, and third Presidents of the College. He was President of the Maine Missionary Society ; was one of the Board of Trustees; was one of the Trustees of the Maine Charity School, and also Secretary of the same ; he was a Trustee of the Society for Theological Education in Maine, in stituted June 27, 1811, incorporated February 27, 1812, and was its Secretary several years—this was the first Education Society in New England. Mr. Bai ley labored hard, journeyed, wrote, prayed, and supplicated with God and man, and finally merged the Society into the Bangor Institution, which was incorpo rated by the Massachusetts Legislature February 4, 1814. Mr. Bailey was named in the charter as one of the Trustees—was the Secretary for five or six years of the Board of Trustees. He drew up the By-Laws, and did what he could to make it a rich blessing to the church. The leading spirit in the concern, and one who corresponded more, and labored more abundantly than any other man to build it up, lived at Newcastle. His wife, than whom few better or more de voted wonieu have been found in her times, obtained over two thousand dollars, which she paid into the Treasury as a female charity fund.
The Lincoln and Kennebec Religious Tract Society was instituted May, 1802, and printed and distributed about thirty thousand tracts. The work of selecting, preparing, printing, and distributing these tracts, rested very much on Mr. Bailey, as Secretary. The Christian Monitor, a magazine published by the Maine Missionary Society six or seven years, and which did much to promote the cause, rested very much on Mr. Bailey for matter and for distribution, though others were associa ted. For several years, Mr. Bailey was one of the sub-Committee to aid in loca ting and directing the Missionaries sent by the Massachusetts Missionary Society into Maine.
About the year 1802, Mr. Bailey commenced an effort to establish an Academy in Newcastle. As this was to be the Academy for the county, they had powerful competitors. But Mr. Bailey succeeded, and secured an act of incorporation, and a fund of about thirteen thousand dollars for the Lincoln County Academy. Rev. Daniel Haskel, subsequently President of Burlington College, was the first Preceptor, and Rev. Dr. Beman, of Troy, was the second. Rev. Mr. Bailey was Secretary, Treasurer, and Agent of this institution for about twenty years, and when he left Newcastle it was a prosperous school.
In 1794, he married Abigail Goodhue, daughter of Hezekiah, of Newburyport, by whom he had two twin sons, born March 7, 1798, but they both died in their infancy. Mrs. Bailey was early bereft of both parents, but she enjoyed the parental attention and instruction of Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D., and Rev. Dr. Spring, of whose church she was a member ; and on the model of these men her mind was formed. She had a very retentive memory ; a lively, chastened imagination ; an ardent, unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She became a ready writer, and left at her death many volumes of manuscripts, diaries, etc. She loved and read her Bible much ; was a strict observer of the Sabbath, always at meet ing, if possible ; loved to do good ; was active in all benevolent movements, never tired. Her heart was always warm. Her last sickness was short, and she fell asleep in Jesus, most peacefully, on the 18th of March, 1846, at Hardwick, Vt., aged 89 years and 10 months—a superior and very excellent woman.
Rev. Mr. Bailey's published works were, nine single sermons, two doctrinal and two ordination sermons. One at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Spaulding, at Penobscot, and the other of Rev. Mr. Beaman, Portland, Me. A sermon before the Maine Missionary Society, one at the opening of the Lincoln Academy, one on the Evils of War, one on Intemperance, and one against Fashionable Amusements. He edited a reprint of Earles' Sacramental Exerchm, published by Lincoln & Edmunds, Boston, 1813 ; The Preciowmess of Christ—edition, 400 copies: Armstrong, Boston ; Two Worlds Displayed; together with tracts and magazines, etc. In the anti-Masonic contest, 1829, he wrote for the journals more, perhaps, than any other person in New England ; and he was no less zealous in the anti-Slavery cause. In one year he wrote over seventy pieces for the press, and for seven years his communications, many of which appeared in the North Star, would amount to fifty a year.
His own estimate of his multiplied labors was very humble. " If there was any thing of good in them," he remarked, " give God the glory. I have been a poor, miserable, unprofitable servant, and must perish, if God does not have mercy upon me. If saved at all, it must be by grace." Mr. Bailey left in manuscript, a Treatise on Baptism, drawn wholly from the Bible, in four sermons, covering ten sheets, on (1) the import of the institution, (2) the element, (3) how performed, (4) Infant Baptism. This work, he thought, met immersers better than any he had seen. But he could not afford the expense of printing it.
This good man, who had withstood the storms of four score and seven winters, firm as a rock, has at length yielded to the attritions of time, and the year 1857 has witnessed the opening and closing of his grave. As a shock of corn that was ripe in its season, he has been gathered to that upper garner of his heavenly Father, where his rest and joy will be complete.
Contributor: Daniel Hollister (49312256)
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