SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 



Apple blossoms pink and white. 

 Drifting through the perfumed air 

 Of a May day clear and bright, 

 What on earth is half so fair? 



Apple blossoms pure and sweet. 

 Flakes of snow just tipped with rose, 

 Drifting sweetness at our feet, 

 With each wind that blows. 



Braving winter's dying breath 

 In response to spring time's call, 

 Trusting in the One who rules, 

 And who watches over all. 



— Green's Fruit Grower. 



TRUE M. MERRILL. 



On January 13, 1905, after a few days sickness from an iniex- 

 pected stroke of paralysis, True M. Merrill passed away at liis 

 home in New Gloucester. 



His great-grandfather, Nathan Merrill, was the first Shaker 

 convert .in New Gloucester. He had a large family before he 

 became a Shaker, his father and two of his brothers having pre- 

 viously been converted. "Within a fortnight after the conver- 

 sion of Nathan Merrill, November 14. 1793, the neighboring 

 families were gathered in," and the Shaker society in New 

 Gloucester was organized a few months later. Some of 

 Nathan's family left the Shakers and made homes in the locality 

 and they and their descendants have a strong love for the 

 Shakers and are among their most devoted friends. One of 

 these was Cephas Merrill, who chose for his home a beautiful 

 spot on a hillside overlooking Sabbathday lake. He and Lovina 



