Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-25
Double Event at Retl,any


Monday evening at the Bethany
Baptist church occurred d double
event. when the Pensioners observed
the annual Thanksgiving social, a
custom Of over 20 years, and the
! 10th anniversary of the pastorate of
the present pastor. Rev. George
Merriam.
The affair was given under the
auspices of the Helen Coburn Mis-
sionary Society. The committee to
/ receive and distribute the large
amount of food stuffs brought by
the adults. youths and maidens and
the little people, was made up of
Mrs. Ella r. Nelson, a member of
the church. who now resides in Wa
terville and who for many years has
acted as chairman of this committee.
Mrs. Charles a. Durnor. Mrs. Fred
c. Nye and Mrs. George Merriam.
Very generous were these offerings
which will gladden. the hearts of
many families on Thanksgiving day.
These gifts will today be assembled
into baskets for distribution among
needy families in town by the above
mentioned committee. A program
which was much enjoyed was pre-
: scented by the. Christian Endeavor
Society under the direction of the
following committee: Mrs. Clarence
X. Hight, chairman, James NJ. White,
Frederick Burrill, Helen Halves and
Gladys Mantor.
The program included the follow
ing numbers: Selections by Bethany
Orchestra: prayer, Rev. George Mer-
riam: violin duet. Charlotte Gates
and Gladys Mantor. accompanied by
Helen Halves: recitation. Arthur Ma
son: piano trio. Ivanetta Newton. Lu-
/ cile Moore and Helen Halves; encore;
reading. Edgar Guests poems by
Mrs. Hight: piano solo. Lura Loom
is: remarks by Mr.. Merriam; sing
, ing, america" Mrs. Everett Good
rich in behalf of the church and
friends presented Mrs. Merriam with
very beautiful bead bag and seven
handsome schrysanthemums. one for
each one of the seven children who
would not be home on Thanksgiving
day.
Miss Louise II. Coburn on behalf
of the parish presented to Mr.. Mer-
riem $50 in gold.
In a pleasing manner Miss Co
burn voiced the appreciation for the
faithful service of Mr.. Merriam and
Mrs. Merriam during the years they
have been at Bethany and expressed
the best wishes of the parish.
The Bethany Baptist church was
organized May IL. 1887. and has had
only three pastors, the first the late
Charles V. Hanson. d. H.: the Sec
ond. Rev. William II. Spencer. d. D.,
of Cambridge. Mass: and the present
pastor. Rev. George Merriam:
Mr.. Merriam has the record of
splendid service for the long period
of 20 years at the Bethany Baptist
church. He is beloved by the entire
parish and respected by the entire
community. as are also Mrs. Mer-,
RAM and their eight children. all
of whom have passed considerable
time In Skowhegan.
Mr.. Merriam was born in China,
Me-. on November 80. 1856. the son
OF Rev. and Mrs. Franklin Merriam
hut much OF his youth was passed
in New Hampshire, where his father
held a passionate.
MIR. Merriam followed his father
and older brother. Edward F. Mer-
Ram of Boston. In his profession.
graduating from Colby college in the
class OF 1868 and from Newton Theo-
logical Institute at Newton Center.
His first 10 years OF the ministry
were passed in the towns sc Abikene.
Solomon City and Asage City. Kan
sas. In 1852 he Merriams returned
to Maine and Mr.. Merriam since
1852 has served only two churches
the BAPTIST church at Freeport and
the Bethany at Skowhegan.
Mrs. Merriam Is especially identi-
NED with the work of the Ladies