Daily Republican., 1879-08-23
A DAYIN OLD PENcADER.

N In 4 ~ VAD = DN chDhkss
OTIS Meeting HOuse-The Annual
Jubilee Of the ''Band Of HOpe''-
Interesting Exercises-A Largo
Gathering.
Nesting down among the rugged hills
Of Pencadsr Hundred, within a stones
throw of where the Little Diamond
State shakes hands across q small riv-
ulst, with her big sister, Maryland,
stands an unpretentious structure,
known for miles around as Otis Meet
ing House. 1t is located about three
miles southeast Of Newark, and about
two miles from Elkton, Md. The build
ing derives its name from its founder,
Stephen OFT, who lived in that section
for a number of years, and whose re-
mains now rest quietly in the rear of
the edifce his energy erected. The
congregation worshipping here are call
ed "Disciples Of Christi and worthy
disciple Of the lowly Nazarene was he
who first gathered them together, and
upon his own property provided a suit
able place where they might worship
God according to their own ideas.
The building itself is humble in ap-
pearance and the casual passerpby would
only be struck with the romantic beauty
of its location, and the quaint stiffness
Of its surroundings. But to those who
live in the neighborhood there are stir
ring and pleasant memories connected
with the little church, which make il
an object of interest and love to them.
That "the works of good man live
after him and are cherished" is fully
exsmplihed in the case Of Stephen OFT,
and his memory is treasured by those
who knew and met him in life, for the
good he did among them, while the
monuments he left behind Of his care
for their welfare cause the younger
gener alton to revere his name.
One Of these monuments is the "Band
OF Hope" which was organized by Mr.
OFT on February 9th, 1871, and in
which he enlisted all whom his elo'
quenoe could persuade to join. The
cardinal principles of the "Band" are
First-total abstinence from all that
can intoxicate; Sscond-refraining from
the use of tobacco in any form. The
first is compulsory as requisite to
mem mbership, the second optional. A
code of laws were laid down for the gov
ernment OF the "Band," and they were
to hold meetings monthly, and at the
end of each year jubilee. To show
how wise we're the plans OF its founder,
it is only necessary to say that the
"Band" has not only continued in ex'
istence, but has grown and hourished,
until scarcely home for miles around
is without a representative in its ranks
Regularly have the meetings been held
and as regularly has the "Band' and
its friends gathered once a year to cele
brate the jubilee.
1t was on the occasion Of the eighth
Jubilee of the Band, which took place
on Thursday last, the 2lst, that a repre-
sentative of the REPUBLICAN had the
good fortune to visit the locality anc
learn something Of the history OF thu
society and it's works. A day Of enjoy
ment had been promised US and the SO
quel will show that that promise wa
more than kept. Upon our arrival q
the church we found goodly number
assembled and when the exercises o
the day we're opened at ten O'Clock, full
ly four hundred people we're ON tn
ground. The programme Of the morn
ing was introduced with a soul stirring
anthem, sung by the congregation, Mr.
Chadwick leading, and Miss Polk o
Newark, presiding at the organ. Fol
lowing this came variations upon the
jewsharp by Mr.. Sammons, of Whining
ton, and never were Aleck and his harI
more appreciated. Then another an
them was sung, Miss Barbara Cardwel
Of Wilmington presiding at the organ
Mr.. Frank Whelen, Wilmington, wal
then introduced and spoke for some
time upon the aim and object OF thu
Band.
He commended the energy Of those
connected with the society, and gav'
several illustrations of the beneficial
influence, early training and impress
sions, had upon the after life OF mel
aud women. "Not only do they act as
shield in the hour of temptation sait
the speaker, ''but many hear
grown old in sin and crime had beeI
touched with remorse, and had its cur
rent changed by the recollections 0
childhood spent among just sucl
scenes as this" He urged them t.
continue sowing the seeds and the har
vest would surely come. AT the clos
Of the address the doxology was SUM-
and the large audience dispersed abou
the ground, some to amuse themselve
in different games and others to prepar
dinner which was partaken Of in regu
lar camp style and full justice done it,
At two o'clock the Church was agail
thronged, and from that hour until tlv
o'clock the audience we're treated to
feast of song, speech and character act
in O such as one seldom finds gathere'
in one programme. First came recita
tions by the younger members of tn
Band, in which all acquitted themselve
with great credit. Among those takin
part were George Ash, Mamie Walton
Katie Ash, Laura Gentry, BERTHE Wal
ton, George Zimmerman, Willie Walton
Ida Craig, Miss Lizzie Ash, and oth
ers. A duett by Misses Edith Quick
sail and Tibbin followed, and the styl
in which it was rendered made 1t on
of the most beautiful features OF the pre-
gramme. Both young ladies have gle
rious voices, and residingin in Philadel
phia, they have had the benefit OF
Thorough musical training. Miss Quick
| sail also gave several recitations dur
ing the day, and exhibited eiocation