The Press., 1888-08-09
(New York sun.)
uovv axa anemt TFie RIrthaaY,

At 1O3 a. m., Sunday, the old Limestone church of the Second Congregational so- ciety at Norwich witnessed the most re- markable incident in it's history. At that hour Col. George l.. Perkins, aged just 100 years to-day, entered the church, his wife on his arm, who is in her 90th year, and they found seats in front. Colonel Perkins got up at about his usual hour of rising, 6 o'clock, Sunday morning, and tiptoed over to the mirror to see what centenarian looked like. He saw the re- flection of gentleman six feet tall, of strong frame, as straight as young tree, and with fresh complexion, surmounted by plentiful white hair. The colonel dressed, shaved and went down to his breakfast of which he ate temperately, in accordance with his lifelong habit: After the meal he would have played tag, as he frequently does, with his bright-eyed grand daughter, if it hadn't been Sunday ;; instead of doing which, therefore, he got ready with Mrs. Perkins for church. The colonel wore black broadcloth, tall silk hat, and white necktie. He carried no cane. Mrs. Perkins was dressed in black silk, and wore black bonnet with laven- der ribbon strings. Her hair was neatly arranged in snow-white puffs that were just touched with an amber tint about her fair, bright, and youthful. looking face.
 The aged couple toek the omnibus not far from their dooryard and were driven to the old Second Church on the hill, just as the last bell was pealing in the stone bel fry, They walked briskly into church and down the right hand aisle. They sat in the third seat, middle section, from the pulpit, square, old fashioned box pew, with closed door, on the front of which is a silver shield bearing the number of the pew. The colonel and his wife are mem- bers of Park church, up street, but to-day there was union service of Park, Broad way, and the Second Congregational churches, and Dr. John P. Gulliver of An dover Seminary preached. The service throughout was in honor of Colonel Per- kins's birthday, and there is not church in town in which reference was not made to the event by the pastor. Dr. Gulliver preached his sermon right at the colonel and his wife. He compared the centenar- ian to Moses, who was 12O, and Joshua, who was no years old, and added that he resembled them, of whom it was said at their great ages, 'sTheir eye was not dim, and their natural force was not abated." !" Later in the discourse he referred to HeZ- ekiah, to whom the Lord gave fifteen extra years of life, the argument being that the Lord maintains a personal sovereignty over the life of every man, and prolongs certain lives that are lived in accordance with natural conditions, and in the ways of holiness for & certain purpose. In the closing prayer and in the benediction the aged couple were remembered, and the closing hymn, which the congregation sung standing, was pitched right at them. Especially so was the was the fourth verse :-
 Fen to old age all my people shall prove My ancient, eternal, unchangeable love; And when hoary hairs their temples adorn, Like lamb shall they all in my bosom be borne.
 The colonel vigorously yielded 8 palm leaf fan while everything complimentary was being said about him and everybody glaring his way. At the close of the ser vices Dr. Gulliver hastened down the pull pit steps and shook hands with the couple, and then everybody in the church throng ed around them.
 After the church reception the colonel and Mrs. Perkins got into the omnibus and rode home. They spent the rest of the day very quietly. The writer found daughter on the latticed, vine-shadowed porch of their beautifully retired home at the head of Perkins place, named thus in his honor, this afternoon, and he was in his liveliest and wittiest mood. In his buttonhole there was demure-looking gray August blossom. -s
 The colonel chatted half an hour, and during large part of the time was walk ing briskly up and down his veranda floor. Finally he said :-
 "Now, you look here, you had better not print all that have been talking, and I warn you in season."
 ''The Evening Sun has printed three columns about you, Colonel"
 ''They have, eh? I'll sue 'em."
 ''It was leaded, too."
 "Then I'll sue 'em twice."