The independent-reporter., 1910-10-13
We cordially greet you all

We cordially greet you all at the
close of the year. Some work has
been done. Some obligations have been
met The responsibilities which you
laid upon the officers Of this society
IL months ago have not been shlrked
We have willingly performed the tasks
which you assigned us. Students for
the ministry OF our Lord have been
examined, have been interviewed. have
been accepted as beneticiaries and
have been aided financially. Fourteen
men hive been receiving the prayers
and the encours cement OF the society
With these men and their work
some OF YOU are familiar They have
supplied the pulpits of your churches
and during the long vacation of the
summer rendered, within the bounds
Of your associations services, which
have in them the promise of future
accomplishments. which will glorfy
the n; me OF God among men, and re-
deem many precious souls.
You know. that, with the rarest sx
ceptions, these young men are depend
ent upon their own resources to meet
their academic end collegiate expen-
SeS.
The remuneration received from the
churches. which they serve during
their vacations, Is small in compari-
son with the wages received by other
students in other forms of employment
during the same period of time
In view OF these circumstances, 1t
seems to be a matter of justice that
the churches of Jesus Christ. whom
they are to serve in coming years
should give them financial assistance
while they are making preparation
for life to be spent in the Masters
service
A glance at the records of this So
ciety reveals some interesting and en-
couraging facts. Among the first
benefciaries of this Society were Eph-
rain Tripp and the renowned mis-
sionary, George Dana Boardman. The
names on the records of this society
have been honored preachers and
teachers in this land and in other
lands Today there are missionaries
in Japan and India occupying posi-
tions of responsibility and honor, who
were once the recipients of the aid of
this society Our own state has been
largely benefited by the labors of
these young men. They are names
we'll known in the history of Maine
Baptists. Some of these men have in
their day presided over the annual
meetings of our State organizations.
We have been greeting some of these
men since we arrived IN our Capitol
City.
The roll call of our beneficlaries is
a long and honorable one. We're the
list to be read at this hour our
hearts would be nightly stirred. I
These men whose names are house
hold words among Maine Baptists,
these men who today are doing in ou1
Commonwealth q noble work for God
and humanity, these men whose voices
YOU have been hearing during these
these men whose lives
and work are a rich legacy and of
priceless value to Maine Baptists. /
these men whose lives have been
counting for God in the New England
states and even in far western states
were once students in our academies
and in our own colleges. The so. Sl5. /
$25 and $100 given them annually
made it possible for them to acquire
an equipment lOI ne NLItl Ids wi
tributed positively to the success of
our State national and worldwide
work as Baptists.
1t is now up to the Baptists of
Maine to say whether the good and
grand work done by our fathers
through the agency of this society
shall be continued and maintained
with credit We today did not create
this society. Our denominations
al fathers must receive the
credit of bringing into being this
beneticent organization. We must to-
day face the issue. The legacy is ours.
We are heirs.-heirs of the privilege, |
the high privilege of sending out into
the Christian ministry men OF sterling
worth. and whose manhood is of a Il
high type The election of officers is
not sufficient. We place before You.
brethren. the privilege and opportuni-
ty and ask you to say what shall be
done.
Respectfully submitted in behalf of
the Board of Directors,
GEORGE MERRIAM, Secretary.