The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-07-15

btehus, WAS nOLnlng mOre tnan tho
rcngh cOasting hill, narrow, crooked
rs way, bel locust and wild cher.
ry trees, wnera wild blackbeTrie- were
gathered along the roadside; pls1e
which resembled iesolatiOn, which ne
vii re boys did not even dare to use as q
hiding place. A wonderful change has
tssen place. by not only time hui
by toll, which the silver locks that lie
on the r yerend Fathers head bear
silent hut eloquent testimony Of his un-
C -ssing energy.
The Congregation is one OF the largest
and most Harmonious, believe, in the
diocese. Ask yourselves who has made
It 80, and your reply will be, Father
Hotf +. Aud no person has ever labored
with more courage than he, bOt only
mentally out also physically. The me-
cAaniCs and lahOrers who were employed
during the erection of their buildings
never Saw tie sweat roll faster from
their brOWs than 1t did from his, as the
effects OF Dor from early until late,
and ali Of you that have resided II years
in this congregation can testify to the
same: Aud he has listened in this con-
greg9tiOn to the church bell ring the
sngellcal salutatiOl over 27,000 times,
and can look at the results of the seed
that was sOwn and cultivated In few
over 1900 of his sermons Of
ELoQUENCE, ABILITY AND ADVICE.
1t is nearly the harvest reaped that
has gathered here to day to pay the
highest respect to him. He has solemn
IL d the marriages of 200 couples, a few
OF which are grandparents to-day. With
a prayer that the vessel that the happy
pair launched into the stormy sea
would safely anchor In the harb1r of
joy, happiness and honor. He listened
to the bell announcing to the world the
christening of 807 infants, which would
make very large congregation, and
village nearly as large as this. Among
those OF the first six years are fathers
and mothers, and the young ladies and
III III of the congregation Of to-day. Aud
Oh yOnder side Of the church the loca-
tiOn Of one of the silent cities of the
dead, resting beneath the sod, waiting
until Gabriel summons them to rise for
the last judgment day. He heard the
sad notes echo from the bell, and per-
formed the last sad rites of the church
over the bodies of 403 departed souls
who sleep with the dead, and the grave
Is their bed. Perhaps no other priest
can show the same In one single con-
gregatlon in this diocese. Kind friends
let US hope that he may remain with US
many more years, and that the bell may
keep tOlling and the good work 90 on;
and after he has left US to answer the
rOll-call of our Heavenly Father, q call
we must all sooner or later answer, may
we open the history with pride and
show it to the rising generation, that
Father Hoffer was not only an honor to
the congregation, but an honor to the
will candidly admit. Take his labor
away and what Is the villsge2 Why,
nothing. To day 1t Is the fourth lsrg.
est In the county, and one Of the first
in the State Of Its size; and In regard
to Its morality it Is superior to that of
ANY OTHER IN THE STATE.
To the aged members of this congre-
CATION l would say, remain with US
many long years yet. But II Is contrary
to the laws Of nature, and as have said
before we must all either sooner or later
pass away. But 1t is to you that the
young members owe something they
can never repay; aud high respect Is due
to you by them. To the young men and
ladies, may yoa ever follow the advice
you daily receive from your pastor and
parents, to remain true to the church,
and that when twenty-five years more
have elapsed, your children filling the
places we are to-day, we can point back
with pride and say that grand old Mimi
shillen has remained true asIsteel to the
faith of Its fathers. You will feel
prOuder Of this than anything else OF
your LIES history.
In conclusion, must say that l must
draw my words to close, and thank
you, ladies and gentlemen, for your kind
attention, for which l shall ever be your
dt or.
Father, we owe you debt which we
can never repay, and we knew no way
in which we could show the friendship
and love that exists and the high respect
we owe you than by assembling here
to-day. ask you to accept this gift
their friendship, which Is very small
owe you, all Wishing that you remain
with Us many more years, and when
twenty-five more have rolled around,
gnaV VIC AtoV again AL gEduu0E Cbl0-
bratiOn of this kind, and with hopes
that when we are no more that We will
meet In the eterlal throne.
Rev. AOffer responded to this address,
after which song was sung and an
elegant bouquet was presented BY
little girls, to which Rev. Boff responded,
and told the people that 1t was 81 years
since Rev. Hoffer had been ordained,
and he was the Oldest priest In the do
cease, and said he felt confident that he
would be with the congregation 13
years more, at which time he wished to
be present to help celebrate his golden
jubilee. Rev. HOffer has a history of
progress, which cannot be surpassed by
another priest In the State.
About 1000 persons took dinner under
the tent. The afternoon was spent In
various ways of amusement, aud at 6 !
o'clock parties began to take leave; Visi-
tors feeling highly pleased over the
event, and the citizens all saying that 1t
was the grandest day ever seen in Louis
VILE.