Connecticut western news., 1876-06-23

ble; then Slnglng! AenoA soA'No H0' everything that hath breath praise the Lord the congregation joining in the fla miliar chorus. Prayer was offered by Rev. MT. Germond, then Coronation Service was beautifully rendered by the choir, the chorus being the old time hymn, All hail the Power Rev. Charles M. Hyde, DID,, then spoke to us from the text, Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, referring the text to our ances- tors. Dr. Hyde spent many years of his early life in Sheffield, and his face was as the face of an old friend to many: His words, we'll chosen, brought his subject viv- idly before his hearers. He held the atten- ton of the audience perfectly in spite of the warmth of the afternoon and the natu- ral weariness of our extra days work. EY- eryone pronounced the sermon just the thing for our centennial, and we would gladly listen again and again to Dr. Hyde. His earnestness impresses every one, and we doubt not the blessing of God attends his ministrations.
 The closing anthem was the Sicily ser vice, The Lord bless thee and keep thee, concluding with the old hymn, Lord dis miss us.' The servlce Sunday evening was of praise and prayer. MT. Root favored us with much choice music which was very delightful. MT. Stevens sang solo, with accompaniment, When the mists are cleared away It was very affecting, and many eyes were dim with tears ere the beautiful song was done. Mir. Stevens ex- cells as a singer, and seldom do we enJoY such blessings of song as this week has brought to us. To Dr. Root, MT. Stevens and the choir, the public are truly grateful. MONDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
 A general feeling of disappointment per vaded this whole community when we awoke this morning to find the rain falling steadily, and the clouds were heavy over the face of the sky. The yesterday had been SO beautiful and so full of enjoyment we had not counted upon the disap pointment rain might bring. However, about ten o'clock the clouds began to dis appear and the multitude gathered in the church, which was well filled in spite o1 the weather. The Stockbridge band was in attendance and gave us most delightful
 and inspiring music. A Historical Paper was read us by Gen. Barnard of this place
 It was very ably written, and contained the
 facts of history concerning Western Massa
 setts and Sheffield in particular. including
 many items of interest taken from the ole
 town records. Gen. Barnard is man o1
 remarkable intelligence, and highly respect
 ed. |, His long service in the navy has made
 him well known as public man. He lacks
 in oratory owing to his deafness, by whict
 he is unable judge of his own voice. Thi' infrmity made it impossible to many te
 readily understand him as he spoke to u
 this DO orning. Dr. Geo. Root composed {
 song especially for the occasion entitled
 The Day of Columbia's Glory which wal
 sung by the choir directly afterithe reading
 by Gen. Barnard. The whole audience
 seemed entranced while the glorious har
 mony was poured out. Then followed the
 historical address by Hon. Abram Daley o1
 Brooklyn, formerly Sheffield boy, ot
 whom his native town is justly proud. Hi appearance as he came before the people
 was very pleasing and attractive.-
 His ease of manner and natural eloquenct
 at once arrested the attention of his hear
 CTS and held us as if spell bound for more
 than an hour. He spoke with much feel
 ing of this, his boYhood's home; of tht
 emotions which filled his heart as he came
 in view of the old Taconics on the west
 and the hills of the east which encirclet
 his native place-emotions too deep for ex
 presslon in words. He spoke of his attach
 ment to New England-that her sons coul'
 never forget her, though the scene of thei
 business might be far away, yet this hom place was ever here, and he looked back t
 the rest and quiet of Sheffield with increas
 ing pleasure. He remarked: If we as
 people have been modest for hundre
 years-as of course we have-row it is ou time to talk, to boast if we like, even if W
 keep silence for hundred years to come Then he went on to show why Shef1el may boast of her ancestry; why old Mas } sachusetts' many sons and daughters ma , glory in her records; of the part she bor 7 in the Revolutionary struggle, sending int 7 the army during that war more than 80, 100 , men, and 18, 1000 more soldiers than all th i Southern colonies sent forth at that tim 3 He spoke with eloquence of the fiery tria 3 Massachusetts has endured of her hero
 men and noble women, to whom he ga1 just tribute. The address throughout WI v marked by earnestness and true manly elo - quence. Judge Daley as an orator, T }. minds one of MT. Beecher. His addre r was one which will long be remembered l. one of the brightest memories of our Ce . tennial.
 T Between each address the band favor' e us with music well suited to the occasio e An inrermission of an hour was given whi 1t the people repaired to the. town hall, whe e bountiful supply of the good things }. life were provided for the inner man, al g. we all know how generously the hous le wives of Sheffield can provide on like oce 1t sions. All were fed, and no one we n away hungry, while they took up 'twel .h baskets full to feed the poor. The col A tion being over, the people again return ,n to the church. Dr. Dewey, who is pre- " dent of this Centennial celebration, presi e. ed with his usual grace and dignity. T n afternoon exercises were opened by mu ,d from the band, after which Geo. A. Hoa n ley delivered an oration and retired an av the applause of the people. Then follow ed a song, the music being composition be Gen. Barnard's, while the words were co