History of Rev Samuel Hidden

He preached his first sermon to Rev. Mr. Smith's congregation and is related to have made the whole congregation weep profusely. While he remained in Gilmanton he preached occasionally in various parts of the town, generally however, at the house of Philbrick Rand, in that part of the town now called Gilford.

Such was Mr. Hidden's character and the estimation in which he was held towards the latter part of December, 1791, when after having spent most of one night in meditation and prayer for God's direction in his future course, he fell asleep and dreamed that two men called on him to employ him to preach,

and he complied. He recollected distinctly the circumstances of the place and the character of the people. This dream made a deep impression upon his mind; he regarded it as an intimation from God. About this time at a special meeting of the town in Tamworth a committee was chosen to procure preaching and this committee, having heard of Mr. Hidden by means of the Hon. Thomas

Cogswell of Gilmanton, who had now become an extensive land-holder in Tamworth, proceeded directly to Gilmanton to secure his services. He consented to return with them. On arriving in Tamworth every thing appeared natural; the situation of the place, the character of the people, all corresponded with his dream.

He arrived in Tamworth on Saturday and preached the next day, being the fifteenth of January, 1792, in Mr. William Eastman's dwelling house. He preached in the forenoon from Acts 10: 29. "Therefore came I unto you

without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? "In the afternoon he preached from John 1:13."Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Previous to this many were prejudiced against a "College learned man" and " resolved not to like him." The wife of Mr. William Eastman, when she saw him coming, said, "she had as lief see the Devil," though she was ever after

his warmest friend. Mr. Hidden at once gained the admiration of every hearer. All were enthusiastic in his praise. This was a new epoch in his life. The town was sparsedly settled and the inhabitants were rudely dressed and more rude in manners.

Mr. Hidden was married Nov. 29, 1792, to Miss Betsy Price, daughter of Mr. William Price of Gilmanton. The town, as stipulated, had erected him a house and finished a part of it. They welcomed his bride, with great cordiality. The intercourse between his family and the inhabitants was of a character adapted to improvement. It was open, free, confiding. There was no restraint. His house was open for the reception of his parishoners at all hours of the day. This gave him an opportunity to know his people and their wants. On this account he was always fortunate in the selection of subjects for his sermons. Never was man more skilful in adapting his sermons to the occasion and circumstance. This was owing to great familiarity with men and things. From his earliest youth he had accurately studied human nature. He saw through men. He could construe them, analyze them. This made him superior to others. His people felt it, and sought his counsel on all occasions. His opinion was law in matters spiritual and temporal.

Not only in his own town did he thus preach, but as we have elsewhere stated, in other towns, — Eaton, Ossipee, Newfield, Effingham, Parsonsfield, and Sandwich. The distance being great, much time was spent in traveling to, and from these places; but he cheerfully preached to them Christ and him crucified. He was the spiritual teacher of all that region.

In addition to these are his funeral sermons. It was his invariable practice to

preach a sermon at every funeral he attended, and these were numerous. He has left on record between six and seven hundred at which he preached and these were all in his own town, while he attended nearly as many in neighboring towns. He went sometimes twenty miles to preach on these occasions.

Such were Mr. Hidden's public labors. Allowing five sermons a week, he preached in each year 260 sermons. Thus in forty-five years, he must have preached 11,700. Add to these, one thousand funeral sermons and it amounts to 12,700! This is a low estimate, incredible as it may seem to some.

He devoted much time to the instruction of youth, in all the branches of education. He examined all the teachers of the town. Revisited generally; all the schools at least twice in a year, sometimes four times. He taught many singing schools, and devoted much time to Sabbath school instruction. He was present at all conferences, associations, and many ordinations and protracted meetings in which his voice was always heard and his tears always seen.

Mr. Hidden had now (1832,) arrived at the age of seventy-two, and had labored

forty years as a preacher of the gospel. He found Tamworth a wilderness, containing but forty legal voters, (one having died); destitute of a church and house of worship. Under his influence a church was formed, and a convenient house of prayer erected, (the temporary pulpit of which he, with his own hands, constructed in a few hours,) education advanced and the town increased in population. He became the beloved of all and the prime mover of every moral and religious enterprise. Great success attended his labors. The revival of 1800 was a signal display of divine mercy, which brought into the church those who were his support through the subsequent years of his eventful life. After this showers of grace were frequent and copious.

He now looked back upon the church, reared and cherished by his efforts and

prayers, with deep interest. Those who welcomed him in 1792, and encouraged him amidst all his labors and trials were now silent in their graves.

After a short sleep he awoke exclaiming, " Victory ! Glory ! He comes ! He comes!" He then commenced singing. Just before his death he said to his eldest son, " Just draw back the veil, and I am there, and while the words, " Angels, roll the rock away, Death yield up the mighty prey," escaped his lips, the spirit took its triumphant flight to heaven, February 13, at one o'clock in the  morning.

On the following Wednesday, the funeral services were attended by a large concourse of people. Rev. Mr. Dodge of Moultonborough preached on the occasion. His body was interred in the burying ground near the meeting-house,

amidst the great congregation of the dead, whom he had seen there consigned.

A monument was erected, partly by the Church and partly by his eldest son, consisting of a slab of white marble, mounted upon six granite pillars, bearing the following inscription:

"Rev. Samuel Hidden, died Feb. 13, 1837, aged 77 years, and in the 46 year of his ministry. He was born at Rowley, Mass. Feb. 22, 1760. Graduated at Dartmouth College in August, and licensed to preach in Oct. 1791. Ordained upon a rock. Pastor of the Congregational Church in Tamworth, to which were added during his ministry 503. As a Christian, he was meek and humble, active, faithful, and devoted, with a heart and hand of expansive benevolence and hospitality. He was a pattern of literature, the friend and instructor of youth, and through life a distinguished lover of sacred music. In preaching the gospel his promptness, zeal, plainness, happy illustrations, and meltings of his heart for immortal souls rendered him beloved and respected by all. His long day was literally and cheerfully spent in the service of his Lord and Master, and the hope of being soon with his Saviour God, inspired his triumphant exclamation in death, " Just draw back the veil, and I am there," and tuned his enchanting lyre for his last song, "Angels, roll the rock away, Death yield up thy mighty prey." Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection."