New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-21
NETWORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
sswt.cenreamtAL CELEBRATION.
MIR. BANCReFT's GRAFTON.
THE DINNER-SPEECHES

York Historical Society was celebrated yester-
dsy afternoon, at NiblO's Pheater in the presence
of q large s,semblsge Of ladies aud gentlemen
At2 o'clock P. ". the members Of the Society
assembled at the Library-rooms in the Uniyer-
sity, where their guests were received and in
troduced by the Reception Committee to the
Hon. LUTHER BRADrsH, President Of the So
ciety. In half az hour thereafter the Society,
with their guests, formed in procession and pro-
ceeded to Niblos Thesser.
The parquette WAS reserved for members of
the Society, and the stage for the guests from
abroad and numerous literary celebrities of the
City.
Among the gentlemen who occupied the stage
we noticed the Rev. DR.. Ferris, Chancellor OF the
University; Pre,ident King of Columbia College;
the Rev. Drs. Adams, Van Pslt, and Mathews;
Erastus c. Benedict President Board of Educs-
tons Aid. ChauDcey, the Rev. Drs Knox, De
Witt and Osgood; Mr.. Peet, President Deaf and
Dumb Institution; Peter Cooper, Gen. Wet
more, J. S. c. Abbott. Delegate of the Maine
Historical Society; Augustus Schell, the Rev.
G. Z. Ellis, the Rev. W. P. Lunt, Wm. c. Bry-
ant, Dr.. Bethune, Mr. Whitehead, Delegate
New Jersey Historical Society; Prof Geo. W.
Greene, DR.. Stevens, President Medical College;
the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, DR.. Uaderhill,
Surrogate Bradford.
The FIRST, second and third tiersof the spacious
building were den.ey crowded with an audience
of ladies and gentlemen-every available place
from which view of the stage could be had be-
ing occupied.
The chair was taken by the Hon. LUTHER BRA
DISH, President Of the Society. Upon the en-
trance Of the procession, Dodworth's Band, led
by Harvey B. Dodworth, performed selections
from the Opera Of IParitGni
The PRESIDENT then came forward and said:
FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE SocKrr-L,DiEs AND
GEsTLENEs: Fifty years have rolled their cesseless
tide along the of time since few enlightened
men laid in weakness but with wise forehought, the
foundation Of the NewYork Historical Society That
Institution. through varying fortune and eyer-ln-
ereaspg effort and expanding usefulness, has already
reached the close OF the fret halceatury OF its eI-
istence; and we are now assembled TO Celebrate the
first Semi Centennial Anniversary Of its origin. The
exercises OF the occasion will be commenced with
PRAYER by the Rev. DR. DE Witt the first Vice Presi-
cent Of the Society.
The Rev. Dr. DE WITT then addressed the
Throne of Grace in the following prayer:
o, Thou high and holy Ono. VINO inhabitest eter-
nifty and immensity - Sovereign ruler and Lord OF
all, Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the
glory We bow before Thee at thy footstool. Thy
throne is founded on justice and judgment; and We
thank Thee that to Us sinners mercy and truth wait
before Thee, and that We may now approach Ihee IN
the n.me Of Hin who has abb lished death, and oy
His gospel brought life aud immortality TO light. We
thank Thee for all the mercies OF which We psrtake
individually and in our domestic and social relations.
We now thank Thee especially for all Thy favor ex-
tended US and for all Thy blessings poured forth
IL Nkot.. ~
vert TO past centuries and TO the time when the hrs
Colonies settled, and when they came here with
the open Bible the open school, and the open
sanctuary And now, as We remember me
Hand go fun of blessings, we realize that it
is shaking like Lebanon and that the vine which hou
hast planted has taken deep root that the seed then
sown has sprung up and grown to tree, and spread
s branches, until from sea to sea 1t Is bearing its
fruit and the fruit thereof shall be for the healing OF
the nations. We would hold in memory our snces-
tors-the wise in counsel, the valiant in the field.
We would remember those members OF TINS society
who took noble part in the great struggle for Lib
erty; those NAMES pcuous the formation OF our
happy Constitution, under which we have dwet so
quietly and prosperously. And, in view OF all these
bees Dgs we would say "Lol what bath God wrought
Msy that Constitution and those laws be over this
country its glorious defenoel May wisdom aud
knowledge be the stability Of our times. We
are required TO pray for al that in author
ty; and pray for all who rale over US and
make our laws that they may be men fearing
over whom they preside. We met at this time in
commemorate IN of the anniversary Of the New York
Historical Society. We thank Thee for the growth
and the which has attended heretofore, sud
which are attending il now. Grant Thy blessing
upon it in time to come. So bless kindred institutions
all institutions in search for materials TO keep alive
the history of county Bless all institution, de-
sig ned to spread education, mental moral aud spirit
ual. Be with US at this time; and be with him who
has consented to address US on this occasion And
may we all so filed with the spirit and resolves OF
those men, to be increased in patriotism and phi
lanthIopy AL of which we ask in the name OF our
divine and precious Redeemer Jesus Christ who taught
US TO SAVIOUR Father who art in heaven, hall)sed
be Thy name Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as il is done 10 heaven. Give US this day
our daily bread. Forgive US our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass agains. Us. And lead Us
not into temptation, but deliver US from evil. For
Thine is the Kingdom and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
The Band then performed On Overture, CON-
posed expressly for the occasion enblemstc Of
the three nations under whose rule the State Of
New York was founded and has since Progressed
fret the Dutch. second the English, and lastly the
American. 1t was loudly spplauded.
The orator for the occasion, the Hon. GEORGE
BANCROFT was then introduced BY the President,
and proc eeded to deliver the following
GRAFTON:
BRo1aEas GUSTS AND FHIEsDs SLw-YoEE HIS
roKcAL SOCIETY;
We are assembled to celebrate the completion
of half century, unequalsd in its discoveries and
its deeds Man is but the creature Of yesterday,
and fifty years form great length in the chain Of
his entire existence. OIher topics attract the in
quirer .bo would go back to remOtest antiquity.
The student Of the chronology of the earth may sit
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