The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-09-04
Excursion to Mason's Island.

A more bright and beautiful morning
than Tuesday, August &c, never greeted
the eyes or gladdened the hearts Of 500
excursiopists. At her usual time the
steamer Liberty left her landing in this
village, having on board the Sabbath
School Of the Seventh Day Baptist
Chul ch, with parents and invited guests,
to the number of three hundred, Pro-
ceeding down the river to the Bar"
on which lay that characteristic emana-
ton and emblem of Westerly enterprise
the "digger," " our gallant little steam
er, apparently either feigning fear or
scorn of the unseemly ,sorkimg craft, or
what is more charitable and in harmony
with her name, desiring to give and
enjoy large liberty. or from some
other cause, afforded the said digger so
much of the scanty waters, as to ground
her own little self on the opposite side
of the channel This occasioned de-
lay of only about one hour, most of
which time was spent in hopeful efforts
to get her off, Go forward is
shouted by our worthy and unexcited
commander, to which about one half of
the obediens multitude give heed. But
the utmost powers of harnessed steam
we're not sufficient to induce her to back
down from this ill-advised step. All
astern, is responded to with about the
unanimity, and with the same
practical results-aground as before,
only Httle more so.
Just at this juncturo the sedate and
unassuming marine excavator is seen
quitting her moorings, and in a truly
gallant spirit, fastening to the side of
her more sleek and ornamental compan-
ion of the waters, and renders timely
assistance, by permitting her to place
her living burden upon her broad and
unadorned shoulders.
AS we passed joyfully on our way,
and saw the quiet digger hasten to her
task, we seemed to hear her say Steer
yourselves more cautiously, ye swift and
beautiful crafts, lest ye find yourselves
aground where there are no diggers,
whom .ye affect to scorn in your pros
perity, to aid you in your adversely >
To which the disenthraled and migrate
full steamer seemed to respond: Hush
your morallzing, old tar and white oak
and 60 to your diggings, We have no
further service for you at present.
At about ten o'clock, A. NJ, we were
safely landed on Mason's Island-the
most appropriate anil beautiful spot for
such gathering that we have ever seen
There may be islands that can boast of
a greater area of territory and larger
numbers of inhabitants, Others may have
more historic reminiscencc but for Q
Sabbath School Celebration and Picnic
there can be no filter spot than thi:
same Mason's Island. Here are beau
tifully carpeted valleys and lawns, near.
ly walled in by romantic and towering
rock cliffs, pleasantly shaded by gigan'
tic oaks aud chesnuts, which, unlike
most Of their noble companions, havc
escaped the ravages of the builders axe.
On arrival at this enchanting place,
We were greeted by the Greenmanvillc
Sabbath School, one hundred strong,
who had preceded us, and were indus
triously engaged in preparing tables,
stands, chowders, &c., &c.
Soon after came the Tiger Lily, with
the Waterford Sabbath School, teachers,
parents, and friends, numbering from
eighty TO one hundred.
The next hour was spent in congra-
tulations, rambles, and listening to the
strains of inspiring music from that ever
welcome, aud almost Indispensable at
tendant on such occasions West
erly Brass Band.
On nomination of George Greenman,
Esq, Eliphalet Lyon, of Williamsburgh,
N. Y, was unanimously chosen chair
m IN for the day, and A. B. Burdick, Of
Westerly, Secretary.
The Chairman, followed by the Board
led on to the spot selected for speaking
Prayer was offered by Rev, S. S.
Griswold, Of Mystic Bridge then fol-
lowed addresses by Rev. A. b Burdick,
Rev. Q. NJ. Lewis, Of Hopkinton, Rev.
j.. p Langworthy, of Chelsea, Mass, L.
G. Rogers, A. b., of Williams College,
Mass, and Rev s. s. Griswold.
Mr.. Burdick spoke Of the incentives