Morning journal and courier., 1890-12-13
OLD DAYS AND NEW.
The Poem Delivered at MT. and Mrs Gessnerss Golden Wedding.

5oluoh W0eAuiuS ol mF.s anu nuIs. W hiidlu | N. Gessner in Hamden Tuesday night. l Mr. Sloan is brother-in Jaw of Mrs. Cess ner. Avery pleasant event following the golden wedding was the presentation by MT. Gessner of eight diamond rings-one to his wife and one each to his seven daughters. The donor, in bestowing the l beautiful gifts, added that they would | come handy to use as passports or souve- nirs to his diamond wedding, should that happy event also occur. Following is MT. Sloan's poem, which happily records some of the many changes which half a century has brought: Five and twenty years ago to-day We met this happy pair, to pay
 Them honors manifold. A silver wedding it was then, Half way to the present, when
 Now it's turned to golden. Of all who begin the married life How few live on as man and wife
 g>.ss, For three score years and ten. We congratulate, then, this happy pair For this kind providence so rare
 That brings us here again. To this golden wedding-word so dear It is the yellow leaf and scar
 The antumD of our days; When character is mellowed down And wisdom sits supreme, to crown
 And regulate our ways. The married life of this happy palr:ss s.e Takes in more events that are grand and rare
 Indeed sublime. In benefits to the human racef Than any period down thro' space When this man and woman began in life He couldn't write postal card to his wife, Nor address an envelope nor put on stamp Nor make use of a match for his kerosene lamp. He would not ride in the horse cars on the street Nor take cab or coupe, but go on his feet. Ae Aed would n not tsfe he so m the stage. A sewing machine his wife would not use " Nor read from the papers the telegraphic news, Nor would she by the telephone message send To the doctor or grocer or even a friend. To look at them here, as there mellowed by age. Surrounded by children, so tranquil, so sage, They don't look so contrary as to ask why or They did not do then as the people do now. Wind was the power in days of yore To propel the vessels from shore to shore Across the sea. People went as others were wont to go Sometimes fast but mostly slow, As the case might be. But the ocean is now traversed by steam, And lightning is yoked as @ working team To supply the wants of this wonderful age With new inventions at every stage Kingdoms have tottered and thrones fallen | And people discarded the use of a crown; They govern themselves without emperor or For freedom they've battled, of freedom they sing. | Slavery's chains have been riven apart, Answering the prayer of patriots heart; Leaving liberty s banner on high to wave Der the land of the free and the home of the brave. l The cross has been carried into far of lands, 1 And the people are obeying Gods commands l Who before were in darkness both deep and | long;
 This couple have seen all these things take place, Aud have kept tthemselves well to the front in the And tonight all these memories they may re- With their children and grandchildren twenty and five. They have travelled together long time one And have aided each other with the usual load l Which the duties and cares of the family gave; 1 He was sturdy and strong she gentle tho brave. His frame was we'll built for his ribs are of oak And see from the stem to the stern he is strong, l Prepared for the storm when it may come along. He has acted his part, as they say in the plays; He has laid down his lines and built up his ways, And launched out his ideas for the good of his And the world is the better for his work on the
 stage.
 But what would he have been without her by his | side?
 A lone craft on the water the storm to abide, | Without helm or rudder or compass to guide, l A prey to the winds and the waves and the tide He would have sure been a wreck on some desc l late shore,
 With no loved one remaining his loss to deplore And exciaim, "What an awful pity, for under ia
 vorable circumstances that would hayt l made a-man!'
 Then ;;sgS q good thing was done when that knot wa Joining these two into one for life to abide. l Then hail to the groom and hail to the bride, Long may they travel side by side!
 Our rhymes are finished and our voices now vel | raise,
 And all join in a reverent song of praise.
 The poem was followed by the singing of solo also composed by Mir. Sloan. l was sung by Elmer Gessner, nephew O MT. Gessner, to the tune "He Leadetl ! Me-" all joining in the chorus, which wa as follows: Give thanks and praise to God above,
 Whose goodness, mercy, care and love,
 With more of sunshine than Of tears, Hath crowned their lives these fifty years . Following is the poem composed by Dea con J. M Payne of Whitneyville Congre eational church and read at the goldel , wedding: , Human life has oft been likened
 To the seasons of the year, First the springtime in it's sweetness
 Frequent smiles, with many tear
 Then we have the glorious summer.
 Filled with labor and with care, While the opening buds of promise Shed their fragrance everywhere.
 Now we have the golden autumn s Reaping largely what we've sown,
 Buds of spring are buds no longer, |. Now to men and women grown
 You have had your spring and summer, @ Autumn yet is full of life;
 Fifty years you've been husband;
 Fifty years you've been wife.
 For the moment change the figure, ! Life is like an unknown sea,
 Who can tell what is or has been,
 How much less what is to be;
 On this sea of life we're sailing, Some have reached the post of rest; |. Soon, we too, will cast our anchor
 In the harbor of the blest
 Until then let faith and patience,
 Love and hope, like streamers fly, While the songs of sweet thanksgiving
 Fill our hearts and reach the sky. May each future anniversary
 Of this day, to memory dear,
 Be more full of brighter sunshine, , More of hope and less of fear. |. So may children call you blessed, ! Generations yet untold,
 Influenced by your example, e Meet you in the shepherds fold.