The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1906-04-05
THE ADELPHIANS.

To THE EDITOR OF The JOURNAL; Hav-
ing been asked many times regarding our
society and its object, we have decided to
give our people through the columns OF The
Journal few facts concerning our plans,
etc.
About one year ago a young man work
ing in the shoe factory, being out of work
great deal, came to me stating that he wish
ed there wa some place where young
man could pass his leisure hours, reading
and improving himself. We talked the
matter over and decided that if we could
find several young men of the same mind
we would form little society for our mutual
benefit. Having found several young men
who were DESTROYS of having such place,
where they could spend leisure hours, i'm
proving themselves mentally and physical
ly, we met on the evening of January 3Oth,
and organized what we call the "Adel-
phans," meaning "BrotherS". Officers and
committees were elected, and arrangements
made for our work.
Other young men hearing our members
talking of our plans wished to come in with
us, and as our membership was complete
we talked it over and decided that if we
could get proper encouragement and sup
port from the public, and the young men
would obey the rules we should make gov
erning the rooms-and We have perfect
confidence that they will-we would open
rooms in some pleasant part of the city, to
any man in Belfast, or any stranger with
in our gates reserving the right to close
them to the public use at any time, VIXEN
these conditions We're not complied with.
Any man, young, middle-aged or old, no
matter what his position in life may be
whether rich or poor, church going or nom
church going, etc, to have free use of the
rooms as stated above. The society, while
made-up of Christians, is non-sectarian,
non-political, and the best of influences will
be placed about the young men who pat
ronize these rooms.
There are to be tables containing the
leading daily and weekly papers of our
State, as well as from other States, and the
best magazines of the day. Later we pro-
pose to have a library containing bound
books for the use of our patrons. Nothing
but the best stories will be placed upon our
shelves. There will also be tables contain
ing the best and most interesting games to
be had
The rooms, which have been engaged, and
which we anticipate opening soon, are very
pleasantly located in the center of the city,
overlook the Custom House square, and are
to be made as homelike and cheerful as pos
sibe They are to be in Charge of Chris
tian man, who is supported by several of
our best Christian young men, and any
Young man will receive Il cordial and
hearty welcome by him, as we'll as by the
sAdelphians." Everything will be dong TO
make our patrons enjoy themselves, as we'll
as to improve their minds and their physi-
cal strength
| The citizens have had, and will have,
chances to show whether they wish such
place Or not in our city-a place where
| young men may be improved mentally,
morally and physically-by subscribing
money and sending in subscriptions to pa
pers and magazines and attending enter
tainments which may be from time to time
gotten up for our benefit.
We are proud of the young men of our
| beautiful city-that we have no really
tough fellows-and we have confidence
! that each and all will appreciate our
efforts in their behalf when they see it is
for their advantage. Although the illus
rated lecture recently given for our bene-
fit was not a financial success, we are not
| discouraged, but intend to ''press toward
the mark" that we have set before us and
work this object for all it is worth.
CUSTODIAN.