Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-02-16

] SURPRISE PARTY AT WToosEI-Last Friday.
L. Il. Elliot, who was spending the evening at a
neigbtor's. was notified that he hsd visitors at
bic home Al DsA. Padiock's. On reaching home.
he found friends to the number Of about hun
dre1, from WinoOski, Burlington and Colchester.
assembled &c make him a surprise visit.
Everything moved of pleasantly till half past
nine, when A. B Edwards, Esq, evidently in
teat on getting up an excitement, called on A.
C Ballard for " q speech" Mr.. Ballard accept
Ell, and ia sort Of a rambling tall, told the au-
dieace his experience Of a dsy and nigh, on an
ocean steamer in gale. lie spoke Of the aFpa-
rent care and anxiety of the captain in looking
after tie safety of everything on ship board, and
the welfare and comfort Of the passengers, while
he seemed quite Indifferent SIS to the course or
progress Of the vessel, well knowing that up
above, was the faithful pilot. whose strength
and courage, we're uufsiling. and whose vigil
aroe vas uncessing, and IA whose csre the
vessel was safe Mr. Ballard finally brought
his narrative down to the matter in hand, by
comparing himself, As Superintendent Of the
Congregational Sunday School for the last
SIX ye2rs-to tue captain Of the vessel,
and said thst while be hsd deeply felt
the responsibilities Of biz position, and had
labored as best he could, for the welfare Of the
school, yet be had always been sensible Of feel
ing Of greater safety, and hal a stronger conid-
ence IN the success Of the school thsn were other
wise possible, from his knowledge Of the fact
thst in the pEstor Of the church, the school hal
faithful pilot, who vas ever wstchful OF its iu-
terests snd Whose fs.th in its usefulness and
success never fsIterei
lie called others 10 bear witness that Dir. FL
lot hsd been ST his post, when heart and
strength might well have failed him AMI when
fraii human nature might We ] haye given way
under his sccumulsting burdens of sorroWs.
After acknowledging his own snd the schools
deep indebtedness to him as faithful pilot and
most fsithfrl laborer, be informed M Elliot
THAI the school bad propo1ed 10 make him
present, but alas, for the school it soon became
egitent-much TO its satisfaction-thst il could
not m5noPolize the honor, but tlat those who
we're anxious to do him honor, we're not in
GUIDED within the limits Of any school, or church.
or c-aei, or nationality hut we're found among
them all.
He then, in behslf Of the many. who, during
Nr. Eiliots Xix years pastorate, had learned 20
love him IS pastor and = teacher, and in be-
half Of q crest multitude Sc which no msu could
number" who had not known him as a pastor
o. teacher. yet hsd learned 20 respect and honor
him as man, presented him with gold wstcn
sai other articles, sii Of the value Of about one
hundred dollars. Mr. Elliot Fss completely
surprised at the turn in affairs, but expressed
HE thsuks IL q suitable manner for the present,
AID also his deep sente Of pleasure and graft
tuie thSt he had such hos, Of friends. where
his ulfsithfll lsbors bad forbidden him to ex-
pe1t it, and closed with msny wishes for the vel
fare OF the people Of the place, which he hsi
learned TO love as his own. An abundant SUP
ply Of Refreshments then presented themselves
snd in due season the company dispersed, feeling
thst they had stteuiel very enjoyable occasion.
II Mr. Elliot loves the cheerful cver,"
there are many at Wino5ski who have fresh
claim upon his affection