The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-11-17

AS many of our reader have ex-
pressed desire that we should publish
an account of the Ladies Festival, which
was held in this place on Wednesday
and Thursday evenings, we do so
with much pleasure, as we regard such
gatherings as exerting great influence
in the way of promoting kind feelings
and harmony in the community.
Wednesday evening the rain fell in
torrents, the steeets were so wet and
muddy that we deemed them almost
impossible for ladies, and feared that
but few individuals would be present.
But upon entering the church we found
some $50 or 200 persons who seemed
to have forgotten that a storm ragged
without SO fully were they possessed
with the festive spirit which ever char
acterizes such scenes. The audience
room was illuminated and decorated
with much taste with evergreen, wreaths
and notices. Over the platform an
arch was sprung of evergreens sur
mounted with the words, " Welcome
to our Festival ]" Opposite to this
/ and beneath the Orchestra, was the
Motto, Universal Brotherhood" the
letters of which were tastefully formed
of MOSES and cypress. Upon the
sides of the room were match notices
in circular form, which were arranged
as follows.
God our Father. Christ our Savior.
Truth never dies. In God we Trust.
Walk in Love. Union is Strength.
The Tables were furnished and dec
grated, in style and manner which
we never saw excelled.
After the visitors had all arrived,
they were welcomed to the festivities
of the evening in neat and pertinent
speech by Mr.. Justus Gage. After
which he introduced the Rev. DR..
Skinner of Joliet, ILL.,, who delivered a
short address, the interest of which
could only be equalled by its appropri-
ateness to the occasion. After the adj
dress and Singing by the Choir the
company were invited to supply the
wants of the inner man, an invitation
that was joyfully acceded to, and a
unanimous decision of ''the right thing
in the right place" was rendered before
this duty was disposed of.
Owing to the lateness of the hour it
was impossible that the sentiments pre-
pared should all be read, and from a
number we have selected the follow
ing: The Clergy,
"May they never fawn nor seek for power,
BY doctrines fashioned to the varying hour;
But try each art, reprove each dull delay,
| Allure to brighter worlds and lead the way"
Responded to by Rev. j. b. Gilman,
of Tecumseh.
Beecher, Chaplin and Parker
Illustrions Trinity of the Nineteenth
Century-Lovers of free discussion
Friends of poor, down-trodden human
ity-Haters Of sectarianism and relig-
ious intolerance-Three great pillars
in the Broad Church May the Spirit
ual Edifice which they are engaged in
erecting be builded as a city that is
compact together and unto it may all
the tubes of the earth go up.
Till Peace and Love shall triumph,
And falsehood reign no more.
Response by Jas. Sullivan, Esq.
The ladies of Dowagiac:-
Like the Martha of an early day,
have they with "much serving" minis
| tered to our physical wants; like Mary,
to our social enjoyment; like Abigail
do they feast our eyes with beauty
may they like Hannah train up their
children for God, and like the Mother
of Jesus be aforementioned as blessed.
The exercises Of the evening were
concluded by those present uniting in
singing the tune OF Old Hundred when
all left for the more quiet scenes OF
home.
Thursday evening the elements were
more propitious and large numbers of
the children attended, who by their
every action attested that their cup OF
happiness was full. The evening passed
off pleasantly to all concerned and was
an occasion long to be remembered.
The receipts of the ladies were $215.OO
which will be materiel-a ed te .leln In
-. -. aOlk In which they are engaged.
Shoemaker Removed.
W. 1oorn from, thu DetrOit nonnre