Marsh, William (2)

Marsh, William (2), a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Orono, Me., May 4, 1789; was converted when about fifteen years old; began preaching before he was twenty-one years of age, at one time assisting the preacher in charge of a circuit which included the present Dresden charge. In 1811 Marsh joined the New England Conference; was ordained deacon in 1813, and elder in 1815. His appointments were as follows: 1811, Durham, Me.; 1812, East Greenwich, R. I.; 1813, New London; 1814, Bristol; 1815, Tolland, Conn.; 1816, Nantucket, Mass.; 1817, Lynn; in 1818 he appears to have been sent to Bath, but for some reason now unknown he spent most of that year in Orrington. In 1820 he was superannuated, and from 1821 to 1828 he was located and resided in Orrington, where he labored as he was able. In 1829, at the earnest request of the Church at Hampden, he again entered the itinerancy, and was stationed with them. A powerful revival was the result, the people coming miles to the meeting, and, being converted, returning to their homes to scatter the hallowed influence in regions beyond. In 1830-31 he presided on. Penobscot District; in 1832 was stationed at Houlton. From 1833-37 he was forced by continued ill health to take a superannuated relation, and retire from active duty. In 1838 lie was made effective, and stationed at Lincoln; 1839, at Monroe; 1840, at Frankfort; 1841, superannuated; 1842, was effective, and stationed at Cherryfield; 1843, at Eddingtln; 1844, again superannuated. In 1845 we find him again effective, and presiding elder of Bangor District; 1846-47, on Portland District; 1848, Bangor District; 1849, superannuated; 1850, effective, and stationed at Oldtown; 1851-53, superannuated; 1854-55, effective, and stationed at Orrington Centre; 1856-57, at South Orrington, after which he never sustained an effective relation. He died Aug. 26, 1865. "Father Marsh possessed great natural abilities. As he had clear perception, good judgment, was apt in illustration, graphic in description, and ready with appropriate language, he could not fail to be an able and effective speaker. It is true that his early educational advantages were not great, nor could we speak of him as a critical scholar; yet, in the best sense of the term, he was learned ... He has been justly styled a model in the social relations. His religious experience was deep, his affections centered on God. As a preacher, in his prime, he had few equals. He seemed at times to entirely command the thought and feelings of his hearers, yet was this almost unbounded influence entirely consecrated to Christ, and used to promote his glory and the salvation of men. It is needless to add that under such a ministry many were converted." See Conference Minutes, 1866, p. 110.