Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-15
OLD HOME DAY
AND DEDICATION
AT TEN LOTS

"A / LEN LO1O
Oakland, Nc, Aug. 14-The old
home day exercises and dedication
service which were held in the new
memorial chapel at Ten Lots Tues
cay drew a large crowd to that COM
munity. some of them being former
residents and MANY Of them being
friends to the people there. The cen
ter of interest. of course, was the
building itself, a handsome structure
built durably of brick and cement
with a facade that gave a hint of Ro-
man architecture with it's CoioLnade
Of pillars across the front making a
pcrtico of simple yet graceful design.
On either side of the entrance is a
tablet, the one on the left stating that
the building is to be devoted TO the
religious. social and literary welfare
Of the neighborhood and stating also
the interesting fact that in the old
church that stood on that site, Rev S.
L. Smith, d. D., the author of My
Country, 'Tis of Thee" had pro ached
in the years 1884 The tablet on
the right announces the name of the
donor. Mr.. Milton LaForest Williams.
and states that the building is q gift
to the people Of Ten Lots to com
memorate the life Of his grandfather,
Asa Bates. who was one Of the pio-
neers in that section. a man Of sterl
ing character and for many years one
Of the religious leaders in the com
munity. The building is splendidly
adapted as community center with
its assembly room, library, lobby. and
the kitchen and dining room in the
basement. In the lobby there We're
placed recently fine moosehead and
ar elkhead, both gifts of Mr.. Williams
while in the assembly room hang
portraits of Mr.. Asa Bates, in whose
memory the house was presented, Mr..
Asa Il. Bates another of the men
whose character and service are held
ir highest esteem by the people of
Ten Lots who knew him and a por-
trait Of the donor. The whole struc-
ture is impressive because of its
stately and yet serviceable character
When the hour for the morning
service arrived the auditorium was
well filled with folks who had come
to enjoy the doings Of the day and to
renew the fellowships Of many years.
Deacon Charles d. Bates presided and
ferred feelingly to the ones who had
been so faithful in the past and how
their service though humbly rendered
had led up to the joy Of that hour.
The first speaker was Rev. W. c.
Stetson WHO spoke upon the theme,
Agricultural Community Life" In
an interesting and practical way he
told of some of the things that count
ed in the work on the farm and urged
a closer community life in order to
realize the best results. After a
short discussion Prof D. r. Hathorn
of Coburn spoke on Educational
Community Life" and emphasized the
need Of the finer things that school
ing of the right kind would help to
build into the life of the young peo
pic to help them to be the strong men
and women of tomorrow Both ad
dresses were heartily received.
A picnic dinner was served, the la
dies of the community furnishing tea
and coffee and an hour of good fell
lowship was enjoyed. In the mean
time others were coming so that when
the dedication service began at ?
o'clock the house was crowded to it's
capacity. Rev. L. A. Farrar led the
devotional service and gave a splen-
did talk on The Power of the Cross"
A trio composed of Mrs Alwilda Per-
nv, Miss Nora Perry and Robert Ab-
raham sang finely a song that fitted
the theme Of the leader. Walter ".
Gibbs presided over the afternoon
service. A letter was read from Mr..
Williams in which he conveyed the
building in trust to the United Bap-
fist convention, referred pleasantly
10 the friendships of the past and eX-
messed his regret that he was unable /
TO be present. A motion was made at
this junction that a telegram be sent
10 Mr.. Williams informing him Of
the ENJOYABLE day that those present
we're having and voicing apprecia-
zion. This was done. Another mes
sage was sent to the Pittsfield sum
NOR school that had earlier in the day
sent a word of congratulations. Mt
C.;hhs then introduced G. H. Bryant
rso a lifelong friend Of Mr.. VII
,;ons who read a most interesting
IA anpreciative sketch OF the lie o.
~ donor. Il was fine tribute from
ono who by reason of his lons &C.