Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-12-23
A cloud hung darlly overhead,


Thus passing away
Unfolded its lesson to me.
thought Of youths bright morn
When nrst to the heart Is given,
In THE early blue
And the sunshine too
A vision of hope aud Heaven
1t is trse that mist is epon the land
To darken this vision OF life,
That the brightest time
or mSnhood's prime
Has clouds Of storm aud STRIFE
Bnt the mist shall hasten back to the sea,
And the cloud that obscures our sight
IL silvery fold
In a curtain OF gold,
II we only look toward the llght
And the shadow which sometimes darkehs the
Where our wounded feet have trod
But paints the way
To the land OF day,
Beside the river oil God.
You have met to. might, with loving aud loved,
On your silver wedding day,
With the light OF truth
That guided your youth
Still beamipg OH your way.
Asyou pass the silvery noon Of life
And look toward the setting sun
May the hallowcd day
OF your earthly stay
BE but the glory begun.
when you reach the shining goal
Where the unseen angels wax
May the path you have uod
Lead up unite God
As you enter the golden gate
Deacon Thayer, being called upon'
addressed the pastor and his lady and
quoted:
lisa. LII, 7-"How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet Of him that sringeth good udinys
publisheth peace; that bringsth good udlnss OF
good, that publisheth salvation, that ssi1h unto
Zion, Thy God rsigneth'
Deacon Fobes. OF the universalist
Church. responded by quoting:
Dan. XII Sand they that be wise shall shine
~ the b. ghtness OF the armament, and they that
turn many 10 righteousness, u. the star. forever
aud ever"
The whole company joined Ia singing
two verses OF How BeautcOus are their
Feet after which Mis-. A. ID. CrocA-r
made the presentation OF u beautiful
silver service, consisting OF six pieces oil
heavy ware. with q list Of the donors. and
The names o. those who had made con-
tributions to assist 10 furnishing the cake.
The following are the words OF pre-
scnlaiion:
Our dear Pdsior aud FiGl-TheTs are way
marks in lfe's Journey that We love 10 recognize,
as the event In your lives which occasions This
gathering 10 night. - .... .
.aintcd IIrothei. served at the altar OF your
uuptials-and that you stand where he then stooi,
~ Pastor Of this people; ,,,t.
noon OF your lives. That these years have borne
you along 80 ptosperou.ly, IN your conseeIateu
work among other friends, who would glailv
surround YOU. n 10 u our pleasure 10 TO- 'o'hiBh'
But this hour 10 permitted ~ ,.,.
In expression OF the esteem asd loNethls people
bear YOU We stand before you now-ani IN Ochai
Of the friend. whose nam's hAnd YOU ask 70" "
accept this orcring-I Tea-serYice
Nav the future years Of your lives glide on "a
happily as have the pAst-and these sons WIN
strong aims and brave hearts help you dosn Ihe
hill OF life Ear by this silver age 10 golden sun
sG-hAyIng gathered IN your ministry many gems
that shall adoru your Immortal crown.
REV. {. Is. Davis.
In reply DR.. Estes said
ON behalf ofmyselfandm my excellent wife waom
/, is my JOY aud my pride to call the crown OF sy
life 4 wish 10 express our sincere aud hearty
thanks Ia you. Mrs. Croker. for the words you
have spoken and to those whose Kindness, gene.
rosty and good TASTE has provided tnese oounsnu.
and yaIu. bile gins. which you have 80 gracefully
presentsd Ne accept them 10 the spirit III which
thew are snered. and We regard their richness Aha
durability "a luily symboliEing our experience VI
the swectness, richncss AnH PI'Oeie'' "N''" "
mnrtied-lhe, anu -.
OF Paradise that has survived the ALL
silver has long been known aud used as an
,arns,t ,nd A 81 mbOl Of what 10 rare, rich and
lasting BY tho Ancirnls 10 wAs used Tor ornaments
..d for cup, aud bowls, vases and baskets, crowns
and thrones. and now We often speak OF tue
Exceeding beauty OF landscape "! zen seen In a
silver hsnt: a rich aud rare erprrhnee is well
described by the cplthet Of silver; as"cst.'oiced
orator IL ,ad TO be si'er tongues, OF o. 'i, ,
Riblr by saving that its words are richer thah
silver, or gold. or diamond $500,
OursSperi.nce has show us thai the bright hopes
Of youth do not always lead TO oewiller' or
"daxIe To blind" but the best affection OF the
human heart may he rs liked aud ast'ns as IL 10
sweet
But words are poor to express the emotions that
crowd M on u in this hour OF our experience. We
thank GOd FOR his wonderful goddess IN tie past
and Irust Him Tor the future
Accept our thanks and best wishes Tor YOU al
and ma, YOUR experience be silyrred by the good
mes. aud the grace of God; and from the ros!
dawn, the silver noon aud the golden sunset VI
your life, may you all sec t1e river "hien
all PASS AT last ppling with silver ss YOU approach
,ni cross II. aud from It's banks may you 80 up
throu gh the gates OF gold aud pearl, 10 st down
together a. the marriage supper OF the L1mo'
While DR.. Estes stood admiriug the
service aud pair Of elegant silver
dessert spoons. which were presented by
Gov. Perham and lady, one of the CON-
psny wrapped heavy wooden scarf
around his shoulders. and large family
Bible, bearing the cards OF his Two sons
WAS laid upon the table before him.
When all had admired the presents
sufficiently aud alter few brief, witty
remarks and short anecdotes had been
made and related by the DR.. and Col.
Shaw, the company was served with
generous slices OF wedding cake, which
had been prepared by Mrs. Croker.
Tho remainder oil the evening was passed
very pleasantly. and the occasion is one
which will long be remembered by those
who were present. W.