News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1893-02-16
Origin of Good VIII Farm"

L
Mr. Editor:-
Having recently seen in the NEWS
AND CITIZEN, as well as in several
other papers, references to a GOOD
Will Farm in Maine, that seemed tC
convey The impression that it was a
semi-penal institution, a sort of a
reform school in embryo, | thought
perhaps a little account of it's pur-
poses would prove interesting to
your readers.
So far as have been able to learn
the originator of the enterprise was
Rev. G. W. Hinkley, it's present man
eyer, Baptist minister, who was
impressed with desire to do some
thing for boys, and particularly for
boys who grow up in towns and cit
les without the benefits of good home
training. A large field surely this
for a poor young man this was be-
fore he commenced to preach), the
results of whose labor barely pro-
vided for the wants of those depend
ent on him. But, try to escape from
it as he might, the truth seemed to
be ever present that something must
be done, and he began by aiding
them all he could and solemnly con-
secrating himself to the work for
them.
First, a small amount of money
came to him from an unexpected
quarter and one boy-and he the
toughest, poorest, and apparently
the most hopeless of his class; but
not criminal (at least so far as the
law VENT, and was taken into his
own family and cared for one year,
with the best results.
More means came, soon after Mr..
Hinkley began his ministry, and
other boys we're taken and cared for.
Still more contributions and more
boys came, until he found that the
parish or the boys must go; and it
did not take him long to decide
which it should be, devoting himself
entirely to the work of saving boys.
At first he used temporary quar-
tiers, but He who said ''the silver and
the gold are mine" was watching
His servant, funds for permanent
home beginning to come in, and
after careful elaboration a farm was
purchased, the house altered, to fit
it for it's new use, and the good man,
his wife, and fifteen boys formed the
first household for Good Will
Farm"
From the first the work prospered.
and great physical, mental and
moral Improvement manifested itself
in the boys. They learned to be
busy, though not overworkPd, either
in body or mind, and the active
spirits who had, many of them, been
the terror of their respective neigh
borhoods, being turned into right
channels without being crushed, made
them useful and respected, many OF
them after living on the farm for a
time having found good homes else
where, with all the comforts that the
word home implies.
Soon the family was crowded, and
still there were more that needed its
aid. A single notice that a new cot,
tage was needed was given and some
of the stewards" were found ready
to respond to the call Consequent
ly in little while a second, and later
a third family, each with it's fifteer
boys, was organized on the farm
but all under the guidance of the
founder.
A chapel has been built in the same
way. An industrial building for in
struction in various trades being
found necessary the Maine CONNER
cial Travellers Association has taker
upon itself the raising of the funds
for the same, and will doubtless b'
erected the coming summer.
No great gifts have been received
but from various sources the funds
have come as needed. Not all il
money, but some furniture, food anC
various other needed things for tn
prosperity of the home.
Not every boy has been of the sor
to be benefited or kept from evi
ways by the work, but the great ma
iority have, and the farm has success
fully passed the experimental stages
What has been the secret of sue
cess? / answer: Thorough consecra
ton to the work, thorough love TO
the boys, and ability, many times
to see through the uncompromisinI
exterior the possibilities Within
strong desire for the soul manifestinI
itself in care for the body as well.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hinkley are ais
among those who can enter int
sympathy with the lives of thOs
under their care, having learned tn
great secret of putting yourself il
his place" which is of untold benefit
Still to my mind the great secret j
Inasmuch as ye have done it unit
one of the least of these, We have don
it unto Me-"
| trust it is not necessary for m
to say that there is no sectaria-
spirit entering into this work; it i
largely and broadly Christian in a
its aspects, and those belonging t.
all churches, and many who belon
to none, are supporting it.
Would not something in the sam
line be beneficial in other states a
we'll as in Maine ?-Of course to h
| varied as circumstances indicate
OF course, a work not tOreform Grim
mails. but to save the boys from be