Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-05-04
Larrs and Hnthuslastic confsrsncs.
OXFORD COUNTY BOYS GATHER IN THEIR
SECOND ANNUAL MEETING.


Il Clouds and rain continued for thre
/. days can but little dampen the ardor o
only the true American boy, and 10
terfered eighty with the second boys
II conference for Oxford County, whic
opened at Norway Friday night, ant
extended through the next two days
All thes sessions were held az scheduled
and were filed with enthusiasm.
A total of 1876 delegates were In attend
ance ut the conference, coming from sew
eral towns and from numerous Organixa
tions, boys clubs, Boy Scout patrols
Sunday Schools, etc.
Several things will attract the attention
of one who for the flrst time sees one Of
these gatherings. One OF these 10 th'
time intellectually into the work, ano
meet the boys on the level of equality
and comradeship - perhaps fellowship
should be the term, as the common form
of address throughout in talking to the
boys Is "fellows." And one can but be
impressed with the interested appear.
ance of the boys, the zeal which they
manifest and the promise of clean and
useful manhood which 10 seen In their
faces.
Delegates arriving from various parts
of the county we're met at the trains, and
taken to their places of entertainment.
Headquarters were at the Norway Con-
gregational church, but the conference
opened with Q banquet at Norway Grange
Hall Friday evening. About $50 were
seated at the tables. Music was provided
by the Norway High School Orchestra.
Hon. A. j. Stearns acted as toastmaster
for tue exercises which followed. Vel.
come was extended from the boys
by Howard Chick OF Norway and
Richard Millett OF South Paris; from
the churches by Rev. Messrs. Bruce and
Nichols of Norway, McWhorter, Miller
and Spear Of South Paris; from the bust
ness men by E. N. SWEET Of Norway.
Response for the boys was given by
Lester Z. Henry of Rumford, president
Vt the 1913 conference, and for the lead
ers by John E. Stephens of Rumford. An
address on Manhood" by Orlando z.
Frost of Belfast closed the program. All
the speeches were brief, and the session
closed about $50.
Saturday forenoon was very fully &C.
cupied with q program beginning at $3.50
with song service, and quiet hour led
By Rev. j. NJ. Arters of Rumford. At
the business session the following Off
GERS were chosen, and were Immediately
introduced aud took charge OF the pro-
ceedings:
Pres.-Cecil c. Sweat. Andover.
Vice. Pres.-Clement Wood, South Paris;
Everett Shea, Rumford; Howard Chick. Nor.
way; Harris Hammond. Bethel.
Sec.-Burton Byron, Rumford.
Asst. Sec.-Lester Thurston, Andover.
As one of the features of the forenoon
program there was report on "What
One Boys Club has Accomplished"
given by Cecil C. Sweat and Victor b.
Akers Of Andover, who described the
work done in year and half by their
club, on the principle of "helping the
other fellow" including the younger
boys, whom they had assisted In organ
izing. An excellent address on "Sym-
metrcal Manhood" was given by G. G.
Hatfield of New York, and another on
Community Work" by Archie F. Win.
ter Of Kennebunk, with discussions led
by A. A. Heald OF Watsrville, and par
ticipated in freely.
Rain prevented the ball game which
the boys were to attend Saturday after
noon, but the time was given to sight
seeing and other eujoyments.
r. b. Nelles of Greenville Junction
led the devotional service at the Satur-
day evening session. An illustrated ad.
dress on the topic, "Among Country
Boys" was to have been given by Mr..
Hatfield, but he was called away 10 the
afternoon. The slides were used, and
A. A. Heald substituted as lecturer, Civ
ing an account of the organized work be-
ing done among country boys in numer-
GUS states of the Union under the aus
pices of the Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION.
The boys attended church and Sunday
School with their respective hosts Sun
day morning, and two conference ses-
sions were held later. In the afternoon
a strong address was given by R. B.
Nelles, at meeting for men and older
boys at the Congregational church.
Sunday evening the final session was
held In Norway Opera House. All the
churches united, and the house was
nearly filled. Resolutions of thanks to
all who had assisted were adopted. The
feature OF the evening was an address
by jeff G. Smith, state secretary OF the
Y. M. C. A., on the work OF the Asso-
citation. This was accompanied with
lantern slides, illustrating all phases OF
the numerous lines of work undertaken
by the association in city and country.
Mr.. Nelles closed the meeting with a
short final address.