The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-09-10

emphasis on the value OF cnlldnOOd.
To-day we may we'll recognize this
fact" said DIR. Smith, 1.-The child should
be in the center of our church and the
activities of the church should focus
upon the child This service has its
purpose simply to emphasize the para
mount Importance of the child in the
church. More and more, our Christian
civilization is devoting its energies to
the welfare of the child, physical. in
teilectual and spiritual What pays
better in the end than what we do for
our own or some one else's children?
The future of our church, our town,
and our country is in the keeping Of
these little ones"
Rev George Merriam, in his accept
ance spoke of Gods gifts and man S
reception and hoped for still better
things in the Bethany Sunday School,
as new gifts put forth new efforts in
new directions. Mrs. Violet V. Fogg in
accepting for the children paid a trib-
ute to her former pupil to whose mem
DRY the room was being dedicated, af-
ter which Mrs. ". H. Halves sang
Let the Little Ones Come Unto Me"
with beautiful violin obligato by Mrs.
Elise Fellows White. Thornton W.
Merriam accepted the room below for
the boys The children led the process
sional from the auditorium into the
new addition. Here the tribute writ
ten by Mrs. Smith the mother of little
Elizabeth was read, the prayer of dedi-
cation was offered by Rev. Mr.. Mer-
Ram and the benediction pronounced
by Rev. Mr.. Wilson.
The room with its finish of quarter
ed oak wainscoting, rafters and espe-
cially, the beautiful mantle and fire.
place which at once focuses attention
is worthy example of the architects
taste and the skill of the Skowhegan
builder. Framed into the overmantle
on the right is large photograph of
the little girl and opposite, the tribute
to her memory. in Illuminated old Eng
fish text, while above as the center
piece, is large reproduction in colors
of the Sstine Madonna, the spiritual
beauty of which fills the whole ROOM
Below this is an oaken tablet inscribed
as follows:
This room is dedicated to the chill
dren of Bethany. For of such is the
Kingdom of Heaven. Elizabeth Coburn
Smith 19O7-1913."
When the children had marched in
and were standing before this Madon-
ma and child, the room seemed most
appropriately planned for the use to
which it has now been dedicated The
decorations were roses, maidenhair
ferns and pinks in the children's room.
while in the auditorium were the soft
colors of autumn, asters predominant
ing.
The large room in the basement of
this new building is planned to be
used by a boys class and is we'll
adapted for general club purposes as
we'll as a meeting place on Sunday.
The tribute which appears in illumi-
mated text above the mantle in the
Childrens Room was written by Mrs.
Smith in April of last year. This was
feelingly read by Miss Cora f. Robin
son and is given in full below.
o Christ of the Little Children
To Thee we cry
Give MS comfort. help, and peace
For this our day of sorrow!
Give us courage
For the days to come.
May we think
Less of the broken circle by the
freside--
More of the JOY of the little
one entering the Home
above;
Less of our empty arms
More of the tenderness of Thy
encircling love;
Less of our lonely hearts
More of the blessedness of
Heaven
/ May we remember
This little one of the childlike
vision
Who saw God in the radiance
of the sunset
And His glory in the star
decked skies of evening.
This little sister of the flowers,
Which were not more sweet or
fair than she;
This little heart of love
Whose affection bloomed in
kind and gentle deeds
Whose childish care and
thought of others made fra
GRANGE in the home.
May we learn the lesson of this
precious life
OF our littla child and Thinn.