The Republican journal., 1906-05-24

twelve months, despite our best en-
deavorS, we have not accomplished all
we desired. Beside keeping all the rec
ordS of the society we have written
more than 1900 letters and posta Is.
This does not include the large number
of general notices and blanks. We have
accompanied 10 of our girls to homes
outside and have visited many others
who had been in homes from one to
three years and more. This latter is a
most responsible part of the work and
often to ascertain the real condition of
things and to see that the restrictions of
the society are duly observed requires
most delicate tact and is sometimes ex-
tremely unpleasant. During the year
we have, after investigation, taken three
of our girls from homes outside. One
because she was in danger from evil as
sociatious, two others, beautiful girls,
who were in most uncongenlal sur
roundings, unhappy, and W h os e
strength was plainly over-estimated.
This watchful care is deemed of vital
Importance by every member of the
Board.
In the work of placing out our girls
and visitation we have travelled several
Thousand miles, visited eleven counties
in our own State and three or four in
sister States. We have solicited in
person and by letter little more than
1888. The cost of all this to the society
has been less than $50 Through our
agency the list of associate members
has been added to materially. We
have continued the sole management
aud editing of our paper, ''The Girls
Home and it has been published
promptly, an edition of 800 copies, and,
if judged by enconiums received from
far and near, has been perfectly salts
factory as to style and quality. 1t has
been, for the most part, self-sustaining,
though deficit remains on the expense
of the April number which we hope
will be made up in arrearages ere the
July number is due. A full report OF
the receipts and expenditures of the
paper has been regularly rendered to
the Board. 1t should receive more sup
port from the friends of the Home. We
should have two or three thousand sub
scribers instead of three or four hun
bred.
During the year we have received
generous favors from railroad and
ly grateful to the Boston & Maine,
"
took railroads and to the Eastern
Steamship Co.
The personal friendly relationship
existing between the members of the
board and committees has made our
special work much easier and for their
kindly cooperation we tender our
heartfelt thanks.
We are naturally in constant touch
vii tho QffiaInnt m al1U9mppt at tIh
Home and with our appreciation of the
excellent work done by oar matron is
blended perfect confidence and loving
gratitude
Our coming together today marks not
only a years close but decade of work
for neglected, friendless, homeless girls.
Through prayer and struggle and in the
face of many discouraging obstacles
the Home has reached its present pros
perity. 1t has shown itself worthy by
the best of all tests the fruits it has
borne. 1t stands today fitting
memorial to the noble women who
have given not only of their time but
of themselves, and precious it should
be to us and to the State for the two
hundred and fifty or more little lives
saved to the world through it.
In recent letter from prominent
judge of our State, he says Il am sure
the Childrens' Aid Society has well
earned the right to appeal to the
benevolent people of Maine for sup
port" and as our dependence is largely
upon donations and subscriptions we
have hope that during the coming year
these may be greatly increased that
improvements and plans too long de-
ferred may become an actually. Let
us harken back to the words of our
Master "Inasmuch as we have done it
unto the least of these We have done it
unto me-"
"Open the door of your heart my friend,
Needless of class or creed,
When you hear the cry of a brothers voice,
The sob of a child in need.
To the shining heaven that DER you bends,
You need no map or chart,
But only the love the Master gave,
Open the door of your heart"
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH l.. BI ACKETT.
The treasurer's report showed receipts
for the year of s262s 30; disbursements,
S273O. 5;-cash balance on hand $247.S0.
The President submitted an account
of butter, cream, milk and produce sold
from the farm, together with a estimate
of amount used in the family, as COM
piled by her from bills and accounts,
showing profit of SAG SO.
The following committee on nomina-
lions was appointed by the chair. Mrs.
NJ. w. Rich, Mrs. M. A. Winslow and
Mrs. Edward Sibley.
The committee reported the same
officers, with but one change in the
board of managers. Mrs. F. A. Griffin
declined to serve as president another
year and Rev. Harry Lutz was nominal
ed. The secretary was instructed to cast
the ballot for the following:
President, Rev. Harry Lutz, Belfast.
Vice Presidents, VIM. B. Swan, Bel
fast; J. W. Symonds, Portland; VIM. P.
Whitehouse, Augusta; Rev. d. l.. Will
son, Belfast; Mrs. Matilda Burleigh,
South Berwick; Miss M. w. Fairfield,
SacO.