Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-15
lFoR THE GAZETTE.
anniversary Exercises

VA the sixth of this month verv nlo.sor,
surprise Was given to Mr.. John Mason, of
" ooolaWn, on his seventy-sixth birthday, bv
the members of his family and the guests s,on-
ping at his house. AT o'clock 10 the morn.
Ing his little grandchildren and their friends
'"en'y-oue 10 all, dressed in white crowned
with e'ergreens, and wearing flags upon their
breasts, were arranged 10 front of the mansion.
Al III o'clock Mr.. Mason was escorted by Mrs.
5. Wolf and Mrs. DR.. Bebrend to q nlatform
erected 10 the grove. The children marched
alter, oearlug cross Inscribed 1899 a shield
~l'h sixteen stars, annther with thlrty-eight, a
liaeusome otqutt, aud long festoon of ever.
greens Alter them came his family and
lrleuds' The following is the order of exercises
in the grove: - ''0''''
|; Song Silver threads among the gold,
oy MIS-. Emma Wright and Mrs. H. Behreud
> Invocation, BY Mr.. O. t. Mason.
5, Song ~Fahre Wobl, by Mrs. H. Beh-
reDd.
4. Wolf. : 'o'' n''
5 Presentation of handsome family Bible
on oehaIt Of Mr., 5: Wolf, d.. a. Brhrsnd
Mr: NJ. Price, Mr.. r. Goldscmdt, and MIR.
+. behrend, by Miss Florence 4 Wolf.
drcd, sung BY ALL
FIOreLce A. Wolf.
g. 3 BLESSING Of the children: by Mr.. Mason.
y CloSng add ress, by Mr. S. Wvlf.
dress by Miss Volt =
TO JOHN MASON. JULY 6, 1899, TO JULY &.
1873. net (16.
Io day, surrounded by your children, grand
children ADD friends, you have reached the
seventy-slxth milc-post on the Journey from
lite Unite TO life iuiuite. The great Father has
oleSt' has prospered you, has allowed you to
pass beyond the allotted term of years You
are yet mentally vigorous, physically bale and
nearly lou are part and portion of the his
tory OF your country. Your birth Saw but six
tteen, your anniversary to-day sees thirty-elg ht
otaleS: We We're then as au infant struggling
LOT existence; to-day We are in full mauhood,
rGcogniZ@1 as leader among the peoples of
the earth. III have seen the rise and devel-
opment OF all the great and useful Inventions
OF modern days; and what is remarkable you
| have Kept pace with them. The chief aim and
o'Ject or your lite, as we can gather it, has
been TO do your duty to God and man. Hence
we nnd you to-day as the patriarchs of DID,
iuiI Of faith aud hope. The clouds Of adversely
have DOT deferred, the bright skies have not
! caused you to neglect to do whatever you
deemed right 10 conscience and proper in
morals. Through maoy Siorms CO land and on
sea you have passed. You have often been
tried, out have never been found wanting. The
sturdy characteristics Of your New England
sireS have not suffered By being transpauted
to the SOL! Of Virginia. We are on the eve Of
celebrating our Natioual Centennial. Nav the
700 OF our fathers permit you to see that dav
ana many returns of that ,yful occasion. Nav
lie spare your dear wife, your children, and
your ch!dreos children, AID all good and true
nen to live 90 10 health aud happiness. May
the evening stars of your life shine lovingly
ana bright. May the glow # a well.spcut life
light y,u to Him who made the heavens and
tie earth May sorrow aud misfortune be
! oaoiSEed irom your houle, and may 6Dally the
Angel OF eternal life briUg you the b!isstul re-
a!iz st'on Of your Christian faith and charity,
God bless you. Amen.
The addresses Of Mr. Mason aud of Mr..
", w oil we're very appropriate aod full of feeIioe.
me company adj 'urued to the house and par
took OF sumptuous banquet. The wreaths,
Il igs, shields aud tes,oons were hung tastetuily
around the old gentleman's room, and the com
pa0y dispersed with feeling of pleasure not
soon to be forgotten. La the evening there was
tine display Of fireworks.
WOODLAND, FAIRFAX Co., july Is,