Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-02
GOLDEN WEDDING.
THE FIFTIETH Anniversary OF DR..
EDwARDss MARRIAGE.
A Most Interesting 0ceasion-An Original
Poen-The Festivities,
Presents, &C.
rsneclnl io,errn.n to tho pI.nn,.h.l

DASvnLE, VA, May DIR. John f.
Edwards Is the only member OF the Nlr-
GINA Conference who has lived 70 cele-
brute the filtieth anniversary Of his mar
rage. In July, 1885, when he WAS
young, ambitious preacher OF a years
connection with the conference, be was
preacher in charge OF the Mecklenburg
circuit lie attended a meeting at
Hebron church, in Charlotte couu-
ty, aud there for the first time met
Miss Elizabeth Agnes Clark, daughter
Of Colonel John Clark, a well-known
citizen Of Prince Edward. She was a
fair, brown-haired maiden, aud to make
long story short, il was a case OF love
at first sight, and on May !, 1898, the
couple were married. They have lived
together in love for fifty years, and to-
night celebrated the golden. wedding an
nivcrsary at Mt Vernon church. Or.
Edwards built this church. and this IS
the fourth year Of his pastoral charge.
The church had been beautifully de-
corated, and the pulpit and chsnccl were
one mass Of flowers and evergreens. A
lsroe and brilliant audience were ushered
IN by church members in dress suits. At
9 o'clock was raised the cry Of "The
bridegroom cometh," aud soon DR.. Ed
wards and wife. preceded by their chill
dren and grandchildren, filed up the
aisle while the organ played the march
from LOhengrin. and afterwards the
choir sang the bridal chorus.
DR.. Edwards and wife took seats in
side the chancel under a mammoth gold
en- wedding bell. Major W. 7. Suther-
lin, master Of the ceremonies, in a neat
speech introduced Rev. j. j. Lafferty,
who delivered the congratulatory address.
Dr. Edwards responded in a charming
little narrative Of his married life writ
ten in rhyme.
Mrs. 4. :. McDearman presented to
Mrs. Edwards a horseshoe OF flowers
and recited a pretty poem OF her own
composition, as follows
To A BRIDE or HER GoLpEN-wEDDlSG DAY.
From springs immortal gladness We would bor-
VOW
A greeting for thy ro'deu-wediine day;
A crown " purest Joy, without thorn OF sov-
row,
As wnen thy life was morn and love was May
Youths dawn. TIE sunrise blush, Gro radiant DAY
grows bright
Made falr the hour when thou vast FIRST
The lisnt witch shiusa upon Thy ne tonight
Is the calm glory OF tho oyenude.
Though afty years have vanished since that Owe
uiugs close
Memory doth paint for thee again that day.
And IN thy happy heart doth freshly bloom loves
To shed It's fragrance on lifes wlutry way.
Words arc TOO poor to compass The mIl hearts
So poets of all ages have confessed;
Though inspiration touch thom with her sacred
They leave tho half unu;terol, uncxprcased.
And On we bring these nowors hat hey may tel
In swester words than poets songs employ
OF oil We wish that rate may give hoe only
Hope, Peace, Gul Love, LIES triple crown ot
lOy.
Or. Starr then read extracts from
some 81 the numerous con gratulatOry
letters received 10y Dr. Edwards. These
exercises were intersperscd with various
musical selections. The guests then
adjourned TO the lecturc-room, where "a
magnificent bridal feast was spread, and
the festivities were kept up TIL past
midnight.
In the chancol with DR.. Edwards sat
the venerable DR., Dame, Of the Episco-
pal Church, and wife. who celebrated
their golden wedding a few years ago.
Numerous rich gifts arrived today
among them Il fine golden chariot from
Centenary church. Richmond, and a
purse of gold from Washineton-Sireet
church. Petersburg. Mt Vernon pre-
scented a purse of Sl00