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Show Page 25<br><br> dent of Chicago. Mrs. W. W. Randolph was chosen for vice-president, and Mrs. A. C. Greer for secretary and treasurer. The society gives annually a sum toward the foreign work, but realizing the great need for work at home, both means and energies are expended mainly in the Utah work. Annual contributions are also sent to the Women's Baptist Home Mission society, with headquarters at Chicago. In January, 1891, the sum of $15 was given toward the purchase of lots for the Baptist church in Provo. In February, 1891, a pledge of $100 was made by the society, to be applied on the purchase of lots in this city, on the corner of Third South and Seventh East streets, on which to erect a mission chapel, known now as the East Side Baptist church. The last of this pledge was paid in January, 1892. In July, 1892, the society pledged $100 toward the erection of a chapel for the Rio Grande branch of the First church, all of which has been paid. Regular meetings, with missionary programs are held monthly. The officers at the present time are Mrs. E. Hauxhurst, president; Mrs. W. W. Randolph, vice-president; Mrs. J. E. Berkley, treasurer; Mrs. J. J. Corum, secretary.<br><br> Ladies' Aid Society.<br><br> The Ladies' Aid society of the First Baptist church was organized in the summer of 1884, with the following officers: President, Mrs. H. G. De Witt; vice-president, Mrs. Kemper; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Huff. Its aim is to cultivate a spirit of harmony and sociability among the members of the church and congregation, to greet and visit strangers who may come among them, to aid the poor, to assist in the church work and to be in readiness always to aid the pastor in any way he may wish. From the organization until 1891 the money raised was used in various ways, one of which was the salary of a soprano singer. In 1891 $100 was given to help build the mission chapel in which the East Side church now worships. In 1892 the audience room of the church was remodeled, painted and re-carpeted. Since then every effort has been exerted to help in the church finances, $592.68 being raised to date, $461 of which was paid on the pastor's salary. In raising this money it has been found that giving merchants' lunches has proved the most successful. From a small beginning the membership has increased to thirty. All the ladies who are regular members of the church or congregation are eligible to membership. The present corps of officers is: President, Mrs. L. D. Lee; vice-president, Mrs. H. B. Steelman; secretary, Mrs. J. E. Berkley; treasurer, Mrs. A. C. Maclean; hoard of directors, Mrs. W. B. Wingate, Mrs. Wight and Mrs. Garrett. <br><br>The Boys' Brigade.<br><br> The First Baptist church rejoices in the interest it has awakened among the boys. If the heart of the boy is not won for Christ and the Church before he is 15, the chances are that the Church will not have the service of the man. As a means of bringing the boys within the influence of the Church, the brigade with its pledge and manual drill and Bible drill is hardly to be surpassed. It is a mistake to imagine that the true brigade cultivates a love for cannon and the battlefield; it simply appeals to the beautiful and noble sentiments which swell in the breast of every manly boy when he hears the beat of a drum and sees a procession of uniformed men, viz., a love for the poetry of motion and the suggestion of strength and prowess. The brigade takes advantage of this, and helps the boy by the physical, mental and moral tone of the discipline and the pledge, and by bringing him at once into the Sunday school. Mr. N. D. Corser, a noble-hearted Christian man, is the president of the brigade, and Frank J. Lucas, a prominent Endeavorer, is the captain. The brigade meets weekly in the kindergarten rooms, and during the winter they provide an entertainment once a month, with a musical and literary program, including an address. The boys hope to be fully equipped with uniforms by the coming of summer. Several have been baptized into the fellowship of the church since enrolling in the brigade. <br><br>The Kindergarten.<br><br> [PHOTO: MISS ERMINA EYLES.] THE First Baptist church was especially glad when one year ago the way opened to establish a free kindergarten. The two-story brick school building which had been erected on the church lot by the Woman's society having headquarters at Boston was bought about that time by the church for its various needs, the primary day school previously maintained by the society having been permanently discontinued. The church was thus able to provide a splendid room for the kindergarten work, which has a most promising field in this neighborhood. Friends in the East provided a superintendent, and Miss E. F. Eyles opened this charming work in January, 1894, with Miss Bertha Mains as assistant. The enrollment gradually rose to sixty-five, and Miss Alice Berkley became second assistant, and afterwards first assistant. The kindergarten is free, but if any of the parents are able, they become subscribers with others to the kindergarten fund. The church cannot do more at present than to donate the use of a room, but the liberality of patrons in the city and friends from abroad is providing the necessary expenses. There is no institutional enterprise in which the church can engage which is at once so delightful and so far-reaching in its blessings. It brings a new light into many homes, by giving the overworked mother a brief respite, and at the same time introduces the child to those agreeable tasks which lay the foundation for the truest development of all its God-given powers. The First Baptist church hopes the time will soon come when it will not need to invite outside co-operation in maintaining an enterprise like this, which confessedly belongs to the richest fruitage of the teachings of Jesus. <br><br>The Industrial School.<br><br> IN the program of the church the girls have not been forgotten. The Industrial school welcomes the boys, and in time provision will be made more es- [PHOTO: MISS MOORE.] pecially for them; but at present the tasks are mostly connected with the use of the needle, and are particularly attractive to the girls. This work was inaugurated by Miss Clarke, and is being vigorously pushed by her successor, Miss Moore. Although there is always a Bible lesson, it is patronized by Mormons, Jews and Gentiles, and is a most excellent agency for reinforcing the Sunday school. The sessions are held Saturday afternoons, and nearly 100 are in frequent attendance.<br><br> The Choir.<br><br> The First church is particularly fortunate in having a volunteer choir, whose praises are constantly spoken of by those who appreciate good music, and which is so much a part of its history that it has come to be regarded as a permanent institution. For the most part, it has remained unchanged in its personnel for several years, and has the following members: Mr. A. H. Peabody, organist and director, Miss Christine Lawson, Mrs. B. F. Randolph, Miss Lillie Jackman, Miss Bessie Jackman, Mr. W. L. Cowburn and Professor C. M. Stebbins. Few understand how great an undertaking, and sacrifice even, it is to be a volunteer member of a church choir. One feels particularly under obligations to be present at every service. Even the custom which pastors have of an occasional exchange has not yet extended to choirs. The First church is not altogether unmindful of these things, and desires to express publicly its grateful appreciation of the devoted choir which has so long led them in the sweet and uplifting service of song.<br><br> BURLINGTON BRANCH.<br><br> A branch Sunday-school of the First Baptist church of Salt Lake City was organized in January, 1891, in a building which was used for a public school, on Eighth South street, at the crossing of the Jordan river. But the building soon ceased to be available, and no other was to be had. A chapel was a necessity, if the work was to be continued. The community was a growing one, with no other church. Accordingly, the needed chapel was built on the corner of Indiana avenue and Navajo street, two miles southwest of the First church, and was dedicated on March 27, 1892, the Rev. S. G. Adams, who was instrumental in inaugurating the work, preaching the sermon. The "hard times" were not yet fully come, and all but about $300 of the money needed for this building was secured in this city. In a few months after the dedication, through the efforts of the pastor, the debt on the chapel was |
