Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-08
Alfred w. Anthony of Bates College

| Alfred w. Anthony of Bates College
was as follows: ere ,'''-. '7''..-"
| AS the preliminary meeting which
| led to the organization of the Interde-
| nominational Commission of Maine
was held in August. 1890, and organi-
| cation took place in November, 1891
| this meeting really constitutes the
Goth annual meeting of the Commits
sion; and to review the work of the
year calls for at least a partial recog-
milton of what has been accomplished
during the 90 years. II | report. in
part what was said year ago 1 shall
give stronger emphasis. which this
last year Justifies.
The following results have actually
been accomplished
% The Commission has removed
much destructive competition between
churches. 1t has concentrated relg-
ious effort in small. towns where one
church was enough. 1t has concen-
trated religious effort in entering
into towns where one church should
have free way, and the town was
not large enough for two.
(2) The Commission has actually
formed church partnerships combin-
ing the strength of four in commune
ties where one alone was not strong
enough This has been true in places
like Millinocket and Spragues Falls.
This is the syndicate's method of
pooling capital until enterprises are
established.
CD The Commission has prevented
highway robbery to the extent that
it has prevented the occupancy by one
denomination of field. which by
right, belonged to another. The high
wayman is he who holds up" the
weak and defenceless and takes away
their possessions. There have been in
the State of Maine churches and
church agents who have in the past
actually taken advantage of a weak
church to steal it's opportunities. its
privileges, and even it's property. 1
could, were it not an altogether un-
gracious task, name men who. were
they engaged in any other occupation
than that of the church, would be
termed thieves, thugs. and pirates.
In the name of one church they have
taken that which did not belong to
them or their church; and have taken
it, too many times. in the hour of
their victims weakness and need.
Sometimes the robbery has not been
permitted without violent struggle;
and then the community. in which
the struggle occurred, has been
bruised and battered and despoiled.
The number of those who 10 years
ago would have been guilty of such
acts has wonderously diminished.
through a thorough conversion and
reformation.
"a The opposite of the last point
is true. The commission has en-
couraged a kind of care-taking and
nursing of weak churches by those
who found them in need.
1t is actually true that agents of
one denomination, on discovering a
weak and feeble church in COM
munity. which belonged to some other
denomination. have helped that
church, giving it their own attention,
and their own services; and have en-
abled it to become stronger as a
church Of the denomination to which
it belonged without once trying to
steal it, plumber it, or in any manner
take advantage of its weakness.
Denominations and denominational
agents have actually become Good
Samaritans in our State.
1.-The influence of the commission has
been such that man IL no longer
in good FORM or of good reputa-
tion, who does not recognize the rights