Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-12-23
Silver Wedding.

assembled at tho parsonage. IN this Wiz
lage last Thursday evening to celebrate
the twenty fifth anniversary OF their
marriage. The arrangements Tor this
gathering had been very quietly made by
a committee of ladies, who only gave
notice that there would be social
gathering at the parsonage on Thursday
evening; 50 the interesting exercises oil
the occasion were as much surprise 10
many OF the visitors us TO tho pastor and
his wife. 1t may not be out OF place 10
thus publicly compliment The members oil
the Commute OF arrangements Tor the
excellent manner aud good tas.e in which
the exercises were planned aud conducted.
Alter the company had well arrived,
and had been presented TO The bride and
bridegroom, all were invited TO assemble
in The library, where Col. Shaw. oil the
Oxford Democrat, opened the exercises
with the following bnef and appropriate
rcmarks:-
pleasure in behalf uf your many parishioners aud
friends here assembled TO congratulate you on this
pleasant and happy oceasion-the twenty.nfth
anniversary OF your wedding DAY. As We nave
not had an oversight of your doings these twenty
nyc wears, nor an insight into your domestic iife
we are not familiar with your life erperienccs,-
neither your joys or sorrows, nor those events
which. Ike accidents, are said to occur Ia every
well regulated family, dcuominatsd family jars
and possibly you are not familiar with the Iattei
However this NAV be, In all our lives there IL
strange minglng OF shadow aud sunlight-oi
.ombTc tinis aud bright hues-and our enjoy ments
are really enhanced by these alterations, IRON
very companion
sunshine TO gladden. the heart-and n we are able,
by our presence and greetings, to bring any Joy
into your happy dwcllingto Tighten your pathway
In life, shall take great pleasure In doing So
He then proceeded 10 unfold the pro
gramme oil the evenings exercises
by announcing II song. written for The
occasion, by Mrs F. Z. Shaw. which Was
sung by the company. as follows;
Ring silver bell. the sweet silver bells
Telling what JOY and true happiness dwells
In hearts that are joined in hymenial bliss
Earth hath no purur clysum than mis-
Ring them mrrrily. merriy, join We 10 our sens
JOY and glzdncss 10 this hour belong
Ring silver btils the sweet silver bells
How the air their glad music sNells
Ring out the music, With love in each line, .
Renewing The Vows thai were plighted lang syne.
R,rrain-Riug silver bells, sc.
Ring silver bells the sweet silver bells
What blssful JOY their glad music tells
Hearts truly welded can never grow Ola
Love that Is pure love never grows cold.
Rcfroin-Ring silver bells, &c.
Ring silver bells the sweet marriage bells!
glad silver wedding their music now tells
Love reigns triumphant Ger lime e'ermore,
Blooming immortal on Heavens bright shore
Rcfrsin.-RinS silver bells, &C.
The next exercise was prayer by Rev.
j. b. Wheelwright. of South Paris. AFTER
which Mrs. + +. Shaw read the following
original poem:
Up the hill OF life, together,
Hand in hand. and hearts as one
Both IN bright and stormy "eA1her'
Still. together, struggling on.
live and twenty years have ended
Since you started on the way
Not alone-bui led by Hin who
Still remains your Guide 10 day.
Through LIES winding. checkered pathway,
Coun.eled by His loving voice,
In united conservation,
You have made Ills paths YOUR choice;
y the steep aud rugged ascent,
IOiliug IN the MONDAY heat,
Through the vale. and in the shadow,
seeking there n cool rclrcat
Pluc kinx roses by the wayside
Finling thorns. alas a. well.
DAYS vi Joy, and day whose sorrow
ONLY hearts that tnOiC can tell.
PatIings, mecting-, farewe ls' greeiinss'-
THIS has been your varied lot,
But the Father stil has blessed yos
tn 4 love That changes not
Flowers have bloum-d and flower. have faded
Friends have come and friends have gone;
By His Christening, love was tested,
And that love It'll nOweth IN.
CArv and grief have len their traces.
And the check has lost lie glow;
but Tue hearts, by love united,
Nc'cr can change, nor older grow.
Tune all other bonds may sever;
Beauty fade. when youth - past,
But true love Increases ever,
Til, ~ Heaven, u blooms ~ lAft.
Hrrr. tonight, your pledges gwen
Prove a. strong that heavenly tie,
A, when hr.t your troth was plighted
Five aud twenty years gone W.
Now YOUR joyous, sllTer-weddinS
We would celebrate in song:
May the memory OF these hours
Cheer YOU ~ ' GU pass along.
ON the mount DelectAble,
larry now, awhile tonight:
Weary pilgrims and refreshing,
While His meTCies you indite.
Call o. mind Ills loving kindness
Who has led YOU on your way,
Through whose heavenly care and guidance,
Iou are brought TO see this day
With Ills spirit dwelling IN you,
With His love your hearts 10 cheer,
Nith Ris ATmor 10 defend you,
Path can never yield 20 fear.
Two suong hearts now stand beside you
Sons las plant. grown up IN YOUTH
And you Joy TO see them walking
Ia the way OF Life ana Truth.
one, already, Inns the standard
Borne sion ON lions Hill,
Publishing the great salvation,
Doing thus the Masters Will.
When you dw.lt In quiet Auburn.
Where your true work was begun
Or beside the sheltered hArOoT
OF fair Trenton, now Ldnoine,-
When YOU lived in grand old Leicester,
Where thai gem OF churches stands,
Where your stay WAS made so pleasant
Nv earnest hearts aud willing hands
When your waywoTn feet were guided
To Champlain's broad valley, where
Still Nj Mansfield watches ever
O'sr the village once your care
Twas His loving hand that led YOU,
Led you all your journey past;
And zoe bless the Hand mat guided
You 10 Paris Hill, at last
While YOU labor here among us,
In this vineyard OF our Lord,
MAY his blessing still attend YOU
NAV His love be your reward.
Watching, prsyng,-sowing, rehplhB,-
Gathering often, as you stTsw-
JOYS uniting-cares dlvidlng-
still together may you 20
Dozen the hill of life, together,
Led "by faith and not by sight"
In the dreary vale Of Baca,
Finding rivers of delight"
With Your lamps well trimmed and burning,
Journeyipg to your heavenly home,
Till the Bridegroom's voice shall greet you,
Sounding out,-"Beholdl / comet"
Entering then the land Of Beulah
Where at last, the pilgrim rests,
Clad in bright and radiant garments
You shall be His wedding guests
The Misses Bowker then sung q
beautiful song. entitled, The Music Of
the Birds" David Foster Estes. Of
Newton Theological Seminary next read