The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-05
LITERARY EXERCISES.
A Prayer, an Grafton, a Poem
and Vocal Music.

The afternoon exercises at Metropolitan
Temple were of most interesting nature.
A large number of invitation tickets had
been issued, in fact more than enough to
fill the temple if the holders thereof had
presented them at the doors for admission.
but they did not
1t seemed to be a well-understood fact,
as the Committee of Arrangements, who
tried to do all they could, had not been able
to obtain the Grand Opera House for the
exercises, that the temple would only hold
q certain mum ber
OF course. there was large crowd inside
the temple by about l o'clock, each mem-
Der of which held tickets of admission, but
been seen on previous occasions.
By hali-past 2 o'clock every seat in the
house was filled, and the doors were then
closed.
FLAGS, SHIELDS AND FLOWERS.
The interior of the temple was appro-
priately decorated for the occasion: All
around the gallery were flags and shields,
and the national colors were pendent from
the ceiling.
The stage, however, small as it was, rep
resented a bower of beauty. The beauty
consisted of several tiers of small maidens
dressed in the national costume.
On the front row were thirteen little girls
appropriately attired as the thirteen orig
inal States of the Union.
The arrangement of the stage was as good
as it possibly could be. From the center of
the eyergreens and roses the face OF George
Washington beamed forth like CLEAN Of
sunshine through the leaves of forest.
The exercises of the day were opened
with an overture by the orchestra from
William Tell' by Rossini Following this
was the prayer by Rev. George Montgom-
cry. II was as follows:
Oh Almighty God thou who art the author of
all things good whilst we meet here Today TO
commemorate the establishment of these instl-
tutions whose blessings we enjoy mindful
Of the fact that we owe them 10 thy benefcent
providence. Therefore whilst Teeounting the
heroic Sacrifices made by our forefathers 10 be-
half OF free government Il is with grateful hearts
that we their heirs and beneficiaries recognize
and D0wledge as they did that II Is with Thy
blessing as The God OF right Of truth and OF
justice that the work was begun and accorded.
We thank thee for every blessing we enjoy; we
thank thee for the prosperity of our country; for
the comfort and happiness of our neople, and
above all do we thank thee for the precious In
heriIance OF civil and religious liberty.
And as we meet year after year 10 ttly rever-
ence and commemorate our national birth may
II ever be with hearts loyal to thee and TO those
principles that should beget and foster the spirit
OF free institutions and the highest type of citi-
We pray thai these principles may endure and
with Thy benediction prosper whilst pledgng 10
them our own fidelity.
We pray thee, o God Of might, wisdom and
justice. through whom authority Is rightly ad-
ministered, laws enacted and Judgment decreed,
assist with thy holy spirit Of counsel and forti-
tude the President OF these United States, that
his administration may be conducted In right
eousnesS and be eminently useful to thy people
| over whom he presldes, by encouraging due re-
spect for virtue and religion; by faithful exc
cutiOn Of tile laws, IN justice and mercy. Let
the light of thy divine wisdom direct The de-
liberations Of Congress, and shine forth In all
| the proceedings and laws framed for our rule
and government; so that they may stand, 10 tue
preservation OF peace. the promotion of national
happiness, the increase of Industry, sobrlety and
useful knowledge, ana may peTpetuate to US the
blessings OF equal liberty.
We play for his Exceiency, the Governor OF
this Stale, for the members OF the Assembly, for
all Judges. Magistrates and other officers who
are appointed TO guard our political welfare;
that they may be enabled by Thy powerful pro-
lection 60 discharge tire duties OF their respect
i've stations with honesty and ability.
We comm nd likewise 10 thy unbounded
mercy our feilOw-citiZens throughout the Unite d
States that they may be blessed In the knowledge
and ssnct1ed in the observance OF thy most
holy law thai we may all be preserved In union
and In that peace which the world cannot give,
and alter enjoying tile blessings OF this life be
admitted TO hose which are eternal. Amen.
Following the prayer were few remarks
by James +. Smith, .he President Of the
day. He was introduced by Grand Marshal
O'Brien, and spoke regarding the day, and
congratulated those who had secured seats
within the hall that they had been so for
tunate.
The Chairman then introduced the orator
Of the day, Hon. L. V. Gator. The follow
ing is synopsis of his address:
The Grafton.
There Is definite purpose TO an address upon
our natal day. II is TO be found In reafirming
the true spirit Of the truths contained in the dec
laratiOn OF principles enunclaIed on that day. /
am not unmindiul OF the physical struggles, the