The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-04
THE BAPTIST FAIR.

ITS OPENING AT THE ACADEMY FOR THE BENE-
FIT OF THE HOME FOR THE AaED-MAyoR
ELY's ADDRESS.
rho Academy OF Music presented nm unusually
animated and evon brilliant spoctatacle last even
ing on the occasion Of the opening OF tho
fair for Tho benefit OF the Baptist Homo Tor
the Aged All tho Baptist churches Of the
city have united in this effort. The parquet
Of the Academy had been 1oorod over, and with the
addition of tho stage tho space for holding the fair
was quite large. number Of highly ornate and
fancilu booths had been erected by the different
churches both sides of the floor, while
the centre occupied by great flower
stand, whore o dozen ladies', for the modest
sum Of fifteen cents, afTxod with their own
gracious hands, bontonercs coats of gentlemen
who disburscd that amount. Tho beautiful centen-
NAL fountain also occupied place in the centre.
With tho exception OF the the japanese stand
ana Of the books at sale, all tho articles
donated. Each booth marked with the
namo Of the church which had contributed its
contents to The fair At the stage end OF the Academy
was the most original feature OF the far-a regular
country store, containing every imaginable
ariiclo OF household want-the gifts OF piouS
Bapiists. II seemed as though eacn Ia
DIES church society had done its utmost
to excel every rival III the OF its show.
Telephone Punch and Judy show, handkerchief
cip ~ cologne fountain Tor o4e cent and other num-
there Is no reason why II should not DO pccunary
success fne amount intended TO be raised $40 000
Al eight O'Clock 7. NJ In presence large gatnering,
Tax Commissioner Andrews opened the exercises with
q graceful alusion TO the presence OF HIS Honor
tho Mayor. who,.. be sid, would himself
the attention OF tho ladies to the TACT that
the Mayor had paid them no small compliment
~ being thus pressed IN their service, considering
that he hud thus Tar so stcrny and successfully
lovely sex. This reference to tho Mayors bachelor
hood created much good naturod laughter and ap-
plauso anu then Mayor Ely, who spoke from one Of
the central balcony boxes, rose 10 reply.
MAYORS sPEEcH.
Tho Mayor was received with an enthusiasm such as
ladies seldom manifest Tor q confirmed bachelor He
gratefully acknowledged the compliment which the
ladies had done him In asking him to open this beaut
ul and artistic fair. and then spoke substantially
| follows:-
The duties which upon the chief magistrate of
relief turn from dealing with human misery and
crime, and from collisions with private greed and
official dishonesty and 70 spend an hour occasion.
time aud money to the promotion OF Chris
.lan charity There i much .has Is good as web
high and dirty 10 city full OF Ignorance
and but 1t Is also city which in the
OF its benefacons has no superior IN the world In
addition TO the vast raised annually by taxation
and expended in charity | estimate that there
year the enormous sum Of more than $5OooUOO.
has been distributed to noarly thirty thousand
sons by thousand different agencies oil which this Homo
the Aged shining example. This is the silver
lining the cloud and should NJ with gratitude 70 the
Great Bcnearor who has into the hearts oil the
| liberal to devise liberal things.
| The Mayors remarks we're vigorously appaudcd,
and then Bernstein's orchestra, which attended.
struck up some lively airs. Tho iair open until a
late hour and will continue during the entire week.