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Degrees The seminary was granted the right to confer degrees in divinity by the Maine legislature in 1905, but the institution has never exercised the right except to give the degree of B. D. to graduates holding its diploma, having the degree of A. B., and having pursued a prescribed course of study additional to the diploma course.
Graduates Among its graduates may be mentioned Cyrus Hamlin, of Note Henry T. Cheever, Daniel Dole, Rufus King Sewall, Egbert C. Smyth, Joshua L. Chamberlain, Francis N. Peloubet, Edwin P. Parker, Lewis O. Braston, Minot J. Savage, Henry L. Chapman, George A. Gordon, Clarence A. Beckwith.
Service Rendered The seminary is now in its 104th year. During its exist- ence it has graduated 930 men, and given instruction to 327 others for one or more years. Its students have come from every continent on the globe, and from not a few islands of the sea ; as ministers, missionaries and teachers they have worked as widely. The total number of years service of its graduates and non-graduates to churches of not less than a score of denominations is about 25,000.
CHAPTER XXXIV
LIBRARIES
Public The growth of the public library idea in our state parallels Libraries that of the public school. Associations, formed at first for the exclusive benefit of the few, were gradually enlarged to include in their scope the good of all.
The first Maine legislature enacted both school and library laws mod- eled after those of Massachusetts. From 1798 to 1815 Massachusetts had provided by legislation for the incorporation of law, militia and proprietary and social libraries. Our inheritance, however, was more than mere legal machinery, for, although statistics on that point are few and unreliable, the fact is well established that free libraries maintained by the people were as early as the middle of the eighteenth century considered a neces- sary part of our educational system.
A portion of "The Revolving Library", established in 1751 for three adjoining parishes in Kittery and York, is still in existence in the Com- munity House at Kittery Point. The "Library Society" of Falmouth Neck, founded by twenty-six gentlemen in 1765, and succeeded in 1826 by the Portland Athenaeum, was the forerunner of the present Portland Public Library, and the oldest library now in active existence, that of Bowdoin College, was established in 1794. During the years 1798-1820 were founded the libraries of Waterville (now Colby) College, Gorham and North Yar- mouth Academies, and proprietary or social libraries in Bangor, Belfast, Bucksport, Camden, Castine, Gorham, Machias, Portland, Saco, Union, Warren, Westbrook, Winthrop, Wiscasset and probably other places.
The lyceum and debating clubs of this period played an important part in both school and community life and the libraries gradually accu- mulated by these clubs grew to be of such value that it became necessary to place them under the control and management of responsible bodies. The societies or associations formed for this purpose became the proprietary or social libraries authorized by the first library laws. The free public library of the present day is the direct consequence of the need expressed by the organization of these earlier associations and in many instances is their lineal descendant.
The first free public library law was passed in 1854, Maine being the third state to enact such legislation. Towns were authorized under this law to establish and maintain public libraries, to receive bequests and gifts
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and to appropriate for organization one dollar for each rateable poll and for annual maintenance twenty-five cents for each such poll. This law remained unchanged for more than thirty years and, with one exception, there is no evidence that any municipality acted under its provisions. The town of Castine established a public library in 1855, and at that time received the books and property belonging to a social library founded by William Mason and others in 1801 and subsequently incorporated under the laws of 1821.
In 1893 the passage of a new public library law not only permitted but encouraged public libraries. They were made legal recipients and custodians of state documents, were granted a stipend of ten per cent of the amount appropriated by the municipality (changed in 1895 to ten per cent of appropriation for the library and in 1917 to not less than seven nor more than ten per cent, the stipend in no case to exceed $500) and, in the case of new libraries in towns having less than 1500 population (restriction as to population removed in 1901) were given new books to the value of half the appropriation for starting the library but not exceed- ing $100. The older association libraries were given the benefits of the act when made entirely free as a result of municipal appropriation. Libra- rians and others were allowed to apply to the State Library for advice and instruction in library matters. As illustrative of the extension of public libraries under this act the State Library report of 1894 enumerated thirty-four free public libraries and forty-four not free, whereas the report of the United States Bureau of Education for 1876 listed seventeen social and eight public libraries, only three of which were free.
Since 1893 the number of libraries has steadily increased, and the opening of the centennial year finds Maine with two hundred and twelve public libraries, one hundred and thirteen of which are entirely free and ninety-nine require a small fee. The total number of books in these libra- ries is 1,120,230.
The Maine Library Association, organized in 1891, has, since its reor- ganization in 1901, been an active agency in energizing the library spirit of the state. Two meetings are held each year-one in the spring, and one in the fall at the same place and time as the Maine Teachers' Convention.
The entire library situation is now more promising than at any other time in the history of the state. Trustees are asking for trained and effi- cient workers, municipalities are requiring adequate service and librarians are consistently and constantly striving to raise themselves and their libraries to the highest standards demanded by our modern professional and industrial life.
The two central library agencies authorized by the state are the Maine State Library and the Maine Library Commission.
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Maine Library Commission Through the efforts of the Maine Federation of Women's Clubs a traveling library system was established by law in 1899. To carry out its provisions and to encourage free public libraries, the act created a Library Commission of five members, including the State Librarian. The first year forty-two carefully selected traveling libraries were prepared and circulated. From year to year old libraries were broken up and new ones added, the report for 1919 showing a total circulation of 500-an increase of about twenty- four libraries a year. The libraries contain fifty books each and are sent for six months to any part of the state on payment of five cents a volume to cover cost of transportation. Communities which would otherwise have no access to books are through the traveling libraries brought into direct and constant association with the world's best literature. The Commis- sion has held summer schools and institutes for librarians and assisted by advice and personal visitation in the establishment and growth of new libraries. A library organizer is now employed by the Commission and her services in organizing new libraries, in converting private into public libraries, in cataloging, classifying, buying and general administration are at the call of any library in the state.
The State Library had its beginning in a resolve of the legislature of 1836, which required the Secretary of State
Maine State to purchase a library, under the direction of the governor,
Library for the use of the legislature and to expend five hundred dollars for that purpose. By a legislative act of 1839 the books belonging to the state by purchase or donation were collected and deposited in the south wing of the State House, and constituted the State Library under the charge of the Secretary of State. In 1861 the Library was made a separate department under the direct control of the Governor and Coun- cil, as a board of trustees, and they were authorized to appoint a State Librarian. The Library was located on the top floor of the south wing of the State House until 1891, when new rooms were provided for it in the west wing of the enlarged building. In the year 1910 when the State House was still further enlarged, the main portion of the Library was removed to the second floor of the north wing.
Originally established for the members of the legislature and the various departments of state government it now serves all the people of the state. On its shelves will be found 125,000 books and pamphlets and 170 current periodicals, containing a full and equal representation of the various branches of history, law, science, religion, political economy, indus- trial and fine arts, language and literature. Technical and elementary books in every trade, profession and industry are continually being added in order that every worker may find there the information he most desires or needs. Any resident of Maine may borrow books and magazines or obtain information from the Maine State Library.
WALPOLE CHURCH. BRISTOL. ME. Built 1772.
ST. PATRICK'S at DAMARISCOTTA MILLS. ME. Dedicated in 1808 by Bishop Cheverus.
MEETING HOUSE AT HINA Said to be the finest existing Specimen of the earliest form of New England meeting house.
CHAPTER XXXV
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES
Religion of the Indians The Indian believed in the existence of an unseen world and of unseen beings by whom it was peopled, and with whom his priests could commune. These priests or medi- cine men performed the three-fold function of priest, prophet and physician. They held themselves to be kin to the mysterious powers to whose service they were devoted, and to be acceptable mediums of communication between them and the common people.
In common with other tribes of the Algonquin family, the Abenakis held that the world was under the influence of dual powers, beneficent and maleficent, and that there was one Great Spirit who held supreme rule, but at the same time did not interfere with these ever-conflicting powers. Upon this conception of deity their entire system of religious belief neces- sarily hinged; hence their belief in guardian spirits, which they denom- inated manitos.
They believed in a future existence, "they believed in the immortal soul and that it shall pass to the South-west Elysium, holding it to be a kind of Paradise. For their enemies, who they account unworthy of this imaginary happiness, they say that they pass to the infernal dwellings of Abamocho, to be tortured according to the fictions of the ancient Heathen."
They believed in the duality of the soul, which is said to have been the reason for their custom of burying domestic utensils and other articles with the dead, and of placing food upon the graves. In common with many other races of mankind, they regarded the serpent as being the embodi- ment of the supernatural power, superior in wisdom and cunning-in fact, a manito which demanded their reverence.
First Services The first Christian religious service conducted in Maine was in 1604 when the French under DeMonts visited Mount Desert. The first mass said in Maine was by Father Beard in October, 1611, on an island at the mouth of the Kennebec river. In 1607 the first Protestant religious service in New England was conducted by Rev. Richard Seymour at Popham, where a church was built. In 1646 Father Druillettes became a missionary to the Indians at Norridgewock. In 1688 Father Bigot erected a church at this place, which was improved by the distinguished priest, Father Rale.
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The Puritans did little to Christianize the Indians of Maine. Their one effort was confined to a mission at Arrowsic which lasted from 1717 to 1721. English Church For a brief period the English church was the state church in Maine under the charter given to Gorges in 1622. William Morrell, Richard Gibson and Robert Jordan, clergy- men of the Church of England, tried to establish their church in Maine, but it failed and nothing further was attempted for eighty years. In 1770 the Episcopal church asked to be relieved from taxes of the Standing Order. Their petition was granted in 1772. A church was established in Gardiner in 1771. In 1880 there were two churches in Maine. The Episcopalians have grown constantly in influence and membership until today there are thirty-nine clergymen and 5656 communicants.
Puritan and Congregational Thomas Farmer and John Wheelwright, Puritan minis- ters, preached at Saco and Wells for a brief time prior to 1647. In 1652 Massachusetts secured control of Maine and taxed the people for public worship. The minister was a town official. The first Puritan church was built at York in 1673.
The Congregational church became the successor of the Pilgrims in religious work in Maine and founded Bowdoin College. Their mission- ary society was founded in 1807, and Bangor Theological Seminary in 1814. They have continued from the first leaders in educational work, establish- ing many academies in the state. From this church have come many missionary, educational and civic leaders of great distinction.
Friends The first Friends to visit Maine were Ann Coleman, Mary Tompkins and Alice Ambrose, who came to Berwick in 1662. A Friends Meeting House was established in Kittery in 1730, at Falmouth in 1743. Their work continued to prosper until by 1800 they had meeting places in all important towns. They have at the present time 23 meeting houses and about 1800 members.
Baptist William Screven was ordained to the ministry in Boston in 1682 and attempted to establish a church in Kittery, but the established church caused his arrest, and he was fined and forbid- den to preach. A century later Hezikiah Smith founded the first Baptist Church in Maine and organized churches in Gorham (1768) and Berwick. The work prospered and an association of churches was formed in Bow- doinham in 1787. A college was organized in Waterville in 1820. There are four Baptist preparatory schools, Hebron, Coburn, Higgins and Ricker. In 1867 the Baptist Convention was organized. The Baptist and Free Baptist churches became one church in 1915 under the presidency of Gov. Carl E. Milliken, a member of the Free Baptist church. They have 33,647 members and 400 churches.
Presbyterian In 1734 William McClanethan, a Presbyterian minister, preached at Boothbay ; McLane at Bristol at a later period, and in 1784 Whitaker was at Canaan and Williams at Winslow. The Pres- 14
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byterian church continued to grow in membership and influence until 1800 when they were established in at least ten towns. After this period they declined and finally became Congregational churches. At the close of the seventeenth century there were 42 churches and 2186 members in Maine. At a later period there were three churches with 503 members. Methodist In 1793 Jesse Lee was sent by the New England Confer- ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church to organize this church in Maine. He held the first services in Saco, Portland, Hallowell and Readfield in 1793. The Readfield circuit was organized, which included all the state. A church was dedicated at Readfield in 1798 by Bishop Asbury ; 1500 people were at the service. Maine has the distinction of giving to the Methodist Church Bishop Soule, who drafted the plan of the delegated General Conference, and also founded the Methodist Review. When Maine became a state in 1820, there were three districts, 27 cir- cuits, 32 preachers and 6017 members. Academies have been established at Kents Hill and Bucksport. This church has through all the years contributed to the educational, social and political development of the state. She has continued to grow in influence and in membership. The total membership in 1919, including probationers, was 23,791.
Universalist In 1802 Thomas Barnes preached in Norway, New Glouces- ter, Falmouth, Gray and several other towns. Sylvanus Cobb of Norway organized the first church in Waterville in 1826. The Gospel Banner was established and published at Augusta and exerted a large influence. The first State Convention met in 1826. They have a fine academy at Westbrook. There are about 17,000 members.
Free Baptist Benjamin Randall of Berwick was the founder of the Free Baptist Church. He preached in New Hampshire and Maine, forming many churches, which were organized into a State Mission in 1834. The denomination continued to grow until it became one of the most influential in the state, having churches in all the cities. Its work for the rural districts has been among the greatest agencies for the uplift of the people. This church established Bates College in Lewiston and the Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield. In 1915 the Free Baptist and Bap- tist Churches united in one denomination, under the name United Bap- tist Convention of Maine.
Unitarian The Unitarian church was organized in Portland in 1791. Colonel Vaughn of Hallowell was for years the most dis- tinguished Unitarian in America. Churches were founded in Bath and Waterville by Dr. Sheldon, at one time president of Colby College. The Unitarian churches in Maine were formed into an association at Saco in 1878. It has now 27 churches. The membership could not be ascertained. Catholic Church This church began its work with the coming of the first discoverers and had missions at Mount Desert and Nor- ridgewock. When Maine became a state in 1820 there
PULPIT OF THE MEETING- HOUSE AT HINA Z'he desk is 9 ft. above the congregation.
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were few churches, the growth had been slow, but with the growth of lum- bering and manufacturing the tide turned to this church. Soon large and prosperous churches were located in all the large centers.
In 1853 the See of Maine and New Hampshire was instituted with 8 priests. In the early days they shared in the persecution that practically all churches faced in turn. Their priests were turned out of town, and their churches burned. In 1874 the Catholic population was 80,000 and they had 23 schools. St. Mary's College was established at Van Buren. In 1884 New Hampshire was withdrawn from the See of Maine. Under the brilliant leadership of Bishop Walsh, the efficiency of the church has been greatly increased. Remarkable advances have been made in church build- ing, education and hospital work. There are today 131,638 Catholics in Maine, 143 priests, 47 parochial schools, 11 schools for girls, 1 college for boys, 7 orphan asylums and many other institutions.
Other There are many other religious bodies in Maine that the student of progress must study if he would understand Churches the development of the religious history of the state. They are the Adventist, Seventh Day Advents, Disciples, Christian, New Jeru- salem, Lutheran, Church of God, Christian Science and Seventh Day Baptists.
Reform The Maine Bible Society organized in 1809, distributes Societies about 11,000 copies annually in fifty languages. The Maine Sunday School Society was organized in 1869. It represents 1,200 schools with a membership of 100,000. The Christian Civic League was organized in March, 1897, at Waterville. The Christian Endeavor Society was founded by Rev. Francis E. Clark at Portland, February 2, 1881. The Y. M. C. A. was organized at Portland, Nov. 9, 1853.
Statistics The Maine Register for 1919 is the authority for the fol- lowing statistics for religious societies in Maine :
Advent Christian-44 churches, 64 ministers, 2,338 members.
United Baptist-419 churches, 247 ministers, 33,016 members.
Protestant Episcopal-79 parishes and missions, 39 clergymen, 5,656 com- municants.
Congregational-265 churches, 186 clergymen, 21,968 members.
Methodist Episcopal-309 churches, 231 ministers, 23,031 members, 1,195 probationers.
Universalist- 77 churches, 43 ministers, 17,000 members.
Friends-23 meeting houses, about 1,800 members.
Unitarian-21 churches, membership not given.
New Jerusalem-3 churches, 131 members.
Seventh Day Adventist-20 churches, 8 ministers, 811 members.
Christian-35 ministers, 3,600 members.
Disciples-7 churches, about 500 members.
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Evangelical Lutheran-7 churches, 6 ministers, 1,445 members. Presbyterian-3 churches, 3 ministers, about 503 members. Church of God-12 churches, 16 ministers, about 250 members. Salvation Army-25 corps, 3 industrial institutions, 70 officers. Roman Catholic-152 churches, 32 chapels, 160 priests, Catholic population is about 134,371.
A POTATO HARVEST
CHAPTER XXXVI
AGRICULTURE
The State Board of Agriculture was established by a law which became operative April 1, 1856. The Board was made up of one member from each county, who was elected by the agricultural societies of that county. The Governor and Secretary of State were ex-officio members of the Board. Some years later these two officials ceased to have any connection with the Board, and were replaced by the President of the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and by the Director of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station at Orono. The Board held a meet- ing annually, elected a secretary who became its executive officer and mapped out the year's work.
The Legislature of 1901 passed an act which brought to an end the existence of the State Board of Agriculture. At the beginning of the year 1902, a new law went into effect, and the work which was formerly done by the Board passed into the hands of a single commissioner, called the Commissioner of Agriculture, who is elected by the legislature.
The Department as at present organized, is composed of five Divi- sions, each Division including one or more bureaus as follows:
1. Division of Plant Industry; (a) Gypsy Moth Work, (b) Horticul- ture, (c) Seed Improvement, (d) Exhibits.
2. Animal Industry; (a) Livestock, (b) Sheep Specialist, (c) Dairy Inspector.
3. Division of Markets; (a) Marketing, (b) Statistics, (c) Grading and Packing, (d) Labor.
4. Division of Inspection; (a) Food, Fertilizers, etc., (b) Apple Pack- ing, (c) Weights and Measures.
5. Commissioner, Administration Division; Institutes, Fairs, Bulle- tins, Miscellaneous Work, General Supervision.
I. Division of Plant Industry
Gypsy Moth Work The brown tail and gypsy moths are found in southern Maine, from the New Hampshire line to the Penobscot river. The man in charge of their extermination is known as the field agent, and he employs from fifty to sixty men the larger part of the year.
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One line of work is the growing and developing of parasites and fungus diseases to prey upon, weaken and eventually destroy these exceedingly destructive pests.
Already the brown tail has nearly disappeared. The gypsy moth is a more difficult enemy to fight, and at the present time is exceedingly plentiful in the counties of the southern part of the state, threatening the destruction of the fruit and timber trees of that section. A large force is kept busy creosoting, burlaping and spraying.
Horticulture This bureau inspects all nurseries in the state, there being 65 at the present time, about 129 acres in extent. It licenses all persons selling nursery stock in the state. Last season there were 88 licensed agents. It enforces the apple packing law.
Maine was one of the earliest states to provide for better grading and packing of apples. The inspection service employs six or eight men during the shipping season. They visit as often as possible the shipping stations, of which there are about 200.
The State Horticulturist also collaborates with the Federal Horticul- tural Board at Washington. It is his duty to see that each and every package coming into the state from foreign countries is inspected, and report made on same. The stock must bear an inspection tag from the country from which it is shipped, and it is also inspected at the port of entry.
The bureau is constantly on the lookout for insect pests and fungous diseases. Trees are sprayed for San Jose, Scurvy and Oyster Shell Scale.
Prize Carleton Orchards are annually visited and instructions
Orchards given regarding spraying, pruning, cultivation, fertiliza- tion and general care of same. These are orchards of one acre each, planted to compete for a prize, the contest to cover a period of five years. The next planting will be in the spring of 1920. There are many of these orchards in the state and the owners are paying marked attention to them as well as caring for their older orchards at the same time.
Seed
The Bureau of Seed Improvement works in conjunction
with the Maine Seed Improvement Association. It is
Improvement engaged in developing a system of state certification of seed for use in the state and for sale outside the state. The purpose is to bring about the use of better seeds by our own farmers, and to produce seed of a higher grade that will bring more money to the producer.
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