The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-09-04
The Reception TO rev. Edward
Mills


from Europe, was quite recherche affair.
The ladies of the society had arranged the
spacious vestry room for the occasion in O
most appropriate and beautiful manner.
The room was decorated layishly with
flowers, cvergreeLs and wreaths, the walls
were hung with these emblems of beauty
by artistic fingers, the flowers were
wrought in many handsome devices and
the room throughout was fragrant with
their sweet perfume. In the centre stood
table upon which was arranged most
exquisite wreath of flowers, while perhaps
the most noticeable point in the decora-
tons was the word "Welcome," whose
letters were wrought of evergreen, which
was placed upon the wall above the desk
and bctokened in brilliant style the mean
ing of the gathering and the greeting that
was SO cordially extended
The seats were arranged about the room
for those who wished to sit, while ample
space was had for the many who enlivcncd
the early part OF the evening with the
promenade around the brilliant circle that
were gathered.
The occasion brought together not only
the greater portion of the church-goers of
the Baptist society, hut also a large num-
Der of ladies and gentlemen from all
the different church societies of the vii
lagc. The room, as regards the people
that filled it, presented gay and happy
spectacle. All seemed duly to enjoy the
hour they were together, and make every
one else enter into the spirit of the occa-
sion.
After some time spent in social inter
course, the people were asked to listen to Il
few remarks concerning the object of the
gathering. which were opened by
DEA. Z. ". uoRSER,
who, in few well chosen words of wei
come, expressed the minds of those pre-
sent substantially, that he had been called
upon to extend greeting to the pastor
parish apcc more: to give him the assurance
that he had been greatly missed during his
absence: in the pulpit and among the
parish: at his home and by the waysidc;
at the bedside of the sick and the couch of
the dying. The people are glad at his re-
turn, for the fears and approximations felt
by them for his safety were now allayed
We all know of the many that have been
swallowed up by the ocean on their
journeying, and on that account the people
were doubly glad that he was with them
once again. All have missed you, said the
speaker, the sick and the well alike those
on beds of sickness have longed to see your
face again those on the bed of death have
waited for your return. fingered and
fingered, seemingly for no other reason
than to see their dear pastor once more h"
fore they died.
In our enterprise AS IA church. in the build
ing of this church the pastor has been
greatly needed and missed the parish has
longed for your return for many PERSONS
some have wished to be married but could
not because the pastor was away Others
have had babies to be christcncd but have
waited for the minister to perform the
work. But now we assemble to bid you
hearty welcome from our hearts and by
our hands by these beautiful flowers and
through these evergreens hung in honor of
your presence-Nermonts orb0r pitae. that
has been brought here to betit the wei
come given by these warm hearts and
smiling faces, and the tea that the ladies
have procured-all show our gladness and
bids you welcome with our united hearts.
RESPONSE OF REV. ME. MILLS.
Rev. Mr.. Mills in response said that
while he was abroad he had talked fire.
quently and boldly as Yankees are apt to
talk of the superior beauties of his native
land and the many exccllences of her peo-
pie in the land OF the free and the home of
the brave. Therefore the audience must
judge of his surprise when upon his return
he was subjected to an instance of petty
tyranny, and that even his own wife was
one of the leading conspirators against
him. The people knew we'll how much he
loved them and the church, and when the
evening before on assembling for usual
prayer meeting, this room. usually devoted
positively forbidden to enter it. But
now the conspiracy is made known and
aside from his objection mentioned he
he heartily appreciated its objects. In
worthy as he thought himself he could not
but feel grateful for this kind welcome and
gathering. The beautiful preparations
made were particularly enjoyable on such
an occasion and he knew that the throng
enjoyed them as well as himself.
In his absence he had missed the familiar
faces now seen again. He had travelled
alone for the purpose of benefitting him
self by knowledge of other nations and
other people, but many times he had felt
the need of familiar home face his
church and congregation had been often in
his mind and in fancy before him. Espec-
ally was this so upon the Sabbath, as his
loneliness then was quite painful The
letters he had received from home had been
gratefully received and eagerly read, but
on many occasions, had Professor Wiscs
project been consummatcd he would have
been first to patronize it in trip across the
ocean to his home.
The voyage was rapid but stormy, and
the speaker felt more than ever the infinite
power of God in holding the winds and
waves in his hand. Although some eight
hundred souls were with him on the pas
sage, not death occurred ON board the
ship rode safely home, although one hun
bred and twenty-five vessels were lost by
the recent storm.
The speaker then referred to the recent
,.c - Ii l.,