Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-07-26
Correspondence.
sedgwick church Centennial.

| To The Editor Of The American:
1 Will you kindly allow me little space
in your popular home paper that may
| give your subscribers brief account OF
how our First Baptist church OF Sedgwick
carried on the centennial celebration
which lasted one week, and was a great
success spiritually, socially and fnsn-
cialiy9 The celebration was reported fully
at the time, hut there are some facts re-
| garding the conception and carrying out
of plans OF which wish to write.
| No person who attended the meetings
and witnessed the gathering of the pee :
pie which filled the church to overlooking
at every service could question the spirit
usl environment. The influence from
pulpit to pew was uplifting socially, the
happy greetings one could hear at every
| turn was enough to cheer the ssddest
heart, and judging from appearance. every
| one was enjoying the unique celebration,
Lastly how did the money come to meet
ali the expenses that naturally must be in
CARED at such timer
One Sunday morning in the early part OF
| May our pastor, Arthur Warren Smith,
suggested and advised that the people es-
| tablish centennial fund, and arranged
how it might be done in a way that
would reach the people both in and out OF
the church. The idea was an excellent
church. The envelopes with circulars
enclosed were sent to every family in
town.
AT once the money commenced to flow
IN, and in a very short time S1s.222 was re-
ceived by the finance committee. The
whole amount, coming from all sources,
was Si42.76. Leaving out the banquet,
which more than paid for itself, the
receipts amounted to s3oi.28. After all
legitimate bills were paid, there rem aimed
n balance of s40.26. A vote was taken to
use the balance in paying for tue clean
ing of church and chapel, and some ex-
pense of setting the memorial windows,
etc.
A good many people contributed 10 the
| success and pleasure OF this occasion
many in town, and several churches and
lodges in BROOKLYN and Bluehill. We
should be heartily glad TO mention these
by name, but to try and mention the
names of any would do an injustice to
those not mentioned. The only proper
thing to do is TO place on record the APP
probation OF all for the assistance rem
dered and recommend the adoption of this
resolution of thanks;
Resoiued, That we who have enjoyed the
most interesting centennial OF the First
Baptist church, of Sedgwick, Me-, do
hereby record our appreciation OF all
favors received, and extend the thanks of
the committee, the church and the towns
people TO all who so kindly assisted us in
any way-as speakers, as participating on
the programme, as giving or leaning any
articles for use, as rendering personal SER
vice or doing any favor which contributed
in the smallest way TO the success Of the
| occasion.
With this report and with this recog-
milton Of assistance the affairs of the CEN
tennial are closed. The members OF the
committees have all done their work to
| the best of their ability. They have en-
deavored to give honest satisfaction in
| fulfiiment OF their trust, and they hope
and believe that expectations have been
generally realized. The centennial has
done its work in all its phases with all
bills paid by generous contribution. May
its memory long live in the minds of the
people!
To conclude, the people, both in and out
| of the church, appreciate the untiring ef-
forts of their highly-esteemed pastor,
| Arthur Warren Smith, and his faithful
| wife, who has assisted in many ways
needed. The beautiful Christian En-
| deavor memorial window which has been
placed in the front OF the church is OF her
| designing, and is considered by excellent
| judges to be beautiful and symbolic
piece Of window art. The centennial
hymn was OF her composition also.
| After the reading of the resolutions
| Sunday morning and the disposition of
the balance of the centennial fund, Dea
William Means stepped to the front OF the
pulpit and asked the large congregation
to extend rising vote of thanks to the
pastor for the noble unselfish spirit he has
expressed from beginning to end in max
ing the centennial a success. Every one
| in the church was glad to show his
hearty appreciation and support for his
pastor. c. A. III.