The Press., 1894-05-24
Putnam Patriot, May 11th.) A Pleasant Birthday Surprise Party.


 There are occasions when social gath erings are made @ source of spiritual good to all within their influence, as well as of social pleasure. Such was certainly the experience in the gathering at the home of Mir. and Mrs. Edson, on Tuesday eve ming. Elder Amasa Morse, the father of Mrs. Mary Edson, attained his 80th birth day on Tuesday, and the daughter, with a few friends, made 1t surprise birthday party in his honor. His special old friends in other towns were notified of the pur- pose, and some from Abingdon and from Woodstock were present to pay their re- spects, and to congratulate their tried and beloved friend on his attaining the pa- triarchal age of fourscore years with un- abated powers of mind, and almost of body.
 Elder Morse was born-in the town of Union, May 8, 1914, where he has spent nearly his entire life, coming to Putnam few years ago to spend the remainder oi his days. At the age of 28 years he was l converted, and joined the Methodist church. In 1842 he heard there were min- isters who were announcing that the end of the world and the coming of Christ to | judge the world was at hand, according to the teachings of Bible prophecies. He | listened to their expcsitions and argu. ments and read carefully all the books l ond +rootc on tho cuhioot ho oor1d get, and finally decided that the procla, nation was true and embraced it with earnestness and zeal. He felt he must communicate what he considered the good ways worked on @ farm and had never tried to speak in public, he accepted ar invitation to present his view to church, and found no difficulty in preaching, and that with great interest to his hearers. From that day to this he has preached continuously, as the way opened, and mainly on the same lines as did Paul working with his own hands to support himself and also to help the needy breth. ren. He never lacked for opportunity ir his younger days for invitations to preach never saying anything about any pecuni ary recompense, but did after time ac cept any contribution voluntarily offered He is vigorous at eighty, and the pow CTS of mind are not abated, and still is able to preach and to enjoy with hearti ness Christian social social fellowship and on Tuesday night was prepared to en joy the regular weekly social gathering as he supposed. But a surprise awaited him in seeing old friends from distance as we'll as larger number than usual O. the church congregation. After the usua greetings were over, B. M. Kent stepped up to him, and, in behalf of his friends present and absent, expressed their con T gratulations and his, that he had reached his SOth milestone in the enjoyment o health and the love and respect of thos endeared to him by many happy associa tions and for his labors for the Master and his exemplary life as blessing t' others, and who desired to commemorat :, this event by presenting him small tok en of their regard to remind him of thei unbounded love. MT. Kent then hande him handsome cane.
 In reply to these kind and brief re marks, Elder Morse, with unfalterin voice, but with deep solemn feeling, ez pressed his great qualification at the mar Hesitation of this friendship and kin wishes of dear ones, with many of whor he had long walked the Christian road i blessed expectation. He would ever val ue the loving gift as reminder of thi happy meeting, and also accept the sta to lean on as he travelled to the narro,