The Indianapolis journal., 1888-12-22

Forefathsrs' Day Observed by the Members

EOrefathers' Day Observed by the Members
of the Mayhower Church.
Forefathers' day is one Of the annual celebra-
brations which the congregation of Mayfower
Church always observe, and last evening the
members of it followed their usual custom.
From TO o'clock old-fashioned New Eng
land supper was served, to which large number
did ample justice. the latter hour the audience
was seated and an order Of exercises was FOL
lowed Rev. n. A. Hyde presided, and made
few remarks relative to the occasion, mentioning
the landing of the Pilgrims and some of the old
blue laws which governed then-one being that
"a man who would not accept public Office had
to be fined" Their institutions, he said, were
founded on the New Testament. They believed
in the equality of the people, and venerated
the church. In 1880 they brought from Europe
one Rev. Higginson TO preach the gospel in Sa-
lem. He was given houses and lands, and %
one but the Governor had such salary as he.
and his power was almost supreme.
The first number Of the programme, after the
reverend gentlemans short address, was piano
solo, well rendered. by Miss Angela Maxwell,
who is rapidly gaining an enviabe reputation
for her playing. Mrs. Sada- -Daggett Allen read
Ghost Of an Old Pilgrim Father" so we'll that
she was recalled and gave Country Sleighing."
The quartet, composed of Mr.. and Mrs. Nor
rison and Mr.. and Miss Willard sang ''Cousin
Jedediah," and Rev. NJ. l. Haines was intro
duced, as representing the Presbyterian side Of
the Puritans. Mr.. Haines's talk was a happy
one, full Of life and incidents. He said
that New England people were self
congratulatory and believed they were the
only ones that amounted to anything. He re-
marked that plymouth rock was the blarney
ton of Puritans and Hollsnders, and the Re-
public was founded upon the charter
of the seven provinces of the low
lands of Holland Mr.. Haines agreed
with Mr.. Blaine when he said that the dominant
influence is the New England influence in this
country. At the close he was loudly applauded
The next musical number was cornet solo by
Mr.. James NJ Winters the next speaker, was
born and raised in Connscucut, and
iugs apple bees, cuttings. and sleigh rides
Men in the days OF the Puritane were interested
in saving the souls Of their families and all of
their neighbors, and could answer affrmatively
Am / my brothers keeperP He hoped
the time would come when there would be no
Jew, no German, no AngloSaxon, but all men
working together. His tall was full of good
thoughts
Miss Laura McManus, a rival Of the famous
whistler, Mrs. Shaw. then gave a number. Lang
lang ist es hier," by Steckmett, and answered
vociferous applause with Queen of the Night, "
by g. ID. Wilson.
The last speaker OF the evening was Mr. w. A.
Van Buren. and his witticisms brought forth
shouts of laughter He had been spoken of by all
az representing the Dutch element, and said he
felt as il he had dual nature, like Dr. Jekyll
and Mr.. Hyde. as he was of German origin and
yet belonged to the Church of England. He
paid tribute to the great family of Plymouth
rock chickens. and said he was glad TO raise
his voice in tribute TO the glorious band that
landed in 1620.r Mr. Frank Kitchen sang ''Down
by the Riverside" and responded with another
ballad. The quartet gave the ''Suwanee River -
with solo by Mrs. Morrison and by special re-
quest Miss McManus gave another whistling
solo. She was accompanied on the piano by
her sister, aud Miss Maxwell played again. The
company resolved into one OF socabiity, and
thus ended one Of the hsppisst celebrations in
the history Of the church.