Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-01-27

Ml>HfE pf >lMNtk. MhNE,
DECEMBER 81, 1879.
Fun nny years have run life's golden sands;
Pull fifty years Fathers guiding hand
Has led our honorcd friends. father and mother
Along the rugged way of life together
Tonight they stand with Us, the crown OF years
Upon their brows. lis silvery trace appears.
And as we look adown times widening stream
To that bright morning. with It's joyous beam,
when TO this aged pair life seemed all bright,
without cloud to mar its radiant light,
We feel 10 raise our voice in grateful praise
For all the blessings that have crowned their
days.
We gather here around this hearth-stone dear,
To offer them our heartfelt word OF cheer.
And bid them onward in their pathway go
And gather up the harvest they did sow.
And by our presence make this scene more
bright,
This nficth anniversary of their wedding
night
With retrospective glance we backward look,
And Rad the pages of lifes checkered book:
We see a maiden fair with clustering hair
Beside manly form, whose watchful care
Encircles her with arms OF fondest love.
And makes heaven below like that above.
Trials and crosses they have bravely borne,
But the bright sunlight has ulumed the morn.
Children TO them were born. two daughters fair
frightened their home, and claimed their fos-
tering care;
one passed away 10 the bright spirit land.
one ministers 10 them here with loving hand.
And OF, when evening wells the earth and skies
And round the hreside prayers like incense
rise,
The loving daughter. from her home above.
Comes with the benediction OF her love.
oh, blesi are they who open wide the door
And bid the angels enter evcrmore
And when the light of truth came TO this home
II cast It's halo DER the years TO come;
II lighted up the dark and narrow way,
And made it bright with an efralgent ray:
II opened wide the gate. and through its portal
Came to this home the ever.blest Immortal.
on. sacred truth, thy mission it's 10 bless
And lin the race from darkness and distress.
To strike the chains from fettered mind and
soul
And backwards bid the clouds OF darkness. roll,
Reveals the harmony OF natures law
And from its pages inspiration draw.
Prom that great volume these our friends have
read
Lessons OF wisdom. and like daily bread.
II strengthens and sustains life's waning pow.
erS,
And gives them courage in the darkest hours,
II lights the passage TO the other shore.
where they will meet the loved ones gone
before.
Not only does the future good besiow,
But present blessings crown the life below.
The poor and needy here shelter find,
And none are turned away. none lefi behind,
But orphan children bless this happy home
For all the good that 10 their lives has come.
Then let Us all with one accord unite
To pray for them future calm and bright,
That their declining years may peaceful be,
And we the measure OF their days may see.
May peace and plenty all their steps attend.
And brighten all the hours till life shall end.
Come. blessed spirits. from your homes OF
light.
And mingle with our greetings here tonight;
Your voices join with ours and sweety sing,
That future years may added blessings bring,
Tin the last golden sand OF life is run.
And the bright spirit morning has begun.
Ring. then. ye golden bells, the fftieth chime
Ring out your changes on the disc OF time;
Ring IN a future bright and calm and clear,
For these our friends and guests who gather
here,
And may vour golden notes with music swell
In tones OF triumph. sweet meloiious bells.
W. r. SMITH.
Portland. Maine.