The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-03-18
4 Silver Wedding,

GA the 18th ult. Hymen called togeth-
cr nearly two hundred guests to witness
the silver nuptials Of Mr. and Mrs. Hen
ry DeLong, at their spacious residence in
Shoreham Mr.. and Mrs. DeLong re-
ccived their guests, who represented both
Shoreham and Cornwall, in bcitting sty lie
and with pleasant greeting, After the
reception of guests Rev. X. Haven was
invited to address them, and le.unite the
aifectionate couple in the bonds of we'd
lock. After extending to them u warm
greeting, Mr.. IL. referred very ieelingly
to his services in their marriage % years
since. lie also spoke of being privileged
to unite in marriage their only daughter
and her companion, who now stood by
their side, also having united in wedlock
four eide: sisters now present, and add.
cd 1t is rare case for one having at.
tanned to the age Of four score years, to
be present at such gathering, and greet
so many couples, with children and even
grandchildren, of those whom he had uni
ted in this blessed union during the 10
years Of his ministry in the town. 1t was
a privilege which inspired his breast with
feelings fprofound gratitude to Him who
had heightened life's span,
He next very touchingy alluded to
the several deaths which had occurred in
the dwellings Of parents, brothers and Sis
tiers, and the sad services he had been
called TO perform during the past %
years, and drew pleasing contrast with
the almost uninterrupted state Of life,
health, peace and prosperity, wnich had
crowned their own, which the angel of
death had kindly passed, while he had
taken some stricken one from nearly ev-
cry other dwelling in tom.
He then glanced at many of the start
ling and stupendous events of the pas: %
years, since their union, n,-of the nine hun
dred millions of souls who had passed
over " the river, of the bloody wars
that had desolated every nation,-of the
millions Of hearts wrung by the casuali.
ties, the accidents Of fire and flood. on
land and sea, also the diseases that flesh
is heir to, contrasting these most wildly
with the vast improvements and the in
estimable blessings which had been vouch-
safed to us, as individuals and as ma.
ton.
After reminding them Of their great
debt Of gratitude to the Giver Of their
mercies, of circumspection in the enjoy
ment Of their blessings, of purity and Fl.
deity in every vocation in life, apd OF
their happy unioa this far, he invoked
its continuance until it should be crown
ed by " golden wedding in useful
aud ripe old age.
This ceremony past, the table of pres
ents was visited, which were elegant and
beautiful, and were variously estimated
from SIS to 500 in value. After a
half hour of salutatons and social con.
verse, Francis Douglass, Esq, announced
that poem, written for the occasion,
would now be read by Mr.. Rockwell.
The poet, after a word of apology, deliv-
cred the following, which elected much
applause. A vote of thanks was moved
aud unanimously rendered Mr.. Il. for his
humorous and entertaining poem.
4 Poem dedicated to Mr. and Mrs, Henry De-
Long, on the occasion of their silver wedding Feb
Ii, l>,i, by ;. d. Rockwell.
\ wedding Of silver comes of tonight,
Between young couple so stylish and bright,
The groom seems lad, about seventeen,
And the bride year younger, so it doth seem.
Quite thoughtless as youth they venture to take
This mystical step, and enter the state
al~.s1
The younger they are the better they please.
A word of advice--a simple suggestion,
Never, no never, lose your affection,
But ON each provocation both bear and forbear,
And never be seen pulling each others hair
This wedding of silver, so brilliant and nice,
Which comes only once, but never comes twice;
Alas What pity it could not appear
At least once month, with its jolly good cheer.
The nuptals performed twenty-five years ago,
Between this young bride and her beautiful beau,
Has doubled the pair-has added a son,
And Il daughter likewise, beautiful one.
Since the wedding of wood, twenty years having
fled,
Still all are alive-not single one dead.
lis theme for our thanks and praises to Him,
Who has kept parents and children so healthy and
trim.
Fifteen have elapsed since the wedding of tin,
Not death has occurred, but every one been
iealthful and happy, industrious and good.
Each in most afectionate mood.
There's a rash custom with some married folks,
Which is counted as one of lIymen's rude Jokes:
They marry, then quarrel, then sue for divorce.
Which you, 50 in love, went copy Of course
Out west It's the style to be smitten to-day,
Make love on the spot, without any delay,
In month raise a breeze which ends in a row,
But trust yon will never fall into this slough.
As the fruits of this marriage should oiTspring in
crease
To nine or ten more, you ne er must release
Your iilial affection, nor allow a miscarriage,
Towards the two that were born Of n previous
murtiann