Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-04-22

care will be based upon the figures
secured by a poll of all of the Me-
thodist ministers and will be as ac-
Curate as any life insurance figures.
DIR. Hingley went into the matter
quite thoroughly. showing how 1t
would apply in individual cases and
also how it would be considerably
less expensive than the endowment
plan.
Meeting of Welcome
This meeting came at the con-
clusion of the meeting of welcome
at which Mayor Ernest l.. Mclean
welcomed the delegates to Augusta,
on behalf of the city. Rev. Ralph T..
Lowe, pastor of the host church pre-
sided at the meeting and Rev. c. n.
Garland of Bangor responded on
behalf of the Delegates
In his opening remarks. Rev. Mr..
Lowe spoke of the fact that this is
the seventh Methodist Conference
that has been held in Augusta. But
it was not until two Years ago that
the entire State of Maine met in one
conference. so this Is by far the
largest that has ever met in Au-
Susta.
lie spoke of the beginning OF
Methodism in Augusta before 1900.
Il 'nqueStionably," said the speaker,
Jesse Lee, the founder of Netho-
dism in New England. passed
through here, but the records show
. that so far as we know, the first
, Methodist sermon to be preached
here was by Epaphras Kibby, who
was one of the preachers on the old
, Readileld Circuit. which included
! Augusta and neighboring places"
lie went on to speak of the suhse-
quent growth of MethoCism in Au-
, Susta and of the erection Of n church
, in 1S2S Rev. Daniel Il. Randall, a
very young man was appointed as
the first pastor.
Rev. Mr.. Lowe stated that he
knew Rev. Randall very well as his
last pastorate was in Mr.. Loves
home town and the local minister
had afterward boarded with him at
/ kent's Hill.
Mayor Ernest l.. Mclean
Mr.. Lowe then introduced Mavor
Ernest l.. Mclean. Mayor Mclean
extended most cordial welcome to
the delegates. He said in part:
we welcome you because YOU
represent Il great religious organiza-
tlon and because, representing such
an organization, YOU must embody
me spirit of Christian help and fell
iowshlp. We welcome YOU because
win you the ruling passion is serv-
I ice TO your fellow-man. You are
the keepers of the light. God will
Keep the people if you but keep the
ilSht. He has given you the light.
10 Keep; the light of conscience. the
iight of truth, the light of service
the light of love for and understand
ing of your fellow man.
You know that the church js
something more than painted win
ooWS ana cushioned pews. It is
something more than Sunday SER
mons and mid-week Nprayer. The
Methodist church is YOU: what your
personalities are, that is what your
church is. We hear the assertion
ually that there is something wrong
WIN the church. If that be so then
lhete is something wrong with Won.
we welcome YOU here because
you are here to frankly meet such
issues and ii they embody aught of
truth to find the remedy. You are
mere, II YOU are strong, to make
yourselves stronger and to discover
Inc means of more effectively using
that strength.
We welcome YOU because we want
that You should keep us right. ey-
eryWhere. whether we dwell in tho
largest city Or the smallest hamlet.
we want the encouragement of Your
WordS-Dut even more the strength
OF Your example. We trust that here
You VIII receive an inspiration that
VIII make you more effective help
erS.
The Response
After a beautiful vocal solo by a
young man paul Brooks of Bath)
VINO VIII attend the young mems con-
terence later in the week, Rev. Gar
land expressed the thanks of the dele
gates IN very beautiful address.
Mr.. Garland said in part:
In view of the kindly words so fe-
llcitouSly chosen, and the evident sin
cerlty with which we have been
greeted and accorded the generous hos
pltallty of this beautiful city and cap
ital of our State, it becomes my pleas
ant duty in behalf of the conference
to express our deep appreciation for
both your gracious greetings and as
we'll your kindly care.
I'm thus bestowing upon us the keys
of your castle YOU make us all your
debtors We can only hope that, un-
like so many whose visits are inspired
with desire only to obtain, it may
De Our privilege the rather TO bestow,