Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-01-06

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GRAFToN.-The ladies Of the Congrc-
gational society of Grafton held their
annual festival on Friday evening Of last
week, and was an occasion of unusual
success and enjoyment. +. S. Sabin, Jr.,
presided, and at s o'clock announced that
they had met in brotherly love and
friendship, laying aside all political or
religious differences and accepting the
proad platform of "unity in the High
Power =" who crowneth the year with
his goodness" and called upon Mr.. Ward
the pastor of the Congregational church,
who happily responded and closed by
inviting Rev. Mr.. Hubbard, pastor of the
Baptist church, to offer prayer. The
prayer was followed by singing by the
choir, then came the Feast, which was
abundant in variety and quality and
goodness. The feast lasted some one
and half hours during which song
"Swnging in the Lane" was sung by
Prof, Hemenway, Ga lad of five years.
causing great merriment and applause
After sdppsra series of toasts were read
and responded to, occupying the time in
very pleasant and agreeable manner,
The first toast was, "The Ladies Sewing
Circle" which was responded to by Mr.
Francis Daniels, who gave brief ac-
count of the circle in Grafton, its history
aud what it had accomplished and is
now doing, concluding thatladies sewing
circles when properly managed were the
best societies in the world.
The second toast was Our Schools
a stepping stone to greatness" responded
to by Mr. Dustin, who closed with SEN
timent that the schools of Grafton "may
last thousand years and continually
grow better"
Third toast" Loyalty, " this was re-
sponded to by Rev. Mr. Hubbard in his
usual degree of merriment, holding the
audience in continuous stream of APP
plause. He would be loyal at home
loyal with society and not ashamed of
Grafton, closing amid rousing cheers
The fourth toast was -"To the Pres
dent of the evening May his mill
never stand still for want of water. And
be never be obliged to work harder than
he wanter, wants to-" This was offered
by friend Sidney in the crowd and caus-
ed much merriment and responded to
by the President who said, MANY
thanks. May friend Sidney ever be as
happy as tonight
The hall was well filled and nearly
half of those present were members of
the Baptist Society. All seemed to en-
Joy themselves much. The net proceeds
of the evening amounted to $1,000 The
ladies of the "circle" extended many
hearty thanks TO the Presiden: of the
evening, to Rev. Mr. Hubbard and his
people for their generous patronage, es-
pecially for their company aud associa-
ton. Also to The singers, 10 Mrs Phelps
and to the young people who trimmed
and decorated the hail.
The Baptist society had very pleas
ant Christmas gathering at their church
Thursday evening. The exercises con
sisted of rectatioas and singing by the
Sabbath school, after which book was
presented to each pupil. After the dis
tribution Mr.. Phelps arose and asked if
all the books were disposed Of and be-
ing informed that they we're not, said
near him were two little boys whose pa
rents were not able to cloth them fit for
sabbath school, and asked that they
might be presented with books also,
which request Gas promptly responded
to, amid much satisfaction