Morning journal and courier., 1886-07-31
ANINrEREsrINe oooAs1oN.


who LIS Great-Grahddaughte of
Rev. Mr. stiles (First Minister I'm
North Haveh) And Grandnieee of
ex.President Stiles OF Yale College,
Granddaughter Also On Her Faith
er.s Side of Rev. James P1erPont.
one of The Early Pastors of Center
Church.
On Thursday evening, 22d of July, q
large number of the friends of Deacon Al
fred P. Munsen, young and old, met at his
residence on Chapel sstreet to celebrate the
ninety-ff birthday of his venerable moth
er, Mrs. Polly Pierpont Munson. At one
time her child, Rrandchild and great
grandchildren were present. Flowers in
profusion were brought by the officers and
members of the Sunday school in which M.
Munson is a teacher. Other gifts and to-
kens were bestowed upon the aged lady, and
large part of the evening was spent in
singing hymns and patriotic songs, after
which refreshments were served to all The
charm of the evening was, however, the adj
rnirable conversation of the venerable lady
in whose behalf all were gathered. Wit and
wisdom were combined in her remarks, and
it was exceedingly interesting to note the
wonderful memory she possessed concerning
| ing store of hymns and texts of scripture
which were embalmed in childhoods hours
for the solace and enjoyment of old age.
The great-grandchild on the mothers side of
a minister GRev Mr.. Stiles, father of Rev.
pfesident) the grand-child on the fathers
side of another minister (Rev. James Pier
pont) might well be expected to have had a
store of scripture knowledge in her memory;
and when we remember that the Rev. DR..
Ezra Stiles Gannett, (Dr. Channing's col
league and successor in Boston, and the
widely known Oliver Wendell Holmes (poet,
philosopher and "autocrat of the breakfast
table, a4e her cousins on her mothers side,
we may not be surprised at any wit or wis
| dom which was observed on that pleasant
evening. Among other historic reminiscent
| ces, she recounted the story often heard
from her father, concerning the siege of
Yorktown and the surrender
of CORVALLIS. Lieut.. John Pierpont,
her father, was among the Revolutionary SOL
diers who were honored with personal at
tention from Gen. Washington. She had
often heard him tell of the encouraging
words which the general gave her father,
after he had stood by his cannon forty eight
hours without food, (the blood issuing at
| times from his ears, nose and mouth, be-
| cause of the fierce cannonading in which he
was engaged, aud the general reached him a
| half bullet, and told him to put it into his
mouth, as relief to the parched tongue
| The very presence OF the general was 1nspir-
ing to him, and he never wearied of telling
how he and his compatriots drew their can
non in the old cart, covered Over with corl-
stalks, having a cow tied to the cart to fol-
low after them, thus hiding their purpose
from the enemy. It IL not surprising thst
| the daughter of such patriotic sire, thong !.
lacking only five years of a century, should
| join heartily in singing america" and
tGVaOkea Do0d1a
When the Sunday school teachers and
children one by one babe the dear old Ii "
good night she parted from each with So
appropriate text, constantly arousing tie
wonder of those much younger than herself
at her marvellous memory and surprising re-
partee.
Just before the close of the visit all united
in chanting the Lords prayer, and it was
peculiarly touching sight to behold the
large 1ramed son of the little mother kneeI
before her, placing bis head in her Lao
as in the days of childhood. WI e
the other dear old hand (wrinkled with age,
but beautiful in its suggestions with the
Wedding ring upon it, rested upon his head,
just as in childhood's days; and the kiss
given by the mother to her boy at the close
of the prayer was doubtless just as it used to
be in the morning of his life, now three score
years ago and more. That touching scene
N@AN VIZ "AAOtO OOS~@o1SN- ~AS'o- ~ ~
forgotten.
In the course of the evening the pastor of
the Church of the Holy Spirit read the fol-
lowing lines written for the occasion:
TO MRS POLLY P1ERPoNr MuNsoN.
by Rev. Phebe A. Hanafordl.
Though years have come and years have gone
Since Seventeen Hundred and Ninety one
Still art thou the hither side,
Still mid earths scenes dost thou abide.
Dear mother heart that beats to night
With love for all the true and right,
We greet thy birthday with the songs
Which rise to heaven from youthful tongues
And pray that when the year shall como
That calls thee to the heavenly home,
Faith may be strong and love attend
Thine earthly pathway to the end.
Then to that father thou shalt rise
Who fought for freedoms vict ories.
Who with brave Washington could share
The crossing OF the Delaware
And won the praise we give to those
Who battled with their country'S foes.
Victerious-bid the conflict cease
And hail the dawn of righteous peace.
And, prompted by the loving heart,
We come to take Our little part
And with thy dear ones gladly say
Most welcome is this festive day.
IT'S good we feel to be alive
Though none o. us are ninety-fve
Except the one reversd the most,
The honored mother Of our host.
It's in her horo- that we meet;
We lay our tribuIe S at her feet
And Joy to know that length of days
Forbids her not to sing Gods praise.
Long years ago the robins sang,
With summer songs the forests rang.
And in her youth and in her prime
This mother sang at holy time.
The robins did not MARBLE long,
But year by year she kept her song
And led the voices heard no more
Except upon the heavenly shore.
Thy hand has claspsd the hand of one
gaw Washington.
And memory links our times for thee
With those far years of history.
Child of a patriotic sire! each brings
A reverence we give not to kings
And greetS thee on thy natal day
''An hail and farewelll'' now we cay.
P. A. Fl.