Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-02-06


love l thy law, it is daily my meditation
and delight" II will solace your declining |
wears. 1t will cheer you on in liies journ-
ey. 1t will sustain you in all the trials OF
life. 1t will point you TO the other side OF
the river, and disclose to your admlring
view he beatiic glores OF the Redeemer.
1t holds out IFS glorious promises and in
vitations and if you prove as faithful in
the service of the Divine Master a. you
have been in the discharge Of the trusts
committed TO your care, though you may
be called TO walk through the valley Of the
shadow of death you may fear no evil, for
His rod, and His staff will comfort you,
and the righteous Judge will say, well
done good and faithful servant, enter thou
into the joy Of our Lord. But the bless
ings Of the gospel are not confined 10 one,
and TO you who are treading lilc's journey
with him, accept beseCcb you the gracious
offering Of the Lord, and you shall expert
ence that perfect peace which those enjoy
who love His law, and nothing shall offend
you. And should the daughters eyes fail
upon that illustration OF Isaac and Re-
bekah's first interview, while she is look
ing for picture to paint, and it should
happen that some suitable Isaac should re-
quire her to deal kindly with him, and If
lac has found favor in her eyes to tell him,
and if not to tell him, that lac may turn to
the right hand or the left; and should his
proposal be kindly received, let me be-
speak for you the same blessings which
were pronounced upon Rebekah. And TO
the son we would say, should he choose for
his LIES service TO 20 into the ministry, we
ask for Linn that the same book may be
lamp to his feet and light to his path, and
that lie may spread its glorious eiiulgence
wherever his influences may extend. And
finally, when lfe's tolls, cares and pleas
ures are ended, that you may be gathered
an uubroken family with the loved ones
who have gone before, and who may come
| after, with all the redeemed in Heaven.
| Then was presented gold headed cane
| from seven gentlemen of North Vernon a
| beautiful dressing gown from seven ladies
| Of North Vernon a silver fruit dish from
three gentlemen Of Brattleboro; a silver
call bell and fine set Of jewelry; black
walnut extension table, slippers aud case
Wordsworths Ioems in morocco, gold
pencil, a silver butter knife, and a lap
board beautiful cut flowers sent by Chas.
| Hosmer Of Boston, and also flowers from
David Smith OF Springfield, Mass, both OF
whom could not be present. These beau
| tiful rare exotics came in fine order and
were the admiration of all, and called out
expressions OF thanks from every admirer,
and regrets that the donors were necessari-
ly detained from being presently Response
| by DR.. Goodwille: Generous donors and
| friends OF Mr.. and Mrs Withheld. 1t has
been truly said that life is full Of surprises.
| But what would surprise to-day, would
not surprise tomorrow. Scarcely any one
who is acquainted with Mr.. Withheld would
think he could be easily surprised, and yet
l think he is somewhat startled. His po-
sition reminds me very forcbly of that old
Trojan hero Of ancient times 80 apty de-
scribcd by the poet Virgil. When the gods
of mythology came to earth and held con-
verse with men, they often appeared to
| Eneas. At such times the poet describes
him with his hair standing on end, aud his
voice stuck in his throat 1t is not expect
ed that in these days of hair oil aud brush
es that the hair of any one could stand on
| end, much less that OF Mr.. Whilhed's, but
l am not sure but he has a feeling akin to
that. Certain il is that his voice is lost
suspect il is stuck in his throat But scri-
| ously, there are tunes when our hearts
seem too fail for utterance. The kindness
Of friends, the unexpected meeting OF
them under such peculiar circumstances as
| these, is enough to strike us dumb with as
| constituent. In a great measure the credit
| OF this entertainment and surprise is due
| to Mrs. Withheld land Isl) but she has
shared in her partners surprise, by being
herself surprised. This was due her To
! her, first of all then, who originated and
carried out the plot against her husband,
| our unbounded thank are due. And to all
who contributed toward this entertainment,
| feel authorized 10 say in behalf of both
Mr.. and Mrs. Withheld, they return their
heartfelt gratitude, and desire to receive
these gins in the same hearty manner in
which they were given. They consider il
mark Of great esteem and confidence
| from their friends, and this day will always
be recalled with the greatest pleasure, as
one OF the pleasantest aud happiest peri
DDS of their lives. Amer congratulations. all
were Toasted at the table filed TO overflow
| ing with such luxuries rs Mrs. Withheld
Knows best how TO prepare, and all tested
to their full satisfaction. Then dancing. to
such as desired, was INDUCED in, and
BROOKS and Melendy's band furnished fine
music as usual. Mr.. Whitfield says hesup-
posed he knew about his culinary arrang e-
menis, but when Mrs. Withheld can fe asst
two hundred without his knowledge and
assistance, he must acknowledge himself
surprised. This party was the happiest
one ever enjoyed, as all were happy 10 saw.
MAY they all SEQ mans, ,,,o,ra ~ -.