The Portland daily press., 1862-12-03
Anniversary of the St. Andrew Society.

The st. Andrew Society, benevolent and
charitable association composed of Scotchmen
or those of Scotch descent, the object of which,
primarily, is to aid those of their countrymen
who shall be in destitute circumstances, or
who, newly arrived, shall stand in need of SYM
pathy and council, celebrated its Anniversary
on Monday evening, at the Freeman House,
where a bountiful supper had been prepared
by the generous provider and accomplished
caterer for that establishment, Mr.. GEO. S. HAY.
The supper was got up in the best style of the
gastronomic art and consisted of all the usual
substantials and luxuries of the season. The
two long tables were richly decorated with
elegant boquets of flowers, freshly cut from
the conservatories Of the city and neighbor-
Andrews cross, the base Of which, as it appa-
rently sprang from the earth, was surrounded
by genuine specimens of the Scotch thistle.
At little past o'clock goodly number Of
the sons and daughters Of Scotia filed around
the tables, presided over by the Presidents and
Vice Presidents of the Society, the Divine
blessing was fervently invoked by the Chaplain,
Rev. Alexander Burgess, of st. Luke's
Church, and the company fell to and discussed
the viands with relish that was decided
edly complimentary to the generous provider
After return of thanks by Rev. Mr.. Tucker
man, the city missionary, the more INTEL -sual
portion of the banquet commenced, aud this
consisted of sentiments, songs, and speeches
from several gentlemen present, to which we
have neither time nor space to do full justice
The President, Mr.. McEvan, presided with
grace and infinite humor, and before an
nouncing the first sentiment gave succinct
statement of the origin and objects of the So
ciety, and its mission for good.
The anniversary is always held on st. An
drew's Day-St. Andrew being regarded rs
the patron saint of Scotland.
The sentiments were as follows:
l. The Day, and all who honor it.
Responded to by Gaelic song from Mr..
Morrison, and which the President kindly
hoped was understood and appreciated by all
present.
Rev. Mr.. Burgess suggested whether it
would not be appropriate to repeat the song;
and related that some twenty years ago he was
in Scotland and stopping over the Sabbath in
acertain place, as in duty bound, he and his
friend attended church, the services and SER
mon being in Gaelic, not u word of which he
could understand. The sermon was by no
means faulty for its brevity, for the good par
son was obliged to reverse his hour glass
at least twice during its delivery. At the
close, fastening his eye upon the two outsid-
ers, the preacher remarked that it was Gus
tom with them having the force of law, if tuco
persons were present who did not understand
Gaelic, to repeat the sermon in English for
their benefit; but, as the communion was to
be celebrated some fifteen miles distant, he
would omit the custom with the assent of the
strangers. OF course assent was not refused.
2. The Queen of England.
"God save the Queen" by Mr.. Ward, the
company joining in the chorus.
3. Tie President of the United States.
The President sang the national air, Star
Spangled Banner" and called upon J. T. Gil
man of the Daily Press, to respond to the senti-
ment. Mr.. G. spoke briefly, referring to the terri
bic weight of responsibility devolving upon our
President, and the firmness and integrity with
which he was meeting those responsibilities,
and the promptness Of all loyal men to sus-
tain him in the discharge of his many duties.
He also complimented the liberty-lovng peo-
pie of the British Islands, and believed that in
their heart of hearts the people of Scotland,
England, and Ireland were with us in the