Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-03-29

RINCAOA
homestead, the company was called to
order for the formal part of the festivi-
ty. This consisted Of singing, the read
ing of an original poem written for the
occasion by Mrs. f. W. Chandler, the
presentation of the presents by Jed
Lake, Esq, the reading of a response by
Rev. +. w. Robertson on behalf of Mr..
and Mrs. Sparkling. The following are
Mrs. Chambers verses:
Now fifty years have passed away
Since you commenced your welded life,
And in the good old fashioned way,
Lived husband true, and loving wife.
Far down the stream of time you've come,
Freighted with many a joy and woe;
In Gods great l%ove-yOur souls true home
Though sin caused many a tear to flow.
And time its changes DER you brought,
Yet still you walked the narrow way,
Life, many lessons to you taught,
That led you oft, to watch and pray.
While conflict mingled in your life,
AS 'mong the wheat have grown the tares,
Creating often toll ana strife,
Yet hopes bright smile quickened your
prayers.
And songs abounded, rich and sweet,
Whose value faith alone can see;
Which tiOated Owards the mercy seat,
AS, I'm so glad that Christ loves me-"
While rises in your mind the song,
Great rock of ages cleft for me,
Let the deep prayer be on your tongue,
"Oh let me hide myself in thee"
And with its laurels crowned your head,
'Tis He who strews the blossoms white
+ age, and does its glory shed.
And in the days of hoary age,
When one reviews the journey trod,
Ills sweet to read in memOry's page
Of work well done, and done for God.
Of greater trust through trial past,
OF children's love, kept till this hour;
OF peace secured, while life shall last,
t nobler purpose-holier power,
And children's children meet you here
Whose web of life in early youth,
Guided by your example dear,
Shall show the golden threads of youth.
Old friend DIS, we meet you here to-day,
To give, and take the clasping hand;
Sweet pledge of hope, that meet we may,
In brighter realms, a sinless land.
Both young and old greet YOU this hour,
AS you rejoice in true love holden,
And wish and strive to reach the shore
Where all the weddings will be golden.
Mr.. Lakes remarks on presentation
OF the numerous presents-tokens of
love and respect from children and
frlends-were appropriate, conveying
fully the affection in which the recipi-
ents were held by all present, and inter
spersed with wit and happy allusion.
They were thoroughly appreciated by
all present, and by nonc more than the
aged bride and groom. At the close,
Rev. Mr.. Robertson, in their name of
Mr.. and Mrs. Sparkling, read the follow
ing response. The poetical portion of
it is from the pen of j. L. McCreery, of
Dubuque, who is a relative of the fami-
ly:
DEAR FRIENDs.-Fifty years ago to-
day we joined our hands to walk togeth-
err down the rugged path of life. Years
of sunshine and sometimes of shadow,
but most of u pathway has beamed
with the brightness Of a Heavenly
Guide. II years after our union in
wedlock, the family altar was set up,
and for th%irty-eight years it's sacred
charm has been about us and our fami-
ly. During these years we have made
it a rule to remember our obligations to
society and the church, as we'll as to
our family and selves, and count it an
honor to have been permitted to do
something, as we trust, for %humanity's
good. Most of the children, we rejoice
to know, have chosen for their Guide
the One who has lent to us his leading
hand through life. Some of the dear
mes are gone before, and we doubt not
are waiting us yonder in the fearless
land
PORTRAYED by the prophet and sung by the
When the good of all ages-a glorifed band
Shall rest from their labors and reap their re-
A land without suffering, sorrow or care;
An evermore painless and blissful abode.
With joy on each wave of the palpitant air;
And the light of the realm is the smile of its
And the loved who are gone from the land of
their birth
Star-crowned and redeemed from the errors of
earth
On the shores of the Beautiful Land.
Oh! the loved and the lost parent, lover and
child
Whose dear, dying face we baptized with our
tears,
And buried and mourned for-but worked on
and smiled
While our hearts walked alone through the
long, weary years.
When others shall weep over our faces thus;
When ,e shall be summoned the dark tide to
stem,
We shall find all our darlings there waiting for
Who so long and so needlessly mOurned over
them.
oh, joy, joy eternal! when reft of our clay,
And battle in the blaze of ineffable day,
On the hills of the Beautiful Land"
We thank you all for the pleasure
you have given us on this occasion by
your presence, and for the elegant to-
kens of friendly and flial regard you
have presented, and heartily unite in
praying that Heaven may bless our
friends, our children and our children
children.
After a closing song, "Shall we Gath
er at the River" the company gathered
around the aged pair to offer congratu-
l%ations. They were received with as
much pleasure as they were given, and
of their sincerity there could be no
doubt. After this came refreshments,
and then the hour of parting.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sparkling have six chill
dren living, four of whom were present
on this occasion, besides nine Of the
fourteen grandchildren. One great
g%rand-child was not present. We NO.
ticed among the guests quite a large
number of aged people who seemed to
enter into the spirit of the scene with
genuine zest. Among these was the
mother of L. j. Curtis, who is wei 80
and who apparently got as much pleas
ure from the gathering as anybody else
The value of the presents amounted
to about 800. They were as follows
A gold pen and pencil to Mrs. Sparkling
II.