Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-15
ST. CATHARINE6.
An Abstract Of tho Report OF the
Trustees.

From the report of the Trustees of St.
Catharines we learn that the whole number
of boartiers were p, average number %:
whole number of day pupils IA, average num-
Der IL; special pupils in art and music To-
total 81 Various gifts to the Hall and kindly
interest shown in its work by friends beyond
the limits of the diocese, especially the Rev.
Mr.. Renouf and Mrs. Renouf of Keene, N.
H.. and the Rev. A. c. A. Hall of Boston,
are here gratefully recorded.
The resolutions pertaining to the resigna-
ton of Rev. w. D. Martin and Miss Emile
Huntley speak most highly of the services
they have rendered the institution. In Sep
TENDER the school will enter upon its third
decade of existence. The report then, briefly
recounts some facts concerning the schools
history and iss work during the first twenty
years just closing.
As regards the influence of St. Catharine's
on the formation of Christian character and
those who are acquainted with its former
pupils and graduates can speak with mucl,
confidence. The mere record that FLYNN
have been confirmed during their residence
in the Hall by no means tells the whole story
of its good work or of the wide reaching in
Auence that has gone steadily out from its
walls, and is seen today in the formation and
strengthening of Church life and Christian
character in many places in the diocese and
beyond it. Surely such work in the past af
fords strong plea for more vigorous sup
port of the school for the future.
1t is sometimes asked, "Why is St. Catha-
rine's always in debit" The simple reply 10
that it has never been generously or even
fairly treated by the diocese generally. In
dividual churchmen in Augusta and friends
of the Hall elsewhere have been munifcent
in their gifts, but as whole the diocese has
not done its duty in giving the necessary aid
to an institution which meant to benefit every
part of it.
The following facts ought to be remem-
bered iu this connection. The corporate
property, consisting of eight acres of land
with school buildings and chapel, furnished,
and supplied with steam, gas, and abundant
water, have cost. from 1868 to date, about
S35. 1870. The total gifts to the school dur
ing the same period have only reached about
S31 1852; while of this sum about SlS 900
have been contributed by persons beyond the
bonds of the diocese, $4,000 by churchmen
in Augusta, $4,000 RENTED on their
mortgage by the Augusta Bank, and only
about 80. 100 by churchmen in all the rest of
Maine that is the aggregate Of all donations
has been less by a. 900 than the total cost
of the corporate property.
But this is not all. During the past TWEEN
ty years the Hall has paid the enormous
cum of $4,000 in interest Thus if the
school had done nothing but pay its current
expenses (Which is more than is expected of
any similar institution aiming to give first
rate education at price within reach of per-
sons of moderate means), then the school
ought to be in debt to-day $4,000. The
actual debt, however, 10 only about 8l2 500.
Assuming, then, that the normal condition
of such an institution is to have its real estate
aud equipments ~ freehold. this statement
shows conclusively that so far from running
in debt the Hall has actually paid about
S6 500 profit, which. but for ito original in
cumbrance, would have been available for
endowment or the enlargement of ito scope of
usefulness.
The trustees most earnestly urge upon the
diocese the scheme now proposed by be
Bishop for the raising of at least $1,000 each
wear for the reduction of the debt.