Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 14.

[p. 47] number of its members is considered. For several years these ladies have paid the entire interest on the mortgage note and a generous pledge to the weekly offering, kept the parsonage furniture in order, and the pastor in touch with the people by telephone. Their efforts are not alone for their local church, as one of their former presidents (Mrs. Mann) has for the past ten years been connected with the New England Deaconess Aid Society, and for the past four years its vice-president. The first to enter this service, she has succeeded in enthusing numbers of others, and organized numerous circles of girls as deaconess' helpers. One of its number, Mrs. E. G. Came, was the prime mover, in 1893, of the effort that resulted in the Ladies' Aid Union, now representing over one hundred societies of Eastern Massachusetts, and was its first president, and in 1902 another, Mrs. Elizabeth J. C. Mann, who had served as secretary, filled the same honorable position. The building of the two houses of worship, their repair, and maintenance of public worship, has required an outlay during these years, together with the various benevolences, of upwards of one hundred thousand dollars, no inconsiderable sum when the numbers and circumstances of the society are considered.

Three years ago a special note of our anniversary was made by a banquet in the dining hall, a social hour and reunion in the chapel, and a more formal gathering (with music, addresses by former pastors and present members) in the audience room. It was the writer's privilege then to give an historical address, illustrated as this has been; not this, but a different paper. One illustration then given cannot be given tonight, but I quote these words: ‘A faithful brother entered into rest. Before his departure he made provision for the excellent pipe organ that was installed in the autumn of 1898. A noble memorial of a worthy man, presented to the church he dearly loved, it bears this simple inscription, “Gift of Elisha Pierce, March 20, 1898.” ’ In the darkness