The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-27
HIS GOLDEN WEDDING.
A Pleasant Celebration of the Fifrieth Ami
versary of Plymouth Church's pastoral
EIaI,ar ~

"A EleaSanI CeleDraLOn OF the FltEietn Ami
versary of Plymouth Church's pastoral
Helper"
New York World, Saturday.
The golden wedding of the Rev. S. B. Hal
liday, the assistant pastor of Plymouth
Church, was celebrated last evening in the
Plymouth Sunday-school room, Immediately
over the lecture-room. At the close of the
usual Friday nights services in the lecture
room, Mr.. Beecher invited all to go up stairs
and participate in the wedding services, and
most of the congregation accepted the invita-
ton. There had been a children's festival in
the room during the afternoon. and the dec
o~rations for that, which were left upon the
walls and around the gallery were very
appropriate for the wedding ceremonial.
Mr.. Halliday and his wife, looking hale
and hearty, occupied the center of the
front row of seats, and with them were Mr..
Halliday's two brothers, the Rev. David Hal
liday, OF Peekskill, and Mr.. James R. Halli-
day. Upon the platform was a large and
very handsome vase Of flowers, a present
from ladies, friends of the pastor. Upon a
small table in front of the platform was a
very substantial pyramid of gold coin. Gen
eral Horatio G. King, of Governor Cleve-
lands staff, presided at the piano, and while
the guests were seating he played a lively
wedding march. When all had been seated
Mr.. Beecher said, with a smile: 81 don't sup
pose that any of you have the least idea of
why we nave COll6 lOSelueT. L KNOW Inal
Mr.. Halliday and his wife have not the least
knowledge, and the affair has been kept a
profound secret from all except about 500
Epeople. Mr.. Halliday has been married to-
day for fifty years, and he looks so fresh and
so young that it is very evident that he
married a good wife, and that he has had
| peace at home, which is a good thing. He
refused to allow us, through that modesty
which has been the besetting sin of all the
pastors of this church, to visit him at his
house, with anything like the service and
ceremonial of a golden wedding, so we have
taken a better house, the Lords house, our
home and sanctuary, in order that we might
by our presence here express to him our con-
gratulations and our thanks for the services
he has rendered to this church sand to multi
tudes outside of this church for that minis
tration of mercy which he has fulfilled ever
since 1870. That was q fortunate day for
Plymouth Church when it called Mr.. Halli-
day to be technically its pastorate helper,
but really to be my PASTORAL associate.
Though there may be many that can testify
to his kindness at the bedside and in places
of sorrow and suffering, no one can express
his appreciation of his great services half so
we'll as | can"
Mr.. Beecher continued at length, recount
ing Mr.. Halliday's service to the sick and
the suffering of the church, and then con-
tin..I, addressing Mr.. Halliday: "And now,
sir, having been married fifty years, it will
certainly require something to get through
fifty years more, and with but a hint that a
token would be acceptable, I have here 81, 700
in gold, and | am here to stand guard on it.
1t is for you, sir, and so we cannot say with
the apostle, Silver and gold have l %none.'"
After some further remarks from Mr..
Beecher and Q brief response from Mr.. Halli-
day, there was some fine singing by Mr..
George Warrenrath, the tenor of the church,
and Miss Clara S~tetson, and then coffee and
=. l. 80. ,a,-0l - all orI A. ,aaL
crowded around the old couple and offered
their congratulations. Besides the 81, 700 in
gold, other presents were made to the couple,
Increasing the amount to over So, 900.