The Portland daily press., 1894-03-14
A Sketch of Good win Farm.
the Editor of The Press.

L o the Edtt0f OF Inc ETeSS-
In view of the fact that the proceeds to
the Christian Endeavor Local Union,
derived from the lecture to be given by
Rev.F. T.. Clark, at City hall next Thurs
day evening, are to be devoted entirely
to the expenses of erecting "EndeaVor
Cottage" at Good Will Farm, | judged 1t
might be of interest to the public. who
by their attendance on the lecture, by so
much, aid the work at Good Will Farm,
to know somewhat of its history. L have
accordingly obtained from Rev. u. W.
Hinckley, who conceived the work, the
following brief sketch which I trust you
Will find room for in your columns. Mr..
Hinckley writes:
Several years ago | began collecting
money for the relief of needy and I'M
perllled boys. Sunday school classes also
aided me by organizing, calling them
selves GOOD VIII Clubs" In June, 1852,
a farm OF 1875 acres was purchase at Fair
field, and in honor of the clubs was
called Good Will Farm. By subsequent
purchases the farm has been enlarged
until it comprises 205 acres.
The plan of the work is series OF
cottages, each accommodating family
of fifteen boys, who are cared for by a
matron. The home life and family spirit
are thus preserved. This system mas
proved very successful.
The first cottage was named Good Wlll
Cottage. and was dedicated Septem per
l. 1880 This was followed by the
dedication of Golden Rule Cottage sep
temb 1, 1891, Prospect Cottage Septem-
Der 1, 1892, Bailey and F9gg Goteages
Sentem Der 1, 1858. AT the Christian En-
deayor State convention at Bangor IN
1892. the societies throughout the state
voted TO build a cottage to be known as
Endeavor Cottage. The work was taken
in hand by committee who the hun OF
this month had succeeded IN raising
1885 OF the requisite $4,000. 1t is deslra-
BILE thatsthe cottage be built the coming
spring so that it may be used at the
Good Will Assembly for boys, which is
to be held at the farm for one week,
commencing July 25th. The cottage
will probably be dedicated Septem Der
1st, the anniversary of other dedlcatory
occasions. Endeavor Cottage is greatly
needed, for since the first of January
this year, about sixty applicants nave
been refused admission because OF lack
of cottage room. The present month
must decide whether the cottage can DE
built the present year or not.
Harper Brothers, through the Round
Table" department. of " Harper's Young
People, are raising FUNDS TO Dullu an
industrial building at the farm, to pc
known as the Harper Round Table
building,n which, when completed, will
enable the boys to be given course in
manual training, in addition to the ad.
vantages they now enjoy. The ages OF
the boys range from seven to fifteen
years, and in the brief history of the
home, seven boys have been received
from Portland. Some who reach the
home remain there for a term of years,
others for only short time, being sent
to homes secured for them elsewhere.
The purpose, never lost sight of, is to do
the best thing possible fol- the boys.
They are taught to work, much OF the
work in the homes and on the farm be-
ing done by them. They are also given
common school education. The record
of the boys who have been befriended
at the farm is reassuring, several learn
ing Grades sand Others preparing Tor
college.
The work is supported almostss en-
tirely by benevolent contributions, the
property belonging to the Good Will
Farm Association, an undenominationa
organization, Portland being represented
on the board Of trustees and directors
NJ