The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1878-05-09
The Ladies Of the N. .. Church Compliment
their Pastor. Rev. John Kirby.

Under the itincrant economy of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church the average preacher
: becomes SO used to moving that when the
Conference fails TO provide for this annual
, transfer, he per force Of habit moves any
: how, even if it's only from one part OF the
town to another. Rev. John Kirby made su oh
"move" last week, whereupon followed
moving" time. DIR. C. e. Furley, together
with eight other gentlemen, moved TO pur-
chase fine carpet, which was duly laid
upon the floor OF the new quarters. Mrs.
Nereus Baldwin, Mrs. f. N. Lewis and Mrs.
: G. f. Hargis then moved around among the
lady members of the church, which move E.
suited in the pur chase OF a luxurious $40
easy chair for their pastors study. But
with all the moving nobody seemed moved
to tears. The next move was made
after prayer meeting Thursday night, when a
hundred or S. of ladies aud gentlemen hap
pened in at the home OF Mr. and Mrs. Kirby.
The surprise was complete, but not more CON-
plete than pleasant. After the formal pre-
ssntation OF the chair in behalf of the ladies'
and friends of the Society lad been made by
Mrs. 81. h. Murdoch ,and replied TO by Mr..
Kirby in his usual happy manner, refresh
ments were offered the company and pleas
ant social reunion which lasted for an hour or
more was most thoroughly enjoyed by all
present. The occasion Will finger long in the
memory OF all who participated, as a most
happy affair.
The following is a report OF Mrs. Murdock's
presentation address and OF Mr.. Kirby's re-
ply;
| "Another year, another leaf,
Is turned within LIES volume brief
| And here, now, another page appears
OF thine within thy book of years"
Most highly esteemed and dearly Jel0Ued Pastor:
At the behesi and in behalf of the ladies of
| your congregation, | am here in an attitude oil
| disObedience to Paui's solemn injunction, not
only 10 speak in meetin', y but to the preach
er himself, to one who halls from land gov
| erned BY a woman,-another Victoria.
OF that loved spot in ''Merry Old England
where your eyss first beheld the light OF day.
| know too little, perhaps; but, believe II was
near the heather hills OF Bonnie Scotland,
where Bobby Burns told how his preacher
Learned three-lnile prayers an half-milc graces
Wi weel spresd lOOyes an lang wry facesl
An how he cleared the points o faith
WIZ rattlin' an thumpin'
How meekly calm, how wild in wrath
Ills stampin' and his jumpIa''
We greet you tonight with IN assurance of
our appreciation OF that free spirit that led
you across the Atlantic to these wild. rolling
meadows, where ne distinction oil birth, but
virtues are hOnored.
The warm hearts here assembled know that
this slight token is not necessary pledge
that your lab0rs OF love and solicitu lie for eur
spiritual wellfares are properly Acknowledged
Each returning Sabbath furnishes that proof
in volumes from an hundred speaking eyes.
But in the present enjoyment OF an act tina,
krinwS nipa.Ilrp and animated ifl
the thought that however far yeu may De sep
arated in the future from those who enjoy
your present hospitality, and that OF your
closest. truest triend.-sbe who has forsaken
AL TO make your people her peopie,-and that
this testimonial may awaken and Te-kIndie
memories of these mayhap humber days, and
OF assembled friends tonight; and sincerely
wishing you many, very many returns OF this
birthday anniversary, we beg your acceptance
OF this chair.
why should we count our life by years,
Since years are short and pass away?
Or why by fortunes smiles or tears,
Since tears are vain and smiles decay?
o, count by Vlrtucs these shall last
When LIES lame-loote race is ser,
And these when earthly joys are past
May cheer ds on a origAitrshore''
REV. MR.. RIRBY's REPLY.
Ladies. Il may say sisters, your welcome,
but unexpected presence. together with the |
costly and elegant gin before me, and the ex-
!
so beautiful in utterance and true TO the |
sentiment within you, does indeed surprise |
and embarrass me in my end eayor 10 respond. |
l feel myself at this moment in the condition |
of the HibernaI who, having fallen from bis
horse. was asked If he were "kilt,' "NO."
he replied. II II not kilt, but am spachless."
1t is true. ladies. As yOu delicately aud poet
icay put il, that "anotheT leafs turned with
in my book of years" Perhaps it is nv long
list OF birthday anniversaries that Is the key
LII
II must be my aged limbs that suggested the
idea OF an easy ehair,-"tired natures sweet
reslorer." | eannot deny the soft impeach-
ment that am older than | was. You will
believe me when | say that more than twenty
summers have passed ever my head And liy-
ing as do among people whose worry lite is
surprise. | cannot tell las the old folks say
what day will bring forth, specially VIII en-
| think what this day has brought forth, viz
A splendid study chair from the ladies'. and
carpet rich in quality and gcmmed win flow
er-, from the gentlemen OF my charge. Truly
in the things OF this life the servant is above
bis master. and the disciple above his lord.
Precious as these presents are. tr3nscsndiRg |
infinitely the merit OF my humble endeaTors,
! should be duh of apprehension If | did not
know that they were as flowers on the bank
of river, of kindest feeling, and, as notes
struck iro!a the chords of affection which will
ever trembe responsive TO the touch OF truth.
thank you for your kind ausion to her
who walks with me IN the retirement o
confiding fellowship. and who, in conjunction
with yourselves, contributes largely to any
success.
There was one little remark in your address
that care not TO think about. viz: That re-
lating to intu' Q separation. | desire not days
better than these, neither aspire TO eminences
which others occupy, like the great woman"
at Shunen, spoken OF by the prophet. Il
dwell among niue own people, "a people
who love to follow truth up her ewn mountain
height aud drink water from the uppermost
fountains lam glad that some here tonight
are climbers wbo before were Owe Hers in the
valley, and TO whom the promised land Of
conscious sOGl-purity was looked upon as be-
ing aiar Oh. Among such a people let me
dwell-not as an Elijah to awaken the world
with wonder. but as sn Elisha. of milder
glories, q son Of consolation amid the stricken
homes OF Srael.