Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-20
GOOD ATTENDANCE AT
THE BAPTIST LAYMEN
CAMPAIGN RALLY
Fine Talks Given at the
Meeting Tuesday Eve
ming at Penney Me-
mortal Church Gov.
Milliken Presides

Baptist churches. of the kennebec dis
trict were seated at the tables at the
Baptist Laymen Campaign supper
which was given Tuesday evening in
the vestry of the Penney Memorial
church. The meeting was in connection
with the movement to line UP the lay
men of the Northern Baptist conven-
ton to launch a program of definite
war service, and very interesting and
inspiring talks were given upon the
occasion by Governor Carl E. 'Milliken,
who presided; Rev. /. B. Mower of
rWaterville, convention secretary; Dr.
Bruce Kinney of Topeka, Kansas, joint
secretary for the North Central dis
trict, and Harry Brown, president of
the WateryiIe Chamber of Commerce.
The speakers Of the evening pointed
out that The laymen Of the Baptist de-
nomination in their Cleveland confer
ence and again in their Chicago meet
ing, Jan. IL. expressed their determine
ton to raise at least q full extra mil
lion, dollars by March 81, 1918. this
sums to be for the purpose of speed
ing up the work of that denomination
/ in such a. fashion that it may more
adequately minister to the unprece-
denied needs of this hour in the his
tory of the world in special war work,
! in general UNCONVENTIONAL enterprises
and in increased activities on the part
of the local church in its service in
| the community. And it was especially
pointed out that this was n movement
started by 1aymen and carried on by
! laymen. the man who started the move
lnent being +. w. Aver of Newark, ~
j., who invented the name "Uneeda
Biscuit"
| Previous to the speaking all present
did justice to delicious supper served
by the Deborah Society of the church,
of which Mrs. c.. T. Penney is presi-
dent.
Governor Milliken in short speech
which went directly to the point said
that we are engaged in a struggle, the
purpose Of which is-as President Will
son has phrased ito make the
world safe for Democracy" but that
it was important to know the basis Of
such a democracy and what it's ideals
are, when men are to make such sac
rif1ces. He said that the meeting Of
the evening has a place in the great
war meetings, not as Baptist pro-
gram and not for the forwarding of
one denomination, but because it is a
part of the peoples expression of the
great spirit of America which has come
to life again. He pointed out that the
spirit of America expresses itself not
only in personnel of the boys who have
gone to the front, but to some extent
in those who stay behind. expressing
itself to them in terms of service and
sacrifice.
The next speaker was Rev. l. B. Mowe-
OF Waterville, campaign director for
Maine. In opening he stated that people
Of this nation should cherish an optimis-
tic theology, not a theology Of the kind
that says it is hopeless to fight ana ere
ates upon a certain class of people the
impression that we are on the down
grade, such theology as is suggested bv
certain books. He spoke of the origin of
the Baptist Laymen campaign movement I
saying that Names share of the entire
amount to be raised was $4,000. and he !
told of the great necessity of the move |
ment
Dr. Bruce Kinney OF Topeka. Kas. |
spoke of the splendid spirit that had been
shown at the conferences in this worl, !
"hlch he had already attended and he |
showed how the money to be raised will |
be distributed. He laid special emma. |
sis upon the point that this is no time
for the people Of this nation to save their |
money and that although the peonle had |
oeen giving to many big movements thew
must sun give and continue to give until !
the close of the war; for while the SOL |
diers are at the front it is the duty and !
the opportunity for those who STAY be- |
hind to contribute all they can. In clos
ing he gave the reasons why this latest I
movement Of the Baptist denomination !
should be carried out.
The last speaker was Harry Brown !
president Of the Waterv,lle Chamber Of !
Commerce, who showed in detail the |
working Of the movement in Waterv;r,e !
Representatives were present ac the |
rally from the Baptist churches Of Wa
terville. East Winthrop, Vassalboro. Oak
land, Gardiner, Hallowen as well az this
city. Pledge cards were distributed al |