The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-09-09
Twenty-Five Years Married Life.

Rev, s, ! Lee formerly Of Toledo, no"
pastor Of the II. f. Church, Marion, was
the recipient Of handsome present from
Ills church and congregation recently.
We clip the following from the Marion
Register The money could not have
been more worthily bestowed:I
Last Friday was the 25th anniversary
of the marriage of Mr.. d Mrs. 5. a. Lee.
About three weeks previous few OF the
lady members of the church concluded
to appropriately observe the approach
inr anniversary and after SO deciding
passed resolution to keep the matter
secret until few days before the time,
as a surprise" was part Of the pro-
grammc determined upon, They were q
little uncertain as to the success OF their
planning, for two weeks was longer than
woman was ever known to keep secret,
but the resolve was made and kept. linen
when the affair was made known to the
other members and they were apprlscd
of the fact that an event of the kind had
actually been kept secret by hall dozen
ladies SO long, the carrier pigeon" mem
bers ceased their accustomed tongue rat
tie and the programme was executed TO
the letter.
On Thursday, Mr. Brcmwell, q mem
Der Of the church residing in the country
invited Mr. Lee and family to tea on the
following day and informed them that he
would call for them with his carriage
early in the afternoon. Previously, dur
ing the week, Il couple Of the ladies who
had helped plan the affair quietly saw
the members of the church and raised by
subscription purse OF one hundred DOL
;,l ln
When the day came other members CON
stitutcd themselves party OF observation
from a neighboring residence and when
the carriage rolled out of sight the par
sonage was taken possession of and things
put in order for the evening. The church
was also opened, refreshmcnt tables
placed and decorated with riCh-hued and
nicely wrought boqucts while the chande-
Tiers and walls were wrcathed with ever
greens. The buildings were the" closed
until o'clock in the evening, at when
time they were re opened and the com
mttees proceeded to complete their ar
rangements At dark the lamps were
lighted and through opened windows and
doors sent out Il welcome to all. AT .
some two hundred members of the church
and congregation had assembled at the
church and spent the following half hour
in social greeting At half past the pas
tor and his family were returned to their
home rs they had been taken from II a
few hours before, but to find it with open
doors and windows and Illuminated rooms
with q sentry on guard to welcome ana
invite them to the church-enterlng which
few moments later they found it in pos
session of their friends, who, as they pro-
ceeded up the aisle, preceded by Mr.. d
Mrs Cromwell, gave them a welcome
which will never be forgotten. ARRIVING
at the pulpit they were met by Hon. J. Is.
Young, who said: j.,
Bro. LEE.-It is with pleasure that
address you in behalf of those who have
met here this evening. They have come
to manifest in their own way their apprc-
citation of gospel minister, who by his
kindness and urbanity in the social rcla-
lions of life, his broad catholicity and
earnest spirituality as religious teacher,
as well as his disposition to follow the
spirit of truth and promote christian unity,
and to show their sincere regard for the
noble wife who has hitherto shared with
HIM the hardships and privatlons OF an
tjnerant's life. In behalf of the friends
here assembled | extend TO you their
most cordial greeting, that a kind Proyi-
dcnce has permitted you to witness the
2Jth anniversary of your marriage.
May the future of you lives be even
more Joyous than the past and may the
choicest blessings of heaven attend you
| is the ardent wish and fervent prayer OF
every one present. Aud now as a slight
| token Il your friends here assembled &C
ccpt the offering they have brought you.
The present consisted of twelve dol
lar silver cup containing one hundred
dollars. Mr.. Lee replied briefly but APP
propriately and and then after congratu.
| latiOns, refreshments were announced
Ample preparations had been made and
the committee had the satisfaction OF
knowing that their arrangements for the
| occasion had been so perfect that nothing
was wanting TO make it a most pleasant
and enjoyable affair throughout.