Morning journal and courier., 1880-09-04
Returning Pastors.
Rev. Mr. Bal's ReesptiOn-A Pleasant

Rev. Mr. Balls Receptfon-A Pleasant Occasion.
 The Rev. J. l.. Willard, of the Westville Congregational church, returns from his va
 cation at Mount Washington to-day. The
 church will be open again for divine services l tomorrow morning and evening
 The members of the Davenport church
 are preparing .'greeting reception" to their pastor, Mr. Meserve, on his return from
 Europe He with Rev. MT. Kelsey are ex- pected in the steamer Egypt, and are due at l New York the first of next week. MT. M. has been absent over three months, and has
 enjoyed his trip greatly, having had good health. He will spend some days after his
 return with his family, who are in Litchfeld 1 county.
 The Rev. MT. Ball, of the Baptist church, Fair Haven, had a most pleasant reception
 from his people and happy surprise, Thurs day evening" on his return from his vacation at Lake George. His people knowing that he
 was coming back on Thursday probably, had telegram sent him to come if possible in time for wedding Thursday evening. True f to the appointment, the clergyman arrived,
 getting in on the half past Canal train to find host of people in waiting at the church for him, the church decorated in his honor and all waiting full of happiness. MT. Oscar Hall gave speech of welcome for the peo- pie, and. afterward, the Rev. Me. Jerome spokesman, the pastor and his wife were presented with very acceptable articles of tin
 useful in the household and a valuable china ! set. The reception had been made to serve l also as the celebration of the pastors tenth wedding anniversary. The utmost happiness prevailed. The pastor began to suspect that what wedding the telegraph wires had talked about, especially as there was no torch of Hymen or orange blossoms or blushing bride groom around and the tribute was none the less acceptable with such an outpouring of friends to greet him. An abundance of flowers and bountifully laden tables were also part of the occasion.
 Rev. Mir. Houghton has returned having enjoyed his vacation at Cape Cod and the old homestead in Maine, and will preach to-mor- row morning
 The pastor of the First Baptist church, Rev. J. M. Stifer, has just returned from his vacation, which he has been spending at the home of his parents in Hollidaysburg, Penn. The church has been closed during his ab- sence and has been thoroughly renovated.
 It will be opened again Sunday. Dr. Suffer will preach morning and evening.
 Rev. w. c. Richmond, Baptist, of Walling ford, arrived home Thursday evening and was given fine reception. All the people were out to welcome him, tables groaned with eatables, flowers were about in profu- sion, and on the wall was 'eWelcome Home.'' Rev. MT. Burlington, of Fair Haven, is back again with his people.
 Rev. MT. Hart, pastor of the First church, Fair Haven. has returned Rev. MT. Harris of Bridgeport just home from England, was given fine reception by his people last evening.
 Drummers' Convention, The annual convention of the drum corps of the State will be held in Boardman's Grove, Hartford, on the 18th of October. The drummers will assemble on the park, make street parade and at the South Green take the street cars for the grove. Prizes will be offered for the best corps drumming, also for the best individual drumming. The fa-
 nous Ninth regiment drum corps, the Mood us drum corps, the Hammond silver drum corps of Rockville and 8 number of other we'll known drummers will take part in the kI