Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-09-21

ny from Alexandra, with some of our best
citizens Of other days, is now located near
Sandy Spring, Nd Miss Eliza Miller, on q
recent visit there, presented the good work
done by t;le Alexandria Inirmary in such
light that an effort to offer helping hand
was soon made and a delightful entertain
ment given at the Lyceum Hall of Sandy
Spring. A pleasant little play, "Pacs Aux
Danes" was given, tho descendants OF
several old Alexandria families partcipat.
Ing. Mr.. n. Clay Hallowell recired poem.
Mrs. FrAncls Miller, daughter Of the late
Benjamin Halloweli, in explaining the ob.
Iect Of the entertainment, spoke as follows
Il do wish | were able, my friends, to
make either al eloquent OF comic speech
that might pay goa in part for your courte-
81 in turning out ton!ght at this call but I
cannot Go it. I can Only say that our good
old neigh borhood mas often proved thas Its
qnatity of mercy is not strained, hut drop
peth !i&n The gentle rain from Heaven upon
the place beneath Oar community re-
sponded nob!y through its oranges snd
through meeting in this very hall to the
cry of distress from the farmers of the far
west few years ago it has miuistered fre.
queutsy to the wants Of the needy Indians
1t generously helped to build hospital in
memory OF tho la!neutsd Garfield, and now.
tonight, it sends its tribute to an old town
on the banks OF the Potomac whose inErm-
airy, uDpTetending though it be, I myself
have known to soolhe and shelter the aili;ct.
Ell, from lady boas!ing Virginia's "bluest
blood" down to 81 OLD and worn domestic,
whose long life had passed in hGmblest SER
vices. Such mercy is twice blessed il bles-
seth him that gives and him that takes it's
mightiest in the mightiest and becomes the
thrOned monarch better than his crown. ,
May mercy's choicest blessings rest upon all
Who are here tonight; for neither politics
nor woman rights, science nor metaphysics,
has drawn US together We meet upon the
broad and elias, the two common ground, of
sick and suffering humanity. I trust that
al! present are pow reasonably we'll and
reasonably happy, but as the old saying
goes, Tho We are born, we are net vet
buried end when Our turn shall come, az
come it must, | am sure that we ehail meme
the less cheerfully bear our allotted burden
on account of the time and money speus to.
night in this cause and l only wish That
could guarantee, for always, 10 myself and
to those whom l love land indeed + do love
all who hear me noW) a home as restful
and "a tender as that afforded by the ins!i.
tuition in whose behalf this humble effort is
msdo. [ may be pardoned for special in
terest III the CID town of Alexandria. As l
think OF it, sort CT sunset light seems to
rest upon it, s. quiet glow az OF long past
and almost forgotten glory Twas there
that Edward stab!er, Robert Miller, BeDja
| min Hallowell. nil Of whom have descend
ants IN this company, settled down with
their noble life-companions to begin and {,
accomplish the best work OF their long auG
useful lives. Almost Wi5hini!s shadows rest
the remains Of the peerless Washington
Within its quiet precincts stands the church
| in which he worstirped, and often, on sweet
Sabbath mornings, havo seen the true, the
brave, tho gallant, tie good aud great Rab.
ert Lee, drive into its quaint, OLD streets on
the same GRAND, to worship the same Faith
e., in this honorad church-hcllowed by such
gracious memGrias--and SO old that it's CEN
tenary was celebrated nearly two decades
ago. This old town of my birth you will ex.
cuse me for loving and you do not wonder
that ap1 willing even to beg for her suffer.
ing children. Within sight of the nations
capitol, and almost within sound of its stir,
she quietly rests by her peaceful river,
wholly aloof from the hustle and turmoil OF
the 'madding crowd and dozea away Der
good old age, in enviahle serenity and
calm MY friends, mercy is above this
Scsptersd sway it is enthroned in the
hearts of kings it is an attribute to God him
self! and earthly power doth then show lihsai
God's-when mercy-seasonsj justice !! $
We all do pray for mercy, and that same
prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds
OF mercyn I am personally grateful 20
every one of you for your kind attendanca
here this evening, to the highly atterirg
audience before me, and to the precious
young people who have so freely loaned
their taste, their talent, and their time, in
aid Of a gentle CHARITY"
The proceeds, twenty-five dollars in aid of
The !ntirnar5. have been received by Miss
Eliza Miller Of this city.