A Historic Address

An address by Mr.M.J. Brine, first executive secretary of the Whitin Community Association, July 7th, 1923 on the occasion of the dedication of the Whitin Community Center. MR. BRINE'S REPLY

Mr. Swift, Ladies and Gentlemen: In accepting these keys as a representative of the future Whitin Community Association, I desire to thank those who have made possible this beautiful and adequate building, and those who for the past few months have labored lovingly and earnestly for its completion. We have today a splendid recreation building, a hall of neighborliness and a temple of brotherhood. The importance of recreation as a national asset has only recently been recognized. The wholesome use of leisure time has been and still is a problem for which national leaders seek an answer, for it is upon the way we use our free time that the safety of our Nation depends. The use of a nation's leisure is the heart of its civilization: nations that have forsaken healthy, active recreation for a passive, pernicious idleness have one by one passed into the discard…

Play is that link, the key which unlocks for us the joys of youth. We all want to keep youthful; we dislike to lose out of our lives the emotions which were awakened in those carefree days. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all love to play. We may be shy or slow to start in the games, but the desire to get into the fray is there.

Some of us are like the old Irishman who, on hearing a noise of fighting in an adjoining room, asked, '"Is it a private foight or can anywan join it?'

The playground and gymnasium are the laboratories for the practice of our religious teaching and for moral practice and development. Here we learn tolerance and concern for the other fellow, and realize our own strength and weakness. This building is an implement with which we help mould and make a better and healthier community. It has room within its walls for every form of recreation. It is a unifier and not a divider. It is an aid to neighborliness. From neighborliness, community spirit is born, not through living beside each other, but by sharing our joys and sorrows together in work and play, ever tolerant and considerate-helping and inspiring. In accepting this building, we have assumed a new responsibility as neighbors and citizens of Whitinsville. We should become leaders in extending the idea of fellowship and emphasizing the value of community spirit. Let us then accept the privileged task willingly, and as a united community go forward toward a better patriotism, helping to build a better America by our example. "This is the thought and the spirit, it seems to me, which was uppermost in the mind of him who conceived this building for this community. He longed for a greater Whitinsville. He saw with the vision of a prophet this needed inspiration to community life. He was beloved by all because he loved all; familiarly known to all of his men and all of his people as 'G. M.'-than which there is no greater tribute to a man. He carried upon his heart and mind the joys and sorrows of his fellowmen and desired that they should live together in peace and unity. Is it not fitting that in love and appreciation, as our testimonial to his memory, and with high hopes and purposes that this building, given to perpetuate his influence, may continue it to a very increasingly and greater proportion, that we rise and, in a moment of silence, dedicate this building to a GREATER NEIGHBORLINESS, A BETTER WHITINSVILLE, AND A LARGER HAPPINESS?"