The Republican journal., 1909-06-03
Children's Aid Society of Maine
Address of the President and Report of
the Secretary, Read at the Annual Meet
ing in Belfast May Is, 1909.

tHe Secretary, Nedd dt tIc Aillludl NAeet-
ing in Belfast May Is, 1909.
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT, REV. VIM. VAUGHAN.
1t is needless for me to make any report upon
the work done by this society during the year
lust ended. Our secretary, who has SO faith
fully executed Sthe orders of the Board of
Managers will give us full report of all that
has been accomplished. We have had no rea-
son to question the interest of any member of
this society in the Girls Home. That we diff
fer at times concerning methods of work is
natural and we believe generally beneficial
The Importance or need of home like this
must be recognized by all. We can not begin
to estimate the value of the salvation of one of
these girls. There is no institution in this
State that pays better for the money expended
for the work done. We are, therefore, engaged
in profitable work We need not be ashamed
to ask people to exercise their charity in this
direction We need not be hopeless concern
ing the time, the labor, the means which we
bestow The "well DONE certainly belongs to
each person who in any way helps to rescue
life from the shifting sands of time. If we
have, consistently and conscientiously, during
the past year labored for the best interests of
the Home we may be well satisfied whatever
the results may seem to be- At our last an
nual meeting the question of needed changes
in the building was discussed and it was decid-
ed to make application to the State for aid.
Accordingly Mr.. Dunton, our counsel, our sec
rotary and myself made the application to the
committee on appropriations for 600 and, as
YOU know, we were granted $4,000. 1t was
considered best to make the changes and do
the work we'll from start to finish and if need
be try, at the next meeting of the legislature
to get the $1,000 asked for, but not granted
The matter of building was left to the real es-
tate committee together with Mr.. Dunton,
Mr. Wescott and myself. The plans are in the
hands of Mr.. Aborn. the builder and there is no
reason why the work should not be under way.
When finished, the building will compare well,
in looks and convenience, with any of our
State institutions and we shall all feel more
courageous to work for the Girls Home.
Respectfully submitted
VIM. VAUGHAN.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY, MRS. E. L. BRACKET.
To the President and Members of The Chill
dren's Aid Society of Maine: In compiling
notes for a report of another years work, it
seems at first thought that it must be a reca-
pitulation almost entire, yet as we recall more
carefully the months that have passed, each so
full of duties and opportunities, we know that
they have brought new and varied experiences
peculiar to the time. 1t would, indeed, be
pleasant task if it could always be statement
of successes, but while we have much for
which to be thankful in the consummation of
some plans too long deferred and the result as
whole the year just past has been character
lied by greater obstacles in the way of ad-
vancement than for long period of years.
The financial depression has had tendency to
lessen all contributions, almost every dollar re-
ceived has required personal effort and we
have struggled against other discouragements
and criticisms, vet never for moment aban-
sioning an effort that would strengthen the
work OF lifting up and saving human lives.
The definite steps in the development of our
work may be given in detail, but words cannot
asI1re the saving of even one HELPLESS little
life. battling in its loneliness against the ad-
verse forces of the world-just one little life
that might have been lost.
We are to be congratulated that larger
number of girls have been cared for than for
several years previous.
Despite the fact that change in the man.
agement was necesstated in February last by
the resignation of Mr.. and Mrs Shorey, who
had efficiently carried on the work for term
of twelve months, a review of the present con-
ditions in the Home and on the farm Is very
gratifying. Mr.. and Mrs Wiley, who assumed
the positions since have proven beyond doubt
their ability and interest. The position of ma
iron is oftentines trying one, but we have
been glad to note the wisdom and tact, as well
as the loving thought exhibited by the present
incumbent.
The farm, while carried on proftably during
the season of 1908, promises larger and better
returns the present year. Mr.. Wiley has care
fully and practically planned for the work, has
already made great improvements in the Or
chard and about the buildings, which every
where present a neat and tidy appearance.
The stock is in fine condition and the yield
from the dairy for the past two months has
been unusually large. We know are justi
fed in saying that Mr.. and Mrs. Wiley are
making the interests of the society their own
interests.
The large family of girls are taught to con-
siderably assist in the care of the house, and
are instructed in sewing and mendlng outside
of study hours. In this connection our sincere
thanks are due Miss Abbie Mcdowell, one of
the managers, for extra instruction given the
girls and for assistance in other ways. She
has so willingly served US in several emergen-
,cieS.
During the year q girls have entered the
Home and Is have been placed out. Four have
been returned, two of whom have again found
homes outside. The average number in the
Home has been 10. There are II under our
care at the present time.
An epidemic of measles during the month of
April prevented the placing gu, land decision in
in the case of a number of applications has
been delayed. Two girls will go out this week.
We are however, gratifed to report no seri-
Gus Illness Several operations for adenoids
have been necessary, and two of cur girls have
required special, almost daily, treatment We
are deeply indebted to DIR. Everard Wilson,
who has been exceedingly kind and helpful,
giving free service and responding to calls at
any and all times. Our thanks are also due DR..
Charles D. Smith of the Maine General Hospit-
al for free bed and treatment for one of our
girls.
There has been no radical change in the
regime of the Home The girls have as here
tofore attended church and public schools.
The majority rank well in their studies, de-
spite the lack Of previous instruction in many
cases.
Daring the long vacation the family were in
vited to join in number of picnics and excur-
sions and two delightful blackboard drives were
given them in July by Col. Conklin of New
York, the generous friend who has given them
50 many pleasures. The holiday festivities
lasted the entire week and no effort was spared
by the matron and directors to make it happy
time Jong to be remembered. The many kind
loeEefactors at that time received special men,
ton in the columns of our paper.
4 pleasant incident during the month of
June was the reception given at the Home to
the friends in attendance upon the Unitarian
State Conference. Some of them visited US
for the first time and to this visit are in
debted for aid in various ways.
No large contributions have been received,
and but one bequest, that of Mrs. Charlotte E.
Faes of Bddeford, of which account has been
publicly given
We have received aid from several State
papers in generous notices of our work. and
The Republican Journal of our own city has
given as usual free advertising whenever de-
sired.
Contributions of clothing and house sup
plies have been received from time to time