The following information was transcribed from NB Archives film Number F961 topic is "History of Campobello Free Baptists". This information was first published in the Saint Croix Courier in September and October 1967, in three parts. This section was published October 5 1967. The series was written by Dr. Charles M. Smith.

Note: Some of the film was very hard to read due to dark copies of the original article and overlapping. As a result, there may be a number of words missing and indicated by ----. Transcribed and converted to html by Heather Waddingham, with permission of the Saint Croix Courier. )

History of Campobello Free Baptists Part 4

Rev. Joshua N. Barnes

1885-1888

The year 1885 marks a turning point in the uncertain history of the Wilson's Beach Baptist Church - for it was in the summer of this year that the Seventh District District meetings were held (with a revival resulting) and a permanent Pastor at long last was found - Rev. Joshua N. Barnes. In his autobiography "Lights and Shadows of Eighty Years" 1911, Rev. Barnes portrays with vivid clarity and tender meaning how it happened that he came to Campobello. In August, 1885 with the District meetings opening it appears that under the chairmanship of Rev. Babcock and with many outstanding preachers arriving, a revival began to flourish. Matters of denominational business were given little place and one report has it, "the close of every service (saw) many souls at the altar." Active among these ministers were Rev. G. A. Hartley of Saint John fame, Rev. J. T. Parsons, and Rev. Barnes. So feverent were the messages and so responsive were the people that Rev. Hartley asked if "one brethern would remain for a season." Mr. Barnes decide to stay. The "first sabbath after the District meetings 18 were baptized 22 on the second, and 20 on the third" - 60 in three weeks. The Church hereupon took immediate steps to call Mr Barnes as Pastor. Additions continued throughout the fall and winter. At about this time Mr. George R. Tinker was appointed Clerk of the Church - and his are the first available records in the Church. Mr. Tinker's commentary on these meetings is unique:

"August 15, 1885. When our District Meetings commenced the brethern were low in their minds or religious feeling but when the ministers and brethern came the Lord Jesus came with then and blest their labours and His work commenced and (there) was a great revival. We received Brother Barnes as our Pastor ... and we were blessed and sinners were converted and baptized and added to the Church."

Mr. Barnes' ministry increased in fervor and extent - to include Deer Island and Indian Island. In fact it was mainly through his influence (aided by Rev. Hartley of Carleton Church Saint John); that the Christian Church at Chocolate Cove finally united with the "Free Baptist General Conference of New Brunswick." However, most of his efforts were spent on Campobello. His first two years were especially blessed with revivals recurring. In 1887 twenty three were taken into the Church. His third and final year however was less fruitful and somwhat hurt by sorrows. His pastorate was terminated in October 1888. In subsequent years he revisited Campobello, once calling upon his old time friend "Brother Galley". Again, in 1911 he happened to be sailing by the island where word reached him of the passing of his beloved friend Deacon Charles Savage. He went ashore, visited the home where this sorrow had come. In tribute of Mr. Savage, Rev. Barnes wrote: " one of God's men, a sincere Christian and a true friend and a real Brother."

Mr. Barnes was born on June 7, 1830 at Long Beach, NB. He was ordained August 6 1856; married three times; held nineteen pastorates (which included 52 churches) in 50 years, in a ministery that covered Maine and New Brunswick. A great deal of his service was rendered (back in the 1860's to the 1880's) on Grand Manan - mainly with the Seal Cove and Grand Harbour Churches. In his book he speaks affectionately on such noted ministers as "Bro. Doucette and Br. Taylor" as well as of Rev. Benjamin H. Nobles who did evangelestic work at Wilson's Beach, Campobello."

The following is a partial list (from local church records) of those who were baptized and "added to the church" in 1885:

Amos Newman, Simon Wilson, Edgar Anthony, Mr. and Mrs. John Babcock, Mrs. William Ludlow, Mrs. Wm. Newman, Mr. and Mrs. Beverley Lank, Miss Hattie Tinker, Wilcock Sirles, Mrs. Wm Newman, Mrs. Guilford Babcock, Simon Newman, John Mariner Calder, Ethelbert Savage, George Newman, and Vlarnace Phinney.

Others taken into the church during Mr. Barnes ministry included:

Andrew Peters, Howard Jackson, George Kirkpatrick, Miss Blanche Tinker, Jn. D. Small, Mrs. Erman Henderson, Mrs. Aldine Mitchell, Miss Cynthia Bassett, Miss Josie Henderson, Mrs. Jn Small, Clement Seeley and Roscoe Matthews.

These names are shared as most are well known to living generations and are highly revered and often mentioned in the on-going life of the Church.

In 1889 Rev. G. F. Currie was called to the pastorate but apparently his ministry was only for one year as the 1890 records of the District show no pastoral coverage by the summer of that year - in fact there have been found no firm records of any permanent Pastor until some time in 1895 with the coming of Rev. Daggett. Following Rev. Currie's brief ministry the pulpit was occupied by Rev. Obed N. Mott as Supply Pastor commuting from his residence at Big Cove, Queen's County. Records have it that Mr. Mott "spent half his time pastoring at Wilson's Beach" during the year 1891. His ministry may have continued into 1892 but from this time until 1895 there are no dependable records of Pastorates. Possibly Rev. John Perry pastored in the Church during this period or earlier.

On March 7, 1894, Mr. George Tinker resigned as Church Clerk and was succeeded by Mr. Ethelbert Savage - and which office he held until his death, August 15 1922. Also in 1894 Mr. John A. Newman was appointed as Deacon, and Beverley Lank, Ethelbert Savage and Charles Newman were appointed as trustees.

In the late winter nand spring of 1895 the Rev. J. Bolon Daggett, of North Head, Grand Manan, came to Campobello for special meetings - and a revival resulted in 37 conversions in the months of March and April a few of whom remain even to this writing (1967). Apparently after these services Mr. Daggett was called to the Church where he remained for about a year and a half preaching at North Road as well. Denominational files show that he went from Wilson's Beach to Harland some time late in 1896. The years 1897-1899 are scanty in information; there is one unconfirmed note to the effect that Rev. B. H. Nobles preached at Wilson's Beach in 1899, holding revival services at that time.

The summer of 1900 the Church was "supplied by Lic. Saunders"; but in the fall, Rev. Adelbert Prosser must have arrived as the records of 1903 show that, upon his resignation in the year he had "completed three years of successful work on Campobello." In 1901 there was a fine report on "the building of the new Parsonage"; and of the year 1902 we read that the Church was "in good condition; the prayer meetings well sustained except in the summer."

Mr. Prosser was a useful and popular pastor and gave himself fully to the Church and Community. He was prominent in one of the local lodges, he assisted in the development of some "night school classes" in the local grade school; and was generally helpful in the total life of the parish.Mr. Prosser went to the "Hartland-Brighton" pastorate from Wilson's Beach.

In 1903 Rev. O. N. Mott arrived at Wilson's Beach on what may be considered his second ministry - this time living on the field. Mr. Mott remained about two years. Apparently it was during or near the close of Mr. Mott's Pastorate that the Campobello Churches were taken in to the "Maritime United Baptist Convention" (Formed 1905-1906) thus dissolving the older denomination of the "Free Baptists of New Brunswick". The year 1905 therefore was one of crisis and of significant history. Doubtless many were confused and apprehensive; others were hopeful and approving; while others were passive or little indifferent. This is generally the case in any major change or undertaking; and we may well suppose that Mr. Mott (along with all "Free Baptists" pastors at that time) was busy guiding his flock in this very uncertain year; But God was guiding, also, and the work at Campobello went forward.

Rev. William Henry Perry

(1905-1908)

At this strategic hour (1905) in the history f the "Maritime" Baptists Rev. W. H. Perry took up the pastorate at Wilson's Beach. He was the second "Perry" to minister in the Church - John Perry (believed to be an uncle to William) having served some ten or twelve years earlier; nor was he to be the last one; his brother Samuel was to follow in 1912.

Perhaps a word could be entered here on the Perry family. William was one of seven children (five boys and three girls). Three of the boys became ministers. From a news article on this Mother's death, Jan 3, 1907, the following record is drawn:

"Mary J. Perry, widow of Gilbert Perry leaves five sons and two daughters; Rev. W. H. Perry of Wilson's Beach, Campobello, Rev. Samuel J. Perry of Parkindale, Albert County, Rev. Abram Perry of Norton, George A. Perry at home; Mrs. James A. Thorne of Havelock, Mrs. James A Thorne of Havelock, Mrs. Solomon McLean of Mt. Middleton."

Rev. William Perry was a vigrous "hell-fire and brimstone" minister and he proclaimed his Lord's message as a thunderous prophet warning his people of judgement to come. His penetrating pronouncements are remembered to this day. He held forth the World of Life until his death in 1908 while still ministering the flock of God at Wilson's Beach; his grave is seen in the little cemetery not far from the Church where he lived and stirred and served. He was only 58 years of age when he was taken in the height of his usefulness, June 26, 1908."

At the time Rev. Perry came to Campobello (1905) Deacon George Newman was Superintendant of the Sunday School - an office he had held (at the time of his death) for over half a century: Ethelbert Savage was then Clerk of the Church: Charles Newman was a member of the Board of Trustees: and Charles Savage was a prominent member of the Board of Deacons which office he had held for 48 years at the time of his death. Deacon Savage was born December 4, 1828: joined the Church in 1853: was appointed Deacon in 1863: and passed to his high reward in 1911. Many of the Pastors and other ministers made his home their place of study and even residence on occassions.

Following Rev. William Perry there was a period of about a year that theChurch was without a Pastor, however it is believed that about this time a Rev. Dunfield supplied; and he was followed by Rev. Allen Williams - whose ministry lasted only about a year. Rev. K. M. Vallis came around 1910 and served about two years; he is reported to have been a "very able preacher."

Go to Part 5 of History of Campobello Free Baptists
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