Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-04

DeInis Sfe1s stra Of augusta furnishsl
music FOR sthe afternoons entertainments
The han was decorated with banners.
flags Of many colors and Old Glory. The
stage, on which sat the trustees and the
speakers. was arranged with flags and
bunting.
The hall decorations were under the
charge of Harry Wadsworth and testified
well for his labors.
"How Firm Foundation was sung
by the audience under the direction of
Cecil NJ. Daggett of Waterville
Rev. Harry Trust read the 91st Psalm.
Rev. George w. Hinckley of Good Will
Home feelingly offered prayer
c. N Bailey
The presentation of the library
building to the town was made in a
simple, yet heartfelt manner, by the
donor, Charles M. Bailey of Winthrop.
He said: II say I am very glad to be
able to be here. Dear Brother Hinck-
ley, here at my side, first put it into
my head to build a little building at
Good Will. 1 have always been glad
did so. 1 have found that the best in
VcStllcut CFCl / WCIlLy yCdlo
later made a second attempt and
gave another little cottage at Good
Will. The Lord put it into my heart to
do something for the good old town
of Winthrop, in which have been per-
mitted to live long time God has
always been very good to me, a thou
sand times better than l deserve.
thank Him and praise Him for it. He
has been good in making possible this
gathering. l want to place something
here to remember me by. This after
noon l want to praise God with all my
heart for He has been so kind. 1t is
said that it takes two to make a trade.
This is very true. One may give and
another may receive. And as I am the
giver I feel I am getting a great bless
| ing out of this. I have very great
pleasure in handing to one of the bus
mess men of this town a deed and
keys of the building with an open
heart"
Mrs. Edward r. Jones
The acceptance of the gift of the
Charles NJ Bailey library by the town
was made by Edward r. Jones, chair
man of the Board of Selectmen. In part
he said;
Il consider this o great honor to
represent the town of Winthrop and
accept the keys and the deed of this
magnificent building. In my visits
through the State l have seen many
libraries and my observation has been
today that the Charles M. Bailey Ii
brary is unequalled in the State. both
in beauty and equipment. 1t speaks of
him who gave it, who was born in
Winthrop, and who has made this
town his home for almost a century.
1t needs no description to those who
have seen this beautiful building. 1t
will be an enduring monument of the
donor, and in behalf of the citizens of
Winthrop 1 accept, with appreciation
for the grateful citizens of the town
of Winthrop"
President Roberts Of Colby
1.-THE donor of this library has been
all his long life the staunch supporter
of worthy enterprises. When as a boy
more than 40 years ago I first heard
his name it was a connection with an
endeavor that had for it's object the
betterment of mankind. His oft re-
peated gifts to educational and charit
able institutions-as modestly be-
slowed as they have been generously
large-have been expressions of Mr..
Baileys constant desire to do all he
could by way of making life richer and
more abundant for his fellowmen. And
in giving this library to the town of
Winthrop Mr.. Bailey has cherished the
same purpose; for the free public Ii
brary is fundamentally an instrument
of community betterment," said Pres
ident Arthur J. Roberts of Colby Col
lege.
In part Pres. Roberts said that the
library and the school should Coop
crate. The librarian should be close
ly connected with the interests of the
school. The teachers should make free
use Of the library; they should have
meetings in the library building. The
trouble with education is that the boys
and girls do not get enough of it. There
are in many towns a large per cent. of
the young people who do not pass the
grammar grades. This must also hold
true in Winthrop. Pres. Roberts said
that when Mr.. Bailey and he were
boys the most important school les
son was arithmetic. He could see now
the old schoolroom and the boys and
girls studying arithmetic for dear life.
Now in the present day schools the
most important lesson is reading.
Reading is the keystone study which
unlocks the text books. Andrew Carne-
gle has given many libraries to this
, country. Many have said that he had
more money than he knew what to do
with. The less unkind have said that
he wanted to make the best show for
his money. But Mr. Carnegie's own
reason for giving SO literally is ex-
planned when he tells that years ago
when he was poor boy an acquaint-
ance loaned him books. He used to
look forward eagerly to the day that
he would go to get new book. That
meant so much to him that he always
wanted to help others in that respect.
Like SO many other good things read
ing is most susceptible to abuse. A for
mer neighbor to Pres Roberts said the
library was misuesd and complained
that his daughter would read novels
He purchased for his daughter a set
Of we'll known books and for each VOL
ume which she read he promised to
give her IS gold piece. But the neigh
bor said that the girl would get novels