METHODISM IN PORTSMOUTH. 235
wife of Rev. Samuel Kelley, who is always remembered with affection. Jacob Sanborn "belonged to the heroic age of N. E. Methodism, and was a hero among the moral heroes of that time." He was eminently a good pastor, a powerful preacher, and deserved the excellent reputation which he won by his laborious and faithful services.
Rev. Enoch Mudge, born in Lynn, Mass., June 21, 1776, died April 2, 1850, aged 74 years. He has the distinction of being on record as the first native of New England who became a minister of the M. E. Church. He entered the ministry in 1793 in the 18th year of his age, having previously been active as a class leader, exhorter, and local preacher. In 1844 Mr. Mudge retired from effective work, after a long, faithful and most acceptable service, greatly beloved and highly esteemed for his ability, zeal, constancy and piety. The name of Mudge, the heavenly-minded, is precious to the church, and will continue as fragrant as oil poured forth. In relation to Portsmouth, where he was stationed in 1821-22, he wrote, "I spent two years in a pleasant and comfortable manner, and left the church in peace." The Portsmouth Directory, of 1821, gives, "Methodist Church. Methodist lane, leading from Vaughan street, Rev. Enoch Mudge, pastor, house, Islington street. John Oxford, jr., sexton."
Rev. Benjamin Ray Hoyt was born in Braintree, Mass., June 6, 1789; died at Windham, N. H., October 3, 1872. He was licensed as an exhorter in 1807 became a preacher in 1808; and united with the N. E. Conference in 1809. He was forty-six years in effective service and sixty-five years a minister of the M. E. church. He served nineteen years as Presiding Elder to great acceptance, and twenty-seven years as pastor. He was several times honored by his brethren in being elected a delegate to the General Conference. He was interested in promoting the cause of Christian education, and was one of the founders and a trustee of the Wesleyan University, and also of the Newbury Seminary. "He was a ready and eloquent speaker, and, in his prime, was a man of power in the pulpit, drawing crowds wherever he preached." His son, Rev. Dr. Francis S. Hoyt, editor of the Western Christian Advocate, was born in 1823, and has occupied important positions in the literary institutions of the church and the editorial profession. Another son, Albert H. Hoyt, Esq., a lawyer by profession, was, for a time, a resident of Portsmouth, where he is well and favorably known.
Rev. Ephraim Wiley commenced preaching in 1814, and was admitted to the N. E. Conference in 1818. He was popular and successful as a preacher, a sweet singer, and a ready, fluent and pleasant speaker." His labors were greatly blessed and always acceptable. He was connected during his ministerial career with the New England, Maine, and East Maine Conferences, and died at Jackson, Louisiana, Sept. 30, 1864. aged 76, at the residence of his son, Professor George H. Wiley of Centenary College.
Rev. Shipley Wells Wilson joined the New England Conference in 1813, and became one of its leading members. His talents were respectable, but not especially attractive in the pulpit. He was well informed, had some reputation as a writer, and in 1832-3 edited Zion's Herald. He received thirty appointments, the last being East Cambridge, Mass., where several of his brethren took exception to his policy of inviting some of the unevangelical to unite with him in religious services on certain public occasions, which resulted in his withdrawing from the Methodist Episcopal church in 1843, and uniting with the Protestant Episcopal church. He possessed a good spirit, loved the brethren, and died in peace.
Rev. Wilbur Fiske. d. d., who preached the dedication sermon of the State street M. E. church, Portsmouth,
