Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-10
Is5s-Isss.
Silver Wedding Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Napoleon Hill.
A brilliant Gathering and Hap
Ply Social EVent.

6aue paIlOIo huu udlls III JAe new
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Napoleon
Hill, on Madison street, were
we'll filed b. friends repre-
senting tho best old and new elements
of society in Memphis. The spacious
residence, brilliantly lighted, seemed
to be oyerfoYing with people, all vel
dressed and tull Of animation.
A few minutes after that hour, Mr.
and Mrs. Napoleon Hill, in full even.
ing dress, attended by their children
and few relatives and particular
friends. fled into the front parlor
where the happy and distinguished
couple. the observed Of all observers
took their position under = canopy
supported by silver bars and sur.
rounded by golden sheaves, in the
center of which was suspended a
large floral marriage bell. The
company present gathered close
ly around, leaving an open
space in front of the company and its
occupants. Presently Rev. N. M,
Long stepped forward and performed
the ceremony Of the evening. 1t was
brief, beautiful and impressive and
the sentiments expressed in we'll
chosen words seemed to 20 to every
heart. The couple celebrating the
twenty fifth anniversary of their mar
riage we're requested to join hands and
repeat in their hearts the vows they
made twenty-five years ago and as they
did SO it looked like real marriage,
lovely sight that it is a privilege
and a joy to behold. The following
are the remarks of Mr.. Long:
We are assembled here, beloved friends,
not to join this man and woman in the
bonds of marriage, for that, you know,
was done exactly five and twenty years
ago tonight and from these radiant
signs of joy, from this happy and illu-
mined house, and from this group Of
smiling children standing by the father
ard the mother, it would seem that it was
one of those rare matches which it is said
are made in heaven. Ours, then, is an
assembly of congratulation; congratula-
ton on blissful past of married life, in
which these two, hand clasped in hand,
heart linked to heart, "have climbed the
hill of life together" also of congratula-
ton on the present hour, as from this sill
yer pesk of time and bright experience,
standing side by side in JOY and mutual
confidence and love, they still are looking
onward with increasing hopes and expec-
tations; and meeting thus with them to-
night as friends and neighbors, there
is doubtless not heart of ours
that can not with its purest
wishes join the hearty prayer:
God grant that all their hopes and wishes
may be realized" and that the five and
twenty years of welded life which they
have lived together in reoiprocated love,
devotion, sympathy and assistance, NAV
be but Part the First of that life history
which by the silver hinges of this bright
scene may be continued and extended into
Part the Second that shall brighten and
grow calmly sweeter by the record of two
lives in love and duty Joined until it Gull
inmates into the golden FINS of their ff-
tieth anniversary, amid whose mellowed
light and ripened love their children and
their children children shall around them
gather, and with delighted and concord
ant hearts call them blessed"
And now in this company of gladly
sympathizing and congratulating friends
and witnesses you stand upon this hill of
middle life which you have climbed so
well together, amid these happy chill
dren standing by you as the pledges
ought to bind your hearts and interests
forever into one, join your bands once
more as on your bridal day, and in your
hearts repeat the VOWS which on that day
you made and hitherto have kept; and as
you down the hill of life" shall 90 to-
gether from this night, may it be with
still increasing faith, each in the other.
with ever deepening love and multiply
ing joys, until you reach the sunset
glow" that ushers in the twilight of the
endless day that lies beyond the shadow;
and may you there still stand with undi-
vided lives and hearts more firmly bound
each to the other by the strength Of years;
and may tho light that falls upon you
there be the undying radiance Of Gods
benediction, which shall illuminate the
eyes from which, though dimmed by age,
has never died nor waned the light Of
love- and may that light fall on two ripe
and happy faces, still turned upon each
other, though turned from all the world
beside, on which no pen except the peace
full pen of Time has ever writ a single
line.
And now may God, the Father. Son
and Holy Ghost, the eternal and infinite
source Of light and love, be with and
guide and shine upon you, as from the
morning Of your married life, so to its
latest evening; and may He crown your
journeys end with blissful Immortality.
and with that happy and eternal union
which, as Hope has whispered
shall resist the triumpbs Of day,
when the y GER and worlds haSe pasted
Amen.
AS the modest young minis
ter, who blushed as if taking
the VOWS himself, closed his
remarks, all present pressed for
ward to take the hand OF the bride
and groom, and to offer congratula.
tons and good wishes. This was
real love feast attended and enliveued
by choice music, aud it was SUrlfizing
how many people OF mature years aad
heads sprinkled, If not glittering with
silver, seemed rejuvenated and ex-
pressed regret that they could not
have silver weddings oftener.
After an hour or so, spent in a
pleasant, social way, the dipi.g rooms
were thrown o1ea. and sse Ruesls
passed in aud ogI 1t their pleasure the
redL OF the evening aud some time into
the morning. The tables were Qener q.
ously supplied with solid and delicate
Refreshments, promptly served 10 those
that came and went. The predomi-
nance Of older people, and those
belonging to the solid ola fa@i-
lies Of MeMphia, vas quite
noticeable, and was significant
Of the relationship Of Mr.. aud Mrs.
I'LL to the community, and the high
esteem in which they are deservedly
held. There wss also a pleasant
sprinkling and infusion Of the younger
classes Of our best people, considered