Morning journal and courier., 1881-07-19
Mammoth Excursion.

New Haven-SIx from Bridgeport = | Speeches by P. T. isarnuna and Various 1 CIergymen. The State .Universalist picnic took place | yesterday at High Rock Grove and was a mammoth affair, attended by about 2,000 people. It was an immense success. Seven teen car loads went from this city and six from Bridgeport, each one filled to overflow ing, and happiness was abundant. These carried the people from the Church of the Messiah in this city, Rev. M. H. Houghton pastor the Universalist churches in Meriden, Rev. Dr. Chapin pastor Middletown, Rev. F. NJ. Houghton pastor, and Bridge port, Rev. Mir. Lyon pastor. Three or four hundred New Haven people were at the Derby depot to take passage, but tickets could not be obtained, the accommodations being all taken, and throngs at Meriden and Middle town could not be provided for. The Ameri can brass and string bands of this city, en- gagged for the day, accompanied the excur- sion. High Rock was fairly captured, but there was abundant room in the grove for two thousand more. Superintendent Beach, of the Naugatuck railroad, and Superintend- ent Quintard, of the Derby, were on the grounds The table capacity under the pa- v1lions being insufficient for the monster par | ty, although accommodating 1,OOO, Superin- 1 tendent Beach had new tables erected out in the grove having capacity for 800 more | The day was delightfully."- cool and the sun obscured most of the time, and there were but few drops of rain. Among the people present were first and foremost, the lion of | he D hn at l public meeting, which was held at o'clock in the pavilion. Mir. Barnum was looking finely and enjoying excellent health, and was, as usual, host in himself. From Meriden l there were eight car loads, among whom were Rev. Dr. Chapin and his wife, MT. Isaac C.Lewls of the Meriden Britannia Co.,, and wife; MT Miller, of Miller Bros. Cutlery Co.,; c. H. l Fales, of c. H. Fales & Bro., tool manutac- turers, and wife, and formerly superinten- dent of the Sunday school; MT. Shaw, of Shaw Brothers Dr. Howe, superintendent of the State Reform school Hon. J. P. | Stowe, for 30 years in business in Alabama, | at the time having his summer residence in | Meriden, and wife; Captain and Mrs. John Blake, Deacon Easton, an active and lnt1uen- tial man; E. A. Horton, of the Central Printing Co.,, and other influential citizens.
 From Middletown there were Rev. F. M. | Houphton J. E. Bidwell, cashier of the Mid l dlesex County bank and treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows; Horace R. Butler, mason builder; Benjamin Butler, sail | maker: Samuel Stevens, retired from busl- ness; Geo. H. Collins, sail maker; N. B.. Tucker, furniture dealer; Captain Horace Leonard, city collector John P. Bacon, re- tired: Arba Hyde, ex-sheriff, and others.
 From Bridgeport there were Rev. Mir. Lyon; Jas. Staples, banker; Colonel J. w. Knowlton, BRidgeport's genial postmaster William Mason, reader; Nathan Buckingham, furniture dealer; Jerome Alcott; MT. Cope land, of Copeland, McCord & Co.,; Col. Burr, S2 years of age, one of the veteran members of the Masonic fraternity and many others. | From New Haven there were Rev. M. H. Houghton, Judge Joseph Sheldon, and the following, most of whom are of this city, who comprised the various committees the excursion being under the auspices of the New Haven church.
 | John Mccarthy, President.
 | Frank A. Hermance Fred. l.. Converse. ! General Manager. Secretary and Treasurer
 Executive committee-Eed and white ', badges verse, L. H. Perkins, Mrs. E. A. Folsom, M E. Taylor Fred L. Converse.
 Hqughton Rev John L. Lyon Eey C. H. ,G Ghapin in Fey; F.; M- H1ug4t9n' Mrs John MIC hleGSrthy Mrs, M l and executive committee.
 Basket Committee-Cm magenta badge)-C. B. Bristol | ANoS~A9S ~- Barlow.
 Floor Committee-twhite badgel-R. M. Sherman F. H. Andrews, G. r. Converse, F. B. Perkins, F.. A l Powers.
 | Boat Committes-[blue badge)-Harry Wright, c ". Andrews, A. H. Ryder, J. R. Bolton. s. o. Warner
 Train Committee-tred badge)-J R. Bolton, F. H F B Perkns Bsnlsy FIsoa Harry wright Gan verse. W. Pond ". Collins. s. 0. Warmer, A. N. Ky Foster. e W. H. Chsmberlin, C. B. Goodsel1, Juie Ora nner, G. ". stoddard s. T: Osborn, H. L. Hubbard Ben Draine, NJ. L. Roys, Fred waldron, J. P. Good ! hart, c. E. Howe.
 The pavilion meeting was called to orde by Mr. John Mccarthy, and short interest ing addresses were made by P. T. Barnum presiding, Rev. Dr. Chapin, of Meriden, Rev Messrs Houghton of Middletown, Lyon O Bridgeport Houghton of New Haven, Uni versalist pastors, and Rev. pr. Kleeberg, pas tor of the Court Street Synagogue, ant hymns upon the printed programme wer sung MT. Barnum delivered one of his of hand telling speeches mingling fun, senti ment, pathos and satire, and keeping every body with eyes and ears open, eyes to SCI the great snowman of world wide fame, anG ears to catch his talk The audience didn' think of taking nap with any of the speak CTS and Mir. Barnum's speech in particula was greatly enjoyed. After feeling highl, honored to preside, he said it was un expected as he didn't know he was selected till he found his name on the printed pro gramme, but like an old cannon he must b.
 fired off upon demand. He disapproved o long speeches on such an occasion and shoult be short, and five minutes would be the rule and the exercises must close in an hour a there was Ia time to dance" mentioned. HI glowingly and amusingly pictured the olt times going to Sunday school especially il | in the winters cold, when foot stoves in stead of the steam or hot air of to-da, kept the ladies' feet warm and tn children felt as if they were going into re frigerator and by dint of being exceedingly good they got after long and patient assidui ty ten certificates of the total value of pen n.y. and were then rewarded with a catechism CThis was told in an amusing style and mdcl tickled the youthful auditors.) He proceed ed to speak of the age as having made grea progress since the "puritanical brimston days" when it was supposed that rigid self denial and deprivation of all comfort here be low would possibly fit them for the kingdom above. Gaughter.) The speaker related that when he was Il years old he was so de pressed by 8 Methodist prayer meeting, req old liquid fire meeting, that he went home and prayed with all his might that he migh die at once if necessary to secure salvation Oaughter.) But he really did not see how he could be under the doctrine. He said great change had come when men believe more in infinite goodness as well as infinite wisdom, and when the doctrine that do a. one may he cannot escape the penalty of sir is more generally acknowledged. Let ont get drunk and the next morning his physica system shows it's rebellion. He don't escape the headache and the drunkar can't escap. the consequences of his sin. The grea Christian doctrine is taught in the 11th com mandment, Love God and thy neighbor a. myself That takes away envy and selfish ness, takes away hatred and makes life hap py. So one overconles evil with good anG we see that the way of the transgressor ii hard. But keep to natures laws and tht laws of heaven and we get paradise to star in. The good doctrine of charity is nov taught in all the churches that love God The speaker alluded to clergyman whom h,