Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-07

with evergreen wreaths and festoons, and on
the wall at the right of the pulpit were the
figures in evergreen, "16l2," and on the LETT
1852"
The company repaired, at the close of the
exercises in the church, 10 the lower rooms in
the Town Hall, where an hour was pleasantly
spent by members of the parish invited
guests, and others, and where bountiiul col
lation was spread, which was duly appreciated
by all Proceeding TO the upper hall, services
in celebration of the golden wedding took
place Joseph a. Denny, Esq, chairman of
tue committee of arrangements, introduced as
presiden; Of the day, the historian OF Leiccs-
ter, Elk Governor Washburn, who in his open
ing address on the occasion, welcomed the
sons of Leicester the friends of the venerable
pastor, resident elsewhere, to the old home
stead once more, to pass in review the scenes
of the past, and refresh their memories with
| the many pleasant associations OF former
| times, in their varied relations with the church
and the academy, of both of which Dr. Mel
son has been at the head for long series of
years-having been fol- some twenty-five years
president of the board of trustees of the acad-
envy.
Gov. Washburn's address was full of histor.
ical "reminiscences and interesting sketches of
events, transpiring within his recollection in
Leicester, and paid deserved tribute to the
worth and influence of the character and
teachings of the venerable pastor, to congrat-
ulate whom and his estimable partner they
had all come TO pay their VOWS OF esteem and
affection :iiat day. lie babe all welcome,
thrice welcome, TO the festivities of the occa.
sion. The president closed with an allusion to
the Leicester OF fifty years ago, in contrast
with the Leicester of to. day, noting the i'm.
pOrtant changes which had transpired. His
remarks abounded in humorous and happy
hits, as well as eloquent passages, making at
times the most touching appeals to the emo
tons OF his bearers, as he alluded to some
scene or circumstance OF their boyiSh days.
Ills references to the venerable guests of the
occasion, Dr. aud Mrs. Nelson congratulating
them on the suspicious return OF the filtieth
anniversary OF their marriage, were touching
and appropriate, and his entire address was
listened to with The utmost interest and atten.
ton by all.
Rev. A. H. Coolidge, colleague pastor with
DR.. Nelson, was then introduced, TO speak for
Leicester as it is, He made appropriate ref.
erence 10 his five years happy relation to that
church, during which time the utmost har-
mOny had existed He was followed by his
predecessor as colleague, Rev. A c. Denni-
son, who made interesting reference 10 his
five years association with DR. Nelson, which
was equally happy and harmonious and
closed by reading poem
Rev DR.. Paine of Holden was introduced to
| speak for the Worcester Central Association,
| and made many interesting statements in ref
| erence TO thehlStory II that organization, con.
nected with Dr. Nelson Rev DR.. Vail of
Palmer spoke for the Brooktield Association,
and his humOr excited much enthusiasm Tor
its many happy personal illusions.
Rev. DR.. Blagden OF the Old South church.
Boston, responded fol- the Congregational
churches OF Massachusetts, in some eloquent
remarks, complimentary OF DIR. Nelson. Re.
marks were also made by DIR. George f.
Bigelow OF Boston, a relative OF Mrs Nelson.
Rev DR.. Nelson was called upon to respond
to sentiment, which lie did in a most feeling
manner expressing his profound acknowl.
edgments tor the consideration extended 10
him. ~. IL. Partridge, Esq, principal OF the
academy, read letter from Rev. Ii. A. Mel.
son, ID. d., OF st. Louis, relative OF the
guest of the occasion; Rev DR.. Nehemiah
Adams OF Boston; Rev. Dr. Il. s. Storrs of
Brantree, and others, who had been invited,
but were unable to be present.
The president OF the day, Gov. Washburn.
at this point, vacated the chair, and called
upon hev. DIR. Bagden to fill it, while the
more peculiar ceremonies OF the golden we'd
ding were being performed, in which he hu-
morously remarked it was requisite that IA
clergyman should preside. On taking the
chair, after remarks appropriate to SO sacred
an occasion, the doctor led in teryent prayer,
at tine conclusion OF which the painful and
startling intelligence was communicated, of
the sudden death, in that very building, while
these exercises were going on, of Mrs. Eliza
BETH Sargent, mother OF DIR. Joseph Sargent
of Worcester. She had fallen in a fit, while
descending the stairs leading from the hail,
and suddenly expired. Her son had just been |
called Srom the hall to attend her. This |
circumstance brought the exercises of the |
day to speedy close, DIR. Blagden leading |
again in prayer suited to SO mourniul an |
event
The other exercises of the afternoon were |
interspersed with singing hymns and an ode |
from the choir, and music by the band. In |
front OF the speakers stand was table laden |
with presents Tor the venerable guests OF the
o, casiOn, and also sundry articles for The ma
terial portion of the golden wedding, prevent
ell from being carried out by the melancholy
intelligence alluded to.
We are authorized to state that by the un-
usual liberalily OF neighbors, parshiGners,
relations and friends, far and near, the golden
wedding has brought gifts to the aged couple
which have greatly increased the value Of
their wardrobe, their table furniture, and the
accommodations of their parlor- and has also
furnished them with very handsome sum in
deposit in the Leicester Bank, to be used in
procuring comforts hereafter, in accordance
with the kind wishes of the donors.
LECTURE ON THE WAR.-Arrangemen are
being made for a lecture ON slavery and the
war, by Miss Anna Il. Dickinson, a younp
lady of Philadelphia, at Washburn Hall on
Friday evening of this week. As she needs
an introduction here, we give the following
extract from the Newport correspondent of
the Providence Press, in notice OF her adj
dress at Newport, r. l. -
Miss Dickinson is about nineteen wears of
age, OF an intellectual cast of cOunenance, and
is bold, fluent, and even eloquent speaker.
handling her subject without gloves, and lcay-
ing no one in doubt in regard to her views,
her sentiments, and the reason therefor Who
she 49, any further than is expressed by her
nomenclature, whence she came, and whittier
she is tending, is beyond our ken but this We
Will venture to say-that if she was born a
QUAKER she has got bravely over it. #
The discourse was wholly extempore, and
was delivered in clear, distinct, undaunted
tone, and ID such manner as at once to conf