The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-08-07
Nanny WORKERS."
Firth Reunion Grand Time at Ocean Grove,
n. Y.
OCEAN GROVE, N. Y, Aug. A.

was an occasion of remarkable interest. We
were welcomed by DIR. Stokes, the geIsal pre-
siding geni1si OF this Eden by the Sea, in
most cordial manner; and the people by thou
sand, giving up for the time sea bathing and
| pleasure seeking, crowded the great auditorium
| TO overlooking.
1t is a significant and encouraging fact that
| old and young, the people of the North and the
people Of the South were equally eager to hear
THE STORIES OF THE WAR
from those who were actors in it, and that the
auditorium which seats over 5000 was too
small TO hold those who were anxious TO hear
these unwritten chapters of the war.
On the afternoon of the first day large
number of soldiers representing various G.. A.
| il. Posts throughout the country, came upon
the ground. They were fine looking body of
men, and were preceded by splendid band,
| that discoursed sweet music as they marched
in with banners flying. The whole audience
arose. and amid the waving of handkerchiefs
and the enthusiastic cheering of the people
they were conducted to the seats reserved for
them.
Chaplain Proudfit welcomed them in behalf
of the workers in an appropriate speech, to
which Maj Patterson, who commanded the
forces, responded in eloquent words. In clos
ing he said he would introduce Comrade
Palmer, who would respond in behalf of the
common soldiers Comrade Palmer was
into the American army, being only II years
and six months old at the time he was mus
tered in. He went through the war, was in
battles prisons, and hospitals, and had WON
derful experience, which he is able to portray
in fitting and graphic words. He is now a
promising young Methodist minister in New
York city.
His speech was most remarkable one, fairly
bristling at times with telling points, startling
the audience with the outlines of great prob
lens with which we had dealt, and were deal
ing. The next moment the audience would be
conyulsed with laughter by the sparkle and
splendor of his wit and humor; but the laugh
ter would soon melt into tears under the re-
cital of hospital and prison scenes, into which
with wonderful pathos he seemed TO throw his
whole soul. He held the audience spell-bound
| by his magic oratory for an hour, and it seemed
to them but little while.
The enthusiasm was maintained during the
evening meeting, which was addressed by Geo.
4. Stuart, Mrs. Wittenmyer, James Grant and
DR.. Kynett.
VISIT OF GEN. GRANT.
On Saturday afternoon Gen. Grant, accom-.
panied by his son, Fred Grant ex-Gov. Ogles-
by, of H., and retinue of distinguished
visitors attended the meeting.
Just before the opening of the services Gen
. Grant. leaning on the arm Of Geo. III. Stuart
the President of the Christian Commission,
!, came to the platform from an inner room. The
, moment the door opened and the people caught
glimpse Of the General. the whole audience
arose. A storm of applause followed, and amid
waving Of handkerchiefs and elapping of hands
and the thunder of human voices he was
grandly welcomed.
Little wonder that the sight of the hero OF
so many battles. now leaning on his crutch
broken in health and fortune, should have
, BROUGHT TEARS TO so MANY EYES.
Words of welcome, interspersed with interest
ing incidents of the war, followed. And il
was well that the Christian and Sanitary Com
mission should have thus welcomed Gen. Grant
He had always welcomed them; always Co
: operated with them IN their efforts to do good
|, There was always house or a steamer SCI
{ apart for their use. He was the friend of ths
common soldier; his heart beat in sympathy
with the common people. He never turned
back worker who could do anything for hi
sick or wounded men; he never turned back
mother. no matter how coarse or ill-itting hel
garments, who wanted TO pass through his lines
, to the front to care for her sick or wounded
boy. Comrade Palmer again thrilled the au
! dienee by summing up the results of the war.
: Gen. Grant attempted to reply, but when h
! hobbled by the aid of crutch to the front
BE WAS so OVERCOME
by the thrilling words of the speakers, and tn,
: | enthusiastic and fearful welcome of the peopl,
that he could only utter few words ant
! thank them all for the welcome. When b.
! took his seat there were tears On his face, AM
! the people were weeping all over the audience
f A TINY LITTLE GIRL
. called Pearl not more than FIVE years old, fai
as an angel, and like the angels white robed
, came up from the rear of the platform, ant
!, with look Of sweet solemn earnestness on he
: face that might well might grace an evangel
: slipped through the crowd, and, standing besid
: the Generals chair, presented beautiful bon
!. Quet to him. With consciousness of duty vel
: done she would have fed away, but he capturet
! and kissed her.
Every meeting was largely attended, and tn
3 interest did not flag for a moment. The Satur
Q day trains brought additional crowds, and Sun
: day was the crowning day of this notabl
!, gathering
IS After the evening services on the Sabbath
the workers were invited to meet On the spac
ious platform for
q THE FAREWELL CEREMONY.
= Though many had already left the grounds
II yet there were rs or 100 of the earnest work
= ers present The people had been dismissed
= but at least / 500 remained standing there 70
: another hour to catch the last words. Brie
& speeches We're made, exceeding in interest,
: possible all that had gone before. And wher
= after 10 by the clock the last war story of thi
: clasping each others hands, thus forming
Il circle, sang their parting hymn" Blest be th
= tie that binds"
D. THE INFLUENCE or THESE MEETINGS
l. on young and old cannot be estimated. Chi
dren drank in the spirit of liberty. An oil
rnan-0ne who has been leading educator
- this countryside to me: at is wonderful
! absorbing; and there is an overwhelming vo
= ume Of this unwritten history
: song book had been prepared by our Mus
= cal Director, J. r. Sweeney man who b.
= written a good deal of the music that th
= people Of the world are singing--for our us
4 on this occasion. 1t is called Reunion Carols
= - The words and music are nearly all origina
~ Tor we have quite a number Of poets in on
~ ranks, rs well as musical composer
banquet was given TO the workers by
resident worker, VIM. G. Baker. His beaut
Il. tiful mansion was lighted from garrett to celia
4. and his spacious rooms were crowded wit
4 notable guests, and the table groaned under i
i load of dainties.
q BUSINESS MEETINGS
lis were held during the meeting and the follow
az ing officers elected for the ensuing year: Pre-
George ii. Stuart, Of Philadelphia; V. Ps,
@. Gillette, LID, Jacksonville ILL.,; Rev.
+. Stowe, Chicago, H.; Rev. Atticus G.. Ia,
., good, Georgia; Rev. S. Hunt, d. D., New Yorl
OF Rev. j. x. Boyce, Louisville Ky Rev. J. Y
40 Jones, Richmond, Va; Rev. Joseph f. Durye
OF ID. d., Boston, Mass; Mrs. Kate B. Sherwoo
N Toledo. o.; Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer Philade
al phia, Pa; Secretaries, Rev. John o. Foste
no (.erora Tap.nr Gr~r%