The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1915-05-20
BARACA-PHILATHEA

kCOnIfuutu lIOlu FIJI ol o6Si
the First Baptist Church. From the
first splendid spirit was shown and
the most important business transact
ed was the formation of permanent
organization, to be known as the Or
ganized Bible Class Association of
the State of Maine.
At the Convention there were rep
resentatives from Island Falls, Fair
field, Waterville, Calais, Belfast, Lew
iston, Caribou, Walnut Hill and Port
land. Monday evening in the vestry
of the First Church was held the re-
ception during which there was y pro-
gram of pleasing music numbers pre-
scented. Around eight o'clock the
gathering was dispersed to the audi
forum where an address of welcome
was listened to, by Rev. George Mer-
riam of the Bethany Baptist Church,
The response was made by Rev.
Horace B. Sellers, pastor of the Meth
odist Church in Belfast and then Rev.
J. J. Hull of Lewiston, adult field Sc
cretary of the State Sunday School
Association gave splendid address
on "The Organized Glass and the
Sunday School,"
Tuesday forenoon the song service
was led by Mrs. Philo Steward and
the devotional exercises were con-
Quoted by Rev. H. G. McGlaufin. AT
the business meeting the officers were
elected as follows: Pres, Rev. H. B.
Sellers; 1st vice pres. Mrs. Philo
Steward, Skowhegan; End vice pres,
Thomas Written, Caribou; Cor. Sec,
Miss Gertrude Carter, Skowhegan;
Rec. Sec, Myra Fowles, Waterville;
Treas, A. L. Phinney, Portland; Con-
stitution committee Miss Gertrude
Carter. Miss Fowles, Mr.. Phinney,
Rev. ]. J. Hull, d. b. Evans. One
minute reports were later given and
then Miss Gertrude Carter in a talk
entitled THE Five to One Movement"
told Of the extensive work Of the
Baraca and Philathea Class The
closing feature of the forenoon was
the conservation meeting led by Rev.
T. H. Wilson. In the yestry was
held the Baraca and Philathea secret
service meeting and at noon dinner
was served at the Congregational
Church by the Working League.
In the afternoon there was a song
service with Mrs. Steward again lead
ing and a devotional service led by
Rev. George Merriam. class men,
bers conference was led by Miss Car
ter and a teachers conference by Mrs.
Steward. The first address of the
afternoon was upon organized class
work in Maine especially for the teen
age and was given by d. Stanley
Evans, railroad state secretary for
the Y NJ. C. A. The second lecture
was delivered by Mrs. Alice E. Baker
of North Leominster, Mass. on Phil
athea Opportunities touching upon
work in benefit recreation and secret
service Mrs Baker is the Massa-
chusette State Philathea secretary
and brought the greetings from her
classes. Tuesday evening the devo-
tional service was led by Deacon
George Thomson and the address
THE Baraca and Phiathea Idea" was
voiced by John NJ. Nichols, Massa-
chusettS Baraca secretary. During
the convention a letter was read from
Marshall A. Hudson of Syracuse, ~
Y. founder and president of the
World Wide Movement and greetings
were returned to him.
The word Philathea is of Greek
derivation meaning lovers of truth,
and its classes are for ladies, while
Baraca, is from the Hebrew meaning
Blessed, and is for male membership.
The meeting was called here through
the efforts of the local Philathea
Glass. consequently much credit Is due
them for such successful meeting
and the formation of what bids fair
to be an important society. Any or
ganized Bible Glass may become
members of the organization upon
payment of the regular fee. The
whole object of the association is the
exchanging of ideas, as to class work
and the creation of added enthusiasm
in the work of entering Christs
Kingdom in the State of Maine. 1t
is to have no control or authority
over any individual class. but shall
exist only for the purpose of mutual
helpfulness.
Ia