The Republican journal., 1892-09-08
The Good Will Home.

few days since the writer OF tnlS ar
ticle had the privilege of visiting one of
the most interesting and deserving institu-
| Home for needy and deserving boys at
East Fairfield. Maine This institution at
present consists of three cottages, which
are the homes of thirty-seven boys from
seven to fourteen years Of age, small hall
with a seating capacity of about sixty,
and a fourth cottage, which has recently
been purchased, and is being fitted for a
temporary school building. The farm up
on which these buildings are located con-
uains about two hundred acres of land "
ing along the west bank of the kennebec
atfording charming view of the river for
a mile or two in either direction. The
Skowhegan branch of the Maine Central
wishing to visit this interesting place will
be left by an obliging conductor directly
in front of Good VIII cottage, where he
will be cordially welcomed by the super
visor, Rev. G. W. Hinckley.
This institution had its conception in
the mind of Mr.. Hinckley. or rather in his
heart, for there the seed was planted in
early boyhootl, when, in his effort to OBJ
tain an education. he had a fierce struggle
with poverty and the purpose was inspr-
ed within him to lend a helping hand to
needy boys like himself just so soon as
he should become a man and possess the
means for doing SO. This purpose. born
lied when, after paying the last dollar
OF tie debt which he had incurred for his
education. Mr. Hinckley was able on the
18th day of November 1851, to make his
first deposit Of SO. 0> in the Bangor Say
ings bank toward his home for boys.
1t is impossible in this short article to
give a history Of the growth of this insti-
tuition from this small beginning. and re-
late how the fund rapidly increased
through the generous donations of those
interested in such work. until on June LIST,
1858. MI. Hinckley was able to buy the
farm and pay down every dollar Of the
price agreed upon: how from time to time
generous gifts have made possible the
erection of a barn, new cottage, and the
purchase of two other cottages: until now
thirty boys have a happy Christian
home who We're only a short time ago.
"a, Il,
in dry goods boxes, and some of them in
homes where they suffered neglect and
abuse. But should any of our readers
visit these homes as the writer did YOU
would find many things to interest you.
For instance, you would see a nice farm
under good state of cultivation. upon
which all the boys tind ample opportunity
fol hcalthtul exercise, ion each one is eX-
pccted to have some part in the work: YOU
would see these neatly kept cottages. over
each OF which an experienced ~ atron
presides; you would See Il library Of about
two thousand choice volumes, the GIFT of
friends in this and Other States and you
would also see evidences that this institu-
ton lies close to the hearts of many people,
not only in Maine, but in other New Eng
furnished by "Good Will clubs,' churches
and individuals throughout New England
| was particularly interested in one
room To which | was sho wn, as | was in
formed by the Supervisor that it was furn-
ished by one of our Belfast ladies' Mrs.
SpencerW W. Mathews, and perhaps may be
pardoned if | repeat what was told me
there, that the money used to furnish the
room belonged to a little son of the donor,
who died number of years ago, and she,
wishing it to be where it would do some
good, placed it here that it might help
some poor boy to home who otherwise
might not have one.
But above all. | was interested in seeing
those thirty seven happy boys, with their
bright and intelligent faces. who are be-
ing trained for future usefulness in the
various walks Of life. some upon the farm
some in the shop. and some in the learned
professions, for four have already begun
course of study preparatory to entering
college. 1t may be added that this is an
entirely unsectarian institution. as YOU
may infer from the fact that the Maine
State Union of the y. P. s. C. E. at the
convention in Bangor appointed COM
mittee to secure funds for the erection of
another cottage. and also the New Eng
land Association of Commercial travellers
recently voted to erect an industrial build
ing upon the farm at cost of ten thou
sand dollars. Surely such work ought to
receive the help and God-speed of every
one, for she that hath pity on the poor
lendeth to the Lord and he that lend
eth helping hand to needy and imperil-
ed boyhood is doing far greater work
than this, work whose results no man
can measure. If enough has been said
to excite the interest of those who shall
read these lines on this deserving institu-
ton the writer will feel satisfied.
J. F. L.
BuCklen's Arnica Salye.
REsT i'm ba G,,%c