Malden City (part 4 of 4)

September 10, 1885, an initial meeting for the purpose of organizing a larger association was held at the vestry of the Baptist Church. At this time a committee, representing the several churches, was appointed to canvas for members. The ten who were appointed for the purpose entered immediately upon their task, and at the October meeting reported that the signatures of over three hundred young men had been secured, also that a general feeling in favor of the work existed in the community. At the next meeting, held October 21st, Walter C. Douglass, the State secretary of the Massachusetts associations, was present. In his remarks, he said : " We have a definite and distinct work to do - to labor for young men. This work is needed to meet the various temptations and pitfalls which the adversary has placed in their way. As the devil works distinctly in every large community for the downfall of this class more than any other, so our work is for the same class and to the opposite result."

The Maiden institution, which chose to base its action upon the principles which had made possible the formation and successful prosecution of sixty similar associations in other parts of the State, adopted the truths expressed in that part of the constitution which states that "the object of the association shall be to improve the .spiritual, intellectual, social and physical condition of young men by appropriate means and methods in harmony with the spirit of the gospel."

A further extract from the constitution, relative to the duties of members, shows what the institution expects of itself: " The members of this association .shall seek out young men and endeavor to bring them under moral and religious influences by introducing them to the members and to the principles of the association. November 25, 1885, at a meeting held in the vestry of tbe Methodist Church, the following Board of Directors was constituted: Hon. J. K. C. Sleeper, George E. Gay, G. Louis Richards, Clarence O. Walker, John H. Parker, Herbert Porter, W. H. Sargeant, M. C. Grier, Rev. M. M. Cutler, William B. de las Casas, A. D. Cromby, A. J. Chase, Freeman A. Smith, H. B. Griffin, S. M. Fairfield.

The board was empowered by the constitution to choose a president and two vice-presidents for the association. For president it chose the principal o^ the High School, Mr. George E. Gay, a man preeminently fitted for the position. For vice-presidents

Hon. J. K. C. Sleeper and Clarence O. Walker. Matthew C. Grier and Wilbur H. Sargeant were made respectively secretary and treasurer. To the important position of general secretary, the board calleil William R. Comer, who was formerly connected with the Boston association. The next and very important step was to secure proper headquarters. The Masonic building was then being erected, and, through the generosity of Maiden citizens, hand.somely furnished rooms were opened to the public in that beautiful building in November of 1886. The rooms were made free, to be used by any young man, whether a member of the association or not. Classes for vocal music and instruction in penman.ship were formed, and a course of entertainment furnished for the winter. At the annual meeting, in December, 188fi, Mr. Gay declined further service, and Mr. Herbert Porter was elected president in his .stead. Under his efficient care and faithfulness, for two years, the association gained in number and extended its influence.

October 12, 1888, a vote was passed, making the association a corporation under the laws of the State. With the new form of organization came a change in the filling of the offices. Those who had been the incentive and spirit in previous years declined to further serve, and at the head of the association was placed Mr. William R. Hawley, who also served efficiently for two years.

The community, seeing, by the earnest efforts of former workers, that the influence of the association's work was being felt in every home, and in almost every church, gave it a zealous support. In August, 1889, Mr. William R. Comer resigned his position as general secretary, and Mr. W. H. Simouds, who was acting in a similar capacity in Keene, N. H., was elected to the office. It is due to Mr. Comer, however, to say that the present prosperity of the association is largely due to his ability and faithful eflbrts during the previous years, which were the formative years of the society.

Each year of the association's existence had brought forth several young men to that point in every man's life when he accepts or rejects the proffered Gospel of salvation. But it was left to the laborers in the fall of 1889 to see the spiritual harvest for which many had long looked- The as.sistance of Messrs- Martin and Peabody were secured for this service, hnd the association could say with the apostle, " And the Lord added to the church daily-"

In the fall of 1889 a short-hand class was formed and largely attended. In the spring of 1890 an Outing Club was organized, and, through the generosity of Hon. E. P. Converse, grounds were secured at the Fells for lawn tennis and base-ball.

In five years the Maiden Young Men's Christian Association takes its place the eighth in size in the State, though the city itself ranks as the eighteenth in size. A large proportion of Maiden's best citizens have enrolled their names among its members. To the co-operation and influence of such men have been added the noble ettbrls of the Women's Auxiliary. These ladies have cared for the parlor, keeijiug it supjilied with flowers, and have furnished refreshments at llie association's reception. The value of their labor in behalf of the association can never be estimated.

Miscellaneous

rnil<-d (inler of Gulden Cross, Maiden Coraniaudery, No. 45 ; instituted 1871. My»llc Conunandory, No. 210, Faulkner ; iustituteil 1882. Same, Sloplewood Commandely, No. 219, Maplewood ; instituted 1882.

JIaldon Civil S<'rvlco Iloforni Associotlon, Mjilden Deliberative As- -enibly, JIalden FIronion's Relief Aasoeiotlon, Maiden Industrial Aid Society ; Maiden Society for Medical Improvomont, instituted 1888.

Biographical Elisha Slade Converse

Elisha Slade Converse, son of Elisha and Betsey Wheaton Converse, was born in Needham, Mass., July 30, 1820. His parents removed to Woodstock, Conn., in 1824, and here he remained until twelve years of age, when he went with his parents to Thompson, Conn., and for nearly a year worked in a cotton factory at that place. In 1833 he came to Boston, where he lived for a short time with his brother, Deacon James W. Converse, and attended the McKean School. He was subsequently employed by his brother-in-law, Mr. Aaron Builer, of South Boston, as clerk in his store, where he remained until 1836. He then returned to Woodstock, where he attended school and worked on a farm until seventeen years old. At this time he went to Thompson and engaged for two years with Mr. Albert G. Whipple to learn the clothier's trade. He soon after formed a partnership with Mr. Whipple which continued until young Converse was twenty-one years of age, when he purchased Mr. Whipple's interest and contiuued the business.

In 1841 Mr. Converse removed to Boston aud formed a partnersliip in the shoe and leather business with Benjamin Poland, under the firm-name of Poland & Converse. During this period he lived with his brother. Deacon James W. Converse, on Pearl Street, and also at Jamaica Plain. In 1847 he removed to Stoneham, where Poland & Converse had a branch business (if grinding aijd preparing drugs, spices, etc. This partnership was dissolved in 1849, and Mr. John Uobson became associated with Mr. Converse, and the business was continued under the firm-name of Converse & Kobson until 1853, when Mr. Converse withdrew from the partnership, and founded the Boston Rubber Shoe Company. He was elected its treasurer, in which capacity he has remained to the present time. This company is one of the representative institutions of New England.

Mr. Converse early manifested laudable interest in religious matters. He united with the First Baptist Church of Thonip.son, at Brandy Hill, in 1832, and while living in Boston was a member of the Federal Street Baptist Church. He became a member of the Baptist Church in Maiden in 1847 and was chosen deacon in 1854, and officiated until his resignation,